Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1.North Korea holds military parade to celebrate 70th anniversary of military establishment

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the military parade on February 8. Photo: BBC.

On February 8, North Korea held a military parade to mark the important event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.According to Xinhua News Agency, the parade was held late in the morning of February 8 at Kim Il Sung Square in the capital Pyongyang.

However, unlike the April 25 parade last year, this time North Korean television did not broadcast the event live.North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un is expected to attend the parade, which will be the first time North Korea has celebrated the founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army on February 8 instead of the usual April 25.

2. Can Mr. Trump break the "government shutdown" obsession?

Senate leaders of the two Democratic factions Chuck Schumer (left) and Republican Mitch McConnell (right) talk after reaching a two-year budget agreement. Photo: Reuters

Early morning on February 8 (Vietnam time), Democratic and Republican leaders in the US Senate announced that they had reached a consensus on a two-year budget agreement for the government.

Thus, compared to the budget bill that allowed the government to operate until March 23, which was passed by the House of Representatives earlier, the new bill is an important turning point. The budget battle in Congress will end at least until the end of President Donald Trump's term.

3. South Korean President to meet Kim Jong-un's sister

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) and Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: AFP/Yonhap.

"President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to meet and have lunch with the North Korean delegation on February 10,"Yonhapquoted Kim Eui-kyeom, spokesman for the Blue House, the South Korean presidential office, on February 8. The meeting location has not been disclosed.

The meeting between Mr. Moon and the North Korean delegation took place a day after they attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in the eastern city of Pyeongchang, South Korea, on February 9.

4. Russian Presidential Election: Approval of 8 candidates on the ballot

President Vladimir Putin. Source: AFP/TTXVN

On February 8, the Russian Central Election Commission approved the ballot for the upcoming presidential election, including the names of eight candidates.

The Commission has previously registered all candidates for the 2018 Presidential election.
The ballot will contain the names of eight registered candidates for voters to choose from, said Commission head Ella Pamphilova.

The candidates' names are listed in alphabetical order, so incumbent President Vladimir Putin will be fourth on the ballot.

5. Maldives sends envoys to countries to consult on crisis resolution

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen. Source: AP

On February 8, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen sent envoys to friendly countries such as China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to consult on solutions to the political crisis happening in this Indian Ocean island nation.

According to information posted on the President's website, the envoys sent include Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed to China, Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim to Pakistan and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee to Saudi Arabia.

6.Russian Defense Ministry prepares to buy 12 Su-57 stealth fighters

Su-57 aircraft. Source: tass.com

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on February 8 that the Russian Defense Ministry will sign a contract this year to purchase 12 advanced Su-57 stealth fighters.

Speaking during a visit to Gagarin, an aircraft factory in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Borisov announced that "this year we will sign a contract for the purchase of the first batch of 12 Su-57 fighters for the armed forces." The first two of the batch could enter service next year.

7.Leaked video of Syrian terrorists using machine guns to shoot down Russian Su-25

Image cut from clip is said to be the moment Syrian terrorists shot down Russia's Su-25.

Two videos purportedly showing terrorists in Syria shooting down a Russian Su-25 with machine guns on February 3 and an interview with a gunman involved have appeared online. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the footage.

According to Sputnik, two videos were released by Directorate 4, a Telegram channel that specializes in monitoring the activities of Syrian terrorist gunmen.

The first video shows Syrian rebels firing heavy machine guns from pickup trucks at a Russian plane. However, the Russian Defense Ministry said the Su-25 was shot down by Syrian terrorists using a man-portable surface-to-air missile system (MANPAD).