Hot world events in the past 24 hours

1. Pope Francis sends Lunar New Year greetings to Asian people

Pope Francis (center) sends Lunar New Year greetings to Asian people. Source: AFP/VNA

Pope Francis has sent Lunar New Year greetings to people in Asia and elsewhere around the world as they prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 15.

In his New Year greetings delivered on February 11 in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, the Pope sent his warm greetings to all families in Asia and many other parts of the world.

The Pope wished everyone to always live in solidarity and be filled with good dreams to contribute to building a society in which all are welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated.

2.Russian President cancels trip to Sochi after tragic plane crash

The scene of the tragic plane crash in Russia. Photo: AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the establishment of an investigation board into the tragic accident that occurred on February 11, killing all 71 people on board.

Following President Putin's instructions announced on television, the head of the Russian Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin has taken over as head of the investigation team.

President Putin also sent condolences to the relatives of the victims. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Putin had canceled a trip to Sochi scheduled for February 12 after the plane crash.

3.Joint Korean women's hockey team nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

The joint Korean women's ice hockey team poses for a photo with the leaders of North and South Korea. Photo: Reuters

A senior member of the International Olympic Committee has proposed a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for the joint Korean women's ice hockey team.

According toReutersAngela Ruggiero, a four-time World Champion and gold medalist in ice hockey, said she would call on other members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to join her.

“I would be very happy if the joint Korean women’s ice hockey team received the Nobel Peace Prize. It would be a fitting recognition for the sacrifices both teams have made to be able to participate together,” Angela Ruggiero said on February 11, a day after the joint Korean women’s ice hockey team competed at the PyeongChang Olympics.

4.Israeli military destroys 100-year-old historic site in West Bank

Israeli police on duty in the village of Betunia, West Bank on December 28, 2016. Source: AFP/VNA

On February 12, Israeli forces raided several areas in the West Bank and arrested at least 15 Palestinians, confiscated equipment from farm owners in these areas, and destroyed a historical site.

In the Wadi Qana river area near the city of Salfit in the northern West Bank, citing the reason of protecting a nature reserve, the Israeli army used bulldozers to flatten a 100-year-old building and seized solar panels from farm owners, and banned the farm owners from entering their lands, Xinhua reported.

5. Thailand asks China to "arrest" former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

Images of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra were said to have appeared at a market in the Chinese capital Beijing.

On February 12, the Thai police force responsible for hunting down and arresting former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called for cooperation from Chinese authorities to locate her.

Previously, some photos circulated online showing Ms. Yingluck and her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, appearing at a market in the Chinese capital Beijing.

Bangkok Post reported that according to police sources, Thailand's security team wanted to verify whether the location where Ms. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin were in the above photo was in Beijing.

Mo Ibrahim Prize honors Africa's first female former leader

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Source: AFP/VNA

On February 12, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was honored with the prestigious 2017 Mo Ibrahim Prize worth up to 5 million USD.

This is the world's largest individual award to honor African leaders who were democratically elected, have been exceptionally successful in governing their countries, served their full terms in office and have left office within the last three years.
Ms. Sirleaf, 79 years old and the first democratically elected female president in Africa, ended her term as President of Liberia on January 22 after 12 years in power. Previously, in 2011, she also co-won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for women's rights.