Britain's politicization plot fails?; Russia names culprits of attack on Syrian base

1. Has Britain's plot to politicize the Skripal case failed?

The poisoning of former Russian spy Skripal in the UK has caused a huge international diplomatic scandal.

Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE Alexander Lukashevich said that Britain tried to put the “Skripal case” on the agenda of the organization's Permanent Council, but attempts to politicize the issue were not supported.

“Britain is trying to discredit Russia not only in the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), but also in other international forums and organizations. Of course, the British tried to put this topic on the agenda of the Permanent Council. But this was not developed further. It is difficult to argue against vague arguments.

Attempts to politicize this topic at the OSCE have not developed, and will not develop," Alexander Lukashevich was quoted by the Izvestia newspaper.

"I think that after a while, London did not want to bring this issue to the international arena. We must understand, the OSCE mainly discusses the Ukrainian issue," the Russian diplomat said.

2. Mr. Trump declared that the perpetrators of the Douma chemical attack will “pay a heavy price”

A Syrian child is believed to have been caught in a chemical attack in Douma, Syria.

According to Reuters news agency, US President Donald Trump warned that the perpetrators of the toxic gas attack in the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta (Syria) will have to "pay a very heavy price".

As international officials scrambled to confirm the chemical attack in the town of Douma, Trump took direct aim at Russian President Vladimir Putin following the incident. Meanwhile, Syrian media reported that the US had launched a missile strike on a Syrian air base, although the US immediately denied the report.

The Syrian government has denied carrying out any chemical weapons attack, while Russia, the biggest ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, has called reports of the attack fake.

3. Russia confirms that the attack on Syria was carried out by Israel

Soldiers on duty in Homs province.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that two Israeli fighter jets were responsible for attacking the Syrian army's airbase in Homs province early on the morning of April 9.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, five of the eight missiles launched by Israeli F-15 fighters were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems. “Three missiles fell in the area west of the T-4 base. No Russian military advisers were injured in the attack,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Israel has not confirmed the information. However, local media reported that an Israeli intelligence aircraft had been detected in Syrian airspace. According to the Russian military, the attack was carried out from Lebanese airspace.

4. North Korea is ready to negotiate nuclear disarmament

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are about to have a historic meeting. Illustration photo: Yonhap

The United States says North Korea is ready to negotiate giving up its nuclear weapons program at a bilateral summit next month.

The two sides are also holding secret talks to prepare for the historic meeting, a White House National Security Council spokesman told Yonhap news agency on condition of anonymity.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are expected to meet before the end of May to discuss North Korea's denuclearization. The summit will come after a year of escalating tensions.

US media reported over the weekend that North Korea has informed the US that the country is ready to negotiate on giving up its nuclear weapons program.

5. Iran warns US "will regret" if it withdraws from nuclear deal

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a meeting in Hyderabad on February 15. Source: AFP/VNA

According to AFP/Reuters, on April 9, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned that US President Donald Trump would regret withdrawing from the nuclear deal that Tehran and six world powers signed in 2015, and threatened that Tehran would respond more strongly than imagined "in less than a week" if that happened.

Speaking at a conference marking National Nuclear Technology Day in Tehran, Mr. Rouhani said: "We will not be the first country to violate this agreement, but if the United States withdraws from this agreement, they will definitely regret it. Our response will be stronger than what they imagine and they will see it within a week."

6. Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban declares historic victory

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks in Budapest on April 4. Source: THX/TTXVN

AFP reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed a "historic victory" in the country's key parliamentary election on April 8, after preliminary results showed his right-wing Fidesz party had a large lead.

Speaking to his supporters, Mr. Orban said the results gave Hungarians "the opportunity to defend themselves and defend Hungary."
According to the National Election Office, Fidesz is leading in this election, with 48.86% of the votes out of 95.1% of the votes counted, far ahead of the second-placed Jobbik party with only 19.75% of the votes.
This Hungarian parliamentary election is an event closely watched by European observers to see whether Mr. Viktor Orban will win a third consecutive term.

7. Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak faces life in prison

Former President Lee Myung-bak. Photo: Getty

Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has been charged with corruption and abuse of power and could face life in prison, AFP reported.

On April 9, Mr. Lee Myung-bak was officially charged with bribery, abuse of power, embezzlement, and tax evasion.AFPThe announcement came just days after Lee's successor, former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for corruption and leaking government secrets.

Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon said authorities would thoroughly investigate Mr. Lee’s criminal record. Mr. Lee was arrested in late March but refused to answer questions when prosecutors questioned him.