UK “destroys” evidence of Skripal poisoning; US warship carrying 60 missiles approaches Syria

1. Russia: Using the excuse of chemical attack in Syria, UK "destroys" evidence of Skripal poisoning

Russia believes that Britain wants to destroy evidence related to the poisoning of former double agent Skripal and his son.

The Russian Ambassador to the United Nations stressed that the allegations of a chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma were an excuse to distract public opinion from the distorted evidence released by the UK regarding the poisoning of Mr. Skripal and his son.

Speaking at an emergency session of the Security Council on April 9, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia emphasized that the fabricated information related to the chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma was intended to distract public opinion from the UK being accused of distorting information about the poisoning of former double agent Skripal to form an anti-Russia alliance.

“The fabricated information about the attack in Douma on April 7 is an attempt to distract public opinion from the Skripal case. This is a case that the British side has distorted in order to make baseless accusations against Russia in order to establish an anti-Russian alliance,” Sputnik quoted Mr. Nebenzia as saying.

2. US-China trade tensions: Beijing unexpectedly de-escalates

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on April 10 that he would “significantly reduce” tariffs on imported cars, a surprise move by Beijing amid rising US-China trade tensions.

According to CNN, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the decision at a recent development conference on Hainan Island. In addition to pledging to reduce import tariffs on cars, Xi also announced a series of other measures to further open the Chinese economy to the world, while promising to tighten protection of intellectual property rights in the country.

Many of these plans have been proposed by the Chinese government in some form before, analysts say. For example, in November 2017, Beijing pledged to “gradually and rationally reduce” tariffs on imported cars, though it did not provide a specific timetable for doing so.

3. US President Trump changed his mind again and wants to postpone meeting with Mr. Kim Jong-un?

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Speaking at the White House on April 9, Mr. Trump emphasized his hope that the relationship between the two countries after a century of tension with warlike rhetoric and a dangerous arms race could become a sincere friendship.

Speaking to reporters before attending a cabinet meeting, Mr. Trump said the US-North Korea summit could take place “in May or early June,” and confirmed that the meeting would take place. The new statement from Mr. Trump shows that the US President has intended to postpone the meeting with Mr. Kim a little bit from the originally announced date of May.

“I think there is great respect between both sides and hopefully the outcome will be denuclearization. Hopefully, the relationship between the two countries will be different than it has been for many, many years,” Channel News Asia quoted Mr. Trump as saying.

After Trump's shock announcement in March that he had accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's request to meet, many were skeptical that the historic meeting would ever take place.

4. Trump threatens to respond to Syria

A scene of destruction in the town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, Syria, March 30. Photo: Reuters.

"We are closely monitoring the situation. We are holding meetings with the military and relevant agencies. A decision will be made in the next 24-48 hours,"Washington Postquoted the statement of US President Donald Trump at a press conference at the White House on April 9.

Earlier, the White House boss warned that the Syrian government "will pay a heavy price" after the country's army was accused of using chemical weapons in the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, killing about 70 people. "It was a terrible attack, very terrible," Mr. Trump emphasized and vowed to respond "strongly".

The US president said he would not rule out any options when considering a response to Syria, including a cruise missile strike similar to the one in April 2017 in response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons in Idlib.

5. US warship carrying 60 missiles approaching Syria

US Navy destroyer. Source: AFP/TTXVN

According to TASS, the Wall Street Journal reported on April 10 that at least one US destroyer has begun heading to the Syrian coast, after President Donald Trump announced the possibility of a US military response following the suspected chemical weapons attack in the town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, Syria, on April 7.

However, the newspaper did not specify the name of the destroyer and the departure point from which it headed to the Syrian coast.

Speaking after a meeting with senior US military officials, President Trump said "many military options" were being discussed in response to the suspected chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma.

6. FBI searches Trump's lawyer's office

Police block off the front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza - where lawyer Michael Cohen's office is located. Photo: Reuters

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on April 9 searched the office of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, according to Reuters.

Mr Cohen was at the centre of a $130,000 hush-money deal with Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, an adult film actress who accused Mr Trump of having sex with her in 2006.

Cohen's lawyer, Stephen Ryan, confirmed that the FBI and authorities had "seized a number of documents" between Cohen and his clients, including emails, tax documents and business records. Documents related to the Stormy deal were among them, according to the New York Times.

7. Airstrikes on Syrian military bases, Israel officially challenges Russia?

Israeli Air Force F-15 fighter jet.

Russian experts said that Israel's airstrike on a Syrian air base on April 9 was a strategic mistake and put Israel in a difficult position to explain to Russia because this action was seen as supporting terrorists in Syria.

“In my opinion, Israel made a strategic mistake by becoming the aggressor on behalf of the US. Israel’s actions also raise concerns for Russia-Israel relations. The T-4 base attacked by the Israeli Air Force is home to a number of Russian aircraft such as Mi-8 and Ka-52 helicopters. This is also where Russian pilots and soldiers are stationed,” Vyacheslav Matuzov, a political scientist, told RT.

According to Mr. Matuzov, the fact that the Israeli army did not deny being the culprit in the attack on the T-4 base of the Syrian army in Homs province but refused to comment shows that "Israel has admitted being the culprit."