Mystery of North Korean train in China; Russia claims to possess many secret super weapons

1. The mystery of North Korea's special train in China

The ship was used to transport the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Photo: Tass.

An old-fashioned green train believed to be similar to the one used to carry North Korean leaders on overseas trips has arrived in China, fueling speculation that Kim Jong Un is visiting Beijing.

Photos and videos of the train at a Beijing station circulated online on the evening of March 26. Security forces were also heavily present at a state guesthouse in the Chinese capital where North Korean leaders have stayed.

These signs immediately sparked a wave of rumors that Mr. Kim Jong Un had arrived in China ahead of his meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae In and then possibly with US President Donald Trump.

2. Russia claims to possess many secret super weapons

MiG-31 fighter carrying Kinzhal missile. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense.

Russia's Deputy Defense Minister said the super weapons announced by Putin are not all that the country has in service.

"We continue to make progress. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has not disclosed everything we have in our arsenal." According to General Borisov, President Vladimir Putin's recent announcement of a number of new weapons is not intended to threaten or start a new arms race, but to create a balance.

"It is a warning that in the current situation no country in the world can unilaterally gain superiority or dominance in such a dangerous area as weapons development," the Russian deputy defense minister stressed. "There will always be measures to counter emerging challenges."

3.Russia and Syria will attack Eastern Ghouta if rebels do not evacuate

Syrian government soldiers take control of the town of Aftaris, Eastern Ghouta on March 12. Source: THX/TTXVN

AFP quoted sources on March 27 saying that Syria and Russia have threatened to resume bombing Douma, the last opposition stronghold in Eastern Ghouta, unless the rebels agree to evacuate.

One of the sources familiar with the matter said: "At the end of the meeting on March 26, the Russian side gave the Jaish al-Islam rebels two options: surrender or face an attack."Russia will give the group a few days to think before launching a military attack on the town.

Moscow has also urged Jaish al-Islam to follow the lead of Faylaq al-Rahman, another Islamist faction that agreed to withdraw from its enclave in Eastern Ghouta last week after coming under heavy military pressure, the sources said.

4. President Putin affirmed that the serious fire in Russia was due to carelessness.

Smoke rises during a fire at the “Winter Cherry” shopping mall. Source: THX/TTXVN

Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that the fire at the Zimnjaja vishnja (Winter Cherry) shopping center in Kemerovo province, which killed 64 people, including many children, was due to carelessness.

Speaking on March 27, Mr. Putin emphasized: "This is the consequence of criminal negligence." Investigators said that at the time of the fire, a security officer of the center turned off the fire alarm system and the building's emergency exits were closed.

Authorities will continue to determine the cause of the fire. However, according to some experts, the cause may be violations in the building's electrical installation, or carelessness in using fire.

5.“Following” 22 countries, NATO expels 7 Russian diplomats

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: Sputnik

NATO Secretary General announced on March 27 that he would expel seven Russian diplomats from the alliance's mission in response to the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in the UK.

According toReuters, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg announced on March 27 the decision to expel seven Russian diplomats from the country's mission to the alliance. In addition, NATO also announced the reduction of the Russian delegation to NATO from 30 to 20 people and rejected the request for permission from three Russian employees.

“This sends a very clear message to Russia that there will be a price,” Mr. Stoltenberg said.

However, according to the NATO Secretary General, the military alliance still maintains regular dialogues with Russia through the NATO-Russia Council - a special forum bringing together NATO envoys and Russian ambassadors to NATO.