UK-Russia tensions escalate, President Trump's Cabinet is in turmoil

1.UK-Russia tensions escalate after former Russian spy poisoning

Former Russian spy Skripal and his daughter. Photo: RTE

Britain and Russia are at a very tense time in relations after the British Prime Minister issued an ultimatum demanding Russia explain the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the UK.

Now that former spy Skripal and his daughter are out of danger, the deadline for Russia to respond to Britain has passed and both sides are making their strongest arguments and positions.

Russia has made its first official response to allegations of involvement in the poisoning of former Russian spy Skripal in the UK.

At a press conference on March 13, the Russian Foreign Minister stated that the British government did not allow Russia access to samples of the poison to determine whether Russia was involved in the incident or not, and that the British accusations were completely baseless.

2. Latest developments on the Korean peninsula

US President Donald Trump says he is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to ease tensions over North Korea's nuclear program.

As the world is buzzing about the meeting of the century between US President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un scheduled to take place next May, Pyongyang has yet to make any official response to this summit.

Western intelligence experts claim to have discovered evidence that North Korea is activating its nuclear reactors.

In the US-South Korea relationship, President Trump seems to intend to withdraw troops from South Korea if Washington does not reach a better trade deal with Seoul.

3. President Trump's cabinet in turmoil, US Secretary of State fired

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (left) and President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters

President Donald Trump announced on March 13 that Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo will replace Rex Tillerson as US Secretary of State. Gina Haspel will be the new CIA Director.

According to the assessment, Mr. Rex Tillerson was fired mainly due to disagreements surrounding the North Korea issue. Previously, the top economic advisor - Mr. Gary Gohn also announced his resignation after disagreeing with President Trump about imposing high tariffs on aluminum and steel imported into the US.

Some experts say recent personnel changes and cabinet reshuffles suggest more senior officials will have to leave.

4. Information about the Russian presidential election

Russian President Vladimir Putin campaigns in Moscow on January 10, 2018.

The Russian presidential election will officially take place on March 18. Russian citizens living in remote areas, living, working and traveling abroad have participated in early voting. There are 8 candidates running in this election.

President Putin has the highest approval rating, at around 70%, an overwhelming majority compared to the other seven opponents, who only have 1-7% of the voter support, according to some polls.

5. Plane crash in Nepal, 49 people died

The scene of the tragic plane crash in the capital of Nepal. Photo: Fox News

A plane carrying 71 passengers from Bangladesh disappeared and flew dangerously before crashing and bursting into flames while landing in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, killing at least 49 people, officials and witnesses said, according to Fox News.

A top airport official said the pilot of US-Bangla Airlines flight BS211 did not follow landing instructions from the control tower and approached the airport runway from the wrong direction. “The plane was not in line for the runway. The tower kept asking the pilot if he was okay and the answer was ‘yes,’” said Raj Kumar Chetri, general manager of the airport.

However, a transcript of the conversation between the pilot and the Air Traffic Control Tower indicated confusion over which direction the plane was supposed to land.

6.Xi Jinping re-elected President of China for 5-year term

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Vice President Wang Qishan at the voting session of the Chinese National People's Congress on March 17. Photo: Reuters

The voting took place on March 17 at a session within the framework of the 13th National People's Congress of China. All 2,970 delegates voted in favor of Xi Jinping's re-election. This result means that Xi Jinping will serve another term as President, General Secretary and Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China until 2023.

Xi Jinping was re-elected just a week after China's parliament voted to amend the constitution to remove term limits for the presidency and vice presidency.

Also in today's voting session, Mr. Wang Qishan, a close associate of Mr. Xi and former head of the anti-corruption campaign, was appointed Vice President with 2,969 votes in favor and only 1 abstention.

Xi Jinping was elected President of China in 2013. In his next term, Xi is expected to continue his large-scale anti-corruption campaign to clean up the government, while continuing to pursue policies to boost the slowing economy.