North and South Korea to Declare End to War; Surprising Admittance of Syria Attack

1. Attacking Syria "does not solve any problem"

French President Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP

That was the admission of French President Emmanuel Macron before the European Parliament on April 17, but he emphasized that the three countries of the US, UK and France were forced to take this step to protect the "honor" of the international community.

He stressed that this operation was carried out according to a legitimate multilateral mechanism, as well as in a targeted manner without causing casualties, thereby destroying three facilities believed to be producing or storing chemical weapons in Syria.

The statement was made in the context of the French government's concern that "it is highly likely" that evidence disappeared from the scene of the suspected chemical weapons attack in the Syrian town of Douma before international inspectors reached the area.

2. OPCW experts arrive in Douma

OPCW headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands on April 4. Photo: AFP/VNA

Experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in the town of Douma, near the capital Damascus, on April 17 to determine whether a chemical weapons attack had taken place in Douma. The investigation into the chemical attack in Douma is expected to begin on April 18.

3. Russia thwarts terrorist attack plot

The FSB has thwarted a terrorist attack by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in the Rostov region. Photo: TASS

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has thwarted a terrorist attack plot by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization in the Rostov region.

In this operation, security forces and police coordinated to arrest 3 subjects who received orders from IS in Syria and planned large-scale terrorist attacks with explosive devices and pistols in the Rostov region, in the southern federal district of Russia.

The leader of the group detonated an explosive device and died on the spot while resisting security forces. At the scene, police also confiscated AK-47 rifles, grenades, ammunition, homemade explosive devices, communication devices and electronic devices containing propaganda about IS activities. A wider investigation is currently underway.

4. Are the two Koreas about to end the war?

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters.

Seoul and Pyongyang may issue a joint statement at the April 27 summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that will seek to reduce military tensions and end confrontation.

The focus of the inter-Korean summit agenda will be three parts: denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, a peace agreement and progress in inter-Korean relations.

If successful, the meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas could help pave the way for a summit between US President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader scheduled for late May or June.

5. China deploys new nuclear ballistic missile

China's DF-21D intermediate-range ballistic missile. Photo: Defense News

China's Strategic Rocket Force recently received a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This new missile model can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and can be used in nuclear retaliation operations or to attack all types of enemy warships at medium to long range.

According to Chinese media, the improved missile is 30% stronger than the old DF-21D version and can eliminate enemy aircraft carriers and escort warships from combat, but data on the missile's tests have not been disclosed.

Sina website said this is most likely the DF-26, a Chinese medium-to-long-range missile that can fly at supersonic speeds, believed to be able to reach Guam Island, more than 3,200 km from the Chinese coast.

6. Former Russian spy attacked with "liquid" nerve agent

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. Photo: ABC

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the attackers had targeted Mr Skipal's home in Salisbury. London Road Cemetery, where the former Russian spy's son and wife are buried, was not attacked.

DEFRA also revealed efforts are underway to decontaminate areas in Salisbury where the toxic chemical was found, as well as details of the poisoning.

According to DEFRA, a total of nine sites need to be cleaned, including ambulance stations, Mr Skipal's home, and various locations across London, including the Mill Pub and Zizzi restaurant, where the former spy and his son visited shortly before being found in a disorderly state.

Nearly 200 military personnel from the British Army and Royal Air Force will assist in the clean-up, which is expected to take several months.

7. American journalism won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize

Film producer Weinstein lost his position in Hollywood after the sexual harassment scandal. Photo: Getty

The New York Times and the New Yorker have both won Pulitzer Prizes for their reporting on sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood. Their reporting brought down movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was accused of sexual misconduct and even rape. The investigations spawned the #MeToo movement, a widespread protest against sexual harassment in many industries in the US that has spread to many other countries.

The Washington Post also won an investigative award for revealing decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct against U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. Reuters won two Pulitzer Prizes in 2018, for its coverage of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and for its photography of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

8. Japan mobilizes 6,600 police to hunt down "model" prisoners

Japanese police join the hunt for the escaped thief. Photo: Kyodo

Japan has dispatched 6,600 police officers to search for a prisoner who escaped from a prison in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, which operates under an open-system model, allowing inmates to move freely if they behave well. Tatsuma Hirao, 27, a repeat thief, has been missing for a week, but the search has yet to yield results.

The incident attracted public attention in Japan, with television stations even reporting the minute-by-minute developments of the Hirao hunt.

After a week of searching, Japanese Justice Minister Yoko Kawakami apologized to the people. The police have deployed 96 additional officers to guard schools on Makaishima Island, Hiroshima, where police suspect Hirao is hiding./.