Russia shows off combat robots; UN advance team attacked on arrival in Syria

Syria transfers US anti-aircraft missiles to Russia

Syrian air defense missiles fired into the sky over Damascus on the morning of April 14. Photo: AP.

TASS quoted a source from the Russian Defense Ministry as saying that the Syrian army found two unexploded cruise missiles from the US and its allies after the attack in the early morning of April 14. Both were quite intact and were handed over to Russian officers.

According to the source, these missiles were transported to Russia by plane. The types of these two cruise missiles are currently unknown. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the above information.

On April 14, the US-UK-France military alliance launched 105 Tomahawk, JASSM, Storm Shadow and MdCN cruise missiles at three targets in Syria in response to the country's alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians.

Russia said the Syrian military intercepted at least 71 missiles fired by the US and its allies. Meanwhile, the Pentagon said it hit all three targets and none were shot down.

Cuba elects new presidential candidate

Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez becomes the new president of Cuba. Photo: AP.

On April 19, the Cuban National Assembly officially announced the results of the vote to select a candidate for the position of new President of Cuba, replacing Raul Castro. Accordingly, First Vice President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez, 57 years old, is the only candidate, with a 95% or higher approval rate.

Diaz-Canel Bermudez has been a frequent public figure this year, making a splash at a press conference last month, promising to make the Cuban government more responsive to the needs of its people.

Diaz-Canel Bermudez was a top Communist Party official in the central province of Villa Clara. He was regarded by his people as a hard-working, modest man who worked hard to improve public services. He became education minister in 2009, before becoming first vice president.

This election is considered a historic moment in Cuba as for the first time in nearly 60 years, the island nation will have a president who is not surnamed Castro.

In 2016, eight years after succeeding his brother Fidel Castro, Cuban President Raul Castro, 86, announced that he would step down from his leadership position in 2018. Raul Castro affirmed that the country had reached the time to transfer responsibility to a younger generation.

Russia shows off combat robots at 2018 Parade

Russian Uran-9 combat robot. Photo: Rostec.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that in preparation for the parade on Red Square on May 9, the Russian army is deploying many new weapons such as the Uran-9 multi-purpose combat robot complex, the Uran-6 mine-clearing robot, the Su-57 fighter jet, and the 'Terminator' tank support combat vehicle.

This is the first time the Russian Defense Ministry has shown off these weapons at a parade on Red Square, marking their entry into service. The motorcade will consist of 190 state-of-the-art vehicles, shaping the future of the Russian army.

This year's May 9 parade commemorates the 73rd anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. In addition to soldiers, military cadets and mechanical equipment, the Russian army will deploy 73 aircraft of various types, including two Su-57 stealth fighters.

The Russian Federation and its members in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) now celebrate May 9 as Victory Day over Nazi Germany. In addition to the capital Moscow, Russian military units in several major cities and bases abroad also hold smaller-scale parades and marches to celebrate the holiday.

UN advance team attacked on arrival in Syria

UN vehicles carrying OPCW investigators are seen in Damascus. Photo: Reuters

The Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Ahmet Üzümcü said that the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) has decided to send a security advance team to two locations in the town of Douma, Eastern Ghouta, before investigators arrive there to investigate the suspicion of a chemical weapons attack.

However, according to Mr. Ahmet, the advance team was attacked when they tried to approach the area. Accordingly, when the advance team approached the scene, a crowd gathered there and warned the UNDSS advance team to leave. At the second location, the advance team was even attacked with guns and explosives. Therefore, the advance team returned to Damascus.

It is not yet clear which forces are behind the actions preventing the UN advance team from accessing the scene in Douma.

Meanwhile, OPCW investigators will not access the site until the area is secure. The OPCW investigation team is tasked with collecting evidence from soil samples and interviewing witnesses to investigate a suspected chemical weapons attack on civilians in Douma on April 7. The US and the West have accused the Syrian government of being behind the attack, but Russia and Syria have denied the accusations.

Sexual harassment of reporters, Japanese Deputy Minister resigns

Japanese Vice Minister Junichi Fukuda (Photo: Getty)

Japanese Vice Minister Junichi Fukuda, 58, said he decided to resign because the Japanese Finance Ministry is currently in turmoil over the leak of doctored documents related to a bargain land deal. On the other hand, he denied allegations that he sexually harassed several female reporters.

Mr. Fukuda previously threatened to sue the magazine Shukan Shincho for publishing sexual harassment allegations against him.

According to Shincho magazine, some female reporters accused Mr. Fukuda of making sexual remarks to them at meetings or bars. The magazine also published recordings of Mr. Fukuda allegedly saying things like: "Can I hug you?" or "Can I touch your breasts?"

Asked about these words, Mr. Fukuda said: "I don't remember having these kinds of comments. I don't remember having this terrible conversation."

According toNHK, Mr. Fukuda is the first senior official of Japan's Finance Ministry to resign since 1998.