Russia and China seek to attack America's weak points, Syrian Army "harvests" weapons in East Ghouta

1. Mr. Trump confirmed that he is planning to meet Kim Jong-un.

US President Donald Trump (right) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Source: The Independent

In his latest Twitter message, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he is planning to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“Significant progress has been made but sanctions will remain in place until a deal is reached. Meetings are being planned,” he added.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also confirmed that US President Donald Trump will accept an invitation to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a time and location to be decided later.

“We are working toward the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must be maintained,” Sanders said.

2. Syrian army "catches a large haul" of weapons in Eastern Ghouta

Syrian Army.

According to SANA, the Syrian army is continuing its campaign to destroy rebel forces in the Eastern Ghouta region after the raid on the village of Masraba.

Specifically, the Syrian army has stepped up attacks under the support of artillery forces against terrorist positions in the Housh Qbaibat area.

In addition, the Syrian government forces also confiscated a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from rebel fighters of the Jabhat al-Nusra group (also known as the al–Nusra Front) in Eastern Ghouta.

“In coordination with some residents of Eastern Ghouta and with accurate intelligence about the transportation of weapons and ammunition to terrorists in the area, one of the security forces’ patrols ambushed and blocked the movement of terrorists to Ghouta,” SANA quoted an unnamed Syrian officer as saying.

According to this officer, the Syrian army confiscated two trucks carrying ammunition and weapons including weapons manufactured in the US, along with medicine, medical equipment and satellite communications equipment.

3. Suicide bombing in Kabul, many people killed

Afghan police at the scene of a bombing. Source: AFP

According to AFP, on March 9, Afghan officials announced that a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Shiite Muslim area in the country's capital Kabul, killing at least 7 people.

On his personal Facebook page, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said: "Seven people were killed and seven others were injured in the explosion." This is the latest attack in the capital Kabul.
Earlier, the Afghan Interior Ministry also reported a major explosion on March 2 in Kabul, killing at least one child and injuring six others. The victims were all civilians./.

4.Türkiye buys S-400 air defense system, NATO worries about intelligence leaks

Russian S-400 air defense missile system

Breaking Defense reported that Türkiye's purchase of Russia's S-400 Triumf air defense system has caused serious concerns for the NATO military alliance.

The statement was made by General Petr Pavel, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.

According to General Pavel, a representative of the military-political bloc, the S-400 air defense system is not compatible with NATO technologies, so the Russian air defense system will only be used as a separate unit, not integrated into the unified NATO air defense system.

However, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee also noted the issue of operational information, including data on NATO military infrastructure in Türkiye. General Pavel warned that such information would be stored in Russian systems.

The head of the NATO Military Committee also expressed concern about the fact that operating the S-400 air defense system requires a certain level of training, so more Russian specialists will be sent to Turkey. According to him, they will have access to important intelligence, which can then be passed on to the Russian authorities.

5. Russia and China are trying to attack America's "fatal" weakness

Russia and China are developing weapons to attack enemy satellites.

According to National Interest magazine, in the context of Russia and China's rapid military development, the two countries are also developing measures to target a major weakness of the United States.

“Countries around the world, particularly China and Russia, will continue to develop space-based reconnaissance, communications, and navigation capabilities through the proliferation of satellites and other assets,” US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the US Senate Armed Services Committee. “Both countries are pursuing anti-satellite weapons to reduce the operational capabilities of the US military and its allies.”

Mr. Coats also emphasized that both Russia and China continue to call for restrictions on space weapons, but also said that in the event of war, both Beijing and Moscow would conduct counterspace operations if necessary....

6. Japan investigates case of Vietnamese people being tricked into working in radioactive areas

Fukushima nuclear power plant area.

Japan's Justice Ministry is investigating a case involving a Vietnamese trainee who was tricked into doing cleanup work in a radioactive area after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

On March 7, in a phone call with the Japan Times, the Japanese Ministry of Justice confirmed that officials are investigating a case involving a 24-year-old Vietnamese male student who worked at a construction company in Iwate Prefecture. The company has yet to comment on the incident.

Earlier, the Nikkei newspaper reported that the construction company in Iwate Prefecture denied the allegations of violating labor laws. The company affirmed that the Vietnamese citizens were assigned the same tasks as their Japanese colleagues and did not face any health risks.

However, the Tokyo-based Zedoitsu Labor Union, which represents the Vietnamese trainee, said that the labor contract between the two parties only mentioned work related to engineering and public construction, but the person was required to do cleanup work in a radioactively contaminated area in Fukushima Prefecture. Unfortunately, the person was exposed to radiation.

7. Ukraine “threatens to respond” if Russia holds presidential election in Crimea

The Russian presidential election will take place on March 18.

Speaking on Channel 5 of Ukraine television, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of European integration Elena Zerkal said that Ukraine will introduce sanctions against those who organized the Russian presidential election in Crimea.

According to Ms. Elena Zerkal, if elections are held in the Crimean Peninsula, Moscow will violate the Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

She noted that Ukraine will impose sanctions on representatives of the peninsula's authorities who will help conduct elections in Crimea.