Trump declares “mission accomplished excellently”; Russian “trump card” counterattacks US missile strike

1. Trump declares “mission accomplished” after Syria airstrike

US President Donald Trump has praised the US military and allied forces after the airstrike in Syria.

According to Sputnik news agency, US President Donald Trump has made his first statement about the airstrike that the West recently conducted in Syria, an action that has been criticized by the Syrian government and many other countries.

In his speech, Mr. Trump said that the US, UK and France had “done a great job” after the airstrikes in Syria, thanking the two allies for their “mental and material” support and that the attack was “executed perfectly.”

The US President also praised the US armed forces, calling them “the most skilled military the country has ever had,” saying that no country can match the US in military strength.

The announcement was made by Mr. Trump after a coordinated airstrike by the three countries of the US, UK and France was carried out on civilian and military facilities in Syria. The warships Porter, Cook and Higgins launched missiles from the Red Sea, while British and French fighter jets along with US B-1 bombers were deployed from the Mediterranean Sea.

2. Russia warns of “serious consequences” from Western airstrikes on Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

According to ABC News, Russia has reacted strongly to the US and its allies conducting airstrikes near Damascus and Homs (Syria) on the morning of April 14 and warned of possible "consequences".

After the US, UK and France launched a series of missiles at targets believed to be producing chemical weapons in Syria, the Russian embassy immediately voiced its protest. Russian Ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov said: "Our biggest fears have come true. Our warnings have fallen on deaf ears."

“A staged event is taking place,” the Russian ambassador said in a statement. “We are being threatened and must affirm that such actions cannot go without serious consequences.”

3. Russia announces surprising news about the poison used in the case of the former spy

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Source: Sputnik

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on April 14 cited data from a Swiss laboratory saying that BZ poison was used in the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his son.

"According to the results of the examination, traces of BZ and its precursors, which are chemical weapons of the second level under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, were found in the samples. BZ is a nerve agent that temporarily incapacitates a person. The effects are achieved within 30-50 minutes and last up to four days," Sputnik news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

The poison is in the hands of the US, Britain and other NATO countries but has never been produced in Russia, the Russian foreign minister added.

4. Protests demanding the Japanese Prime Minister's resignation

Protesters gathered in front of the National Diet building in Tokyo to protest Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Blomberg

50,000 people joined a large protest outside the Japanese Parliament building on April 14, expressing anger at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and calling for his resignation.

According to Bloomberg News, organizers and callers of the protest in Tokyo on April 14 said it was the largest demonstration in nearly 3 years. Most of the protesters were young and they held up slogans calling Mr. Abe a "liar".

Japan's prime minister is said to have pressed parliament to deny involvement in a controversial land deal involving his wife.

Last month, Japan's Finance Ministry admitted it had edited documents related to a deal to sell a plot of public land at a preferential price to the Moritomo Gakuen educational group, removing all information related to Mr. Abe's wife, Ms. Akie Abe.

5. The mystery of Russia's "trump card" counterattacking US missiles in Syria

Russia Beyond has assessed Russia’s capabilities to counter a large-scale missile attack on Syria. To do this, Russia has at least two cards.

Russia’s first “trump card” in the scenario of further developments will be unique electronic warfare systems. For many years, Russia has been developing this type of weaponry and is capable of interfering with reconnaissance aircraft and even completely disabling the electronic systems of the enemy.

There is practically no way to counter this Russian weapon. Knowing in advance about the attack, Russia can deploy its air force equipped with electronic warfare systems. Most of the US missiles in that case will not be able to reach the target.

Russia's second “trump card” is the network of air defense systems with different ranges. They can protect the airspace from any target.

The S-300 and S-400 complexes for destroying missiles operate at long ranges. If the Tomahawk missiles, after overcoming these two systems, reach their targets, the Pantsir S-1 complexes operating at close range will be activated against them. In other words, it cannot be confirmed that the large-scale US missile strike on Syria will reach its targets, the magazine said.

6. Mr. Kim Jong-un welcomed and watched performances with high-ranking Chinese officials.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meets with Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on March 29 in Dandong city, China.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that leader Kim Jong-un received Mr. Song Tao, Head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on April 14.

Song is leading a Chinese art troupe on a visit to Pyongyang. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on “important issues of mutual concern,” as well as the international situation.

Mr. Kim expressed satisfaction with the recent progress in relations between the two countries. The North Korean leader previously made a surprise visit to Beijing in March and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

7. Plane diverted due to crew member being held hostage

Air China plane at Beijing Capital International Airport. Source: chinadaily.com.cn

According to Xinhua News Agency, on April 15, a Chinese airline plane en route from Changsha (capital of Hunan province) to Beijing had to divert to Zhengzhou after a crew member was taken hostage by a male passenger.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the man used a pen to threaten the crew member.

Flight CA1350 landed at Zhengzhou Xinsheng International Airport in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, central China at 9:58 a.m. (10:58 a.m. Hanoi time).

According to the CAAC, the incident was resolved at 13:17 (14:17 Hanoi time). All passengers and crew are safe.

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