Japanese Prime Minister Offers to Meet North Korean Leader “Unconditionally”

In an interview with a Japanese newspaper, Prime Minister Abe said he wanted to meet with the North Korean leader without any conditions and have a frank and open discussion between the two sides. Mr. Abe said that there is no better way to break down suspicions from both sides than direct meetings and he hopes that the North Korean leader can wisely make appropriate decisions and bring the greatest benefit to North Korea.

Prime Minister Abe's statement came as the North Korean leader has recently taken positive steps to connect with the international community through direct meetings with the US President and Russian President.

Russian and Syrian troops step up attacks in northwestern Syria

Syrian government soldiers and Russian soldiers patrol in Idlib province, Syria. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

According to the British news agency Reuters, Russian and Syrian military forces stepped up airstrikes and artillery shelling in northwestern Syria overnight on May 1 in the strongest attack on the last rebel stronghold in recent months.

The offensive targets villages and towns in northern Hama and southern Idlib that lie within the demilitarized zone established under a September 2018 deal between Russia and Türkiye.

US determined to end 6-month waiver on Iran oil sanctions

Illustration: CFR.

The six-month sanctions waivers granted by the US to eight countries and territories expire on May 2. The US government has asked its partners to stop all trade with Iran or face sanctions. Many of America’s economic partners and allies are being pushed into a difficult position, and relations with the US are inevitably strained and increasing instability in the world economy.

US officials have said the aim of the strike was to force Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile programs and its involvement in regional conflicts. However, the US’s intentions pose many risks to the stability of the oil market and the world economy.

India and Pakistan exchange fire again along the Line of Control

The Indian Army announced on May 2 that Indian and Pakistani soldiers had just opened fire on each other's positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The incident occurred in Poonch district, about 180 km southwest of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. There have been no reports of any casualties related to the incident.

Immediately, the Indian government ordered the closure of all schools in the Kerni area near the Line of Control after the above-mentioned gunfight. The Line of Control is the de facto boundary that divides Kashmir into two parts controlled by India and Pakistan, but both countries claim sovereignty over all of Kashmir.

Venezuelan President Calls on Military to Defeat 'Coup Instigators'

Venezuelan President Maduro and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino (left) at the Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas on May 2. Photo:AFP.

Maduro called on the armed forces to maintain their fighting spirit after a failed military uprising by Guaido's supporters. "Yes, we are in a battle, let's maintain our morale in this battle to disarm any traitor, any coup plotter," Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on May 2 at a televised event attended by military commanders. The event was attended by about 4,500 soldiers.

Venezuela's crisis deepened after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself "interim president" and called on Maduro to step down. Violent protests erupted on the streets of Caracas on April 30 after Guaido appeared in a video calling on the military to overthrow the president. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused the coup of being "directly directed from Washington" and called US Vice President Mike Pence "the ringleader of the coup plot".