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 to break down suspicions from both sides, there is no better way than direct meetings and he hopes 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 recently took positive steps to connect with the international community through direct meetings with the US President and Russian President.

Russian and Syrian armies step up attacks on 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 intensified airstrikes and artillery shelling in northwestern Syria throughout the night of May 1 in the strongest attack on the last rebel stronghold in recent months.

The offensive targeted villages and towns in northern Hama and southern Idlib 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 6-month sanctions waiver that the US granted to 8 countries and territories expires from May 2. The US government requires partners to stop all trade activities with Iran or face sanctions. Many economic partners and allies of the US are being pushed into a difficult position and relations with the US are inevitably strained and increasing instability for the world economy.

US officials asserted that the purpose of this attack was to force Iran to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its intervention in regional conflicts. However, the US's intentions pose many risks to the stability of the oil market as well as the world economy.

India and Pakistan exchange fire again at 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 on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The incident occurred in Poonch district, about 180 km southwest of Srinagar city, 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 plotters'

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 supporters. "Yes, we are in a battle, let's maintain our morale in this war 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 worsened 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 when Guaido appeared in a video calling on the military to overthrow the president. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza accused the coup "directly directed from Washington" and called US Vice President Mike Pence "the ringleader of the coup plot".