Photo: Science Photo Library RF
1 North Korea Tests New Nuclear Weapon
North Korea says it successfully test-fired of a new type of tactical guided weapon. Korean Central News Agency reported North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watched the test and gave "important instructions" on building defense capabilities and nuclear combat forces of the country. The test is described to have "great significance in drastically improving" the firepower of long-range units and enhancing the efficiency of nuclear weapons. American officials are reportedly “watching the situation closely.” As for “why is this happening now,” experts say the upcoming US and South Korean military drills – set to take place in just over a week.
2 Easter Weekend Horror: Three Mass Shootings
While millions marked the holiday weekend with long-overdue family celebrations, a series of terrifying mass shootings have a number of other families shaken or shattered. A dozen people are recovering after a shooting on Saturday at the Columbiana Center Mall in South Carolina. Police say ten people were shot and four others were hurt trying to flee the gunfire. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and three suspects are in custody. Officials believe the shooting was not random and the suspects likely knew each other. In Pittsburgh, two people were killed and at least eleven more injured following a shooting overnight at an Airbnb in the Allegheny neighborhood. The dead have been identified as 17-year-old Mathew Steffy-Ross and 17-year-old Jaiden Brown. Officials say the shooting took place at a party being hosted at the property, which had about 200 people were inside at the time of the shooting – many of them underage. Authorities are saying there are nine individual crime scenes connected to the shooting, which span multiple blocks. No arrests have been made Back in South Carolina? Early yesterday morning, gunfire tore through a nightclub in Hampton county – leaving nine injured. None of the wounds reported at Cara’s Lounge, about 80 miles west of Charleston, were fatal, said officials, who hadn’t immediately announced any arrests in that case. The wounded ranged in age from 15 to 73, and one man – 22-year-old Jewayne Price – was jailed with allegations of unlawfully carrying a pistol.
3 Tense Times In Ukraine As Mariupol Teeters, Food Crisis Emerging
Ukraine's President is warning his people that Russia is getting ready to go back on the offensive in their country. Volodymyr Zelensky said during a video address Sunday that Russian troops are getting ready for an attack of the eastern side of the already war-torn country. Apparently, so – as Russia is now demanding the Ukrainian forces fighting in Mariupol surrender. Russian state media is reporting that all Ukrainian forces must exit from 6am to 1pm Moscow time, without any of their weapons or ammo. Ukrainian forces – reportedly holed up in a massive factory with four-miles of tunnels underneath – are fighting on. Zelensky said things in the city were "inhuman." Zelensky accuses Russia of committing humanitarian violations in southern Ukraine and again pleaded for allies to cut off oil supplies from Russia. A top UN official agrees – saying "There's no question food is being used as a weapon of war" in Ukraine.