May 17, Friday, 2024

1. The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dismissed allegations that Pyongyang is exploring the possibility of exporting weapons to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.　　 2. Slovakia’s Interior Minister has said the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was a politically motivated assassination attempt. Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said the medical team managed to stabilize Fico, but that he is still not out of danger. 3. Chinese exports to Russia of nitrocellulose – a dual-use material that can be used to produce ammunition – have surged since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. NHK analyzed data published by China’s customs authorities dating back to 2015. It found there were hardly any nitrocellulose exports to Russia between 2015 and 2021. But these exports jumped from May 2022, three months after Russia invaded Ukraine.