U.S. soldiers prepare for a military exercise near the border between South and North Korea on April 14, 2017 in Paju, South Korea. The tension around North Korea is high ahead of a major North Korean holiday – the birthday of its founding dictator Kim Il Sung on April 15.
(Photo: Chung Sung-Jun, Getty Images)
Tensions remain high as North Korea slams Trump’s ‘aggressive’ tweets
North Korea blamed President Trump on Friday for building up a “vicious cycle” of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, saying that his “aggressive” tweets were “making trouble” in the region. Vice Minister Han Song Ryol warned the U.S. against provoking North Korea militarily, saying the country “will go to war if they choose.” Tensions have increased since the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier to waters off the peninsula and is conducting its biggest-ever joint military exercises with South Korea. Pyongyang, meanwhile, recently launched a ballistic missile and some experts say it could conduct another nuclear test soon.
Hundreds of thousands around the world observe Good Friday
Christians around the world are observing Good Friday, the day that commemorates Jesus Christ’s suffering and death at Calvary, according to the Christian faith. Many traditionalists observe the holy day with prayers and pleas for peace, though party-goers in Germany are ignoring imposed celebration bans despite warnings from police. While some retailers plan to close on Good Friday, a majority of establishments will be open — including banks and public schools — on the religious holiday.
East Timorese worshipers are pictured attending a re-enactment ceremony of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion in Dili, East Timor on Friday. (Photo: Antonio Dasiparu, EPA)
Three years later, nearly 200 Nigerian schoolgirls still missing
It was three years ago Friday that Nigeria’s Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 girls from their school in the northeastern town of Chibok. While the government has scored some victories over Boko Haram, relatives of the girls lament that President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to stamp out the group or find the 195 girls still missing. Some of the girls who were freed remain in government custody because authorities fear they could be brainwashed sleeper agents. Other freed girls have been shunned by families who fear they might infect others with the militants’ fanaticism.
Music’s biggest acts head to the California desert for Coachella
Music aficionados will flock to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday to see some of the biggest names music has to offer. Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in North America, received a much-needed boost after Lady Gaga was named a headline replacement following Beyoncé’s pregnancy announcement. If you’re one of the thousands heading to the festival, which spans from April 14-16 and April 21-23, this handy cheat sheet will guide you through the first weekend’s biggest acts.
‘Fate of the Furious’ hits the streets
The Fate of the Furious hurtles into theaters Friday, revving up a new chapter in the multibillion-dollar Fast and Furious franchise. This latest entry flips the script on steadfast ex-con Dom (Vin Diesel), who is blackmailed into working for cyberterrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) and betrays his wife, Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) and rubber-burning brethren (played by Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges). As per usual, the cars in Fate do some science-defying stunts. In his three-star review, USA TODAY’s Brian Truit says Fate is “like a litter of kittens hopped up on grade-A catnip.”
Information: The Associated Press
Filed under: BREAKING NEWS Tagged: Coachella, Easter, Fate of the Furious, Good Friday, holiday, movies, music, Nigeria, North Korea, President Trump, religion, United States
