Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles of Rodong Sinmun, a leading newspaper of the DPRK on Thursday:

- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a congratulatory message to the president of the Syrian Arab Republic.

- Kim Jong Un received a floral basket from the participants in the international seminar on the Juche idea.

- Overseas Koreans' organizations held celebrations and personages of various circles of different countries paid congratulatory visits to the DPRK missions in their countries on the occasion of the 112th birth anniversary of President

Kim Il Sung.

- Kim Tok Hun, premier of the Cabinet, inspected farms in South Hwanghae Province.

- The Korean Central News Agency released a detailed report on the successful completion of the project for building 10 000 flats at the second-stage in the Hwasong area in a matter of one year.

- Articles call on the field of literature and art to fulfill its mission and duty to keep pace with the current of the stirring times.

- A joint friendship meeting with Juche idea followers took place here.

- The paper introduces the performance given by Russian artistes who took part in the 33rd April Spring Friendship Art Festival.

- The Fifth Conference of the International Union of Agricultural and Foodstuff Workers expressed solidarity with the Korean people in their struggle.

- An article ridicules the Western "civilization" in the decline. -0-