North Korea

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia on April 25, 2019.

North Korea-Russia relations are warming up amid war in Ukraine

Russia’s relationship with North Korea goes back decades. Now, there are reports that Russia is getting military assistance from North Korea amid the war in Ukraine. Yet, both governments deny it. 

North Korea-Russia relations are warming up amid war in Ukraine
In this June 12, 2018, file photo, US President Donald Trump, right, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sentosa Island, in Singapore. 

Political theater: Part II

Political theater: Part II
Kim Jong-un and his generals cheer after the apparent launch of the Hwasong-17 long-range missile in March

Exclusive: North Korea’s monster fake out

Exclusive: North Korea’s monster fake out
People watch a TV showing a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 7, 2022.

Japan gears up for evacuation drills amid spate of North Korean missile tests

Japan gears up for evacuation drills amid spate of North Korean missile tests
A National Park Service boat navigates the waters in Biscayne National Park, Florida, July 8, 2014. Federal officials are seeking to ban commercial fishing in the park which is offshore from suburban Miami. Officials say cutting off commercial fishing wil

How governments finance the ruin of our oceans 

How governments finance the ruin of our oceans 
Efforts to reduce tensions between the Koreas, like the 2018 inter-Korean summit, are frequently the target of disinformation campaigns in South Korea.

Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Korea

Disinformation is being privatized around the world. This new industry is built on a dangerous combination of cheap labor, high-tech algorithms and emotional national narratives.

Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Korea
People watch a TV screen showing a news program reporting about North Korea's missile launch with file footage at a train station in Seoul, South Korea

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missile

North Korea launches at least one ballistic missile into the ocean. Also, Russia suspends its permanent mission to NATO. And, US special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad resigns and is set to be replaced by his deputy.

North Korea launches suspected ballistic missile
A women is shown in the nearground carrying large sacks over her back and walking with a man in the distance carrying a large blue crate.

Ethiopia expels UN officials, accusing them of 'meddling' in the country's internal affairs

Top of The World: Global pressure and criticism have been growing on the Ethiopian government over its blockade of the country’s northern Tigray region, which has reduced aid deliveries to 10% of what is needed. And, North Korea has launched its fourth weapon in recent weeks, test-firing a new anti-aircraft missile. Also, Australia plans to gradually reopen all its borders by November, after 18 months of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Ethiopia expels UN officials, accusing them of 'meddling' in the country's internal affairs
Three people are shown from behind looking at a television that has a large missile with smoke and fire from its launch.

Rival Koreas test missiles hours apart, raising tensions

North and South Korea tested ballistic missiles hours apart Wednesday in a display of military might that is sure to exacerbate tensions between the rivals.

Rival Koreas test missiles hours apart, raising tensions
A woman is shown holding back a curtain and entering a salon with painted over pictures of women on either side of the doorway.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Top of The World: The Taliban are increasingly under scrutiny over their promises of a different governance. And, North Korean officials said the country had successfully tested long-range cruise missiles over the weekend. Also, Peruvian officials are debating what to do with the body of Abimael Guzmán, the leader of the brutal Shining Path insurgency who died on Saturday.

UN warning of Taliban actions and impending humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan
Lieutenant-General Bacha Debele is show standing at a podium with his hand raised in soft focus with a guard in military fatigues is shown in focus and holding a large rifle.

A 'sick joke': Tigrayan forces reject ceasefire in Ethiopia’s embattled region

Top of The World: The Tigray People’s Liberation Front has rejected a ceasefire, calling it a “sick joke.” And, dozens of people have died in western Canada amid a scorching heat wave that has set record high temperatures. Also, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un admonished top officials at a specially-convened Politburo meeting for failures in COVID-19 prevention tactics that have caused a “great crisis” in the country.

A 'sick joke': Tigrayan forces reject ceasefire in Ethiopia’s embattled region
Three long lines are shown with hundreds of people standing and waiting.

Hundreds of vaccinated healthcare workers in Indonesia get COVID

Top of The World: More than 350 doctors and medical workers in Indonesia have contracted COVID-19, despite being vaccinated. And, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered his government to prepare for both dialogue and confrontation with the United States. Also, a new report by the UN refugee agency UNHCR shows that millions of people were displaced around the world in 2020.

Hundreds of vaccinated healthcare workers in Indonesia get COVID
Young man in blue shirt lifts a piece of concrete as other men sift through rubble after an airstrike

Prospects of a ceasefire offer hope to ending violence between Israel and Hamas

Top of the World: Officials close to the negotiations between Israel and Hamas say a ceasefire could be announced in the next 24 hours as hostilities continue. And South Korean President Moon Jae-in is on a four-day visit to Washington, hoping to revive stalled talks with North Korea. Also, Russia assumes the chairmanship of the eight-nation Arctic Council bloc, as the US tries to oppose Moscow’s plans to set maritime rules.

Prospects of a ceasefire offer hope to ending violence between Israel and Hamas
Janet Yellen is shown in a close up photograph speaking with her left hand raised palm up.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urges minimum global corporate income tax

Top of The World: In her first major address as US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen said the Biden administration will work with the Group of 20 countries to set up a minimum global corporate income tax. And, North Korea is skipping the delayed Tokyo Summer Olympics due to COVID-19 concerns. Also, Greenlanders head to the polls on Tuesday in an early parliamentary election with vast geopolitical and environmental consequences.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urges minimum global corporate income tax
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, Kim Jong-un speaks in a conference with chief secretaries of the city and county party committees in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, March 6, 2020. 

North Korea to reopen its borders for the coronavirus vaccine

The pandemic appears to have further cut off North Korea from the rest of the world. But now, the country is set to receive nearly 2 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine through the COVAX program.

North Korea to reopen its borders for the coronavirus vaccine