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Delicate dance: handing off the US 'nuclear football'
Washington (AFP) - When an outgoing president hands the keys to the White House to the incoming one, another discrete handover takes place: the systems and codes for the US leader to launch a nuclear strike. On Wednesday Donald Trump's huffy refusal to attend successor Joe Biden's inauguration created an unprecedented challenge. Trump travelled to Florida three hours before Biden was sworn in and, as he was still president, he took with him the nuclear "football," the bag containing the procedures and equipment for a launch. He also would have had in his pocket the "biscuit" -- a card of authe...
AFP
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North Korea marks end of congress with display of military might
North Korea put ballistic missiles on display in a military parade to celebrate the end of the country's party congress, state media reported on Friday. The show of military might held Thursday night - two days after the close of the 8th congress of the ruling Workers' Party - was the second such parade in just a few months. It included a display of ballistic missiles that can be fired from a submarine, according to the reports. Pictures of the event showed soldiers marching as rolling tanks, artillery pieces and rocket vehicles were presented. Leader Kim Jong Un was seen following the parade ...
DPA
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N Korea holds military parade, shows ballistic missiles
North Korea has staged a military parade in the capital Pyongyang which again included ballistic missiles, state media reported on Friday. Thursday's parade was held to celebrate the ruling Workers' Party's 8th party congress, which had ended two days earlier. At the show of North Korean military might, ballistic missiles that can be fired from a submarine were also on display, according to the reports. Experts say it is likely Pyongyang was debuting new versions of a ballistic submarine missile and short-range missiles. Ballistic missiles can also carry nuclear warheads, depending on their de...
DPA
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Kim again calls for strengthening of N Korea's nuclear capabilities
North Korea's ruler Kim Jong Un has reiterated his call for an expansion of the isolated country's nuclear capabilities at the close of the ruling Workers' Party's 8th congress. "While further strengthening our nuclear war deterrent, we need to do everything to build the strongest military capabilities," Kim told the party congress, South Korea's news agency Yonhap reported, citing North Korean state media. "By accelerating the push to make our military more elite and strong, we need to have them thoroughly prepared to play their role against any form of threats or unexpected situations," Kim ...
DPA
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Biden urged to renounce sole control of US nuclear weapons
Washington (AFP) - A former US defense secretary has called on President-elect Joe Biden to reform the system that gives sole control of the nation's nuclear arsenal to the president, calling it "outdated, unnecessary and extremely dangerous." The call from William Perry came the same day US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke with the nation's top military leader about ensuring that an "unhinged" President Donald Trump not be able to launch a nuclear attack in his final days in office. "Once in office, Biden should announce he would share authority to use nuclear weapons with a select group in C...
AFP
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Pelosi says spoke with military chief on preventing Trump nuclear strike
Washington (AFP) - US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday she spoke with the nation's top military leader about ensuring that an "unhinged" President Donald Trump does not launch a nuclear attack in his final days in office. The top Democrat also warned that Congress would swiftly take action to impeach the president if he does not resign, although the effort is receiving push back from Republican leadership. Pelosi said she talked with Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley "to discuss available precautions for preventing an unstable president from initiating military hostilities or accessing t...
AFP
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Kim Jong Un announces expansion of North Korea's military capacities
North Korea's ruler Kim Jong Un wants to significantly expand the country's military potential despite international sanctions and significant economic problems. On Wednesday, the second day of the ruling Workers' Party's congress in Pyongyang, Kim presented goals and "strategic and tactical policies" to be implemented as part of a new five-year development plan. In addition, Kim highlighted in his management report "an important will to reliably protect the security of the country and people and the peaceful environment of the socialist construction by placing the state defence capabilities o...
DPA
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Germany's Maas warns of 'fatal consequences' of nuclear arms race
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas issued an urgent appeal to halt the development of further nuclear weapons across the globe at an international conference on the issue hosted by Jordan. "We live in a time that has once again developed into a spiral of armament. And if we continue to just sit there and watch, this will have fatal consequences," Maas said. However, the minister reaffirmed Germany's commitment as a NATO partner to the principle of nuclear deterrence, meaning that his country will not get rid of the US nuclear weapons based there. Experts estimate that Germany is storing around...
DPA
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US targets shipping lines over North Korean coal
Washington (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Chinese and Vietnamese shipping lines for transporting North Korean coal, part of a promised effort to step up enforcement of sanctions. The Treasury Department said it was taking action against three companies based in mainland China, two operating in Vietnam and one based in Hong Kong along with four vessels. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that the firms and ships transported coal out of North Korea in defiance of UN sanctions and despite concerns that the production relies on forced labor in prison camps. North Kor...
AFP
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US denounces China on North Korea sanctions as Trump hopes fade
Washington (AFP) - The United States on Tuesday sharply criticized China for not enforcing sanctions on North Korea and vowed to step up its own efforts, as hopes fade for a last-minute breakthrough under outgoing President Donald Trump.The State Department launched a new website, DPRKrewards.com, that will offer payouts of up to $5 million for tips to boost sanctions on North Korea, including on businesses in China."I want to tell you more are forthcoming," Alex Wong, the US deputy special representative on North Korea, said of sanctions.In a speech at the Center for Strategic and Internation...
AFP
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