Paris, France | AFP | World powers are vying to develop so-called “hypersonic” weapons that travel several times the speed of sound, with France the latest to join a field led so far by Russia and China. Hypersonics are like missiles that travel at over five times the speed of …
Read More »Real progress needed at Trump-Kim II: analysts
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | The planned second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un needs to make tangible progress on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons if it is to avoid being dismissed as “reality TV”, analysts say. Their summit in Singapore in June was undoubtedly …
Read More »CAR rebels buy weapons from Sudan traffickers: UN report
United Nations, United States | AFP | Muslim rebels who briefly seized power in the Central African Republic in 2013 have received fresh weapons supplies from traffickers in Sudan even as they take part in peace talks, according to a UN panel of experts. The panel tasked with monitoring sanctions …
Read More »UN Security Council to meet on Iran missile test
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Tuesday at the request of France and Britain after they accused Iran of test-firing a medium-range missile at the weekend, diplomats said. The United States said the missile launch on Saturday was a …
Read More »France promises money, guns for C.Africa
Bangui, Central African Republic | AFP | France will give the Central African Republic, its restive former colony, aid of 24 million euros ($27.4 million) and weapons, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced on Friday. “France wishes to continue its historical partnership with the Central African Republic,” the minister told …
Read More »Gun violence sends 75,000 US youths to emergency rooms in 9 yrs: study
Washington, United States | AFP | Some 75,000 youths under the age of 18 were sent to US emergency rooms due to gun violence from 2006 to 2014, at a cost of some $2.5 billion, researchers said Monday. That’s the equivalent of around 8,300 cases per year, according to the …
Read More »Netanyahu set to lead trade task force to India
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will take 130 businessmen with him to India next week for trade talks which will also cover defence sales, a senior Israeli official said Wednesday. Foreign ministry deputy director general for Asia, Gilad Cohen, said the six-day trip starting Sunday was …
Read More »UN gives green light on Russia arms to C. Africa
United Nations, United States | AFP | Russia has been authorized to provide the Central African Republic’s armed forces with light arms, under an exemption to an arms embargo on the country granted by the UN, diplomatic sources said Friday. “It’s clear,” an official said on condition of anonymity. London, Paris …
Read More »US nuclear commander would resist ‘illegal’ order for strike
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | The general in command of US nuclear forces said Saturday that he would resist any “illegal” presidential order for a strike and work to find an alternative. President Donald Trump’s history of unpredictable and volatile behavior has raised concerns that he could unilaterally order an unnecessary …
Read More »UN Security Council again eyes sanctions on South Sudan
United Nations, United States | AFP | The UN Security Council voiced alarm Thursday about the deepening humanitarian crisis and famine in South Sudan, with the United States, Britain and France raising anew the idea of sanctions and a weapons embargo. Attacks on humanitarian and UN missions, serial rapes, recruitment of …
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