&w=3840&q=100)
North Korean leader Kim unveils new naval destroyer, cites US as threat
Kim described the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the US and its Asian allies, citing their expanding joint drills amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear programme
AP Seoul
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a new naval destroyer, claiming it as a significant advancement toward his goal of expanding the operational range and preemptive strike capabilities of his nuclear-armed military, state media said Saturday.
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Kim attended the launching ceremony for the 5,000-ton warship on Friday at the western port of Nampo.
Kim framed the arms buildup as a response to perceived threats from the United States and its allies in Asia, who have been expanding joint military exercises amid rising tensions over the North's nuclear programme.
He added that the acquisition of a nuclear-powered submarine would be his next big step in strengthening his navy.
The new multipurpose destroyer, touted by state media as the first in a new class of heavily armed warships, is designed to handle various weapons systems, including anti-air and anti-naval weapons, as well as nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, Kim said.
He said the destroyer will be handed over to the navy early next year and begin active duty.
Kim criticised recent efforts by the United States and South Korea to expand joint military exercises and update their nuclear deterrence strategies, portraying them as preparations for war. He vowed to respond decisively to this geopolitical crisis and ongoing developments, according to his speech carried by KCNA.
South Korea's military didn't immediately comment on the North Korean claims about its new warship. North Korea's unveiling of the new warship follows its March revealing of a purported nuclear-powered submarine under construction. However, some experts question whether the impoverished and largely isolated nation could develop such advanced capabilities without foreign assistance.
Nuclear-powered submarines were among a broad list of advanced weapons that Kim pledged to develop at a major political conference in 2021, citing growing US-led threats.
His wish list also included solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, spy satellites, and multi-warhead missiles. Since then, North Korea has conducted a series of tests aimed at acquiring these capabilities.
Regional tensions have increased as Kim continues to flaunt his military nuclear capabilities and align with Russia over President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has said he would reach out to Kim again to revive diplomacy, but the North has not responded to that offer. While the two leaders met three times during Trump's first term, negotiations broke down over disagreements on easing US-led sanctions in exchange for steps toward the North's denuclearisation.
Kim's foreign policy focus has since shifted to Russia, which he has supplied with weapons and military personnel to support its warfighting in Ukraine. South Korean officials are concerned that, in return, Pyongyang could receive economic aid and advanced military technology to further develop its weapons programmes.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
34 minutes ago
- Business Standard
NDA govt completes 11 years, releases report on India's transformation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government marked the completion of its 11 years in office on Monday by unveiling a 176-page 'comprehensive compendium' on India's transformation under the PM's 'visionary leadership' across 14 facets of policymaking, ranging from national security and foreign policy, infrastructure growth, healthcare, women's empowerment and social justice. 'PM Modi has brought the politics of development – Vikasvaad – into the mainstream, making it a focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves,' the booklet, released by the government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Monday morning, stated. The Modi-led 72-member Union Council of Ministers took oath on 9 June 2024. In the afternoon, addressing a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s national headquarters in New Delhi, the party's national president J P Nadda, who is also a Union minister, said that proactive governance has been the hallmark of Modi's tenure as prime minister. He said Modi has confronted challenges head-on and taken 'bold decisions' earlier thought impossible, such as the 'abrogation of Article 370', the 2016 surgical strikes, the Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor of 2025. Nadda listed the banning of triple talaq, the Citizenship Amendment Act, demonetisation, one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies, ending the distinction between plan and non-plan expenditure, advancing the date for tabling the Union Budget from the 'colonial-era' 28 February to 1 February, and merging the rail budget with the Union Budget as other key decisions of the last 11 years. Nadda said demonetisation, where people queued up to withdraw money without complaint despite the Opposition's intense efforts to provoke them, was evidence of the PM's leadership credibility. In the context of the BJP falling short of a majority by 32 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and for the first time since 2014 having to rely on allies to secure a majority, with Opposition leaders questioning the government's longevity, the BJP chief expressed confidence that the NDA government will complete its tenure and asserted it will last the next full term too. 'Our government is strong. It will last for five years in this term and the next too,' he said. The booklet stated that 'the success of Operation Sindoor demonstrated a new India: resolute, swift and sovereign in action.' It added that a dynamic foreign and national security policy is essential to respond to global opportunities and challenges, and the Modi government has consistently ensured a stable, strong and safe nation. It listed vibrant India-US relations as a foreign policy success, terming it 'Modi's adaptive strategy with the US'. India has emerged as an economic powerhouse, the booklet said, with the government creating a base for 'growthade' through infrastructure expansion, such as the development of National Highways. The government said it has been a votary of cooperative federalism by encouraging states to voluntarily undertake reforms through incentives. It mentioned all-time high GST collections in April 2025. The booklet detailed government measures for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and women in schemes such as the Mudra Yojana and PM Awas Yojana (Rural). It said 810 million people continue to receive food security. It also stated there is the 'highest ever representation for SCs, STs and OBCs in the Union Council of Ministers.' Welfare schemes like Mission Poshan have helped improve the sex ratio at birth, now for the first time at 1,020 women per 1,000 men. At his press conference, Nadda said the Indian economy continues to grow amid global challenges, with international bodies such as the World Bank and IMF calling it a bright spot. He said lifting over 250 million people out of poverty has been acknowledged globally. Nadda dismissed Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh's criticism of Modi for not addressing a press conference on the government's anniversary. The Union minister questioned why it was an issue when the ruling party's president had spoken to the media. He also criticised Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's questioning of the Election Commission and the fairness of Maharashtra assembly polls, describing him as a sore loser who blames the umpire for defeat while claiming credit in victory. The Congress released two booklets on Monday highlighting stagnated growth, rising hunger, and 'unfulfilled promises' of 11 years under Modi. At a press conference in New Delhi, Congress research department head M V Rajeev Gowda released Ek Aur Baar Jumla Sarkar and 11 Saal, Jhoothe Vikaas ke vaade. He said the first booklet examines BJP's 2024 manifesto promises, and the second is a 'detailed exposé' of the party's 'hollow promises'. 'In the 11-Saal document, one of the first themes they (BJP) highlight is taking care of the poor and marginalised. They are pleased that 810 million people get free food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). But the basic problem of hunger is a much larger crisis in India, placing us 105th out of 127 countries on the World Hunger Index. Its implications: malnutrition is affecting our children severely, crippling growth. Stunting is at 35.5 per cent; wasting at 19.3 per cent; underweight at 32.1 per cent,' Gowda said. The Congress leader also alleged the Centre's claim in the PIB booklet that India added over 5,000 defence items to the indigenisation list was false. 'Sadly, 40 per cent of the items listed for indigenisation have not been indigenised. India remains one of the top defence importers rather than a producer and exporter. Of 'mission mode DRDO projects', 23 out of 55 are delayed, and the R&D share in our defence budget is only 5.45 per cent,' he added. He also disputed the claim that India was the fastest-growing large economy. 'So, what is happening in this 11th year of your Sarkaar, PM Modi? The response of the private sector reflects this. Is the Indian private sector investing in India? After the bonanza tax cut, nothing has changed. They still lack confidence in economic management to invest,' the Congress leader said. He added that fixed capital formation has dropped to 32.4 per cent, an 11-year low. 'There is another legacy: glaring inequality. The top 1 per cent of people hold 40 per cent of India's wealth, while the bottom 50 per cent have just over 3 per cent,' the former Congress MP said, adding that this is not the economy the country wants.
India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Pakistans Debt Crisis Explodes: Burden Mounts To 76,007,000,000,000 PKR Exposing Islamabads Vulnerability
Pakistan Economic Crisis: Pakistan is often called the begging bowl of the world, especially among the Islamic nations. Every now and then, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seen visiting friendly countries seeking assistance, investments and support while its Army keeps spending on building terror infrastructure. Now, a fresh report has revealed a staggering surge in Pakistan's debt. While Pakistan has been facing burgeoning inflation, the country's national debt is soaring to a record high. A new Economic Survey, released this Monday, reveals that Pakistan's debt has soared to an unprecedented high, painting a deeply concerning picture for its economic future. According to the CNN-NEWS18 report, Pakistan's total public debt hit a staggering 76,007 billion Pakistani Rupees (PKR)—that's 76 trillion —by the end of March 2025. This marks the highest debt level in the country's history. To put that into perspective, it translates to approximately INR 23.1 trillion or US $269.344 billion. The rapid escalation of this debt is particularly alarming. Just four years ago, in 2020-21, Pakistan's public debt stood at 39,860 billion PKR, meaning it has nearly doubled in that short span. Looking back a decade, the figure was just 17,380 billion PKR, indicating that the nation's public debt has ballooned by almost five times over the past ten years. This colossal sum of 76,007 billion PKR is made up of 51,518 billion PKR in domestic debt and 24,489 billion PKR in external debt. The Economic Survey itself warns of the dangers, stating that "excessive or poorly managed debt can pose serious vulnerabilities, such as rising interest burdens and can undermine long-term fiscal sustainability and economic security if left unaddressed." Amidst this backdrop, Pakistan recently received a US $1.03 billion aid package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under its Extended Fund Facility, an attempt to provide some relief to its strained economy. Notably, Pakistan is planning to increase its defence spending in wake of the Operation Sindoor where it faced a humiliating defeat against India. Pakistan has repeatedly been accused of diverting development funds towards terror and military infrastructure.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
'Derogatory' Remarks Against Amaravati: Journalist Who Hosted Show Arrested
Amaravati: Senior Telugu journalist Kommineni Srinivas Rao was arrested in Hyderabad on Monday for hosting a programme on a vernacular channel where a scribe allegedly made derogatory remarks against the greenfield capital city Amaravati, said a police official. Guntur district Superintendent of Police S Satish confirmed that Thullur police from Amaravati have arrested the journalist. "Thullur police have arrested Kommineni Srinivas Rao from Hyderabad over the derogatory remarks against Amaravati," Satish told PTI, adding that the journalist is being brought to Andhra Pradesh from Telangana. VVR Krishna Raju, the journalist, who was also part of the programme, was accused of spewing venom against Amaravati and its women. According to information shared by a source close to the TDP-led NDA government, the duo were booked under BNS Sections 79, 196 (1), 353 (2), 299, 356 (2) and 61 (1) and Section 67 of the IT Act, including Section (1) of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Meanwhile, YSRCP said that an FIR was registered against Rao four days ago in Thullur police station, accusing him of "failing to intervene during the broadcast", which featured those alleged vitriolic remarks. "Immediately after his arrest, Rao was transferred to Vijayawada. Rao, a senior citizen, questioned the legality of the arrest without explanation," said a note from the YSRCP. Condemning the arrest, YSRCP chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, called it a "political vendetta". "In any discussion, diverse opinions are natural. Punishing an anchor for guests' statements is not only unjust, it's dangerous," Reddy said in a post on 'X'. The former chief minister questioned the rationale behind punishing a moderator for remarks made by panelists during a televised debate, warning such actions endanger democratic discourse and press freedom. He accused the TDP-led NDA government of suppressing dissent, using fear and intimidation tactics to silence intellectuals, journalists, and opposition voices across the southern state. He alleged that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was "weaponising the state apparatus" to divert public attention from failures, corruption, and broken electoral promises. "You (Naidu) were given five years-one has already passed. The day will come when the people will demand answers for your abuses and injustices," Reddy warned.
