Tag: Nuclear

China calls for dialogue after North Korea missile test

BEIJING, China (AFP) – China called on Monday for dialogue to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula after North Korea carried out a new missile test. “The (UN) Security Council has clear stipulations prohibiting DPRK against using ballistic missiles and China opposes this as well,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing, using the initials of North Korea’s official name. “The situation on the Korean peninsula is complex and sensitive. We urge […]

Japan vows to block Pyongyang from getting money and technology for its nuclear ambitions

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese government said on Monday (May 22) that it’s determined to impose its own sanctions to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions, a day after Pyongyang conducted its second missile test in a week. Japanese government spokesperson Yoshihide Suga said in a regular news conference that blocking off money, parts and technologies that Pyongyang needs for its nuclear weapon programme is essential to curtailing the communist regime’s nuclear programme. The […]

Trump visits Jerusalem to seek paths to Israeli-Palestinian peace

by Mike Smith Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM, Israel (AFP) – US President Donald Trump visits Jerusalem Monday to seek ways to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace, a goal that has eluded his predecessors but which he says could be easier than “people have thought”. Trump’s visit is part of his first trip abroad as president and follows an initial stop in Saudi Arabia, where he urged Islamic leaders to take a stand against violence committed in the name […]

Swiss vote for gradual nuclear phaseout, energy makeover

by Nina LARSON GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The Swiss voted Sunday in favor of a massive overhaul of the country’s energy system by gradually replacing the power from its ageing nuclear reactors with renewable sources. A full 58.2 percent of Swiss voters supported the shift, according to a final tally after Sunday’s referendum, with only four of the country’s 26 cantons voting “no”. The move has been in the making since shortly after Japan’s Fukushima […]

N. Korea says ‘new missile’ can carry nuclear warhead

SEOUL , South Korea (AFP) — North Korea Monday celebrated the launch of what appeared to be its longest-range ballistic missile yet tested in a bid to bring the United States mainland within reach, saying it was capable of carrying a “heavy nuclear warhead.” Leader Kim Jong-Un personally oversaw the test on Sunday, the official Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) said, and pictures by state media showed him gazing at the missile in a hangar […]

US vows to force N.Korea back to nuclear talks

by Thomas WATKINS Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States pledged Wednesday to step up sanctions to force North Korea to resume dialogue over its nuclear program, but said it was not looking to bring Kim Jong-Un’s regime to its knees. After briefing senators at the White House, top US officials said President Donald Trump also aimed to pursue diplomatic measures with allies and regional partners. “We are engaging responsible members […]

US reviews ‘failed’ Iran nuclear deal

by Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson branded the Iran nuclear deal a failure Wednesday as President Donald Trump ordered a review of how Washington is countering the threat from Tehran. The State Department admits that Iran has so far maintained its side of the bargain it struck with world powers in 2015 to curtail its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. But […]

US assessing ‘military options’ as North Korea test looms

by Andrew BEATTY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States is assessing military options in response to North Korea’s weapons programs, a White House foreign policy advisor confirmed Friday, saying another provocative test was a question of “when” rather than “if.” As speculation mounted that Pyongyang is preparing to fire a trial nuke or missile on a major anniversary Saturday, the official said the United States was poised to deal with […]

Xi urges peaceful resolution of N. Korea tensions in Trump call

by Becky Davis Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping has urged Donald Trump to peacefully resolve surging tensions over North Korea’s nuclear program, as the United States president touts the power of a naval “armada” sent to counter fresh provocations by Pyongyang. Trump said Tuesday that the US was ready to solve the North Korean “problem” without China if necessary, as he and Pyongyang engage in tit-for-tat saber-rattling that has […]

North Korea vows response to ‘reckless’ US Navy move

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea denounced Washington’s deployment of a naval strike group to the Korean peninsula Tuesday, warning it was ready for “war” in a further escalation of tensions. The Carl Vinson strike group cancelled a planned trip to Australia this weekend to head to the region, in a show of force as Washington signalled it may act to shut down Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities. “This goes to prove that the US reckless […]

China nuclear envoy in talks on North Korea threat

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — China’s top nuclear envoy arrived in Seoul Monday for talks on the North Korean threat, as a US naval strike group headed to the region in a show of force. President Donald Trump, fresh from a missile strike on Syria that was widely interpreted as putting Pyongyang on warning, has asked to be provided with a range of options for eliminating the North’s nuclear capabilities. “Presidents before and President Trump […]

Japan PM Abe says he, Trump agree North Korea missile launch a ‘serious threat’

TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday (April 6) that he and United States President Donald Trump agreed in a telephone call that North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch was “a dangerous provocation and a serious threat.” Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast on Wednesday (April 5), a day before the Trump-Xi summit, where North Korea’s increasingly defiant arms program was set to take […]