- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to go 1-0 up in ODI series
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain
- Turkey scrubs up its baths to keep hammam tradition alive
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
- COP29 fight for climate money 'humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus
- McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai
- Spain evacuates thousands in fresh flood alarm
- US death row inmate stages jazz protest for release in London court
- Markets stall, inflation and bitcoin rise amid Trump fears
- Germany's embattled Scholz trades blows with rivals as election looms
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account
- 'I had to gather my strength': Ukrainians abroad sign up to fight
- 'Legend' Healy set to equal O'Driscoll record against Pumas
- Record stand propels Sri Lanka to 324-5 against New Zealand
- US consumer inflation rises in October on higher housing costs
- S.Africa football chief arrested on fraud, theft charges
- UK's The Guardian stops posting on 'toxic media platform' X
- Stark warning on emissions as leaders divided at COP29
- Berlin's creatives rally against arts funding cuts
- Barca's Fati sidelined with hamstring injury
- Gatland changes four for crunch WalesTest against Australia
- Heavy rains lash Spain after deadly floods
- India delivery app Swiggy shares gain on market debut
- Performance not results counts for Pumas coach Contepomi
- Stock markets diverge as Trump fears build
- No end in sight to Sudan war as both sides seek 'decisive' win
- Demands for Church of England reform after abuse scandal
- Russia launches drone, missile barrage on Kyiv
- Iran hangs man 'for second time' after previous execution halted: NGO
- US vows 'firm' response to N.Korea deployment in Ukraine conflict
- Airlines ground Bali flights after volcano erupts
- Indonesians drill for disaster before tsunami anniversary
- Journalist says his detention removed Guatemala's 'mask of democracy'
- Triumphant Trump returns to White House to meet Biden
- Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report
- Stark warning on emissions as leaders split on climate goals at COP29
- Most Asian markets extend losses as Trump fears build
- Evacuations and call for aid as Typhoon Usagi approaches Philippines
- Istanbul's historic baths keep hammam tradition alive
- Australia boss warns of 'desperate' Saudis in World Cup qualifier
- South Korean president dusts off the golf clubs for Trump
CMSD | 0.07% | 24.767 | $ | |
CMSC | 0.62% | 24.692 | $ | |
JRI | -0.04% | 13.215 | $ | |
GSK | -0.82% | 35.23 | $ | |
BCC | 1.69% | 143.55 | $ | |
SCS | -0.92% | 13.545 | $ | |
NGG | -1.39% | 62.04 | $ | |
AZN | 0.1% | 65.255 | $ | |
RIO | -0.76% | 60.74 | $ | |
RBGPF | -1.43% | 59.34 | $ | |
BTI | 0.41% | 35.385 | $ | |
BP | 1.78% | 28.67 | $ | |
VOD | 3.42% | 8.77 | $ | |
RYCEF | -0.7% | 7.11 | $ | |
BCE | -1.61% | 27.25 | $ | |
RELX | -0.81% | 46.215 | $ |
N. Korea ratifies defence treaty with Russia
North Korea has ratified a landmark defence pact with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, sealing a deepening security cooperation between the two nations amid Moscow's war in Ukraine.
The deal "was ratified as a decree" of Kim Jong Un, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, referring to the leader by his title of "President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."
The notice comes after Russian lawmakers voted unanimously last week to ratify the deal, which President Vladimir Putin later signed.
"The treaty will take effect from the day when both sides exchanged the ratification instruments," KCNA said.
North Korea has become one of the most vocal and important backers of Russia's full-scale offensive on Ukraine.
Pyongyang has long been accused by Western nations of supplying Moscow with artillery shells and missiles for use in Ukraine, but that support has escalated in recent weeks with the reported arrival of thousands of North Korean troops prepared to engage in combat.
Putin and Kim signed the strategic partnership treaty in June, during the Kremlin chief's visit to Pyongyang. It obligates both states to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other and to cooperate internationally to oppose Western sanctions.
Putin hailed the deal in June as a "breakthrough document."
North Korea's Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui recently visited Moscow and said her country would "stand firmly by our Russian comrades until victory day".
She called Moscow's offensive against Ukraine a "sacred struggle" and said Pyongyang believed in Putin's "wise leadership".
Citing intelligence reports, South Korea, Ukraine and the West say North Korea has deployed around 10,000 troops to Russia to fight against Ukraine.
When asked publicly about the deployment last month, Putin did not deny it, instead deflecting the question to criticise the West's support of Ukraine.
In exchange for sending troops, the West fears Russia is offering North Korea technological support that could advance Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.
The reclusive state recently fired a salvo of ballistic missiles, including a test of a new solid-fuel ICBM.
O.Lorenz--BTB