World News: 29 April 2023

North Korea insults Biden, slams defense agreement with Seoul
Biden’s meeting with Yoon in Washington came amid heightened tensions in the Korean Peninsula as the pace of both the North Korean weapons demonstrations and the combined U.S.-South Korean military exercises have increased in a cycle of tit-for-tat.
Since the start of 2022, North Korea has test-fired around 100 missiles, including multiple demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to reach the U.S. mainland and a slew of short-range launches the North described as simulated nuclear strikes on South Korea.

Read more...


Crimea fire: Russia blames drone for major oil reservoir blaze
The incident comes a day after Russia fired more than 20 cruise missiles and two drones at Ukraine, killing at least 25 people. Almost all of the victims died when two missiles slammed into an apartment building. Three children were among the dead. A spokesman for Ukraine's armed forces said he did not have any information to suggest Ukraine was responsible for Saturday's fire.

Read more...


Sudan fighting: No talks until bombing stops, Hemedti tells BBC
But Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said his fighters were being “relentlessly” bombed since a three-day truce had been extended. “We don’t want to destroy Sudan,” he said, blaming army chief Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for the violence. Gen Burhan has tentatively agreed to face-to-face talks in South Sudan. Thursday night’s extension of an uneasy ceasefire followed intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK and UN.

Read more...



Canada & United States agree to trace guns intercepted at border
Last year, 1,101 firearms were seized at the border, a government source not authorized to speak on the record said. That's broadly in line with 2021, when 1,110 were confiscated, according to CBSA figures.
Previously, gun tracing in Canada has been inconsistent. Canada traced only 6% to 10% of guns involved in crimes, according to 2019 data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a federal agency.

Read more...


Zimbabwe plans to launch digital currency backed by gold
The move is aimed at shoring up Zimbabwe's faltering national currency, the Zimbabwe dollar, which is fast depreciating amid yearslong economic woes in the southern African nation.
The Bahamas, Jamaica and Nigeria have already launched digital currencies backed by their central banks, with several other countries, including China, running trial projects. The United Kingdom is moving closer to it by asking for public input on the idea. The U.S. and European Union are considering similar moves.

Read more...


Chile, Peru discuss safe passage for stranded migrants
In recent weeks, Chile has ramped up restrictions on people living in the country without legal documentation, prompting an increase in the number of those seeking to leave.
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte declared a state of emergency in Tacna, a town near the border with Chile, earlier this week in response to the influx in arrivals, paving the way for joint operations by the military and police.

Read more...



Comments