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North Korea tests another nuclear-capable underwater attack drone

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North Korea has conducted another test of a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone, according to state media.

The country tested the so-called Haeil-2 more than a week after it disclosed a new underwater drone system dubbed Haeil-1, which translates to “tsunami” in Korean, and is designed to undertake sneak attacks in enemy waters.

Analysts are sceptical about whether the underwater vehicle is ready for deployment but say North Korea is eager to display its diverse weaponry against the United States and South Korea, which have been conducting large-scale military exercises in recent weeks.

The latest test took place from April 4 to April 7, state media KCNA reported on Saturday.

“The underwater nuclear attack drone Haeil-2 … cruised 1,000km [621 miles] of simulated underwater distance,” the agency said, adding that the test warhead was also detonated. 

“The test perfectly proved the reliability of the underwater strategic weapon system and its fatal attack ability,” the report said.

North Korea carried out a record number of weapons tests in 2022 and has maintained its military momentum this year, claiming it needs to bolster its defences because the US-South Korean drills, which this week included at least one US nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bomber, are rehearsals for invasion.

On March 23, North Korea claimed it tested an underwater nuclear attack drone able to unleash a “radioactive tsunami“. On that occasion, state media said the drone cruised underwater for 59 hours and 12 minutes before detonation.

Satellite imagery has also indicated a high level of activity at North Korea’s main nuclear complex after leader Kim Jong Un ordered the production of weapons-grade nuclear material be ramped up.

Last year, North Korea declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power, while Kim has told the North Korean military to intensify drills in preparation for a “real war“.

Denuclearisation talks have been stalled since the second high-profile summit between Kim and then-US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.

Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles under United Nations resolutions and is also subject to international sanctions over its weapons programmes.

(Al Jazeera)

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Trump gives Elon Musk and Fox News host key jobs

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Elon Musk has been made head of a new “Department of Government Efficiency” by Donald Trump, the latest appointment to his emerging new team.

Trump says the billionaire businessman will co-lead the organisation with former Republican primary candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

It will “provide advice and guidance from outside of government” to “dismantle government bureaucracy” and cut spending – though it is not yet fully clear what form it will take.

Trump has also picked Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army veteran, to be defence secretary, and John Ratcliffe as his director of national intelligence.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been chosen as Homeland Security Secretary.

Property developer Steve Witkoff – Trump’s long-time golf partner and a major campaign donor – has been named as special envoy to the Middle East, while former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will be nominated as ambassador to Israel.

(BBC News)

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Zhuhai Airshow kicks off

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Zhuhai Airshow kicks offThe 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China or the Zhuhai Airshow, opened on Tuesday in Zhuhai City of south China’s Guangdong Province. 

The highly-anticipated biennial aerospace trade show will run until Sunday, and a four-hour flight demonstration, including performances of aerobatic teams and military jets, will be staged each day of the event. 

On the first day, China’s J-20 and J-35A stealth fighters, along with Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter, performed stunning aerobatics on the same aerial stage for the first time. 

At the outdoor and indoor exhibition areas of the airshow, equipment of China’s army, navy and air forces are on display, including the debut of the J-15D carrier-based fighter, the debut of the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile weapon system, and the new reconnaissance and strike drone. 

This year’s airshow also features the debut of lunar soil samples brought back by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the far side of the moon in June this year and a separate exhibition zone displaying unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ships. 

The airshow has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions to showcase their star aviation and aerospace products, including a record number of products being debuted to the public at the event. 

On the sidelines of the airshow, domestic airlines signed orders with Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) for a total of 130 C909 and C919 passenger planes. 

Meanwhile, Air China has signed an intention agreement with COMAC to become the first customer of the C929 wide-body aircraft.

(CCTV +)

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Car plows into crowds, killing 35, injuring 43 in Zhuhai

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Thirty-five people died and 43 were injured after a car plowed into crowds at a stadium in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, local police reported on Tuesday.

At 19:48 pm on Monday, a divorced man surnamed Fan, 62, allegedly drove a small SUV through a barrier and forced his way into a sports center in Zhuhai, ramming people who were exercising on the road inside the venue, the city’s public security bureau said in a statement, adding that the injured were immediately sent to hospitals for medical treatment.

Fan was caught as he tried to cut himself with a knife in his car, the statement said, revealing that he is currently in a coma as a result of the serious self-inflicted injuries in his neck and other parts of his body.

Due to the coma, the police has been unable to question him, it added.

A preliminary investigation showed that the incident was allegedly triggered by Fan’s dissatisfaction with the split of financial assets in his divorce, police said.

Fan has been detained on suspicion of endangering public security, and further investigation into the incident and medical treatment of the injured are ongoing, it said.

(chinadaily.com.cn)

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