Ayoola Atitebi

North Korea conducted multiple short-range ballistic missile launches toward its eastern waters on Tuesday morning, according to South Korea's military officials. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the launches around 9:30am local time, reportedly originating from Jagang Province. The missiles traveled approximately 250km before landing in waters between Korea and Japan. South Korean military authorities have heightened their monitoring activities and are preparing for potential additional launches. The JCS confirmed they are sharing intelligence with American and Japanese allies while maintaining combat readiness. The JCS issued a statement characterizing the launch as a provocative action that endangers regional stability, warning of an overwhelming response to further provocations. South Korea's Acting President Choi Sang-mok denounced the launches as violations of UN Security Council resolutions and promised a firm response. This marks North Korea's second missile test in 2024, following a […]

Three hundred North Korean soldiers have died and approximately 2,700 have been wounded while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, according to South Korean legislator Lee Seong-kweun, who cited a briefing from Seoul's National Intelligence Service (NIS). The North Korean military presence has expanded to Russia's Kursk region, with total casualties exceeding 3,000. The NIS reports that North Korean forces demonstrate limited understanding of modern warfare tactics, contributing to their high casualty rate. The disclosure follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement that Ukrainian forces captured two injured North Korean soldiers. Zelenskyy has proposed exchanging these soldiers for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia. The Kremlin has declined to comment on the captures, stating they cannot verify the information while emphasizing their commitment to prisoner exchanges for Russian soldiers. South Korean officials claim North Korea has deployed over 10,000 soldiers […]

An Austrian woman has become the first European citizen kidnapped in Niger since the military seized power in 2023. The incident occurred in Agadez, a city located 900km from the capital Niamey. Austrian authorities confirmed Sunday that their embassy in Algeria, which oversees Niger, has been notified about the kidnapping and is coordinating with local officials. According to a Nigerien security source speaking to Reuters, unidentified assailants driving a four-wheel vehicle abducted the woman from the Fada district of Agadez, near the Sahara Desert. Local media outlet Air-Info Agadez identified the victim as Eva Gretzmacher, a 73-year-old who has resided in Agadez for 28 years. Reports indicate armed kidnappers arrived at her home Saturday evening, forcing her security guard to open the door at gunpoint before taking her away in a vehicle. Gretzmacher is known locally for her humanitarian work. […]