Trump ratchets up U.S.-China trade war, promising new tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump reignited the trade conflict with Beijing on Friday, ending a fragile truce between the world’s two largest economies by...
Satellite images have revealed that North Korea is constructing what could be its largest and most advanced warship to date, potentially more than double the size of any vessel previously built by the regime.
The warship is being constructed at the Nampo shipyard, located on the country’s west coast, approximately 60 kilometers southwest of the capital, Pyongyang.
The ship under construction is believed to be a guided-missile frigate (FFG), which will likely carry missiles in vertical launch tubes for both land and sea targets. At approximately 140 meters (459 feet) in length, it would be the largest warship ever manufactured by North Korea, according to analysis from Joseph Bermudez Jr. and Jennifer Jun at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
While North Korea has been rapidly modernizing its military, including testing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the U.S., the construction of such a large warship represents a significant leap in its naval capabilities. This comes despite continued United Nations sanctions that limit the country’s access to materials and technology required for such advanced military projects.
The construction of the ship is seen as part of Kim Jong Un’s push to modernize the North Korean military, including developing more sophisticated weapons systems and larger surface combatants. North Korea’s current naval fleet is largely composed of older, smaller vessels, with only two principal surface combatants: the aging Najin-class frigates, which were built in the 1970s.
Despite North Korea’s relatively limited naval infrastructure, Kim Jong Un has expressed a desire for more advanced capabilities, including large surface warships and nuclear-powered submarines. Kim has also emphasized the construction of a new naval base to accommodate these larger vessels, which could give North Korea greater operational flexibility.
Analysts are cautious, however, about the ship’s eventual operational capabilities. While North Korea has made significant strides in the development of advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles, there are doubts regarding the country’s ability to integrate the complex systems required for such a large warship. The challenges include integrating radar, communications, and weapons systems, which may take years of work to fully develop and deploy.
Despite these challenges, North Korea’s efforts to modernize its navy are clear. Satellite images show ongoing construction, but experts believe the ship may take at least another year before it is ready for sea trials. The regime’s ambition for a modern, capable naval force underscores its long-term military goals and its pursuit of greater regional power.
North Korea’s push to modernize its navy could also be influenced by its growing ties with Russia, with some analysts suggesting that Moscow may be providing technological support for the development of the new frigate’s missile systems. This development further complicates the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, as it signals North Korea’s intent to enhance its military capabilities amid continued tensions with both the United States and South Korea.
Video from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) showed on Friday (19 September) the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii erupting and spewing lava.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
Authorities in California have identified the dismembered body discovered in a Tesla registered to singer D4vd as 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who had been missing from Lake Elsinore since April 2024.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on 13 September with no tsunami threat, coming just weeks after the region endured a devastating 8.8-magnitude quake — the strongest since 1952.
U.S. President Donald Trump reignited the trade conflict with Beijing on Friday, ending a fragile truce between the world’s two largest economies by announcing a sharp rise in tariffs in retaliation for China’s decision to restrict critical mineral exports.
Members of the UN Security Council on Friday voiced concern over rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, as Russia accused Washington of acting according to a “cowboy” doctrine of shooting first and asking questions later in its attacks on alleged drug-smuggling vessels.
Haiti's food insecurity is projected to worsen by mid-2026, with nearly 6 million people facing critical hunger levels. Gang violence and economic collapse have displaced families, disrupted agriculture, and eroded livelihoods, leaving over half the population reliant on aid.
During a meeting with Kim Jong Un, Dmitry Medvedev expressed gratitude for North Korea's military support in the Kursk region, highlighting the sacrifice of North Korean soldiers as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship.
Developing nations are entering a new and worrying phase in their relationship with China. A new report from Boston University finds that, in 2022 and 2023, these countries paid more in debt service to China than they received in new Chinese loans.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment