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A6 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 6 april 2023

U.S. flies nuclear-capable bombers amid tensions with N. Korea

By HYUNG-JIN KIM unveiled a new battlefield
Associated Press nuclear warhead to fit on
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — short-range weapons tar-
The United States flew nu- geting South Korea. That
clear-capable B-52 bomb- touched off speculation
ers to the Korean Peninsula that it may want to carry
again on Wednesday in a out its first nuclear test since
show of strength against 2017 because its last two
North Korea amid concerns nuclear test detonations
that the North might con- happened after it disclosed
duct a nuclear test. other new warheads. If
The long-range bombers conducted, it would be
took part in joint aerial drills the North’s seventh nuclear
with U.S. and South Korean weapons test.
fighter jets over the Korean Whether North Korea has
Peninsula, South Korea’s functioning nuclear-armed
Defense Ministry said. It said missiles remains a subject of
it was the first deployment debate. Some experts say a
of U.S. B-52 bombers to the nuclear detonation would
peninsula in a month. be aimed at testing a min-
The drills “show the strong iaturized warhead for short-
resolve of the (South) Ko- range missiles because the
rea-U.S. alliance and its country’s recent weapons
perfect readiness to re- In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, a U.S. B-52 bomber, C-17, and U.S. Air tests have focused more
spond to any provocation Force F-22 fighter jets fly over the Korean Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea on Dec. on weapons that place
by North Korea swiftly and 20, 2022. Associated Press key military installations in
overwhelmingly,” Lt. Gen. South Korea, including U.S.
Park Ha Sik, commander of five years and computer tacking the North. A day launched a series of nucle- military bases there, within
the South Korean air force simulations last month. The after the last flight by a ar-capable weapons de- striking distance.
operation command, said U.S. also sent the nuclear- B-52 bomber to the pen- signed to attack South Ko- Kim Jong Un has said North
in a statement. powered USS Nimitz aircraft insula on March 6, Kim Yo rea and the United States. Korea won’t return to de-
The South Korean and U.S. carrier for joint naval train- Jong, the powerful sister of They included the North’s nuclearization talks with
militaries have been ex- ing with South Korea last North Korean leader Kim longest-range Hwasong-17 the U.S. unless Washington
panding their combined week and U.S.-South Ko- Jong Un, warned that her intercontinental ballistic drops hostile polices to-
military drills in response to rea-Japan anti-submarine country was ready to take missile, a developmental ward the North, an appar-
North Korea’s nuclear and drills this week. “quick, overwhelming ac- nuclear-capable underwa- ent reference to its joint mil-
missile threats. North Korea sees such drills tion” against the United ter drone and cruise missiles itary drills with South Korea
The allies conducted their as provocations that show States and South Korea. fired from a submarine. and U.S.-led international
biggest field exercises in its rivals’ intention of at- North Korea has since test- Last week, North Korea economic sanctions.q

U.N.: Ban on Afghan female staffers by Taliban unacceptable

By RAHIM FAIEZ women’s rights, a flagrant mented publicly on the their movements, including Women must also cover
Associated Press breach of humanitarian ban and have not released harassment, intimidation themselves from head to
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The principles, and a breach a statement. and detention. toe.
U.N. said Wednesday it of international rules,” The U.N. statement said sev- “The UN has therefore in- Afghan women were al-

cannot accept a Taliban Wednesday’s statement eral U.N. national female structed all national staff ready barred from working
decision to bar Afghan fe- said. personnel have already men and women not to at national and interna-
male staffers from working The Taliban have not com- experienced restrictions on report to the office until fur- tional non-governmental
at the agency, calling it an ther notice,” the statement organizations, disrupting
“unparalleled” violation of said. the delivery of humanitar-
women’s rights. Despite initial promises of a ian aid, but the ban did not
The statement came a day more moderate rule than previously cover working
after the U.N. said it had during its previous stint in for the U.N.
been informed by Afghani- power, the Taliban have That changed this week.
stan’s ruling Taliban that imposed harsh measures On Wednesday, the U.N.
Afghan women would no since taking over the coun- mission said that accord-
longer be allowed to work try in 2021 as U.S. and NATO ing to the Taliban order, no
for the world body. That forces were pulling out of Afghan woman is permit-
announcement came af- Afghanistan after two de- ted to work for the U.N. in
ter the U.N. mission in the cades of war. Afghanistan, and that “this
country expressed concern Girls are banned from edu- measure will be actively
that its female staffers were cation beyond sixth grade. enforced.”
prevented from reporting Women are barred from The ban is unlawful under
to work in eastern Nangar- working, studying, travel- international law and can-
har province. The symbol of the United Nations is displayed outside ing without a male com- not be accepted by the
The Taliban decision is “an the Secretariat Building, Feb. 28, 2022, at United Nations panion, and even going to United Nations, the state-
Headquarters.
unparalleled violation of Associated Press parks. ment said.q