Kim Jong-un Orders Boost in New Artillery Shell Production Amid Deepening Military Ties with Russia

Yonhap,

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has directed an increase in the production of a new type of artillery shell designed for modern warfare, according to state media reports on June 14. During an inspection of a major munitions industry facility, Kim reviewed the progress in shell production, capacity, and modernization achieved in the first half of 2025. The Korean Central News Agency highlighted that this move comes as North Korea strengthens its military cooperation with Russia, though no further operational details were released. Kim’s call underscores Pyongyang’s continued focus on expanding its arsenal and adapting to the evolving requirements of modern military conflicts.

2024 Sets Record for Armed Conflicts Globally, With Deadliest Wars in Ukraine and Gaza

Agence France-Presse,

The world experienced the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946 in the year 2024, surpassing the previous year’s record, according to a new study by the Peace Research Institute of Oslo (Prio). The report notes 61 conflicts across 36 countries, with more than half facing multiple simultaneous wars. Africa bore the heaviest burden with 28 conflicts, followed by Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The study, authored by Siri Aas Rustad, warns that this is a “structural shift” rather than a temporary spike, signaling a far more violent and fragmented world compared to a decade ago. The global death toll from these conflicts stood at about 129,000, driven primarily by the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, along with clashes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Rustad cautioned against U.S. or global disengagement, arguing that isolationism in the face of rising violence would undermine decades of hard-won stability.

Vietnam Joins BRICS as Tenth Partner Country, Reinforcing Bloc’s Expansion and Influence

REUTERS,

Vietnam has been formally admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS group, announced by Brazil’s government on June 14. This status allows Vietnam to participate in BRICS summits and discussion sessions, reflecting its growing relevance as an actor in Asia. The decision was welcomed by Brazil, which currently holds the BRICS presidency, citing Vietnam’s strong support for South-South cooperation and sustainable development. The BRICS bloc, originally comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has recently expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Other partner countries now include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, highlighting the bloc’s growing role as a diplomatic counterweight to traditional Western powers.