Seoul, South Korea CNN —North Korea claims to have launched a new “Korean-style” tactical nuclear attack submarine that it says heralds “the beginning of a new chapter” for its navy. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends what state media report was a launching ceremony for a new tactical nuclear attack submarine. According to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, North Korea already has 20 Romeo-class subs in its fleet of an estimated 64 to 86 submarines. All US Navy submarines, both of the attack and ballistic missile varieties, are nuclear powered. The events also come amid signs that Pyongyang has been rattled by increasing cooperation between the United States and South Korea.

And: A plea for WTO action on food security. Lumbering on: Canada tries new tack, through CIT action, in continuing dispute . Canada said it will take its continuing unhappiness with U.S. antidumping duties on softwood lumber imports to the U.S. Court of International Trade, asking CIT to rule on the longstanding issue while renewing its stated preference for a negotiated solution. Various parties: Canada. “For years, the United States has imposed unfair, unjust and illegal duties on...

North Korean state-supported threat actors are targeting security researchers — the second such campaign in the last few years. In fact, it has grown more frequent and sophisticated over the years," says Callie Guenther, cyber threat research senior manager at Critical Start. As the protectors of digital security worldwide, Guenther emphasizes, security professionals need to make extra certain that they don't succumb to these sorts of tricks. "The hacking of security researchers is not just about a single successful breach," she says, nor is it just a game to these adversaries. Security researchers are on the forefront of discovering vulnerabilities and developing mitigation techniques.

NYSE-listed ZIM, a global container liner shipping company, announced a new operational cooperation agreement with MSC, the industry's largest carrier, covering several trades. "This agreement is designed to significantly enhance operational efficiencies and further elevate service levels for ZIM's valued customers," says an official release from ZIM. The agreements between ZIM and MSC includes vessel sharing, slot purchases, and swap arrangements, the release added. "Our decade-long partnership with MSC spanned across multiple trades over the years, and today encompass, among others, Asia, the Pacific Northwest, Oceania, India, East-Med, Northern Europe, and more. We expect that this strategic cooperation will benefit ZIM both operationally and financially, and it is another testament to our agility.

Speaker of the House of Councilors Enaam Mayara cancelled his visit to the Knesset after falling ill in Jordan, a joint statement said. Mayara suffered a medical emergency while in Amman and had to be admitted to a Jordanian hospital last night, said a joint statement. The Knesset and the Moroccan House of Councillors agreed that when the Speaker returns to Morocco, the two parties will set a new date for his visit, the statement added. Also: upon my return to Morocco, my office will coordinate a new date for the visit,” Mayara was quoted in the statement as saying. Last June, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana visited Rabat and the Moroccan parliament’s two houses.

Johannesberg, Sep 8 (IANS) South Africa will get a boost in tourism safety in the next few weeks with the deployment of 2,200 tourism monitors to key tourist areas in all nine provinces to tackle crime, a senior government official said. South Africa's Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said on Thursday that the department has allocated 174.5 million rands (about $9.11 million) for this financial year for the deployment of the tourism monitors, Xinhua news agency reported. "We have worked with the private sector to revise and improve the training curriculum for tourism monitors which also includes training by the South African police," De Lille added at the Tourism Business Council of South Africa leadership conference in North West province. De Lille said they are confident to surpass the pre-Covid tourist levels by March next year, judging by the increase in visitors and spending in the country. --IANSint/khz

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT) announced that Marie-Claire Taine, Ph.D., will join Veracyte as general manager of the company’s in vitro diagnostics (IVD) Business Unit, based in Marseille, France. Dr. Taine is a highly credentialed commercial operations leader with 30 years of experience in the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Taine earned her Ph.D. in medical imaging from Paris XI-Orsay University. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “appears,” "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "expect," "believe," "should," "may," "will," “positioned,” “designed” and similar references to future periods. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, we specifically disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements or reasons why actual results might differ, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Egypt-based health insurtech Sehatech has raised a US$850,000 round of funding to help it grow its team and further develop its product. Founded in 2022 by Mostafa Tarek, Mohamed Elshabrawy and Omar Shawky, Sehatech aims to automate medical approvals, claims processing and the billing cycle, saving insurers’ time and expenses while preventing fraudulent practices. The startup has secured US$850,000 in funding from A15 and Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding Company, to drive its mission of leveraging proprietary technology to digitise and automate the relationship between insurers and healthcare service providers, including claim and approval management processes, commonly known as third party administration (TPA) in the healthcare industry. “We are thrilled to have the support of A15 and Beltone Venture Capital in our mission to transform the healthcare industry in Egypt and the broader region,” said Mohamed Elshabrawy, founder and CEO of Sehatech. “Digitising the TPA industry will have a significant social impact on how millions of patients consume healthcare services, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.”

Oasis: Into The Wildmight be the most unique festival destination in North Africa. Oasis: Into the Wild will also host a wide array of established and emerging Moroccan artists who are defining their scene—including acts like Kawtar Sadik, OJOO GYAL, Draganov, Ouenza, Wahm, Jantes, AliA, ANÏA, AMVN, Capra, Driss Bennis aka OCB, Kawtar Sadik, Kosh, Liver J, Nathabes B2B Abel Ray, and NOMADS. Away from the dance floor, the festival—which was first launched in Marrakech in 2015—will feature the debut of famed Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj and collective Art Comes First's collaborative photo exhibition. In other areas, the festival will have wellness options, with yoga teachers, psychologist and a holistic therapist. The Moroccan Square will host the best of Moroccan street food vendors and cocktals from Marrakech's Barometre.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa, Joshua Harris, reiterated, on Thursday, from Rabat the United States’ support for the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan as a “serious, credible and realistic” solution to the dispute over the Sahara. “The United States continues to view Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as serious, credible and realistic,” the US Embassy in Rabat said in a press release following the talks Mr. Harris had with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. The senior US official, who was accompanied by US ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, also “reaffirmed the deep and historic partnership between the United States and Morocco.”Joshua Harris, whose visit to Rabat is part of a regional tour to “Morocco and Algeria”, also underscored US appreciation for Morocco’s crucial efforts on a wide range of regional and global challenges, including addressing instability in the Sahel, supporting Libyan elections, and promoting equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians.

A new privately-owned and operated electricity distribution company is set to bring grid power to almost 70% of the population of Burundi. Weza Power is the result of a multi-year development partnership between Virunga Power (a Gridworks investee company) and the Government of Burundi. Over a seven-year period Weza Power will aim to connect nine million people, said Gridworks. Virunga Power is developing the Weza Power project and will provide the initial equity investment. Project to piggyback off Burundi electricity networkThis initial phase will result in approximately 300,000 Burundians gaining access to grid electricity, said Gridworks.

In April 2019, on Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka became the target of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks of recent years. In a day of unremitting havoc and anguish, they killed 269 people—not counting the perpetrators—and injured more than 500. From the moment the bombs went off, rumors started swirling about a conspiracy behind the events involving powerful local political forces. Those rumors continued to circulate even after the Islamic State took responsibility for the attacks. The suicide bombings and their targets had all the hallmarks of the group’s involvement.

The Spanish government will investigate Saudi Arabian telecom group STC’s 9.9% stake purchase in telecom giant Telefónica, Spain’s Vice-President and Finance Minister Nadia Calviño told the press in Brussels. “Telefónica is clearly a strategic company for our country, and the government will apply all the necessary mechanisms, always with the defence of Spain’s strategic interests at the forefront of our minds”, Calviño said. “Spain must ensure decision-making in companies such as Telefónica, guardians of sensitive data”, Spain’s Vice-President and Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz said on X. “Better regulation and protection are needed to avoid takeover bids,” and “we must protect our digital future”, he added. The company contacted the government the day before the buyout and “conveyed the friendly nature of the operation”, Calviño said.

Movenpick Balaland Resort Lake Balaton in HungaryAccor is aiming for significant growth in its premium hotel portfolio across Europe and North Africa, with a robust pipeline across key brands including Pullman, Mövenpick and Swissôtel. Accor's premium growth will strengthen the group's presence in the Mediterranean basin, with locations in historic cities and sun destinations alike. The portfolio has grown in Central and Eastern Europe, with Mövenpick BalaLand Resort in Hungary, and Mövenpick Resort & Spa Fruske Terme in Serbia. Commenting on Accor development strength in the region, Philippe Bijaoui, Chief Development Officer, Europe & North Africa for Accor's Economy, Midscale and Premium brands, added:"Our recent restructure has given us a laser-eyed focus, and driving our premium brands across the region is a key part of that. We're also very confident in the ability of brands like Mövenpick, as an ideal conversion brand, to help increase our density in key locations."

‘Exercise BRIGHT STAR- 23’ is the largest ever joint military exercise in the Middle East and North Africa regionIndian Navy’s INS Sumedha joins ‘Exercise Bright Star-23’ in Egypt’s Port AlexandriaIndian Navy’s INS Sumedha arrived at Port Alexandria, Egypt to participate in ‘Exercise Bright Star-23’. This edition of the multinational Tri-Services military exercise will see participation from 34 countries. It is the largest ever joint military exercise in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) informed on Thursday. The Sea Phase will include complex and high-intensity exercises encompassing cross-deck flying, anti-surface, and anti-air exercises, including live weapon firing drills. INS Sumedha, commanded by Commander M C Chandeep, is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV) that possess long endurance, and are fitted with requisite weapons, sensors, and are capable of embarking an integral helicopter.