China and Russia began naval drills near North Korea on Monday amid continuing tensions over the isolated state’s nuclear ambitions and ahead of a United Nations General Assembly meeting this week, where North Korea is likely to loom large. The report did not directly link the drills to current tensions over North Korea. Diplomacy and dialogue will not work with North Korea and concerted pressure by the entire international community is essential to tackle the threats posed by North Korea, Abe wrote. China has urged the United States to refrain from making threats to North Korea. North Korea said on Saturday it aimed to reach an “equilibrium” of military force with the United States.

Source: Dhaka Tribune September 18, 2017 05:03 UTC