News

‘Grave incident’ leads to North Korea quarantine breach

Published

5 years ago

June 30, 2021

North Korea has experienced a COVID-19 quarantine breach.

According to state-run media, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un says a “grave incident” took place. The incident reportedly led to failed organisational and scientific measures to contain the virus. But no further details have emerged about the quarantine breach.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) news agency says Jong Un noted the “ignorance, incompetence and irresponsibility of the cadre”. Top North Korean officials have allegedly lost their jobs over the incident.

North Korea has not reported any COVID-19 cases to the World Health Organisation (WHO). But the United States and Japan contest these claims.

The nation has also not received any vaccine doses through the global COVAX initiative. North Korea is supported through the initiative as a “low income” economy.

The initiative seeks to “ensure that people in all corners of the world get access to COVID-19 vaccines… regardless of their wealth”.

Earlier this month, South Korea pledged US$ 200 million to support lower-income economies through the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment.

“An early expansion of vaccine supply is the most necessary short-term prescription to ensure equitable access to vaccines.”
MOON JAE-in, south korea’s president

South Korea’s President, Moon Jae-in says US$ 100 million will be allocated this year, and a further US$ 100 million will be available next year.

An isolated nation

North Korea currently ranks low on political freedom. But the nation has taken further steps to isolate itself during the pandemic.

North Korea has closed the border with China, its biggest trading partner. North Korea also currently has a small delegation of health officials that report to the WHO.

In 2018, the WHO reported that North Korea has a “triple burden of disease”. This means the nation has a backlog of common infections; undernutrition and maternal mortality; and the emerging challenges of non-communicable diseases.

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Costa Haritos

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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News

Iran live updates: Trump Says Iran strikes to continue for four to five weeks

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Ahron Young

What’s happening in the Middle East?

President Donald Trump says Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, with Iran now entering a transitional period under a three man leadership council
Trump says U.S. strikes on Iran could last four to five weeks, outlining objectives including destroying missile capabilities, dismantling Iran’s navy and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon
The U.S. military confirms four American service members have been killed, and the White House says U.S. forces have destroyed and sunk nine Iranian naval ships
Iran says it sees “no limit” to its right to self defence and will not negotiate, as missile and drone attacks continue across Israel and Gulf states
More than 500 Iranians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes, with additional deaths reported in Lebanon, Israel and the UAE
Shipping, aviation and energy markets have been disrupted, Qatar has halted LNG production, UAE stock markets have closed temporarily, and oil and gas prices have surged

News

Israel strikes Tehran anew as conflict escalates and global markets react

Israel strikes Tehran after Khamenei’s death; U.S. warns of prolonged conflict as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Published

20 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Israel strikes Tehran after Khamenei’s death; U.S. warns of prolonged conflict as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Israel has launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran, following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned the campaign could last up to a month, framing the operation as a move to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Iran has retaliated with missile attacks, while its Revolutionary Guards claim responsibility for assaults on oil tankers in the Gulf. The escalating hostilities are already disrupting global shipping lanes and air travel, sending shockwaves through international markets.

With reports of the first U.S. casualties emerging and Washington declaring the Tehran operation a success, tensions across the Middle East are intensifying rapidly. The question now is how far this conflict could spread — and at what cost.

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#Israel #Iran #Tehran #MiddleEastConflict #Geopolitics #OilMarkets #BreakingNews #GlobalSecurity

News

U.S. and Israel strike Iran as missiles hit Gulf bases and oil surges

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

Published

2 days ago

March 1, 2026

Ahron Young

U.S. and Israel launch major military operation against Iran; tensions rise as conflict escalates, impacting global markets.

The United States and Israel have launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, striking leadership targets and more than 500 military sites in what President Trump has dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Explosions have rocked Tehran, with civilians fleeing the capital as U.S. sea and air assets carry out sustained attacks. Washington says the mission is designed to prevent a nuclear armed Iran and has even called on Iranians to rise up against the regime.

Iran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases across the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While many projectiles were intercepted, a U.S. base in Bahrain sustained damage.

Gulf states long seen as stable hubs for global business are now directly in the firing line, raising fears of a wider regional war.

Oil prices are climbing and tankers are diverting from the Strait of Hormuz as markets react to the escalating conflict. U.S. aircraft carriers, advanced fighter jets and missile destroyers remain in position, signalling more strikes could follow.

With global leaders scrambling diplomatically, the world is watching to see whether this spirals further or shifts back to negotiations.