North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiles during a visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science in this undated photo released by the country's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on August 23, 2017. KCNA via Reuters
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un smiles during a visit to the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science in this undated photo released by the country's Korean Central News Agency (KShow more

North Korea's Kim orders production of more rocket engines, warhead tips



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the production of more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips, the North's official media said on Wednesday in a report otherwise lacking threats against Washington after weeks of heightened tension.

A report about Mr Kim's visit to a chemical institute came not long after US secretary of state Rex Tillerson appeared to make a peace overture to Pyongyang, welcoming what he called the recent restraint shown by the reclusive North.

US president Donald Trump also expressed cautious optimism about a possible improvement in relations with the North, after months of mounting tension over its weapons programmes.

Mr Kim was briefed about the process of manufacturing intercontinental ballistic missile warhead tips and solid-fuel rocket engines during his tour of the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defence Science, the North's official KCNA news agency said.

"He instructed the institute to produce more solid-fuel rocket engines and rocket warhead tips by further expanding engine production process and the production capacity of rocket warhead tips and engine jets by carbon/carbon compound material," KCNA said.

North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests and dozens of missile tests since the start of last year, significantly raising tensions on the heavily militarised Korean peninsula. Two tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles in July resulted in a new round of tougher global sanctions.

The last missile test on July 28 put the US mainland in range, prompting heated exchanges that raised fears of a new conflict on the peninsula.

Mr Tillerson, however, noted what he called the restraint the North had shown lately and said on Tuesday he hoped a path could be opening for dialogue some time in the near future.

Later on Tuesday at a campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona, Mr Trump said of Mr Kim: "I respect the fact that he is starting to respect us."

"And maybe — probably not, but maybe — something positive can come about."

South Korea and the US are conducting an annual joint drill involving computer simulations of a possible war on the Korean peninsula, exercises that the North routinely describes as preparation for invasion. The drills started on Monday and will run through to August 31.

South Korea will also conduct a voluntary civil defence drill across the country later on Wednesday.

The KCNA report said Mr Kim had given "special thanks and special bonus" to officials of the institute, calling them heroes. A photograph showed Mr Kim in a grey pinstriped suit, smiling before a large flow chart that described some kind of manufacturing process.

However, there was none of the fiery rhetoric of recent weeks, when Mr Kim threatened to fire missiles into the sea near the US Pacific territory of Guam after Mr Trump earlier warned North Korea it would face "fire and fury" if it threatened the US.

New US sanctions announced on Tuesday target Chinese and Russian firms, as well as individuals, for supporting Pyongyang's weapons nuclear and missile programmes.

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Sinopharm vaccine explained

The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades. 

“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.

"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."

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Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.

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Rating: 4/5

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​​​​​​Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field

​Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55

Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out

Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets

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