U.S. said to target North Korea sanctions violators

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the US is the "root cause" of instability on the Korean Peninsula. He said Pyongyang is only increasing its military capabilities as a deterrent.

The two leaders discussed the pandemic, climate change and human rights during a video call. Xi Jinping reportedly called Merkel a "friend of the Chinese people."

China's Q3 GDP growth came in below forecasts at 4.9%, as power shortages, supply chain disruptions and a liquidity crisis in the real estate market continue to weigh on the economy. Also, Facebook announces a plan to hire 10,000 new EU workers to build its "metaverse", and Hollywood narrowly avoids a major production crew strike.

The military in South Korea has said the projectile was a submarine-launched ballistic missile. It comes as intelligence chiefs from the US, South Korea and Japan meet in Seoul.

North Korea has confirmed that it tested a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile on Tuesday, making it the fifth in a round of missile tests by the country since September.

A US envoy said North Korea's recent weapon tests were "concerning and counterproductive." Last week, the isolated nation carried out tests of a new type of ballistic missile launched from submarines.

A key indicator of the health of the Chinese economy, the Purchasing Manger's Index (PMI) contracted. Analysts say the indicators of stagflation in the Chinese economy are there.

In a UN Security Council draft resolution, Beijing and Moscow have called for the lifting of trade sanctions on Pyongyang "with the intent of enhancing the livelihood of the civilian population."

Nigeria has secured a new set of military gear and they are massive. The Nigerian Army recently unveiled 60 new VP1 Type Tracked Armoured Personnel Carriers to expand it armory.

Taipei has said it is one of the largest Chinese incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone since early October, coming right after an EU delegation visited Taipei to work on building ties.

Engines developed in Germany can evade export control bans due to their status as a so-called dual-use technology, a German media investigation has revealed.