Rappler's latest stories on weapons
Syria condemned at toxic arms watchdog over sarin attacks
Only Russia, China, and Iran vote against the decision at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons' executive council accusing Syria of breaching the Chemical Weapons Convention
North Korea discusses new policies for increasing 'nuclear war deterrence' – KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un discusses with the Central Military Commission 'crucial measures... for considerably increasing the firepower strike ability' of the military
Watchdog blames Syria for chemical weapons attacks
(UPDATED) The findings come in the first report from a new investigative team set up by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to identify the perpetrators of attacks in Syria's ongoing nine-year-long civil war
North Korea weapons test was 'long-range artillery' – KCNA
Kim Jong Un told the troops to keep in mind 'the iron will and ardent patriotism to defend as strong as an iron wall the socialist homeland dearer than their own lives,' KCNA reports
In Hiroshima, Pope Francis assails 'crime' of nuclear weapons
'A true peace can only be an unarmed peace,' says the pontiff
Pope Francis arrives in Japan to preach anti-nuclear message
In a video message before his visit, Pope Francis says he prays 'that the destructive power of nuclear weapons will never be unleashed again in human history'
Israel ‘tries to hide’ arms sales to the Philippines – report
While the Philippines is increasingly becoming a lucrative market for Israeli equipment, Israeli human rights advocates say they do not want Israel-made weapons to be used in 'mass executions of civilians living in slums'
Japan urged to sign United Nations nuke ban on Hiroshima anniversary
Hiroshima's mayor urges Japan to sign a landmark UN treaty banning nuclear weapons as the city marks 74 years since being targeted in the world's first atomic attack
IAEA to hold special meeting on Iran
Tehran breaches the limit of 300kg for stockpiles or enriched uranium
Iran: Exiting nuclear pact one of 'many options' after U.S. sanctions
The country's officials are deliberating different options and measures, including pulling out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, says Iran's foreign minister
North Korea's Kim oversees test of new weapon with 'powerful warhead'
State media says the 'advantages' of the weapon were 'the peculiar mode of guiding flight and the load of a powerful warhead'
(OPINION) What Nagasaki taught me: Nuclear weapons must be banned
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have long called for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons
Trump looks forward to new meeting with North Korea's Kim
Kim Jong Un earlier says that North Korea could take a different approach to nuclear talks if US economic sanctions remain in place
Big powers set to clash at chemical weapons watchdog
The meeting of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague is the first since member states agreed in June to let it point the finger over attacks
North Korea tests new 'ultramodern tactical weapon' – KCNA
(UPDATED) The Korean Central News Agency says the test is successful but does not specify the type of device involved
[OPINYON] Ang social media bilang assault weapon
Madaling ireklamo ang account mo dahil sa isang trumped-up community standards violation. Sa dami ng magrereklamo, masususpinde ang account o tuluyang ipasasara.
[OPINION] From Russia with love
The Philippines needs to think carefully how it intends to pursue its developing security relationship with Russia
Activists urge killer robot ban 'before it is too late'
'Killer robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction,' says Rasha Abdul Rahim, Amnesty International's advisor on artificial intelligence and human rights
Western trio warns Syria over chemical weapons use
In a joint statement, the 3 powers say they are 'gravely concerned' over the military offensive in Idlib and the resulting humanitarian consequences
North Korea urges Trump to be 'bold' on denuclearization
The country's state media also urges US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to 'brush aside' speculation from opponents over the North's intentions
Tech leaders say killer robots would be 'dangerously destabilizing' force in the world
As nations such as the US, China, Israel, South Korea, Russia, and the UK develop automated weapons systems, tech leaders band together to pledge not to help in the development and use of these 'slaughterbots'
Trump says North Korea no longer a nuclear threat
Trump hails the summit in Singapore with Kim, in which the the North Korean leader agreed to work towards denuclearizing his country, although their agreement did not say how this would be done
Trump, Abe: 'Imperative' to dismantle North Korea weapons
The pair discuss 'recent developments in North Korea' and confirm 'they would meet again to continue close coordination in advance of the expected meeting between the United States and North Korea'
Protests as Syria takes chair of world disarmament body
'The Damascus regime has neither the credibility nor moral authority to preside over the CD,' says US ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament Robert Wood
China deploys new weapons systems to Paracel Islands
Nearby, the Philippines begins 'long-delayed repairs' to its runway on the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, says the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative
North Korea will never fully give up nuclear weapons – top defector
'In the end, North Korea will remain 'a nuclear power packaged as a non-nuclear state',' top defector Thae Yong-ho says
North Korea to destroy nuclear site ahead of US summit
(UPDATED) Reporters from different countries would be allowed to 'conduct on-the-spot coverage in order to show in a transparent manner the dismantlement of the northern nuclear test ground,' says the foreign ministry
Kim offers to close nuclear test site in May, invite U.S. experts
The remarks are likely to be seen as a sweetener ahead of US President Donald Trump's own planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
North Korea 'prepared' to 'help us achieve' denuclearization – Pompeo
The US Secretary of State says he and North Korea's Kim Jong Un 'had an extensive conversation' during their secret meeting in Pyongyang
Experts take samples from site of alleged Syria gas attack
Analysts say that if toxic chemicals were used, OPCW inspectors would still be able to find important traces in clothes, walls, rocks and soil in Douma, although their potency decreases with time
North Korea's Kim promises no more nuclear or missile tests
(2nd UPDATE) World powers hail the announcement, but analysts caution that the declaration was promising but limited
UN in security talks with Syria after chemical probe put on hold
The United Nations Department of Safety and Security is trying to make arrangements for fact-finding experts to travel to Douma 'at the earliest possible time'
Britain accuses 'reckless Russia' of breaking chemical arms ban
The accusations come as diplomats from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meet behind closed-doors in The Hague to discuss the crisis
Chemical inspectors await all-clear to begin work in Syria's Douma
Syrian Ambassador Bashar Jaafari tells a meeting of the UN Security Council that the team of experts will begin work on Wednesday, April 18, once they receive the all-clear from the security detail
Years after his hanging, Saddam Hussein mystery lives on
US president George W. Bush personally authorized the immediate transfer of the dictator's body on an American military helicopter from Baghdad to the northern city of Tikrit, near Al-Awjah
Watchdog confirms UK findings on nerve agent used on Russian spy
Samples tested by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 'confirm the findings of the United Kingdom relating to the identity of the toxic chemical,' says a summary of the Hague-based group's report
Divided UN fails to agree on response to Syria chemical weapons use
Russia vetoes a US-drafted resolution on setting up a panel to identify the perpetrators of toxic gas attacks after chemical weapons were allegedly used in the rebel-held town of Douma
Russia, U.S. headed for clash at UN over Syria gas attacks probe
(UPDATED) The US push for a new inquiry comes amid heightened tensions over possible US military action in Syria, with President Donald Trump saying 'major decisions' would be taken within 48 hours
Kremlin furious as Britain blames Putin for ex-spy attack
Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Britain Foreign Minister Boris Johnson's claims violated all rules of diplomatic protocol
Russia ex-spy poisoning 'extremely worrying' – Chemical weapons watchdog
'It is extremely worrying that chemical agents are still being used to harm people. Those found responsible for this use must be held accountable for their actions,' Ahmet Uzumcu director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, says.
Clinton warns of 'diplomatic danger' in North Korea talks
'If you want to talk to Kim Jong Un about his nuclear weapons, you need experienced diplomats,' says Hillary Clinton
Iran says no missile talks unless West gives up nuclear weapons
Iran's armed forces spokesman says US criticism of Iran's missile program was driven by 'their failures and defeats in the region'
U.S. accuses Russia of breaching treaties with 'invincible' weapons
The State Department expresses outrage at Russian President Vladimir Putin's presentation and his 'cheesy' animated video of warheads over US soil – and says the Russian leader had confirmed long-held allegations about his program
U.S. makes new push for UN Syria chemical weapons probe
The US push to establish the new panel comes 3 months after Russia killed off a previous UN-led investigation by vetoing the renewal of its mandate, arguing that the probe was flawed
U.S., Russia clash at UN over Syria chlorine attacks
The United States and Russia clash at the UN Security Council over a push by Washington to condemn reported chlorine gas attacks in Syria that have left many injured in recent days
Moscow denounces 'anti-Russian' U.S. nuclear policy
The United States has plans to revamp its nuclear arsenal, largely in response to Russian actions in recent years
North Korea flouts sanctions, earning $200M from banned exports – UN
A UN panel of experts also finds evidence of military cooperation by North Korea to develop Syria's chemical weapons programs and to provide Myanmar with ballistic missiles
Japan, China talks end with friendship vows but no breakthrough
(UPDATED) On a range of issues, visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono comes away with little more than vague promises
Nuclear concerns push 'Doomsday Clock' closer to midnight
The last time the clock was at two minutes to midnight was in 1953 when the United States and Soviet Union were testing hydrogen bombs
U.S., allies meet to find diplomatic way out of North Korea crisis
The two-day Vancouver meeting hosted by Canada and the United States comes amid signs of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula
