The U.S. Department of war is reportedly drafting a revised classified nuclear strategy led by defence planners to give the Commander-in-Chief new options in regional conflicts. The policy focuses on integrating lower-yield tactical nuclear weapons to defend allies from attacks by Russia or China. We break down what tactical nukes are, and what this strategy means for NATO allies.

Trump Goes Nuclear, Prepares for War with China, Russia | GRAVITAS 

As a "threat to international and regional peace and security," France denounced North Korea's passage of a legislation announcing its preparedness to conduct nuclear strikes on Friday.

After North Korean state media earlier on Friday claimed that Pyongyang had enacted a law allowing for preventative strikes, including in the face of conventional warfare, the foreign ministry made its announcement.

"This new escalation on the part of the North Korean authorities represents a threat to international and regional peace and security," said a ministry spokeswoman.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paris-shuts-off-eiffel-tower-lights-rios-christ-the-redeemer-lit-up-in-tribute-to-queen-elizabeth-514441">France</a> "notes with great concern the increasingly aggressive declarations from North Korea", she added.

Since North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has declared that the country's nuclear status is now "irreversible," Pyongyang's move practically ends the chance of denuclearization discussions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-france-move-unsc-to-declare-two-pakistanis-as-global-terrorists-514155">India, France move UNSC to declare two Pakistanis as global terrorists</a>

An increased level of animosity exists between the North and the South at the time of the announcement.

As well as conducting a record number of weapons tests this year, Pyongyang has blamed Seoul for the COVID-19 outbreak in its territory.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION live TV here:&nbsp;

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As a "threat to international and regional peace and security," France denounced North Korea's passage of a legislation announcing its preparedness to conduct nuclear strikes on Friday.

As a "threat to international and regional peace and security," France denounced North Korea's passage of a legislation announcing its preparedness to conduct nuclear strikes on Friday. After North Korean state media earlier on Friday claimed that Pyongyang had enacted a law allowing for preventative strikes, including in the face of conventional warfare, the foreign ministry made its announcement. "This new escalation on the part of the North Korean authorities represents a threat to international and regional peace and security," said a ministry spokeswoman. France "notes with great concern the increasingly aggressive declarations from North Korea", she added. Since North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has declared that the country's nuclear status is now "irreversible," Pyongyang's move practically ends the chance of denuclearization discussions. Also read | India, France move UNSC to declare two Pakistanis as global terrorists An increased level of animosity exists between the North and the South at the time of the announcement. As well as conducting a record number of weapons tests this year, Pyongyang has blamed Seoul for the COVID-19 outbreak in its territory. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION live TV here:

France calls North Korea's nuclear policy a 'threat to peace'

India has reiterated its "No First Use" policy on nuclear weapons in the United Nations at the high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

India's foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla said, "India espouses the policy of "No First Use” against nuclear weapon states and non-use against non-nuclear-weapon states."

India adopted the "No first use" (NFU) policy in 1998 after the nuclear tests in Pokhran. China is the other country to adopt the NFU, which it did in 1964. Pakistan is the other state to possess nuclear weapons in the Indian subcontinent and does not follow the NFU policy.

FS reiterated India's "long-standing and unwavering commitment" to "universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament" leading to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

He explained,"We believe that nuclear disarmament can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed multilateral framework", calling for "meaningful dialogue" among all states possessing nuclear weapons "for building trust and confidence".

India has since 1998 tabled an annual resolution in the UNGA on ‘Reducing Nuclear Danger’ that calls for immediate steps to reduce the risks of "unintentional and accidental" use of nuclear weapons.

At the UN meeting, that coincided with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, India also called for "immediate commencement" of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament, a multilateral disarmament negotiating forum based in Geneva.

Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty calls for halting the production of key "fissile" elements for nuclear weapons. The terms of the treaty are still to be negotiated, but Pakistan has been blocking much of the movement, saying it the treaty will impact its nuclear weapon production.&nbsp;

FS highlighted that "India is a key partner in global efforts towards disarmament and strengthening the non-proliferation order" hoping the international community will "mobilize global will towards a nuclear-weapons-free world."

India has reiterated its "No First Use" policy on nuclear weapons in the United Nations at the high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

India has reiterated its "No First Use" policy on nuclear weapons in the United Nations at the high-level meeting to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. India's foreign secretary Harsh V Shringla said, "India espouses the policy of "No First Use” against nuclear weapon states and non-use against non-nuclear-weapon states." India adopted the "No first use" (NFU) policy in 1998 after the nuclear tests in Pokhran. China is the other country to adopt the NFU, which it did in 1964. Pakistan is the other state to possess nuclear weapons in the Indian subcontinent and does not follow the NFU policy. FS reiterated India's "long-standing and unwavering commitment" to "universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament" leading to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. He explained,"We believe that nuclear disarmament can be achieved through a step-by-step process underwritten by a universal commitment and an agreed multilateral framework", calling for "meaningful dialogue" among all states possessing nuclear weapons "for building trust and confidence". India has since 1998 tabled an annual resolution in the UNGA on ‘Reducing Nuclear Danger’ that calls for immediate steps to reduce the risks of "unintentional and accidental" use of nuclear weapons. At the UN meeting, that coincided with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, India also called for "immediate commencement" of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament, a multilateral disarmament negotiating forum based in Geneva. Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty calls for halting the production of key "fissile" elements for nuclear weapons. The terms of the treaty are still to be negotiated, but Pakistan has been blocking much of the movement, saying it the treaty will impact its nuclear weapon production. FS highlighted that "India is a key partner in global efforts towards disarmament and strengthening the non-proliferation order" hoping the international community will "mobilize global will towards a nuclear-weapons-free world."

India reiterates 'no first use' policy on nuclear weapons

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-against-confidence-destroying-measures-173432">nuclear weapons</a> if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime.

For years, the North had pursued a "byungjin" policy of simultaneously developing its nuclear capabilities alongside the economy.

In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist economic construction".

But a statement issued by the North's foreign ministry said Pyongyang could revert to its former policy if the US did not change its stance over sanctions.

"The word 'byungjin' may appear again and the change of the line could be seriously reconsidered," said the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency late Friday.

At a historic summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded statement on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-assure-kim-he-took-right-decision-to-denuclearise-south-korean-president-moon-171498">denuclearisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/need-to-assure-kim-he-took-right-decision-to-denuclearise-south-korean-president-moon-171498">.</a>

But little progress has been made since then, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like".

"The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said the statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies.&nbsp;

"What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added.

The statement is the latest sign of Pyongyang's increasing frustration with Washington.

Last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700 words long commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticising Trump for his comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang.

Despite a flurry of diplomacy on and around the peninsula differences are emerging between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour.

The South's doveish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programmes.

In an interview with Fox News on Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang carries out it denuclearisation commitments made in Singapore, adding he will meet with his North Korean counterpart next week.

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime.

North Korea has warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished regime. For years, the North had pursued a "byungjin" policy of simultaneously developing its nuclear capabilities alongside the economy. In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist economic construction". But a statement issued by the North's foreign ministry said Pyongyang could revert to its former policy if the US did not change its stance over sanctions. "The word 'byungjin' may appear again and the change of the line could be seriously reconsidered," said the statement carried by the official KCNA news agency late Friday. At a historic summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded statement on denuclearisation. But little progress has been made since then, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like". "The improvement of relations and sanctions are incompatible," said the statement, released under the name of the director of the foreign ministry's Institute for American Studies. "What remains to be done is the US corresponding reply," it added. The statement is the latest sign of Pyongyang's increasing frustration with Washington. Last month, the North's state media carried a near 1,700 words long commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game", implicitly criticising Trump for his comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang. Despite a flurry of diplomacy on and around the peninsula differences are emerging between Seoul and Washington, which stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it from its nuclear-armed neighbour. The South's doveish president Moon Jae-in has long favoured engagement with the North, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programmes. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang carries out it denuclearisation commitments made in Singapore, adding he will meet with his North Korean counterpart next week.

Will go back to building nukes if you don't end economic sanctions against us: North Korea to US

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