NORTH KOREA: Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered humanitarian assistance to help North Korea cope with damage from recent floods, it was reported today.

In a message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday, Mr Putin “extended deep sympathy and support” and said he was willing to provide immediate disaster aid to help North Korea recover, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Sunday.

PHILIPPINES: Germany and the Philippines agreed today to rapidly finalise a defence pact that would allow joint military training and possible sale of German weapons to address security threats in the South China Sea.