North Korea

North Korea fires on a South Korean loudspeaker, which has been broadcasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda across the border.

North Korea’s football association benefited from $100,000 in payments made by the disgraced former Fifa presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam, Channel 4 News has learned.

The downfall of the defence minister fuels international concern about the stability of North Korea under Kim Jong-un, as he apparently continues a ruthless purge of his father’s top cronies.

North Korea’s defence minister has reportedly been executed. Hyon Yong Chol was killed with an anti-aircraft gun for crimes including disobeying Kim Jong-un and falling asleep during a military event.

North Korea makes a key step in its nuclear weapons programme by launching a ballistic missile from a submarine – the latest in a list of actions to anger and worry the international community.

The US ambassador to South Korea says he is “doing well”, after being slashed with a razor by a political extremist at a function in Seoul where he was to give a lecture.

North Korea releases 310 slogans to mark the anniversary of its “liberation”, including “We serve the people” – ironic, perhaps, in a country where torture, starvation and executions are commonplace.

A Hong Kong woman is convicted of beating and starving her Indonesian maid in a case that sparked international outrage.

North Korea won’t have to wait much longer for Sony’s film The Interview to premiere in the country, with activists in South Korea planning to send copies over the border by balloon.

North Korea marks the arrival of 2015 with a firework display in Pyongyang.

In Britain, 2014 was the year of the floods, Ukraine saw a revolution, Scotland almost went indy and the deadly Ebola struck west Africa.

North Korea suffers an internet outage for several hours before links were restored on Tuesday, but the US government refuses to say whether it is responsible.

North Korea threatens the United States, calling it a “cesspool of terrorism” and accusing the Obama administration of being behind the satirical film The Interview.

A threat is made to “stay away” from nuclear reactors in South Korea unless the government shuts three down before Christmas, after a cyber-attack on the power company running them.