U.S. says N. Korea agrees to halt nuke programFebruary 29, 2012 - 19:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States said Wednesday, February 29 that North Korea has agreed to halt its nuclear program and allow back UN inspectors, in a surprise breakthrough soon after the communist state's veteran leader died, AFP reported. Welcoming the progress, President Barack Obama's administration said it would move ahead on a long-mulled plan to deliver 240,000 metric tons of food aid to the impoverished state which suffered a major famine in the 1990s. "The United States still has profound concerns regarding North Korean behavior across a wide range of areas, but today's announcement reflects important, if limited, progress in addressing some of these," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement. Nuland said that North Korea - which has tested two nuclear weapons - has agreed to the return of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN nuclear watchdog, at its main Yongbyon nuclear facility. North Korea "has agreed to implement a moratorium on long-range missile launches, nuclear tests and nuclear activities at Yongbyon, including uranium enrichment activities," she said. The agreement came despite initial US doubts that North Korea would take major decisions after the death in December of veteran leader Kim Jong-Il, which put control of the authoritarian state in the hands of untested young son Kim Jong-Un. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |