North Korea reportedly readying long-range missile launch soonJanuary 28, 2016 - 13:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea may be readying to fire a long-range ballistic missile from its northwestern launch site, a Japanese government source said, citing satellite imagery analyses conducted over the past several days and cautioning that the launch could occur in about a week at the earliest, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported early on Thursday, January 28. Signs of the apparent preparations for a missile launch from Dongchang-ri come while UN Security Council members envisage toughening sanctions against Pyongyang following its fourth nuclear test on January 6 in defiance of past Security Council resolutions. The reclusive country's supposed action could be aimed at flouting the council and any plans among its members to tighten sanctions over the latest nuclear detonation. South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok declined to comment on whether there were pre-launch activities at the site, citing a policy of not discussing intelligence matters. However, he said the North had issued no international warnings on navigation, as it has ahead of previous long-range rocket launches, Reuters says. South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited a government source as saying there had been steady activity at the missile base, with screens set up at key areas, probably to deter spy satellite surveillance. Much of the site's operation is automated and rails are set up to move rocket components quickly for final assembly and launch, Yonhap quoted the source as saying. The site was upgraded last year to accommodate the launch of a longer-range rocket, experts have said. Isolated North Korea says it has a sovereign right to run a space program and its long-range rockets are built to deliver satellites into space. 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 | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |