North readying new nuke test, S. Korea saysApril 18, 2016 - 18:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - South Korea has detected signs that the North is preparing for a fifth nuclear test, President Park Geun-hye said. She did not elaborate on what the signs were, but ordered the military to be prepared, BBC News said citing Yonhap news agency. It comes after reports in local media about increased activity at the North's Punggye-ri nuclear test site, where the previous nuclear tests took place. A new test would be further defiance of tougher sanctions imposed by the UN last month. "We are in a situation, in which we don't know whether North Korea could stage provocation as a move to overcome its isolation and to consolidate its internal unity," Ms Park said told her top aides, Yonhap reported. In January, the North conducted its fourth nuclear test and a rocket launch a month later, raising tensions on the peninsula. Observers have been saying another test could come before North Korea holds its Workers' Party congress in Pyongyang in May. Experts believe the North does not possess the technology to mount a nuclear device on an intercontinental ballistic missile - although it has made progress in recent years on its nuclear weapons programme. Photo: AP 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |