The United States called on Friday for&nbsp;tougher&nbsp;international&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;North Korea at the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The United States&nbsp;calls&nbsp;on all member states to fully implement the existing&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea.

"Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a...&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolution to update and strengthen the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/north-korea-tests-new-icbm-465382">In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US</a>

At the time "the&nbsp;council&nbsp;decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action."

The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States.

Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community.

"The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the&nbsp;Council&nbsp;has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea.

The statement urged&nbsp;UN&nbsp;states, especially&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-north-koreas-goes-hollywood-in-new-missile-launch-video-twitteratis-give-it-top-gun-spin-465464">Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin</a>

China addressed the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea.

"All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's&nbsp;UN&nbsp;ambassador Zhang Jun said.

Russia, for its part, warned&nbsp;against&nbsp;following Washington's lead on tightening&nbsp;sanctions.

Deputy Russian envoy to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems."

In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong&nbsp;Un&nbsp;formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state.

He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States.

The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions.

Watch |&nbsp;North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

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The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile. "The United States calls on all member states to fully implement the existing Security Council resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea. "Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a... Security Council resolution to update and strengthen the sanctions regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea. Also read | In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US At the time "the council decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said. "This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action." The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States. Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent Security Council members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community. "The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the Council has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent Security Council members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea. The statement urged UN states, especially Security Council members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization." Also read | Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin China addressed the Security Council meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea. "All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said. Russia, for its part, warned against following Washington's lead on tightening sanctions. Deputy Russian envoy to the UN Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems." In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state. He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States. The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under Security Council resolutions. Watch | North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea

North Korea tested another massive ballistic missile system. This was among the dozens of missiles North Korea has tested since January 2022. ICBM, Hwasong-17, first revealed in 2020, is about 25 metres long. It is North Korea’s longest weapon & a full range test was conducted on March 24. But why is North Korea testing so many missiles?

North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

North Korea is at it again. It has fired at least one suspected ballistic missile towards the sea to the east of the Korean peninsula on Saturday, militaries in the region said. &nbsp;

It is its ninth missile test of the year. This test has come just days before the South Korea's presidential election. &nbsp;

The launch appeared to have involved a suspected ballistic missile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and the office of Japan's Prime Minister said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finally-us-navy-recovers-crashed-f-35c-lightning-ii-aircraft-from-south-china-sea-458883" hreflang="en">Finally, US Navy recovers crashed F-35C Lightning II aircraft from South China Sea</a>

The Saturday's launch came from a location near Sunan, where Pyongyang's international airport is located, the South Korean military said. &nbsp;

Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said, "This launch comes at a time when international society is dealing with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and also when the Beijing Paralympics is being held... and it is not acceptable." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-intensifies-crackdown-on-fake-reports-blocks-twitter-facebook-459123">Russia intensifies crackdown on 'fake' reports, blocks Twitter, Facebook &nbsp;</a>

"The significant pace at which North Korea is developing its missile-launching technology is not something our country and the surrounding regions can overlook," Kishi added. &nbsp;

The North Korean projectile reached a height of 550 kilometres (340 miles) and flew a distance of 300 kilometres (190 miles), Kishi further added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

South Korea's National Security Council will hold an emergency meeting, the presidential Blue House said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

North Korea is at it again. It has fired at least one suspected ballistic missile towards the sea to the east of the Korean peninsula on Saturday, militaries in the region said.

North Korea is at it again. It has fired at least one suspected ballistic missile towards the sea to the east of the Korean peninsula on Saturday, militaries in the region said. It is its ninth missile test of the year. This test has come just days before the South Korea's presidential election. The launch appeared to have involved a suspected ballistic missile, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and the office of Japan's Prime Minister said. Also Read: Finally, US Navy recovers crashed F-35C Lightning II aircraft from South China Sea The Saturday's launch came from a location near Sunan, where Pyongyang's international airport is located, the South Korean military said. Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said, "This launch comes at a time when international society is dealing with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and also when the Beijing Paralympics is being held... and it is not acceptable." Also Read: Russia intensifies crackdown on 'fake' reports, blocks Twitter, Facebook "The significant pace at which North Korea is developing its missile-launching technology is not something our country and the surrounding regions can overlook," Kishi added. The North Korean projectile reached a height of 550 kilometres (340 miles) and flew a distance of 300 kilometres (190 miles), Kishi further added. South Korea's National Security Council will hold an emergency meeting, the presidential Blue House said. (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of South Korea’s polls, Kim Jong-led North holds 2022’s ninth missile test

It's raining missiles in the Korean Peninsula. In the last 2 weeks, North Korea has test-fired 4 missiles. The tests have put regional powers like Japan and South Korea on edge. What is Kim Jong-Un up to? Does he want attention? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 4 Missile Tests in 2 Weeks: North Korea returns to brinkmanship

The United States and NASA condemned Russia for launching a "dangerous and irresponsible" missile strike that blew up a Russian satellite and created a debris cloud that forced the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) to take evasive action.

The United States slams Russia for 'irresponsible' act

The DRDO tested a new version of the Akash Missile, Akash Prime, that intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking an enemy aircraft in Odisha's Chandipur.

India successfully tested a new variant of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha's Chandipur on Monday, September 27.

According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target that mimicked enemy aircraft in its first flight test following upgrades.

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DRDO today conducts Successful Maiden Flight Test of Akash Prime Missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. <a href="https://t.co/QlvMHtTWVj">pic.twitter.com/QlvMHtTWVj</a>
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The Akash Prime missile can be seen launching into the sky from the ground in a video provided by the DRDO.

The missile successfully detonates on impact with an unmanned aerial target after cruising in the skies for a few seconds.&nbsp;

The air test used a modified ground system from the existing Akash weapon system.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and other stakeholders have been congratulated on the successful trial of the Akash primary missile, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The successful flight test, he said, demonstrates the DRDO's capability in designing and developing world-class missile systems.

G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of the DRDO, commended the crew on the missile's successful flight test.&nbsp;

The Indian Army and Air Force will have much greater confidence in the Akash Prime system, he said, because the Akash system has already been inducted and is now being enhanced with more powerful missiles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The DRDO tested a new version of the Akash Missile, Akash Prime, that intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking an enemy aircraft in Odisha's Chandipur.

The DRDO tested a new version of the Akash Missile, Akash Prime, that intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking an enemy aircraft in Odisha's Chandipur. India successfully tested a new variant of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime' from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha's Chandipur on Monday, September 27. According to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target that mimicked enemy aircraft in its first flight test following upgrades. DRDO today conducts Successful Maiden Flight Test of Akash Prime Missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. pic.twitter.com/QlvMHtTWVj — DRDO (@DRDO_India) September 27, 2021 × The Akash Prime missile can be seen launching into the sky from the ground in a video provided by the DRDO. The missile successfully detonates on impact with an unmanned aerial target after cruising in the skies for a few seconds. The air test used a modified ground system from the existing Akash weapon system. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and other stakeholders have been congratulated on the successful trial of the Akash primary missile, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The successful flight test, he said, demonstrates the DRDO's capability in designing and developing world-class missile systems. G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman of the DRDO, commended the crew on the missile's successful flight test. The Indian Army and Air Force will have much greater confidence in the Akash Prime system, he said, because the Akash system has already been inducted and is now being enhanced with more powerful missiles. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: India successfully tests 'Akash Prime' missile, destroys aerial target

Recent satellite images show North Korea is expanding a uranium enrichment plant at its main Yongbyon nuclear complex. This assessment comes after North Korea recently conducted its first missile test in six months.

Satellite images show North Korea is expanding Yongbyon nuclear enrichment plant

According to North Korean media, the two ballistic missiles fired on Wednesday were a test of a new "railway-borne missile system" designed as a potential counter-strike to any forces that threaten the country.

North Korea says it tested new railway-borne missile system to counter-strike 'threatening forces'

North Korea said on Monday that the UN Security Council showed a double standard as its sanctions committee criticised the country's recent missile test as a violation of UN resolutions.

The statement came after North Korea said on Saturday that the administration of US President Joe Biden had taken a wrong first step and revealed "deep-seated hostility" by criticising its self-defensive missile test.

North Korea launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile last week, prompting Washington to request a gathering of the UN Security Council's (UNSC) sanctions committee.

At the committee meeting on Friday, the United States called for imposing additional sanctions and tightening the implementation of existing measures, denouncing the test as a violation of UN resolutions, according to Jo Chol Su, director-general for international organisations at North Korea's foreign ministry.

Jo said the meeting was "designed to negate the right of our state to self-defence," warning it would devise a "countermeasure."

"It constitutes a denial of sovereign state and an apparent double standard that UNSC takes issue, on the basis of the UN 'resolutions' - direct products of the US hostile policy," Jo said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

"It does not make any sense that only our righteous self-defensive measure should be singled out for denunciation, when many other countries across the globe are firing all kinds of projectiles for the purpose of increasing their military strength."

North Korea said on Monday that the UN Security Council showed a double standard as its sanctions committee criticised the country's recent missile test as a violation of UN resolutions.

North Korea said on Monday that the UN Security Council showed a double standard as its sanctions committee criticised the country's recent missile test as a violation of UN resolutions. The statement came after North Korea said on Saturday that the administration of US President Joe Biden had taken a wrong first step and revealed "deep-seated hostility" by criticising its self-defensive missile test. North Korea launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile last week, prompting Washington to request a gathering of the UN Security Council's (UNSC) sanctions committee. At the committee meeting on Friday, the United States called for imposing additional sanctions and tightening the implementation of existing measures, denouncing the test as a violation of UN resolutions, according to Jo Chol Su, director-general for international organisations at North Korea's foreign ministry. Jo said the meeting was "designed to negate the right of our state to self-defence," warning it would devise a "countermeasure." "It constitutes a denial of sovereign state and an apparent double standard that UNSC takes issue, on the basis of the UN 'resolutions' - direct products of the US hostile policy," Jo said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. "It does not make any sense that only our righteous self-defensive measure should be singled out for denunciation, when many other countries across the globe are firing all kinds of projectiles for the purpose of increasing their military strength."

N Korea accuses UNSC of 'double standard' over missile tests

The hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology was successfully demonstrated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday.

India to get Hypersonic missile in the next 5 years | Indigenous Hypersonic Weapons

Ministry of External Affairs'&nbsp;spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday briefed media and stated that Pakistan, by its activities, is portraying that the situation with India is very sensitive.&nbsp;

He stated that there has been no communication from Pakistan on complete closure of airspace, "certain sectors have been temporarily closed and notifications were received on certain routes and diversions."

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Raveesh Kumar, MEA on letter by Pakistan Minister Shireen Mazari to the United Nations: The letter is not even worth the paper on which it was written. Don’t want to give credence to it by reacting. <a href="https://t.co/Ag0twwZKkJ">https://t.co/Ag0twwZKkJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/M5sgc09Tjn">pic.twitter.com/M5sgc09Tjn</a>
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On Pak Human Rights Shireen Mazari's letter to the president of UN Rights Council Kumar said, "don't want to lend any credence to the letter by acting, the letter is not even worth the paper on which it has has been written."

On the matter of Pakistan trained commandos' <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ports-in-gujarat-on-high-alert-after-pakistan-commandos-enter-kutch-area-246375">intrusion in Kutch</a>, he said, "ask relevant authorities on this matter, our security forces are ready to deal with any eventualities."

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Raveesh Kumar, MEA: What we understand is perhaps there were certain sectors which were temporarily closed, there have been NOTAM (A notice to airmen) which were issued that too for a certain period. There has been no statement from Pakistan confirming closure of airspace. <a href="https://t.co/mKlZI22aVF">pic.twitter.com/mKlZI22aVF</a>
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"Terrorism is an instrument of Pakistan's policy, their statements instigate violence," he added.&nbsp;

India slammed Pakistan for its irresponsible statements which include resorting to war and has asked the country to act like a normal neighbour by not supporting terror in the neighbouring country.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, Pakistan railway minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that there could be a war between the two countries towards the end of the year.

Pak Minister Fawad Chowdhary had said that Islamabad had considered closing airspace for India though Pakistani foreign ministry has clarified that no such decision has been taken. The use of Pak airspace for PM Modi's plane during France visit was given by Islamabad to New Delhi despite its rhetoric on Kashmir after August 5.

Asking Pakistan to behave like "a normal neighbour", Kumar said "What do normal neighbours do, they don't push terrorist in the neighbouring country. You do normal talk, normal trade".

Pakistan on Thursday carried out night training launch of surface to surface ballistic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/after-failure-at-diplomatic-front-pakistan-test-fires-ghaznavi-missile-246365">missile Ghaznavi in Balochistan</a>.

The director-general of Pakistan military operations tweeted out a video of the missile test which was carried out at night.

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Raveesh Kumar, MEA: It is important for them (Pakistan) to now start behaving like a normal neighbour. What do normal neighbours do? You don't push terrorists into a neighbouring country. You do normal talk, normal trade.This is not something which is happening from Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/kx9SXLCteq">pic.twitter.com/kx9SXLCteq</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1167031583640965120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The missile has a reported distance capability of 290 kilometres. It can deliver multiple types of warheads.

Meanwhile, Mundra port has been put on high alert after Pakistan trained commandos entered the Gulf of Kutch and Kutch area through Harami Nala creek area.&nbsp;

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Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi: Pakistan has not yet decided to close its airspace to India. PM is the final authority to take a decision on this. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/8U6Ttp7lPK">pic.twitter.com/8U6Ttp7lPK</a>
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The coast guard alert said the commandos were trained in "underwater attacks". The coast guard had received the input that has been shared with private companies to take safety measures.&nbsp;

"It is therefore directed to take utmost measures of security and prevent any untoward situation in Gujarat state," Adani said in a statement.

All ships at the Mundra port have been asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to marine control station and port operation centre immediately.

The development came days after Islamabad deployed medium-range artillery and mobilised its army along the LoC.

Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday briefed media and stated that Pakistan, by its activities, is portraying that the situation with India is very sensitive.

Ministry of External Affairs' spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday briefed media and stated that Pakistan, by its activities, is portraying that the situation with India is very sensitive. He stated that there has been no communication from Pakistan on complete closure of airspace, "certain sectors have been temporarily closed and notifications were received on certain routes and diversions." Raveesh Kumar, MEA on letter by Pakistan Minister Shireen Mazari to the United Nations: The letter is not even worth the paper on which it was written. Don’t want to give credence to it by reacting. https://t.co/Ag0twwZKkJ pic.twitter.com/M5sgc09Tjn — ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2019 × On Pak Human Rights Shireen Mazari's letter to the president of UN Rights Council Kumar said, "don't want to lend any credence to the letter by acting, the letter is not even worth the paper on which it has has been written." On the matter of Pakistan trained commandos' intrusion in Kutch, he said, "ask relevant authorities on this matter, our security forces are ready to deal with any eventualities." Raveesh Kumar, MEA: What we understand is perhaps there were certain sectors which were temporarily closed, there have been NOTAM (A notice to airmen) which were issued that too for a certain period. There has been no statement from Pakistan confirming closure of airspace. pic.twitter.com/mKlZI22aVF — ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2019 × "Terrorism is an instrument of Pakistan's policy, their statements instigate violence," he added. India slammed Pakistan for its irresponsible statements which include resorting to war and has asked the country to act like a normal neighbour by not supporting terror in the neighbouring country. Earlier this week, Pakistan railway minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that there could be a war between the two countries towards the end of the year. Pak Minister Fawad Chowdhary had said that Islamabad had considered closing airspace for India though Pakistani foreign ministry has clarified that no such decision has been taken. The use of Pak airspace for PM Modi's plane during France visit was given by Islamabad to New Delhi despite its rhetoric on Kashmir after August 5. Asking Pakistan to behave like "a normal neighbour", Kumar said "What do normal neighbours do, they don't push terrorist in the neighbouring country. You do normal talk, normal trade". Pakistan on Thursday carried out night training launch of surface to surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi in Balochistan. The director-general of Pakistan military operations tweeted out a video of the missile test which was carried out at night. Raveesh Kumar, MEA: It is important for them (Pakistan) to now start behaving like a normal neighbour. What do normal neighbours do? You don't push terrorists into a neighbouring country. You do normal talk, normal trade.This is not something which is happening from Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/kx9SXLCteq — ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2019 × The missile has a reported distance capability of 290 kilometres. It can deliver multiple types of warheads. Meanwhile, Mundra port has been put on high alert after Pakistan trained commandos entered the Gulf of Kutch and Kutch area through Harami Nala creek area. Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi: Pakistan has not yet decided to close its airspace to India. PM is the final authority to take a decision on this. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/8U6Ttp7lPK — ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2019 × The coast guard alert said the commandos were trained in "underwater attacks". The coast guard had received the input that has been shared with private companies to take safety measures. "It is therefore directed to take utmost measures of security and prevent any untoward situation in Gujarat state," Adani said in a statement. All ships at the Mundra port have been asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to marine control station and port operation centre immediately. The development came days after Islamabad deployed medium-range artillery and mobilised its army along the LoC.

India reacts to Pak Ghaznavi missile test, says forces are ready to deal with any eventuality

The US reveals that it has tested a new cruise missile reviving fears of a new arms race.

WION Gravitas: Has US kicked off a new arms race?

Russia on Tuesday said that the United States was ramping up military tensions by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-tests-medium-range-cruise-missile-after-exiting-inf-treaty-244247">testing a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile</a>, just weeks after tearing up the Cold War-era pact with Russia eliminating such potentially nuclear-capable weapons.

The US Defence Department announced on Monday the test of a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile.

"This is all a cause of regret. The US has obviously taken a course towards the escalation of military tensions. We won't react to provocations," Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency TASS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier urged the United States to begin new arms talks after the collapse of a Cold War nuclear pact between the two world powers.&nbsp;

Moscow has blamed Washington for unilaterally ending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty reached in 1987, signed back then by US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.&nbsp;

Russia on Tuesday said that the United States was ramping up military tensions by testing a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile, just weeks after tearing up the Cold War-era pact with Russia eliminating such potentially nuclear-capable weapons.

Russia on Tuesday said that the United States was ramping up military tensions by testing a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile, just weeks after tearing up the Cold War-era pact with Russia eliminating such potentially nuclear-capable weapons. The US Defence Department announced on Monday the test of a medium-range ground-launched cruise missile. "This is all a cause of regret. The US has obviously taken a course towards the escalation of military tensions. We won't react to provocations," Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov told state news agency TASS. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier urged the United States to begin new arms talks after the collapse of a Cold War nuclear pact between the two world powers. Moscow has blamed Washington for unilaterally ending the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty reached in 1987, signed back then by US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Russia terms US missile test as 'escalation of military tensions'

Russia's nuclear agency chief on Monday confirmed that five scientists killed last week were developing "new weapons" and vowed to continue testing "until the end", despite the explosion.

The accident took place at an Arctic military facility on the coast of the White Sea on Thursday, but Russian authorities only admitted its nuclear nature on Saturday.

The blast provoked a spike in radiation levels.&nbsp;

US experts have said it could be linked to the testing of the "Burevestnik" cruise missile, touted by President Vladimir Putin earlier this year. &nbsp;

National nuclear agency Rosatom on Monday honoured the memory of its five dead staff.

"The best (thing) for their memory will be our further work on the new weapons," the head of Rosatom Alexei Likhachev was quoted as saying by agencies. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We are fulfilling the task of the motherland, its security will be reliably ensured," he added.&nbsp;

Russia held a memorial service for the scientists in the closed city of Sarov in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 500 kilometres (300 miles) east of Moscow. &nbsp;

During the Cold War, Sarov was a top-secret city known as Arzamas-16. The centre produced the Soviet Union's first nuclear weapons.

It is still a closed city accessible only with special passes.

Rosatom has said the accident occurred while a missile was being tested on an offshore platform in the far northern Arkhangelsk region.

Fuel exploded and the blast blew staff into the sea, it said.

The nearby city of Severodvinsk recorded elevated radiation levels following the accident and panicked residents rushed to buy iodine to counteract radiation.&nbsp;

Russia's nuclear agency chief on Monday confirmed that five scientists killed last week were developing "new weapons" and vowed to continue testing "until the end", despite the explosion.

Russia's nuclear agency chief on Monday confirmed that five scientists killed last week were developing "new weapons" and vowed to continue testing "until the end", despite the explosion. The accident took place at an Arctic military facility on the coast of the White Sea on Thursday, but Russian authorities only admitted its nuclear nature on Saturday. The blast provoked a spike in radiation levels. US experts have said it could be linked to the testing of the "Burevestnik" cruise missile, touted by President Vladimir Putin earlier this year. National nuclear agency Rosatom on Monday honoured the memory of its five dead staff. "The best (thing) for their memory will be our further work on the new weapons," the head of Rosatom Alexei Likhachev was quoted as saying by agencies. "We are fulfilling the task of the motherland, its security will be reliably ensured," he added. Russia held a memorial service for the scientists in the closed city of Sarov in the Nizhny Novgorod region, 500 kilometres (300 miles) east of Moscow. During the Cold War, Sarov was a top-secret city known as Arzamas-16. The centre produced the Soviet Union's first nuclear weapons. It is still a closed city accessible only with special passes. Rosatom has said the accident occurred while a missile was being tested on an offshore platform in the far northern Arkhangelsk region. Fuel exploded and the blast blew staff into the sea, it said. The nearby city of Severodvinsk recorded elevated radiation levels following the accident and panicked residents rushed to buy iodine to counteract radiation.

Russians killed in missile test blast were working on 'new weapons'

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, the South Korean military said, as Pyongyang's foreign ministry protested that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-korea-defy-norths-warnings-start-joint-drills-240816">joint US-South Korea military drills</a> violated diplomatic agreements.

The North, criticising the US-South Korean drills and their use of high-tech weapons, has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">fired a series of missiles and rockets</a> since its leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump agreed at a June 30 meeting to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

Trump has played down the tests by saying they<a href="https://www.wionews.com/americas/north-koreas-missile-tests-not-breach-of-trust-us-president-donald-trump-217629"> did not break any agreement </a>he had with Kim but the talks have yet to resume. Analysts believe the tests are designed both to improve North Korean military capabilities and to pressure Washington to offer more concessions.

A senior Trump administration official said, "We continue to monitor the situation and are consulting closely with our South Korean and Japanese allies."

In Seoul, South Korea`s defence minister and the heads of the National Security Office and the National Intelligence Agency were meeting to discuss North Korea`s firing of short-range projectiles, said Ko Min-jung, a spokeswoman for the presidential office.

South Korea`s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the latest projectiles, the fourth set of launches since July 25, were fired from South Hwanghae province early on Tuesday.

The Yonhap news agency in South Korea said the projectiles flew 450 km (280 miles) and reached an altitude of 37 km (23 miles).

The July 25 launches were the first since Trump and Kim met at the heavily armed Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas on June 30.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement released through state news agency KCNA that North Korea remains committed to resolving issues through dialogue.

However, Pyongyang "will be compelled to seek a new road as we have already indicated" if South Korea and the United States continue with hostile military moves, he said.&nbsp;

The arrival of new, US-made F-35A stealth fighters in South Korea, the visit of a US nuclear-powered submarine to a South Korean port, and US tests of ballistic missiles are among the steps that have forced North Korea to continue its own weapons development, the spokesman said.

"The US and South Korean authorities remain outwardly talkative about dialogue," he said. "But when they sit back, they sharpen a sword to do us harm."

North Korea has repeatedly complained that the United States and South Korea`s joint military drills violate a pledge made by Trump to Kim.

South Korean media reported that US-South Korea joint military exercises had started on Monday. A senior South Korean official said previously the drills would mainly involve computer simulations.

A JCS spokesman told a regular news briefing on Monday the allies were preparing for a joint exercise in the second half of the year but would not confirm the name of the exercise or whether it had already started.

A United Nations report said on Monday Pyongyang has "continued to enhance its nuclear and missile programmes" and used cyberattacks to take in $2 billion to fund the development.&nbsp;

The testing of short-range missiles by North Korea is covered by a 2006 United Nations Security Council resolution demanding that North Korea suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme.&nbsp;

Short-range missiles pose no threat to US territory but do put at risk US allies Japan and South Korea and the tens of thousands of US troops stationed in both countries.

Japan's defence ministry said it did not see any imminent threat to Japanese security from the latest projectile launch by North Korea.&nbsp;

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, the South Korean military said, as Pyongyang's foreign ministry protested that joint US-South Korea military drills violated diplomatic agreements.

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles into the sea off its east coast on Tuesday, the South Korean military said, as Pyongyang's foreign ministry protested that joint US-South Korea military drills violated diplomatic agreements. The North, criticising the US-South Korean drills and their use of high-tech weapons, has fired a series of missiles and rockets since its leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump agreed at a June 30 meeting to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. Trump has played down the tests by saying they did not break any agreement he had with Kim but the talks have yet to resume. Analysts believe the tests are designed both to improve North Korean military capabilities and to pressure Washington to offer more concessions. A senior Trump administration official said, "We continue to monitor the situation and are consulting closely with our South Korean and Japanese allies." In Seoul, South Korea`s defence minister and the heads of the National Security Office and the National Intelligence Agency were meeting to discuss North Korea`s firing of short-range projectiles, said Ko Min-jung, a spokeswoman for the presidential office. South Korea`s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the latest projectiles, the fourth set of launches since July 25, were fired from South Hwanghae province early on Tuesday. The Yonhap news agency in South Korea said the projectiles flew 450 km (280 miles) and reached an altitude of 37 km (23 miles). The July 25 launches were the first since Trump and Kim met at the heavily armed Demilitarized Zone that separates the two Koreas on June 30. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement released through state news agency KCNA that North Korea remains committed to resolving issues through dialogue. However, Pyongyang "will be compelled to seek a new road as we have already indicated" if South Korea and the United States continue with hostile military moves, he said. The arrival of new, US-made F-35A stealth fighters in South Korea, the visit of a US nuclear-powered submarine to a South Korean port, and US tests of ballistic missiles are among the steps that have forced North Korea to continue its own weapons development, the spokesman said. "The US and South Korean authorities remain outwardly talkative about dialogue," he said. "But when they sit back, they sharpen a sword to do us harm." North Korea has repeatedly complained that the United States and South Korea`s joint military drills violate a pledge made by Trump to Kim. South Korean media reported that US-South Korea joint military exercises had started on Monday. A senior South Korean official said previously the drills would mainly involve computer simulations. A JCS spokesman told a regular news briefing on Monday the allies were preparing for a joint exercise in the second half of the year but would not confirm the name of the exercise or whether it had already started. A United Nations report said on Monday Pyongyang has "continued to enhance its nuclear and missile programmes" and used cyberattacks to take in $2 billion to fund the development. The testing of short-range missiles by North Korea is covered by a 2006 United Nations Security Council resolution demanding that North Korea suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme. Short-range missiles pose no threat to US territory but do put at risk US allies Japan and South Korea and the tens of thousands of US troops stationed in both countries. Japan's defence ministry said it did not see any imminent threat to Japanese security from the latest projectile launch by North Korea.

North Korea fires two more projectiles, threatens to take 'new road'

North Korea's third weapon test in 8 days. Kim Jong-un supervised the test of a new rocket launcher system. Watch this video to know more.

North Korea's third weapon test in 8 days

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-believes-osama-bin-ladens-son-hamza-is-dead-official-239806">Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official</a>

The United States believes that&nbsp;Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US&nbsp;official said on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-iranian-foreign-minister-mohammad-javad-zarif-239805">US imposes sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif</a>

The United States on Wednesday&nbsp;imposed sanctions&nbsp;on Iranian Foreign Minister&nbsp;Mohammad Javad Zarif, targeting the country's top spokesman and potentially hurting chances of diplomatic talks amid rising tensions between the two countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-only-works-if-both-parties-comply-us-prepares-to-pull-out-from-inf-treaty-with-russia-239821">'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia</a>

The United States will officially withdraw from the&nbsp;Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces&nbsp;(INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia -&nbsp;and throwing China into the mix.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809">US national security adviser Bolton says North Korea tests didn't violate pledge to Trump, but no word on talks</a>

US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday North Korea's recent missile tests did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong-un made to President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang had yet to say when working-level talks on denuclearisation would resume.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-test-fired-new-rocket-system-under-kims-supervision-state-media-239815">North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media</a>

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

&nbsp;

Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday.

Osama bin Laden's son Hamza is dead, says US official The United States believes that Hamza bin Laden, a son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and himself a notable figure in the militant group, is dead, a US official said on Wednesday. US imposes sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, targeting the country's top spokesman and potentially hurting chances of diplomatic talks amid rising tensions between the two countries. 'It only works if both parties comply': US prepares to pull out from INF treaty with Russia The United States will officially withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty on Friday, clearing the way for a new arms race with Russia - and throwing China into the mix. US national security adviser Bolton says North Korea tests didn't violate pledge to Trump, but no word on talks US national security adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday North Korea's recent missile tests did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong-un made to President Donald Trump, but Pyongyang had yet to say when working-level talks on denuclearisation would resume. North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, a senior US&nbsp;official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/north-korea-test-fired-new-rocket-system-under-kims-supervision-state-media-239815">Kim oversaw the first test-firing</a> of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported.

North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features.

The launch came six days after North Korea tested two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-north-korea-conducting-missile-tests-239757">short-range ballistic missiles</a>, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks.

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809">firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge</a> that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US&nbsp;national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News.

"But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-fires-two-short-range-ballistic-missiles-239727/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons.

South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy,&nbsp;"He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving."

The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said.

US&nbsp;officials have played down the tests.

On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week.

Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending.

"We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long".

A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US&nbsp;demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

'Fat target'

The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry.

The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said.

Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said.

It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles).

The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult.

Ballistic missiles would violate UN&nbsp;resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN&nbsp;Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said.

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South.

South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US&nbsp;Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok.

South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks.

China welcomed the US&nbsp;readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo.

The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US&nbsp;defence official said, despite the missile tests.

"We have to do two things,&nbsp;we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US&nbsp;official said.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt.

North Korea's latest missile launches did not violate a pledge its leader Kim Jong Un made to US President Donald Trump, a senior US official said on Thursday, but efforts to resume denuclearisation talks remained in doubt. Kim oversaw the first test-firing of a "new-type large-calibre multiple-launch guided rocket system" on Wednesday, North Korean state media reported. North Korean state television showed rockets launching from a vehicle that had been blurred in photos to obscure its features. The launch came six days after North Korea tested two short-range ballistic missiles, its first tests since Kim and Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. The latest launches appeared intended to put pressure on South Korea and the United States to stop planned military exercises, analysts said and came as diplomats criss-cross the region this week in the hope of restarting the talks. "The firing of these missiles don't violate the pledge that Kim Jong Un made to the president about intercontinental-range ballistic missiles," US national security adviser John Bolton said in an interview with Fox Business News. "But you have to ask when the real diplomacy is going to begin when the working-level discussions on denuclearisation will begin," he said. Watch: North Korea fires two short-range ballistic missiles North Korea's tests of short-range missiles over the past week happened despite the meeting between Kim and Trump on June 30 at demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at which they agreed to revive their talks on North Korea's weapons. South Korea's intelligence agency told lawmakers more North Korean missile tests were possible this month, said Lee Eun-jae, one of the lawmakers. Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Vipin Narang said the missile tests were part of the North Korean leader's approach to diplomacy, "He's saying it will take more than a photo-op to get things moving." The tests were a stark reminder that every day the United States and its allies failed to secure an agreement is a day that North Korea continues to improve and expand its nuclear and missile arsenals, he said. US officials have played down the tests. On Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hoped talks would start soon, though he "regretted" that a highly anticipated meeting with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would not take place in Thailand this week. Ri has cancelled a trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conference in Bangkok that Pompeo is attending. "We stand ready to continue our diplomatic conversation with North Korea," Pompeo told a news conference with his Thai counterpart, adding he was optimistic Kim would deploy his team for working-level talks "before too long". A summit between Trump and Kim in Vietnam in February collapsed after they failed to reconcile differences between US demands for North Korea's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. 'Fat target' The North Korean photographs of the missile test appeared to show a type of multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS). Such systems form a major part of North Korea's conventional arsenal, according to a 2018 assessment by the South's defence ministry. The North Korean military has nearly 5,500 MLRS, along with 8,600 field guns, 4,300 tanks, and 2,500 armoured vehicles, the ministry said. Wednesday's test verified the combat effectiveness of the overall rocket system and Kim predicted "it would be inescapable distress to the forces becoming a fat target of the weapon", KCNA said. It said the rocket system would play a major role in ground military operations. Such operations would most likely be directed at South Korea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). The missiles launched last week were a different type of short-range ballistic missile, which experts said were designed to make interception difficult. Ballistic missiles would violate UN resolutions designed to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Britain, Germany and France have asked the UN Security Council to meet on Thursday to discuss the missile launches, diplomats said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres believed the launches were "just another reminder of the importance of restarting talks on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. The South Korean military also said a North Korean soldier had crossed the DMZ on Wednesday and asked to defect to the South. South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon met US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun on Wednesday on the sidelines of the ASEAN conference in Bangkok. South Korea's foreign ministry said they discussed the missile tests and vowed diplomatic efforts for an early restart of working-level talks. China welcomed the US readiness to restart the working-level talks, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi said in Bangkok, following talks with Pompeo. The United States does not plan to make changes to this month's military drill with South Korea, a senior US defence official said, despite the missile tests. "We have to do two things, we have to give the diplomats appropriate space for their diplomacy and help create an environment that is conducive to the talks when they resume ... and we have to maintain readiness," the US official said.

US still hopes for talks after latest North Korean missile tests

North Korea has<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-south-korean-military-239597"> tested a new rocket system</a> in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday.

Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31."

"The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolton-says-north-korea-tests-didnt-violate-pledge-to-trump-but-no-word-on-talks-239809"> test-fire </a>scientifically confirmed that the tactical data and technical characteristics of the new-type large-calibre guided ordnance rocket reached the numerical values of its design, and verified the combat effectiveness of the overall system," the report added, as cited by Yonhap news agency.

South Korean military on Wednesday had assessed that the communist nation had fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast.&nbsp;

Following the development, the South Korean National Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the tests and express their concerns.

The recent developments had come less than a month after Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a surprise meeting at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom and agreed to resume working-level nuclear negotiations to push forward Pyongyang`s denuclearisation process.&nbsp;

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday. Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31.

North Korea has tested a new rocket system in launches conducted on Wednesday under leader Kim Jong-un`s supervision, state media reported on Thursday. Korean Central News Agency reported that the North Korean leader "guided a test-fire of a newly developed large-calibre multiple launch guided rocket system on July 31." "The test-fire scientifically confirmed that the tactical data and technical characteristics of the new-type large-calibre guided ordnance rocket reached the numerical values of its design, and verified the combat effectiveness of the overall system," the report added, as cited by Yonhap news agency. South Korean military on Wednesday had assessed that the communist nation had fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. Following the development, the South Korean National Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the tests and express their concerns. The recent developments had come less than a month after Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a surprise meeting at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom and agreed to resume working-level nuclear negotiations to push forward Pyongyang`s denuclearisation process.

North Korea test-fired new rocket system under Kim's supervision: State media

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-south-korea-us-military-drill-north-korea-fires-two-short-range-ballistic-missiles-239579">North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles</a> early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two other missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills.

The latest launches were from the Hodo peninsula on North Korea's east coast, the same area from where last week's were conducted, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. It said it was monitoring in case of additional launches.

The JCS in Seoul said later the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). South Korean news agency Yonhap said they appeared to be a different type to previous launches.

Colonel Lee Peters, a spokesman for US military forces in South Korea, said: "We are aware of reports of a missile launch from North Korea and we will continue to monitor the situation."

He did not comment when asked whether the joint South Korea-US drills, scheduled to begin next month, would continue.

Japan's defence ministry said no missiles had reached Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone, and the launches did not threaten Japan's immediate security.

North Korea test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles on July 25, its first missile tests since leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks.

The White House, the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both played down last week's launches and Pompeo has continued to express hope for a diplomatic way forward with North Korea.

Since Trump and Kim's June 30 meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, Pyongyang has accused Washington of breaking a promise by planning to hold joint military exercises with South Korea next month and warned that these could derail any talks.

North Korea has also warned of a possible end to its freeze on nuclear and long-range missile tests that has been in place since 2017, which Trump has repeatedly upheld as evidence of the success of his engagement with Kim.

A top South Korean official said last month the drills would go ahead as planned but would mainly involve computer simulations and not troops in the field.

Differences

A February summit in Vietnam between Trump and Kim collapsed after the two sides failed to reconcile differences between Washington's demands for Pyongyang's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief.

Trump reiterated to reporters at the White House earlier on Tuesday that he had a good relationship with Kim, but added: "We'll see what happens. I can't tell you what's going to happen."

Pompeo said on Monday he hoped working-level talks to revive denuclearisation talks could occur "very soon."

On Tuesday, he told reporters travelling with him on a visit to Asia he did not know when this would happen but hoped U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his new counterpart could meet "before too long".

Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho had been expected to meet on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian security forum in Bangkok this week but Ri cancelled his trip, a diplomatic source said told Reuters last week.

Pompeo said on Tuesday he did not anticipate that the North Koreans would be in Bangkok but, if they were, he would look forward to a chance to meet Ri.

"We’ll see if they are there and, if they are, I’m confident we will meet," he said.

A senior US administration official said earlier on Tuesday a North Korean official told a White House National Security Council (NSC) counterpart last week that working-level talks would start very soon.

The NSC official, who was in Asia for unrelated talks, travelled to the DMZ to deliver photographs commemorating the June 30 summit, the senior administration official told reporters.

Harry Kazianis, of Washington's Center for the National Interest think tank, said the latest launches were a clear attempt by North Korea to put pressure on Washington.

"For now, it seems any working-level talks between America and North Korea are on hold until the fall, as the Kim regime won't immediately spring back to diplomacy after this round of tests," he said.

Other analysts have said North Korea will have been emboldened to press more aggressively for US concessions by Trump's apparent eagerness to hold up his engagement with Pyongyang as a foreign policy success ahead of his 2020 reelection bid.

 
&nbsp;

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two other missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles early on Wednesday, the South Korean military said, only days after it launched two other missiles intended to pressure South Korea and the United States to stop upcoming military drills. The latest launches were from the Hodo peninsula on North Korea's east coast, the same area from where last week's were conducted, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. It said it was monitoring in case of additional launches. The JCS in Seoul said later the North had fired ballistic missiles that flew about 250 km (155 miles). South Korean news agency Yonhap said they appeared to be a different type to previous launches. Colonel Lee Peters, a spokesman for US military forces in South Korea, said: "We are aware of reports of a missile launch from North Korea and we will continue to monitor the situation." He did not comment when asked whether the joint South Korea-US drills, scheduled to begin next month, would continue. Japan's defence ministry said no missiles had reached Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone, and the launches did not threaten Japan's immediate security. North Korea test-fired two new short-range ballistic missiles on July 25, its first missile tests since leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump met on June 30 and agreed to revive stalled denuclearisation talks. The White House, the Pentagon and the U.S. State Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo both played down last week's launches and Pompeo has continued to express hope for a diplomatic way forward with North Korea. Since Trump and Kim's June 30 meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas, Pyongyang has accused Washington of breaking a promise by planning to hold joint military exercises with South Korea next month and warned that these could derail any talks. North Korea has also warned of a possible end to its freeze on nuclear and long-range missile tests that has been in place since 2017, which Trump has repeatedly upheld as evidence of the success of his engagement with Kim. A top South Korean official said last month the drills would go ahead as planned but would mainly involve computer simulations and not troops in the field. Differences A February summit in Vietnam between Trump and Kim collapsed after the two sides failed to reconcile differences between Washington's demands for Pyongyang's complete denuclearisation and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. Trump reiterated to reporters at the White House earlier on Tuesday that he had a good relationship with Kim, but added: "We'll see what happens. I can't tell you what's going to happen." Pompeo said on Monday he hoped working-level talks to revive denuclearisation talks could occur "very soon." On Tuesday, he told reporters travelling with him on a visit to Asia he did not know when this would happen but hoped U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his new counterpart could meet "before too long". Pompeo and North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho had been expected to meet on the sidelines of a Southeast Asian security forum in Bangkok this week but Ri cancelled his trip, a diplomatic source said told Reuters last week. Pompeo said on Tuesday he did not anticipate that the North Koreans would be in Bangkok but, if they were, he would look forward to a chance to meet Ri. "We’ll see if they are there and, if they are, I’m confident we will meet," he said. A senior US administration official said earlier on Tuesday a North Korean official told a White House National Security Council (NSC) counterpart last week that working-level talks would start very soon. The NSC official, who was in Asia for unrelated talks, travelled to the DMZ to deliver photographs commemorating the June 30 summit, the senior administration official told reporters. Harry Kazianis, of Washington's Center for the National Interest think tank, said the latest launches were a clear attempt by North Korea to put pressure on Washington. "For now, it seems any working-level talks between America and North Korea are on hold until the fall, as the Kim regime won't immediately spring back to diplomacy after this round of tests," he said. Other analysts have said North Korea will have been emboldened to press more aggressively for US concessions by Trump's apparent eagerness to hold up his engagement with Pyongyang as a foreign policy success ahead of his 2020 reelection bid.

North Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles: South Korean military

A bright and fast moving object giving off a large, white and smoke-like trail across the dawn sky in central China was captured on camera on Sunday and has since gone viral on social media, with many speculating on what the flying object was. The video was shot by eyewitness Li Zhipeng in Zhengzhou, Henan province at around 4:00 am local time and shared with Reuters.

UFO or missile test? Trailing blaze of light goes viral in China

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/in-his-second-term-as-prime-minister-narendra-modi-must-build-the-partys-bench-strength-220744"> Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies.

But in a possible warning to India, Pakistan also announced that it has conducted a training launch of a Shaheen II, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which it said is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons at a range of up to 1,500 miles.

"Shaheen II is a highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan`s strategic needs towards maintenance of deterrence stability in the region," Pakistan`s military said in a statement that made no direct mention of its neighbour.

On Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi spoke briefly with his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

"We never speak bitterly, we want to live like good neighbours and settle our outstanding issues through talks," he said following the meeting.

The remark follows months of tension between the long-time rivals, which came close to war in February over the disputed region of Kashmir, which both sides have claimed since independence from Britain in 1947.

Following a suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 40 members of an Indian paramilitary police force in February, Indian jets launched a raid inside Pakistan, striking what New Delhi said was a training camp of Jaish-e Mohammed, the radical group that claimed the Kashmir attack.

In response, Pakistan conducted a retaliatory strike of its own and jets from the two countries fought a dogfight in the skies over Kashmir during which an Indian pilot was shot down and captured.

Amid international pressure to end the conflict, Pakistan returned the pilot and there were no further strikes but tensions remained high, with regular exchanges of artillery fire from both sides in Kashmir.

Pakistan has also kept part of its airspace closed to international air traffic, disrupting flights to India and other parts of the region.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly offered to start talks with India to resolve the Kashmir issue, and officials have said that they hoped the process could start once the election is concluded.

Khan himself said last month he believed there was more prospect of peace talks with Indian if Modi`s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election.

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies.

Pakistan has signaled a willingness to open peace talks with India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears set to return to power in New Delhi after an election fought in the shadow of renewed confrontation between the nuclear-armed enemies. But in a possible warning to India, Pakistan also announced that it has conducted a training launch of a Shaheen II, surface-to-surface ballistic missile, which it said is capable of delivering conventional and nuclear weapons at a range of up to 1,500 miles. "Shaheen II is a highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan`s strategic needs towards maintenance of deterrence stability in the region," Pakistan`s military said in a statement that made no direct mention of its neighbour. On Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmud Qureshi spoke briefly with his Indian counterpart at the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. "We never speak bitterly, we want to live like good neighbours and settle our outstanding issues through talks," he said following the meeting. The remark follows months of tension between the long-time rivals, which came close to war in February over the disputed region of Kashmir, which both sides have claimed since independence from Britain in 1947. Following a suicide attack in Kashmir that killed 40 members of an Indian paramilitary police force in February, Indian jets launched a raid inside Pakistan, striking what New Delhi said was a training camp of Jaish-e Mohammed, the radical group that claimed the Kashmir attack. In response, Pakistan conducted a retaliatory strike of its own and jets from the two countries fought a dogfight in the skies over Kashmir during which an Indian pilot was shot down and captured. Amid international pressure to end the conflict, Pakistan returned the pilot and there were no further strikes but tensions remained high, with regular exchanges of artillery fire from both sides in Kashmir. Pakistan has also kept part of its airspace closed to international air traffic, disrupting flights to India and other parts of the region. Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly offered to start talks with India to resolve the Kashmir issue, and officials have said that they hoped the process could start once the election is concluded. Khan himself said last month he believed there was more prospect of peace talks with Indian if Modi`s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the election.

Pakistan says it wants peace with India, conducts missile test

Iran said on Sunday it would continue missile tests to build up its defences and denied this was in breach of UN&nbsp;resolutions following US&nbsp;allegations that Tehran had tested a new missile capable of carrying multiple warheads.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he called Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile in violation of the 2015 international agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, from which Washington has withdrawn.

"Missile tests ... are carried out for defence and the country's deterrence, and we will continue this," Brigadier- General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's armed forces, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

"We will continue to both develop and test missiles. This is outside the framework of (nuclear) negotiations and part of our national security, for which we will not ask any country's permission," Shekarchi said.

He did not confirm or deny Iran had tested a new missile.

Earlier, US&nbsp;National Security Adviser John Bolton tweeted: "Iran just test-fired a ... ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel and Europe. This provocative behaviour cannot be tolerated."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi also said Iranian missiles were purely defensive and added: "There is no Security Council resolution prohibiting missile programme and missile tests by Iran."

UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution 2231 enshrined Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in which Tehran curbed its disputed uranium enrichment programme in exchange for an end to international sanctions.

The resolution says Iran is "called upon" to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons.

Surrealism in foreign affairs

Iran has repeatedly said its missile programme is purely defensive and denied that its missiles are capable of being tipped with nuclear warheads, or that it has any intent of developing nuclear weapons through uranium enrichment.

In May, President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the nuclear deal, approved before he took office, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump said the deal was flawed as it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for armed proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq.

"Surrealism is now the US' modus operandi in its foreign affairs," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted.

"While (the United States) itself violates (UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution) 2231 — and even threatens to punish those who don't wish to violate it in abiding with illegal US sanctions — it now falsely accuses Iran of violating the very SAME resolution," Zarif added.

Separately, Zarif accused Washington of arming militant groups that fight against the Tehran-backed Syrian government and the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen.

"US (is) proliferating advanced weapons to extremists incl Al Qaeda &amp; ISIS (Islamic State)," Zarif tweeted, referring to a British newspaper report that said many arms supplied by Britain and the United States had ended up in the hands of militias fighting in the Yemen war.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted that he was deeply concerned by "Iran's test-firing of a medium-range ballistic missile. Provocative, threatening and inconsistent with UNSCR 2231".

"Our support for (the Iran nuclear accord) in no way lessens our concern at Iran's destabilising missile programme and determination that it should cease," Hunt added.

Iran said on Sunday it would continue missile tests to build up its defences and denied this was in breach of UN resolutions following US allegations that Tehran had tested a new missile capable of carrying multiple warheads.

Iran said on Sunday it would continue missile tests to build up its defences and denied this was in breach of UN resolutions following US allegations that Tehran had tested a new missile capable of carrying multiple warheads. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday condemned what he called Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile in violation of the 2015 international agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme, from which Washington has withdrawn. "Missile tests ... are carried out for defence and the country's deterrence, and we will continue this," Brigadier- General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's armed forces, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency. "We will continue to both develop and test missiles. This is outside the framework of (nuclear) negotiations and part of our national security, for which we will not ask any country's permission," Shekarchi said. He did not confirm or deny Iran had tested a new missile. Earlier, US National Security Adviser John Bolton tweeted: "Iran just test-fired a ... ballistic missile capable of reaching Israel and Europe. This provocative behaviour cannot be tolerated." Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi also said Iranian missiles were purely defensive and added: "There is no Security Council resolution prohibiting missile programme and missile tests by Iran." UN Security Council resolution 2231 enshrined Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States in which Tehran curbed its disputed uranium enrichment programme in exchange for an end to international sanctions. The resolution says Iran is "called upon" to refrain for up to eight years from work on ballistic missiles designed to deliver nuclear weapons. Surrealism in foreign affairs Iran has repeatedly said its missile programme is purely defensive and denied that its missiles are capable of being tipped with nuclear warheads, or that it has any intent of developing nuclear weapons through uranium enrichment. In May, President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the nuclear deal, approved before he took office, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. Trump said the deal was flawed as it did not include curbs on Iran's development of ballistic missiles or its support for armed proxies in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon and Iraq. "Surrealism is now the US' modus operandi in its foreign affairs," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted. "While (the United States) itself violates (UN Security Council resolution) 2231 — and even threatens to punish those who don't wish to violate it in abiding with illegal US sanctions — it now falsely accuses Iran of violating the very SAME resolution," Zarif added. Separately, Zarif accused Washington of arming militant groups that fight against the Tehran-backed Syrian government and the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. "US (is) proliferating advanced weapons to extremists incl Al Qaeda & ISIS (Islamic State)," Zarif tweeted, referring to a British newspaper report that said many arms supplied by Britain and the United States had ended up in the hands of militias fighting in the Yemen war. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted that he was deeply concerned by "Iran's test-firing of a medium-range ballistic missile. Provocative, threatening and inconsistent with UNSCR 2231". "Our support for (the Iran nuclear accord) in no way lessens our concern at Iran's destabilising missile programme and determination that it should cease," Hunt added.

Iran says it will continue missile tests after US allegation

U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s condition for meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is that there be no nuclear or missile testing, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday.

&quot;There shouldn&#39;t be confusion,&quot; Mnuchin told NBC&#39;s &quot;Meet the Press&quot; program, when asked about White House press secretary Sarah Sanders&#39; statement on Friday that there would be no meeting without concrete and verifiable actions by North Korea.

&quot;The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there&#39;s no nuclear testing and there&#39;s no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting.&quot;

After months of escalating tensions over North Korea&#39;s advancing nuclear and missile programs, Trump decided on Thursday to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korea&#39;s leader.

On Saturday, Trump said his meeting could fizzle without an agreement or it could result in &quot;the greatest deal for the world&quot; with a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

Mnuchin dismissed criticism that Trump&#39;s decision to meet elevates the North Korean leader&#39;s international standing. He said the Republican president has also been criticized for not using more diplomacy to contain Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear ambitions.

&quot;Now we have a situation where the president is using diplomacy but we&#39;re not removing the maximum pressure campaign,&quot; Mnuchin said. &quot;That&#39;s the big difference here. The sanctions are staying on. The defence posture is staying the same as it is, so the president is going to sit down and see if he can cut a deal.&quot;

Mnuchin said denuclearisation of the peninsula is the objective of a meeting between the two leaders.

&quot;We&#39;ve been very clear ... that&#39;s the objective and that&#39;s what we&#39;re going to accomplish,&quot; he said.

He said he was confident the meeting would take place.

'The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there's no nuclear testing and there's no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting,' the Treasury Secretary said

U.S. President Donald Trump's condition for meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is that there be no nuclear or missile testing, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Sunday. "There shouldn't be confusion," Mnuchin told NBC's "Meet the Press" program, when asked about White House press secretary Sarah Sanders' statement on Friday that there would be no meeting without concrete and verifiable actions by North Korea. "The president has made it clear that the conditions are that there's no nuclear testing and there's no missiles and those will be a condition through the meeting." After months of escalating tensions over North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs, Trump decided on Thursday to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with North Korea's leader. On Saturday, Trump said his meeting could fizzle without an agreement or it could result in "the greatest deal for the world" with a denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Mnuchin dismissed criticism that Trump's decision to meet elevates the North Korean leader's international standing. He said the Republican president has also been criticized for not using more diplomacy to contain Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions. "Now we have a situation where the president is using diplomacy but we're not removing the maximum pressure campaign," Mnuchin said. "That's the big difference here. The sanctions are staying on. The defence posture is staying the same as it is, so the president is going to sit down and see if he can cut a deal." Mnuchin said denuclearisation of the peninsula is the objective of a meeting between the two leaders. "We've been very clear ... that's the objective and that's what we're going to accomplish," he said. He said he was confident the meeting would take place.

Trump's condition for Kim meeting is no nuclear, missile test: Mnuchin

South Korea braced for a possible further missile test by North Korea when it marks its founding anniversary on Saturday, just days after its sixth and largest nuclear test, which it marks each year with a big display of pageantry and military hardware.

Throughout the week, South Korean officials have warned the North could launch another intercontinental ballistic missile, in defiance of UN&nbsp;sanctions and amid an escalating standoff with the United States.

Last year, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on the September&nbsp;9 anniversary.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has escalated as North Korea&#39;s young leader, Kim Jong Un, has stepped up the development of weapons, testing a string of missiles this year, including one flying over Japan, and conducting its sixth nuclear test on Sunday.

Experts believe the isolated regime is close to its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon capable of reaching the United States, something Trump has vowed to prevent.

South Korean nuclear experts, checking for contamination, said on Friday they had found minute traces of radioactive xenon gas but that it was too early to link it to Sunday&#39;s explosion.

The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) said it had been conducting tests on land, air and water samples since shortly after the North Korean nuclear test on Sunday.

Xenon is a naturally occurring, colourless gas that is used in manufacturing of some sorts of lights. But the NSSC said it had detected xenon-133, a radioactive isotope that does not occur naturally and which has in the past been linked to North Korea&#39;s nuclear tests.

There was no chance the xenon &quot;will have an impact on South Korea&#39;s territory or population&quot;, the agency said.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has repeatedly said all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea and on Thursday said he would prefer not to use military action, but if he did, it would be a &quot;very sad day&quot; for North Korea.

&quot;Military action would certainly be an option. Is it inevitable? Nothing is inevitable,&quot; Trump told reporters. &quot;If we do use it on North Korea, it will be a very sad day for North Korea.&quot;

Even as Trump has insisted that now is not the time to talk, senior members of his administration have made clear that the door to a diplomatic solution is open, especially given the US&nbsp;assessment that any pre-emptive strike would unleash massive North Korean retaliation.

North Korea says it needs its weapons to protect itself from US&nbsp;aggression and regularly threatens to destroy the United States.

South Korea and the United States are technically still at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce, not a peace treaty.

US&nbsp;CARRIER ON THE MOVE

The USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered carrier, left its home port in Japan for a routine autumn patrol of the Western Pacific, a Navy spokeswoman said. That area included waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula, she added, without giving any further details.

The Ronald Reagan was out on routine patrol from May until August, and was sent to the Sea of Japan with the another carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to take part in drills with Japan&#39;s Self Defence Forces as well as the South Korean military.

North Korea vehemently objects to military exercises on or near the peninsula, and China and Russia have suggested the United States and South Korea halt their exercises to lower tension.

While Trump talked tough on North Korea, China agreed on Thursday that the United Nations should take more action against it, but it also pushed for dialogue.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council is expected to vote on a new set of sanctions soon. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that it was too early to draw conclusions about the final form of the UN&nbsp;resolution, Russia&#39;s Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying at a news conference on Friday.

North Korea offered fresh vitriol against the pending sanctions, specifically targeting US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who this week accused North Korean leader Kim of &quot;begging for war&quot;.

&quot;There is nothing more foolish than thinking we, a strong nuclear state, will endure this evil pressure aimed at overthrowing our state,&quot; the North&#39;s official news agency said in a commentary.

&quot;Even if Nikki Haley is blind, she must use her mouth correctly. The United States administration will pay for not being able to control the mouth of their UN&nbsp;representative.&quot;

The United States wants the UN&nbsp;Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban its exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers abroad, and to subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

China is by far North Korea&#39;s biggest trading partner, accounting for 92 percent of two-way trade last year. It also provides hundreds of thousands of tonnes of oil and fuel to the impoverished regime.

China&#39;s economic influence has been felt by South Korea as well. The two countries have been at loggerheads over South Korea&#39;s decision to deploy a US&nbsp;anti-missile system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, which has a powerful radar that can probe deep into China.

Shares in South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor and key suppliers slid on Friday on worry over its position in China after highly critical Chinese state newspaper comments.

The military section of China&#39;s Global Times newspaper on Thursday referred to THAAD as &quot;a malignant tumour&quot;.

Last year, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on the September 9 anniversary

South Korea braced for a possible further missile test by North Korea when it marks its founding anniversary on Saturday, just days after its sixth and largest nuclear test, which it marks each year with a big display of pageantry and military hardware. Throughout the week, South Korean officials have warned the North could launch another intercontinental ballistic missile, in defiance of UN sanctions and amid an escalating standoff with the United States. Last year, North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test on the September 9 anniversary. Tension on the Korean peninsula has escalated as North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un, has stepped up the development of weapons, testing a string of missiles this year, including one flying over Japan, and conducting its sixth nuclear test on Sunday. Experts believe the isolated regime is close to its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon capable of reaching the United States, something Trump has vowed to prevent. South Korean nuclear experts, checking for contamination, said on Friday they had found minute traces of radioactive xenon gas but that it was too early to link it to Sunday's explosion. The Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) said it had been conducting tests on land, air and water samples since shortly after the North Korean nuclear test on Sunday. Xenon is a naturally occurring, colourless gas that is used in manufacturing of some sorts of lights. But the NSSC said it had detected xenon-133, a radioactive isotope that does not occur naturally and which has in the past been linked to North Korea's nuclear tests. There was no chance the xenon "will have an impact on South Korea's territory or population", the agency said. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea and on Thursday said he would prefer not to use military action, but if he did, it would be a "very sad day" for North Korea. "Military action would certainly be an option. Is it inevitable? Nothing is inevitable," Trump told reporters. "If we do use it on North Korea, it will be a very sad day for North Korea." Even as Trump has insisted that now is not the time to talk, senior members of his administration have made clear that the door to a diplomatic solution is open, especially given the US assessment that any pre-emptive strike would unleash massive North Korean retaliation. North Korea says it needs its weapons to protect itself from US aggression and regularly threatens to destroy the United States. South Korea and the United States are technically still at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a truce, not a peace treaty. US CARRIER ON THE MOVE The USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered carrier, left its home port in Japan for a routine autumn patrol of the Western Pacific, a Navy spokeswoman said. That area included waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula, she added, without giving any further details. The Ronald Reagan was out on routine patrol from May until August, and was sent to the Sea of Japan with the another carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to take part in drills with Japan's Self Defence Forces as well as the South Korean military. North Korea vehemently objects to military exercises on or near the peninsula, and China and Russia have suggested the United States and South Korea halt their exercises to lower tension. While Trump talked tough on North Korea, China agreed on Thursday that the United Nations should take more action against it, but it also pushed for dialogue. The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a new set of sanctions soon. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that it was too early to draw conclusions about the final form of the UN resolution, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying at a news conference on Friday. North Korea offered fresh vitriol against the pending sanctions, specifically targeting US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who this week accused North Korean leader Kim of "begging for war". "There is nothing more foolish than thinking we, a strong nuclear state, will endure this evil pressure aimed at overthrowing our state," the North's official news agency said in a commentary. "Even if Nikki Haley is blind, she must use her mouth correctly. The United States administration will pay for not being able to control the mouth of their UN representative." The United States wants the UN Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban its exports of textiles and the hiring of North Korean labourers abroad, and to subject leader Kim Jong Un to an asset freeze and travel ban, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters on Wednesday. China is by far North Korea's biggest trading partner, accounting for 92 percent of two-way trade last year. It also provides hundreds of thousands of tonnes of oil and fuel to the impoverished regime. China's economic influence has been felt by South Korea as well. The two countries have been at loggerheads over South Korea's decision to deploy a US anti-missile system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, which has a powerful radar that can probe deep into China. Shares in South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor and key suppliers slid on Friday on worry over its position in China after highly critical Chinese state newspaper comments. The military section of China's Global Times newspaper on Thursday referred to THAAD as "a malignant tumour".

South Korea braces for possible new missile test to mark North's founding day

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea&#39;s latest missile test and vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang.

In a unanimous statement backed by China, Pyongyang`s ally, the council instructed its sanctions committee to redouble efforts to implement a raft of tough measures adopted last year.

The council also agreed to &quot;take further significant measures including sanctions&quot; to force North Korea to change course and end its &quot;highly destabilizing behavior&quot;.

The Security Council will hold a closed-door emergency meeting Tuesday at the request of Japan, South Korea and the United States to discuss further action in response to the latest missile test.

The US-drafted statement was nearly identical to one adopted last week after the launch of an intermediate-range missile that Pyongyang said was capable of carrying a &quot;heavy&quot; nuclear warhead.

The council demanded that North Korea &quot;conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests&quot;.

North Korea on Sunday fired the Pukguksong-2, which uses solid fuel that allows for immediate firing, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

It was the latest test-firing in a series this year as Pyongyang steps up its efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States.

(AFP)

In a unanimous statement backed by China, Pyongyang`s ally, the council instructed its sanctions committee to redouble efforts to implement a raft of tough measures adopted last year

The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned North Korea's latest missile test and vowed to push all countries to tighten sanctions against Pyongyang. In a unanimous statement backed by China, Pyongyang`s ally, the council instructed its sanctions committee to redouble efforts to implement a raft of tough measures adopted last year. The council also agreed to "take further significant measures including sanctions" to force North Korea to change course and end its "highly destabilizing behavior". The Security Council will hold a closed-door emergency meeting Tuesday at the request of Japan, South Korea and the United States to discuss further action in response to the latest missile test. The US-drafted statement was nearly identical to one adopted last week after the launch of an intermediate-range missile that Pyongyang said was capable of carrying a "heavy" nuclear warhead. The council demanded that North Korea "conduct no further nuclear and ballistic missile tests". North Korea on Sunday fired the Pukguksong-2, which uses solid fuel that allows for immediate firing, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said. It was the latest test-firing in a series this year as Pyongyang steps up its efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States. (AFP)

UN Security Council takes tough stand against North Korea's latest missile test

The US Treasury has sanctioned 13 individuals and 12 entities under its Iran sanctions authority, days after the White House put Tehran &quot;on notice&quot; over a ballistic missile test and other activities.

Senior US administration officials said sanctions imposed against Iran earlier on Friday were only the &quot;initial steps in response to Iranian provocative behaviour.&quot;

In a statement on its website, the US Treasury listed the sanctioned individuals and entities, some of which are based in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and China.

The move is the first against Iran since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took office on January&nbsp;20. The sanctions were similar to actions taken by the Obama administration targeting Iran&#39;s ballistic missile network. The new designations stuck to areas that remain under sanctions even with the 2015 nuclear deal in place, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program.

&quot;Today&#39;s action is part of Treasury&#39;s ongoing efforts to counter Iranian malign activity abroad that is outside the scope of the JCPOA,&quot; Treasury said, a reference to the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

Among those sanctioned on Friday were companies, individuals, and brokers the US Treasury said support a trade network run by an Iranian businessman, Abdollah Asgharzadeh.

Treasury said he supported Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which the United States has said is a subsidiary of an Iranian entity that runs Iran&#39;s ballistic missile program.

Treasury also sanctioned what it said was a Lebanon-based network run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the elite military body that is also powerful in Iranian politics and the economy.

President Trump tweeted almost immediately denouncing&nbsp;Iran.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Iran is playing with fire - they don&#39;t appreciate how &quot;kind&quot; President Obama was to them. Not me!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/827478751931924480">February 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Iran has not confirmed or denied that the ballistic missile testing took place. The spokesman for Iran&#39;s foreign ministry, Bahram Ghasemi, said, &ldquo;regardless of authenticity and nature of these reports, it is a principal policy for Iran to test ballistic missiles in full compliance with the country&rsquo;s basic rights and international commitments&rdquo;.

Responding to a question by a journalist earlier on Thursday on whether military action is off the table, Trump had replied: &quot;Nothing is off the table.&quot; Earlier, the president had tweeted that Iran has been &quot;formally put on notice&quot; after it test-fired a ballistic missile.

The US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, on Wednesday, had excoriated Iran for its &quot;destabilising behaviour&quot; in the West Asian region. Newly appointed US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, on Tuesday, had termed Iran&#39;s missile test as &quot;absolutely unacceptable&quot;.

Tension&nbsp;between the US and Iran is on the rise after Trump&#39;s election as the US president during his election campaign had constantly threatened that he would tear up the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran. 
&nbsp; 
Iran is among the seven countries that have been put on the travel&nbsp;ban list. &nbsp;

(Reuters)

The Trump administration has sanctioned 13 individuals and 12 entities in Iran

The US Treasury has sanctioned 13 individuals and 12 entities under its Iran sanctions authority, days after the White House put Tehran "on notice" over a ballistic missile test and other activities. Senior US administration officials said sanctions imposed against Iran earlier on Friday were only the "initial steps in response to Iranian provocative behaviour." In a statement on its website, the US Treasury listed the sanctioned individuals and entities, some of which are based in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and China. The move is the first against Iran since US President Donald Trump took office on January 20. The sanctions were similar to actions taken by the Obama administration targeting Iran's ballistic missile network. The new designations stuck to areas that remain under sanctions even with the 2015 nuclear deal in place, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran's ballistic missile program. "Today's action is part of Treasury's ongoing efforts to counter Iranian malign activity abroad that is outside the scope of the JCPOA," Treasury said, a reference to the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Among those sanctioned on Friday were companies, individuals, and brokers the US Treasury said support a trade network run by an Iranian businessman, Abdollah Asgharzadeh. Treasury said he supported Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group, which the United States has said is a subsidiary of an Iranian entity that runs Iran's ballistic missile program. Treasury also sanctioned what it said was a Lebanon-based network run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the elite military body that is also powerful in Iranian politics and the economy. President Trump tweeted almost immediately denouncing Iran. Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how "kind" President Obama was to them. Not me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2017 × Iran has not confirmed or denied that the ballistic missile testing took place. The spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry, Bahram Ghasemi, said, “regardless of authenticity and nature of these reports, it is a principal policy for Iran to test ballistic missiles in full compliance with the country’s basic rights and international commitments”. Responding to a question by a journalist earlier on Thursday on whether military action is off the table, Trump had replied: "Nothing is off the table." Earlier, the president had tweeted that Iran has been "formally put on notice" after it test-fired a ballistic missile. The US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, on Wednesday, had excoriated Iran for its "destabilising behaviour" in the West Asian region. Newly appointed US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, on Tuesday, had termed Iran's missile test as "absolutely unacceptable". Tension between the US and Iran is on the rise after Trump's election as the US president during his election campaign had constantly threatened that he would tear up the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran. Iran is among the seven countries that have been put on the travel ban list. (Reuters)

US imposes fresh sanctions against Iran

British Prime Minister Theresa May told the BBC she has &quot;absolute faith&quot; in the UK&#39;s nuclear weapons system despite reports that an unarmed British nuclear Trident missile malfunctioned during a test last year.

&quot;I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles. When I made that speech in the House of Commons, what we were talking about was whether or not we should renew our Trident,&quot; she told the BBC.

The Sunday Times reported that the Trident II D5 missile experienced an &quot;alarming failure&quot;&nbsp;after being launched from a British submarine off the coast of Florida in June last year, just weeks before the crucial House of Commons vote on the future of the missile system.

In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, May repeatedly refused to say if she knew about the malfunction ahead of the vote.&nbsp;May&rsquo;s spokeswoman said she was told on taking office last year that a nuclear submarine and its crew had been successfully certified in tests.

&quot;On taking office, the current prime minister was briefed on a range of nuclear issues, including this,&quot; the spokeswoman told reporters.&nbsp;However, she declined to discuss operational details of the tests while talking to reporters, asserting that&nbsp;the capability and effectiveness of Trident missiles was not in question.

According to The Sunday Times, the missile was intended to be fired 5,600 miles to a sea target off the west coast of Africa but veered towards the US.

(WION)

The Sunday Times had reported that the Trident missile experienced an 'alarming failure'?after being launched from a British submarine

British Prime Minister Theresa May told the BBC she has "absolute faith" in the UK's nuclear weapons system despite reports that an unarmed British nuclear Trident missile malfunctioned during a test last year. "I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles. When I made that speech in the House of Commons, what we were talking about was whether or not we should renew our Trident," she told the BBC. The Sunday Times reported that the Trident II D5 missile experienced an "alarming failure" after being launched from a British submarine off the coast of Florida in June last year, just weeks before the crucial House of Commons vote on the future of the missile system. In an interview with the BBC on Sunday, May repeatedly refused to say if she knew about the malfunction ahead of the vote. May’s spokeswoman said she was told on taking office last year that a nuclear submarine and its crew had been successfully certified in tests. "On taking office, the current prime minister was briefed on a range of nuclear issues, including this," the spokeswoman told reporters. However, she declined to discuss operational details of the tests while talking to reporters, asserting that the capability and effectiveness of Trident missiles was not in question. According to The Sunday Times, the missile was intended to be fired 5,600 miles to a sea target off the west coast of Africa but veered towards the US. (WION)

I have absolute faith in our Trident missiles: British PM Theresa May

The United Nations Security Council on Friday strongly condemned four North Korean ballistic missile launches in July and August, dubbing them &quot;grave violations&quot; of a ban on all ballistic missile activity. 
 
The council expressed &quot;serious concern&quot; that North Korea carried out the launches after six ballistic missile firings between April and June &quot;in flagrant disregard&quot; of its repeated statements to halt such launches as well as nuclear tests which violate council resolutions. 
 
UN vows significant measures&nbsp; 
 
In a press statement approved by all 15 members, the council deplored the fact that the North&#39;s ballistic missile activities are contributing to its development of nuclear weapon delivery systems and increasing tensions. 
 
Council members agreed to &quot;continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures,&quot; said the statement, without elaborating. 
 
It urged all UN member states &quot;to redouble their efforts&quot; to implement sanctions against Pyongyang, including the toughest measures in two decades imposed by the council in March. 
 
N.Korea hit by 5 sets of UN sanctions&nbsp; 
 
North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006.&nbsp; 
 
It has repeatedly flouted Security Council resolutions demanding an end to its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and has continued to launch missiles, escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the region. 
 
In March, the council adopted the toughest sanctions resolution to date, targeting North Korea&#39;s trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions. 
 
The council met behind closed doors on Wednesday after North Korea launched a missile from a submarine towards Japan, the latest provocation from Pyongyang.&nbsp; 
 
This came days after the US and South Korea began military exercises, prompting North Korean threats of retaliation for the military drills, which it views as a rehearsal for invasion by the US and other adversaries. 
 
The Security Council statement condemned the August 23 launch as well as the North&#39;s ballistic missile launches on August 2 and July 18 and the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile on July 9. 
 
 
N Korea submarine missiles not ready until 2018: experts 
 
North Korea is making progress on a submarine-launched ballistic missile system but any deployment of the technology is years away, a US think tank said, as the UN Security Council promised action over Pyongyang&#39;s latest test. 
 
The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said yesterday on its closely-watched website, 38 North, that the success of North Korea&#39;s SLBM test this week suggests the program may be progressing faster than originally expected. 
 
&quot;However, this does not mean it will be ready next week, next month, or even next year&quot;, it said. 
 
&quot;Rather, the pace and method of the North&#39;s SLBM testing would suggest possible deployment in an initial operational capability by the second half of 2018 at the earliest.&quot; 
 
The missile, launched from a submerged prototype &quot;Gorae-class&quot; submarine near the northeastern port of Sinpo, flew 500 kilometres towards Japan, marking what weapons analysts called a clear step forward for its nuclear strike ambitions. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

United Nations Security Council has expressed 'serious concern' after Pyongyang test-fired 6 missiles between April and June

The United Nations Security Council on Friday strongly condemned four North Korean ballistic missile launches in July and August, dubbing them "grave violations" of a ban on all ballistic missile activity. The council expressed "serious concern" that North Korea carried out the launches after six ballistic missile firings between April and June "in flagrant disregard" of its repeated statements to halt such launches as well as nuclear tests which violate council resolutions. UN vows significant measures In a press statement approved by all 15 members, the council deplored the fact that the North's ballistic missile activities are contributing to its development of nuclear weapon delivery systems and increasing tensions. Council members agreed to "continue to closely monitor the situation and take further significant measures," said the statement, without elaborating. It urged all UN member states "to redouble their efforts" to implement sanctions against Pyongyang, including the toughest measures in two decades imposed by the council in March. N.Korea hit by 5 sets of UN sanctions North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. It has repeatedly flouted Security Council resolutions demanding an end to its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and has continued to launch missiles, escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the region. In March, the council adopted the toughest sanctions resolution to date, targeting North Korea's trade in minerals and tightening banking restrictions. The council met behind closed doors on Wednesday after North Korea launched a missile from a submarine towards Japan, the latest provocation from Pyongyang. This came days after the US and South Korea began military exercises, prompting North Korean threats of retaliation for the military drills, which it views as a rehearsal for invasion by the US and other adversaries. The Security Council statement condemned the August 23 launch as well as the North's ballistic missile launches on August 2 and July 18 and the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile on July 9. N Korea submarine missiles not ready until 2018: experts North Korea is making progress on a submarine-launched ballistic missile system but any deployment of the technology is years away, a US think tank said, as the UN Security Council promised action over Pyongyang's latest test. The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said yesterday on its closely-watched website, 38 North, that the success of North Korea's SLBM test this week suggests the program may be progressing faster than originally expected. "However, this does not mean it will be ready next week, next month, or even next year", it said. "Rather, the pace and method of the North's SLBM testing would suggest possible deployment in an initial operational capability by the second half of 2018 at the earliest." The missile, launched from a submerged prototype "Gorae-class" submarine near the northeastern port of Sinpo, flew 500 kilometres towards Japan, marking what weapons analysts called a clear step forward for its nuclear strike ambitions. (WION with inputs from agencies)

North Korea likely to face tough sanctions after missile launches

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