INTERNACIONAL
North Korea continues testing new nuclear-capable cruise missile, conducts 2 tests within a week
North Korea, on Sunday, test launched its new cruise missiles for the second time in a week, as the country continues to accelerate its navy’s nuclear armament, according to state media.
According to the North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), North Korea’s dictator oversaw the launch of the Pulhwasal-3-31 missile Kim Jong Un.
The agency said both missiles flew over the sea of the country’s east coast for over two hours – 7,421 seconds and 7,445 seconds – before hitting an unspecified island target.
Kim reportedly said the test was a success, «which is of strategic significance in carrying out the plan… for modernizing the army which aims at building a powerful [naval] force,» KCNA said.
NORTH KOREA ATTEMPTS FIRST FLIGHT TEST OF NEW NUCLEAR CAPABLE CRUISE MISSILE
View of what appears to be a submarine-launched cruise missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on January 28, 2024. (KCNA via REUTERS)
South Korean military officials confirmed North Korea launched multiple cruise missiles off its coast, but no other details were provided.
On Thursday, North Korea conducted the first test flight of the cruise missile, which KCNA said did not pose a threat to neighbors. The outlet also said the missile could eventually carry nuclear weapons.
Tensions in the region have increased in recent months as Kim continues to accelerate his weapons development and provocative threats to the U.S. and its Asian allies. In response, the United States, South Korea and Japan have been continuing their combined military exercises, which Kim condemns.
NORTH KOREA FIRES SEVERAL CRUISE MISSILES INTO THE SEA AFTER DESTROYING PEACE SYMBOL, SOUTH KOREA SAYS
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a submarine-launched cruise missile test with military officials at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on January 28, 2024. (KCNA via REUTERS)
Over the past few months, North Korea has tested several types of weapons, including ballistic missile systems being developed, as well as an underwater drone.
KCNA said Kim inspected the construction of a nuclear submarine and has discussed concerns surrounding manufacturing other types of warships, though the agency did not provide additional details.
The country’s first operational nuclear attack submarine was launched last year, which some said appeared to be a modified submarine designed to carry cruise and ballistic missiles.
US SPY FLIGHT REPORTED NEAR NORTH KOREA BORDER FOLLOWING CLAIM OF UNDERWATER NUCLEAR DRONE
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a submarine-launched cruise missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency on January 28, 2024. (KCNA via REUTERS)
U.S. and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of providing artillery shells, missiles and other supplies to Russia for its war in Ukraine. In return, North Korea is gaining much-needed economic assistance and military technology.
Both Pyongyang and Moscow have officially denied that North Korea was sending weapons to Russia. The U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence have said that Russia is using North Korean weapons in Ukraine.
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Kim met with Russian President Putin at a Russian space launch center in September and the two are scheduling another meeting.
Fox News Digital’s Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
INTERNACIONAL
Afghanistan’s only women-led radio station to resume operations after Taliban lifts suspension
An Afghan radio station produced entirely by Afghan women will resume broadcasts after the Taliban lifted a suspension that was imposed over alleged cooperation with a foreign country’s TV channel.
Radio Begum launched on International Women’s Day in March 2021, just five months before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from the region.
The station’s sister satellite channel, Begum TV, operates from France and broadcasts content on Afghanistan’s school curriculum from grades seven through 12.
The Taliban banned education for women and girls in the country after sixth grade.
RUBIO DEMANDS ANSWERS WITH 2 MORE AMERICANS REPORTEDLY HELD BY TALIBAN
This picture taken on November 28, 2021, shows students attending a class on-air at Radio Begum in Kabul. (Getty Images)
On Saturday, the Taliban’s Information and Culture Ministry said in a statement that Radio Begum had repeatedly requested permission to resume broadcasts.
The suspension was lifted after the station made commitments to Taliban officials, the ministry said.
Radio Begum agreed to conduct broadcasts «in accordance with the principles of journalism and the regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and to avoid any violations in the future,» the statement said. The ministry did not offer details on what those principles and regulations may be.
VETERANS GROUPS ASK TRUMP TO RECONSIDER IMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ORDER, CITE IMPACTS ON AFGHAN PARTNERS
This picture taken on November 28, 2021, shows station director Saba Chaman, right, and her colleague working in a studio at Radio Begum in Kabul. (Getty Images)
The station confirmed it had been given permission to resume broadcasting, without providing additional details.
Taliban officials imposed the suspension after they raided the Kabul-based station on Feb. 4 and seized computers, hard drives and phones, and took into custody two male employees who do not hold any senior management positions, the outlet said in a statement at the time.
The Taliban have prohibited women from education, many fields of work and public spaces since they seized control of the country in the summer of 2021. Journalists, especially women, have lost their jobs as the Taliban control the media in the region.
This picture taken on November 28, 2021, shows students attending a class on-air at Radio Begum in Kabul. (Getty Images)
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Reporters without Borders ranked Afghanistan 178 out of 180 countries in the 2024 press freedom index, a dip from the year before when it ranked 152.
The ministry did not identify the TV channel it accused Radio Begum of working with, but its statement cited alleged collaboration with «foreign-sanctioned media outlets.»
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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