Sunday 3 September 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Teen Shapovalov's US Open dream shattered by Carreno Busta

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NEW YORK (AFP) - Spanish 12th seed Pablo Carreno Busta advanced to his second Grand Slam quarter-final Sunday by eliminating Canadian teen qualifier Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3).Carreno Busta, the first player in Grand Slam history to face four qualifiers, ended a dream run for 18-year-old left-hander Shapovalov, who would have been the youngest US Open quarter-finalist since Andre Agassi in 1988.Carreno Busta, 26, has not dropped a set this week in advancing into a Tuesday matchup for a semi-final spot against the later winner between French 16th seed Lucas Pouille and Argentine 29th seed Diego Schwartzman in a draw half assured of a first-time Slam finalist.Its amazing, the Spaniard said. I cannot describe it. Im enjoying because Im in quarter-finals.Carreno Busta won his third career ATP title in May on Estoril clay then reached his first Slam quarter-final at the French Open, where he retired against Rafael Nadal with an abdominal injury that kept him out of Wimbledon.Shapovalov was dominated in tie-breakers to ruin his bid of becoming the youngest Slam quarter-finalist since Michael Chang at the 1990 French Open and first US Open qualifier in the last eight since Gilles Muller in 2008.The teens bid went down in flames thanks to going 3-of-13 on break points and making 55 unforced errors against 54 winners, Carreno Busta with 25 winners against 29 unforced errors.Shapovalov, who lost his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon, will jump from 69th to about 51st in the world rankings after the Open.The match began under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof on a damp, dreary day on the New York hardcourts.Carreno Busta denied Shapovalov on two break points in the second game but surrendered the break in the sixth game.The Spaniard broke back when Shapovalov served for the set in the ninth game and denied three set and break points in the 12th to reach a tie-breaker he dominated, claiming the set when the teen swatted a forehand long.Carreno Busta broke to lead 3-1 in the second set, saved a break point in the fifth game and served for the set in the ninth, only to be broken by Shapovalov, the teen screaming and pumping his first after an overhead smash winner to led to another tie-breaker.The Spaniard roared ahead 4-1 in the tie-break and Shapovalov dropped three of the last four points to fall two sets down.Shapovalov exchanged early third-set breaks with the Spaniard on the way to the final tie-breaker, in which he fell behind 5-1 and never recovered.Later mens last-16 matches pitted South African 28th seed Kevin Anderson against Italys Paolo Lorenzi and Germanys 23rd-seeded Mischa Zverev against US 17th seed Sam Querrey, whose July Wimbledon semi-final run is the deepest by anyone on his side of the draw.Maria Sharapova, making her Grand Slam return after serving a 15-month doping ban, was to face Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova later on Ashe with the winner to play either American Sloane Stephens or Germanys Julia Goerges for a semi-final spot.Wimbledon and Australian Open runner-up Venus Williams, the US ninth seed seeking her eighth Grand Slam title and third US Open crown, was to meet Spains Carla Suarez Navarro for a quarter-final spot.Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, the third seed from Spain and leader in a fight for world number one, was to face Czech 13th seed Petra Kvitova later.

Iran upholds 10-year jail terms for 3 US nationals, resident

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TEHRAN (AFP) - The Iranian judiciary on Sunday upheld 10-year jail terms for an American, two US-Iranian dual nationals and a Lebanese permanent resident of the United States for collaborating with Washington.In a ruling that comes at a time of rising tensions following President Donald Trumps arrival in the White House in January, the Tehran prosecutors office said the four mens appeals had been rejected.Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-born American, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for collaborating with foreign governments, said Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, quoted by the mizanonline website close to the judiciary.He said the same sentence was upheld against two dual nationals for collaborating with a foreign government, and Lebanese national Nizar Zakka, a US permanent resident, for working with the American government.The dual nationals, businessman Siamak Namazi and his father Mohammad Bagher Namazi, were convicted in October 2016 along with Zakka and three others on charges of spying for Washington.The State Department in July called on Iran to immediately release US citizens and other foreigners detained on fabricated national security charges, as Iran announced that Xiyue, a Princeton University researcher, had been handed a 10-year sentence for infiltration and espionage.We call for the immediate release of all US citizens unjustly detained in Iran so they can return to their families, a State Department official said.The Iranian regime continues to detain US citizens and other foreigners on fabricated national security-related charges, the official said.The safety and security of US citizens remains a top priority. All US citizens, especially dual nationals considering travel to Iran, should carefully read our latest travel warning.Trump warned of new and serious consequences unless US nationals held in the Islamic republic were released, triggering criticism from Tehran of the detention of Iranian citizens in the United States.You are keeping our innocent citizens in gruesome prisons. This is against the law and international norms and regulations, said Sadegh Larijani, the head of Irans judiciary.We tell them that you must immediately release Iranian citizens locked up in US prisons.Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused Washington of holding Iranians on charges of sanction violations that are not applicable today... for bogus and purely political reasons.The State Department, for its part, says Iran continues to harass, arrest, and detain US citizens, in particular dual nationals, warning that Washingtons ability to assist is extremely limited.Ties between Washington and Tehran have been severed since April 1980 in the wake of Irans Islamic revolution, and tensions have sharpened since Trump came to power in January, especially over Iranian missile tests.Tehran and world powers, including Washington, signed a July 2015 accord curbing Irans nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.Although it has imposed new unilateral sanctions over Irans missile programme, Washington has so far honoured the nuclear accord despite Trumps threats as a candidate last year to rip it up.

PM briefed on current situation in Karachi after heavy rains

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ISLAMABAD (APP): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday was briefed regarding the damage assessmentand current situation in Karachi after heavy rains.The Prime Minister directed to continue with the assistance, being provided to Sindh government and assured that all possible resources will be made available to provide relief to the people of Karachi, according to press release issued by the PM’s Media Office here.The premier was briefed on Karachi situation a day after opposition leader in Sindh Assembly survived an attack as he moved to his residence after offering Eid-ul-Azha prayer.

Khawaja Izhar attack: Killed 'perpetrator' engineering varsity professor

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KARACHI (Dunya News) – An alleged perpetrator of assassination attempt on opposition leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan is revealed on Sunday to be associated with an engineering varsity in capacity of a professor.Hassan Israr who was injured in crossfire with Sindh police on Saturday (September 2nd) morning and later succumbed to the wounds and torture by locals is revealed to be a PhD scholar.Weapons seized from his possession were found out to have been used in target killings of police.Dunya News has discovered another footage of the attack which shows the perpetrators absconding the crime scene after firing gunshots. Authorities concerned had recovered around 34 shells of bullets fired through two 9mm pistols at the site yesterday.A forensic report of the pistol recovered in possession of the killed perpetrator states that the weapon was used for killing of a traffic police DSP in Azizabad and another four cops in SITE area.The other pistol was identified to have been used in cops’ killings in the recent days in Karachi.Hours after the attack, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had taken notice of the assassination attempt on Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader.Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal had assured MQM-Pakistan chief Dr Farooq Sattar of prompt action against perpetrators.The opposition leader was leaving for his house after offering Eid-ul-Azha prayers when perpetrators dressed in police uniform fired gunshots in Buffer Zone area of Karachi.

Marriyum criticises Imran Khan for 'concocted' allegations against CM Shehbaz

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ISLAMABAD (APP): Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb has severelycastigated Imran Khan for hurling concocted allegations of corruption against Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, involving a Chinesecompany.She said that after rejection of the allegations by the Chinese embassy, clarifying that the Chinese Company named Jiangsu Yabaite did not operate in Pakistan, Imran had to face yet another embarrassment. However, she said, only those persons feel mortified who have some grain of shame in them.The Minister said that after the rebuttal given by the Chinese embassy, it was imperative to find out what connection Imran had withthe Chinese company Yabaite?Lamenting the irrepressible propensity of Imran Khan to hurl unsubstantiated allegations, the minister said that Shahbaz Sharif had been elected thrice as Chief Minister of the province and during his tenures he had made and implemented development projects of billions and trillions of rupees but even his staunchest enemies had not been able to point out any corruption in those projects.Marriyum said that Imran had failed even to prepare a project on paper for KPK but had spoken lies worth billions and trillions ofrupees.She said that by hurling fabricated allegations against Chief Minister Punjab, Imran Khan had attacked the right of development of the people of Punjab, particularly the people of Multan. Marriyum observed that though Imran was not expected to tender an apology but it was hoped that after having been proven as a liar, he would feel a little bit ashamed.The minister said that Imran Khan had not been able to control Dengue and floods in KPK but had established new records in lying and taking u-turns during the last four years. She asked when would Imran unlock the Ehtasab Commission in KPK?.

COAS spends 2nd Eid day at Turbat, Gwadar

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GAWADAR (APP): Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, spent second day of Eid-ul-Azha at Turbat and Gwadar in Balochistan.The COAS met family of Shaheed Major Jamal Sheran, who embraced Shahadat in Hayatabad on July, 17, this year. He also met local notables, according to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Sunday.“Performing our duties in far-flung and difficult areas is our pride and we shall continue doing it with utmost commitment and resolve,” the COAS said while talking to troops.He said that security and development of Balochistan was extremely important and Army would extend full support to all state institutions in this regard. All development projects for Balochistan shall be completed InshAllah, he said.Earlier, COAS visited Khyber Agency’s Rajgal Valley on first day of Eid and met the soldiers serving at the Pakistan-Aghanistan border.According to Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, Gen Bajwa said that our passion and lives are for Pakistan.“Insha’Allah together we will make it the best country,” Army Chief said.

Pakistan deeply concerned over forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims

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ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan is deeply concerned over reports of growing number of deaths and forced displacement of Rohingya Muslims.Foreign Office spokesperson said, such reports, if confirmed, are a source of serious concern and anguish on the eve of Eid-Ul-Azha.Pakistan urges authorities in Myanmar to investigate reports of massacre, hold those involved accountable and take necessary measures to protect the rights of Rohingya Muslims.In line with its consistent position on protecting the rights of Muslim minorities worldwide, Pakistan will work with the international community in particular the OIC to express solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims and to work towards safeguarding their rights.

Met Office predicts rainfall in several cities on second, third day of Eid

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Sunday has predicted rainfall in several cities of the country on second and third day of Eid.According to Met Office, mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country including Karachi during the next 12 hours.However, rain/ thunderstorm is likely at scattered places in Bannu, D.I. Khan, Rawalpindi, Sargodha divisions and Islamabad, while at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Gujranwala, Lahore, D.G. Khan, Multan, Faisalabad divisions, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.Seasonal low lies over north Balochistan. Weak monsoon currents are penetrating upper parts of the country and likely to continue during next few days. A trough of westerly wave is persisting over upper parts of the country.Temperature of some major cities recorded on Sunday morning:Islamabad 23°C, Lahore 26°C, Karachi 28°C, Peshawar 26°C, Quetta 21°C, Gilgit and Murree 15°C and Muzaffarabad 22°C.

Muslims at Hajj are worried about Trump's policies towards them

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MAKKAH/RIYADH (Reuters) - Even at Islam’s holiest sites and during the most sacred time of year for Muslims, some people cannot stop talking about Donald Trump.Among one group of American, Canadian and British pilgrims in Makkah this week for the annual Hajj, the U.S. president and policies they say target Muslims and immigrants are a regular conversation topic.“People are irritated, angry, somber, a little bit worried,” said Yasir Qadhi, an Islamic scholar who traveled from Tennessee for his fourteenth pilgrimage.“No one that I know is happy at the current circumstances or the current administration. No one, not a single person in this entire gathering.”As a candidate, Trump proposed barring Muslims from entering the United States. In office, he ordered temporary bans on people from several Muslim-majority countries, which have been blocked by courts that ruled they were discriminatory.His administration has denied any intention of religious discrimination in the travel ban, saying it is intended purely as a national security measure.But sharp rhetoric about the threat posed by “radical Islam” which was a central part of his campaign has also drawn accusations he risks alienating more than three million Americans who practise Islam peacefully.Many American Muslims say his stance has fueled an atmosphere in which some may feel they can voice prejudices or attack Muslims without fear of retribution.‘STOP ATTACKING ISLAM’The Hajj, a five-day ritual which retraces the journey the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) took 14 centuries ago, is a religious duty once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it.It is the world’s largest annual Muslim gathering, with over 2.3 million people attending this year. The faithful come from nearly every country in the world, speaking dozens of languages and sometimes practicing Islam in different ways based on local customs or traditions.American Wajahat Ali said friends back home had asked him to pray for the United States while on Hajj and other pilgrims he met offered sympathies and encouragement that the situation would improve.Malaysian pilgrim Abdul Azim Zainul Abideen said the president should stop what he called his attacks on Islam.“We don’t have anything against any Americans or non-Muslims,” he said on Friday at a symbolic stoning of the devil, part of the Hajj rituals.His sister, 27-year-old Anisa, said she was worried by reports of an uptick in violence against Muslims in the United States “just because of wearing hijab (headscarf) in the streets or just because you have a beard”.Saudi Arabia, which stakes its reputation on organizing the Hajj, has urged pilgrims to put aside political concerns and focus on spirituality. But Islamophobia is a common subject at meals and while waiting in long lines to pray and conduct rituals.“Muslims across the world are now more aware of the different political situation,” said Yusuf Badat, an imam from Toronto.“They’re all working together to try and have a better image for themselves because many times the coverage is given to ISIS and these types of fringe groups.”Daesh has carried out or inspired deadly attacks around the world after proclaiming a self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria to rule over all Muslims. The ultra-violent group has been widely denounced by Muslim religious and political leaders.Baha al-Deen, a pilgrim from ex-Soviet Georgia, said any labeling of Muslims as terrorists should stop.“God gave us minds and tongues so we can understand each other and talk about our problems,” he said. “Otherwise we will fight like animals.”

Pakistan exploring new markets for export of meat, dairy products

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ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Government is exploring new markets for export of meat and dairy products with focus on Global Halal Food Trade.Official sources told Radio Pakistan that many Muslim countries are dependent on imported meat and Pakistan can significantly increase its exports by focusing on modern and hygienic slaughter houses that can meet international standards for frozen or chilled red meat.They said efforts are being made for market access in Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Hong Kong and Indonesia besides Middle-East countries for meat and meat products.The sources said the United Arab Emirates has lifted ban on import of poultry and poultry products from Pakistan. This would go a long way in promoting export of poultry products.They said Netherlands-based multinational company Friesland has acquired fifty-one percent share of Engro Food Pakistan, which is one of the largest private sector Foreign Direct Investment in dairy sector of Pakistan amounting to $450 million.

Was included in Benazir Bhutto assassination case on political basis: Musharraf

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Former president General Pervez Musharraf has announced on Sunday to take legal action against the verdict of court pertaining to seizure of his and family’s property as his legal team is reviewing the matter.In a statement issued from All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) secretariat, he declared Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case against him ‘baseless, false and self-made’.Musharraf articulated that he will return to Pakistan and face the courts once his health improves.According to him, he neither had any connection with Benazir’s assassination nor had any benefit related from it as he was included in the case on political basis.Musharraf says that no evidence other than American journalist and lobbyist Mark Seigels statement is present; however it also has been proved ‘meaningless’ by his lawyer.The former president notified that Rawalpindi’s Anti-Terrorism Court’s decision was not against him as it is still pending before the courts.An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday announced the verdict in former Prime Minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto murder case after nine years, and declared Pervez Musharraf absconder.ATC sentenced former Rawalpindi CPO Saud Aziz and former Rawal Town SP Khurram Shahzad to 17 years in prison, and fined them Rs5 lac apiece. Both police officers have been arrested from Adiala Jail.Furthermore, the court released the other five suspects over lack of evidence against them who were nabbed in this case.

Army Chief in Balochistan to spend second Eid day with troops

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QUETTA (Dunya News) - Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday arrived in Balochistan to spend the second day of Eidul Azha with troops.According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Army Chief will visit the soldiers deployed in Gwadar and Turbat. He will also meet the tribal leaders of Balochistan.Earlier, COAS visited Khyber Agency’s Rajgal Valley on first day of Eid and met the soldiers serving at the Pakistan-Aghanistan border.According to Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Gen Asif Ghafoor, Gen Bajwa said that our passion and lives are for Pakistan.“Insha’Allah together we will make it the best country,” Army Chief said.

Air pollution throws shade on India's solar success

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GANDHINAGAR, India (AFP) - Air pollution is diminishing India’s capacity to harness power from the sun, experts say, undermining billions being invested in renewables as the energy-hungry giant emerges as a solar superpower.New research has found the smog and dust that sickens millions across India every year is also sapping solar power generation by more than 25 percent, far beyond levels previously thought.In the first study of its kind, US and Indian scientists measured how man-made particles floating in the air and deposited as grime on solar panels combined to seriously impair sunlight from converting to energy.This interference causes steep drops in power generation, they found.In India, it could amount to 3,390 megawatts of lost energy -- six times the capacity of its largest solar farm, a gigantic field of 2.5 million panels.A simple calculation shows that this is a big amount of energy we are going to lose, Professor Chinmay Ghoroi, who co-authored the paper, told AFP at the Indian Institute of Technology in Gandhinagar.These huge losses will only compound as India realises its grand solar ambitions, experts say.India, the world’s third-largest polluter, is banking on solar to electrify homes for hundreds of millions of its poorest citizens without adding to its sizeable carbon footprint.At the Paris climate summit in 2015, India pledged cuts to its future emissions and vowed to source at least 40 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030 -- a target it is well on track to exceed.New panels are being installed so fast that India is expected to more than double capacity this year, overtaking Japan as the world’s third-largest solar market.Billion-dollar hitBut with this spectacular growth comes an exponential rise in the total amount of money lost because of air pollution, said Mike Bergin, a professor from Duke University in North Carolina, who lead the research published in June.We’re talking billions of dollars here, easy, he told AFP.Dust has long been a menace for solar projects in desert states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, where robotic wipers are deployed to ensure panels are cleaned after sandstorms.But the new research confirmed what solar installers had long suspected -- that choking smog from cars, coal plants, crop burning and trash fires was particularly adept at bleeding energy.The grimy coating that man-made pollutants deposit on solar panels is far more effective at blocking light than dust, and trickier to remove by washing, Bergin and Ghoroi found.This is especially troublesome in northern India, where fine airborne particles from human activity contribute far more than dust to the dire air quality.Vinay Rutagi, director of solar consultancy Bridge to India, said rooftop panels in Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, produced up to 30 percent less power than the same project just 40 kilometres away.The reason for that is the constant haze, the pollution and high dust levels, Rutagi told AFP.There is a huge amount of practical evidence on the ground available in this regard.This bodes ill as the government seeks 40 percent of its solar energy from rooftop panels atop industrial zones and urban centres by 2022.Walking on sunshineBut there is little appetite for gloomy projections as India’s solar sector undergoes an unprecedented boom.Amid this optimism, new milestones are being surpassed at a dizzying speed.A behemoth solar park nearing completion in India’s southeastern Andhra Pradesh state will rival the world’s largest.In May, wholesale solar prices plunged to record lows, cheaper than the coal-powered electricity that overwhelmingly dominates the power grid.Dr Andre Noble, an expert on the effect of haze on solar generation, found little interest when he presented his findings at a solar summit in Delhi last month.People didn’t pay much attention, said Noble, who is head of operations and maintenance at Singapore-based Cleantech Solar, which invests heavily in India.They might have a gut feeling, but they might think the impact is negligible.Rutagi said air pollution was brushed off as a large, macro issue by an industry fretting about crashing solar prices and obstacles connecting to the grid.From a doability perspective, those issues are much more tractable, or solvable, that air quality issues. People have kind of taken it in their stride, he said.There are some signs the industry is taking note.Bergin said he was bombarded by emails from Indian solar businesses eager for solutions to fix the problem.Jinko Solar, a Chinese photovoltaic cell manufacturer, is marketing a coating designed to resist dust and other grime from accumulating on panels, its Indian sales director Vivek Bhardwaj told AFP.But the putrid skies blocking out the sun have a far more sinister impact: premature deaths from smog have steadily climbed in India to nearly 1.1 million in 2015.This shadow cast over India’s solar success story should encourage policymakers to redouble efforts to clean the skies, Ghoroi said.Now that we have identified that air pollution is one of the biggest culprits... if we tackle that, we’ll kill two problems together, he said.

Chronology of North Korean missile development

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SEOUL (AFP) - North Korea carried out a sixth nuclear test, with seismic monitors measuring an explosion of 6.3 magnitude near its main test site, declaring itself a thermonuclear power on Sunday.Japan’s government said it confirmed a nuclear test had been carried out.Hours earlier, Pyongyang’s state media claimed that the country had developed a thermonuclear warhead that could be fitted onto its new intercontinental ballistic missile, another brazen assertion of its weapons capabilities.The official Korean Central News Agency said leader Kim Jong-Un had inspected a miniaturised H-bomb that could be loaded onto a missile -- although doubts remain over the veracity of Pyongyang’s claims.Here are key dates in the North’s quest to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States:Late 1970s: North Korea starts working on a version of the Soviet Scud-B (range 300 kilometres or 185 miles). Test-fired in 1984.1987-92: Begins developing variant of Scud-C (range 500 km), Rodong-1 (1,300 km), Taepodong-1 (2,500 km), Musudan-1 (3,000 km) and Taepodong-2 (6,700 km).Aug 1998: Test-fires Taepodong-1 rocket over Japan in what it calls a satellite launch -- the US and others say it is a missile test.Sept 1999: Declares moratorium on long-range missile tests amid improving ties with US.July 12, 2000: Fifth round of US-North Korean missile talks in Kuala Lumpur ends without agreement after North demands $1 billion a year in return for halting missile exports.March 3, 2005: Pyongyang ends moratorium on long-range missile testing, blames Bush administration’s hostile policy.July 5, 2006: Test-fires seven missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2 which explodes after 40 seconds.Oct 9, 2006: Conducts underground nuclear test, its first.April 5, 2009: Launches long-range rocket which flies over Japan and lands in the Pacific, in what it says is an attempt to put a satellite into orbit. The United States, Japan and South Korea see it as a disguised test of a Taepodong-2.May 25, 2009: Conducts its second underground nuclear test, several times more powerful than the first.April 13, 2012: Launches what it has said is a long-range rocket to put a satellite into orbit, but which disintegrates soon after blast-off.December 12, 2012: Launches a multi-stage rocket and successfully places an Earth observational satellite in orbit.February 12, 2013: Conducts its third underground nuclear test.January 6, 2016: Conducts its fourth underground nuclear test, which it says was a hydrogen bomb -- a claim doubted by most experts.March 9, 2016: Kim Jong-Un claims the North has successfully miniaturised a thermo-nuclear warhead.April 23, 2016: Pyongyang test-fires a submarine-launched ballistic missile.July 8, 2016: US and South Korea announce plans to deploy an advanced missile defence system -- THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense).August 3, 2016: North Korea fires a ballistic missile directly into Japan’s maritime economic zone for the first time.September 9, 2016: Conducts fifth nuclear test, its most powerful to date.March 6, 2017: Fires four ballistic missiles in what it says is an exercise to hit US bases in Japan.March 7, 2017: US begins deploying THAAD missile defence system in South Korea.May 14, 2017: North Korea fires a ballistic missile which flies 700 kilometres before landing in the Sea of Japan. Analysts say it has an imputed range of 4,500 kilometres (2,800 miles) and brings Guam within reach.July 4, 2017: Test-fires a ballistic missile that analysts say brings Alaska within reach. Pyongyang later says it was a landmark test of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).July 28, 2017: Launches an ICBM with a theoretical range of 10,000 kilometres, meaning it could hit much of the United States.August 26, 2017: Fires three short-range ballistic missiles.August 29, 2017: Fires ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific, acknowledging for the first time that it has done so. South Korea says it flew around 2,700 kilometres at a maximum altitude of about 550 kilometres.September 3, 2017: North Korea appears to carry out sixth nuclear test, with seismic monitors measuring an explosion of 6.3 magnitude near its main test site. Japan’s government confirms a nuclear test has been carried out.The apparent test comes hours after Pyongyang state media shows leader Kim Jong-Un inspecting what it professes to be an H-bomb that can be loaded onto an ICBM. The claims have not been confirmed

Iran tests home-grown air defence system: official

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TEHRAN (AFP) - Iran has tested its home-grown air defence system, designed to match the Russian S-300, the head of the Revolutionary Guards’ air defence has said.In parallel with the deployment of the S-300, work on Bavar-373 system is underway, Farzad Esmaili told state broadcaster IRIB late Saturday.The system is made completely in Iran and some of its parts are different from the S-300. All of its sub-systems have been completed and its missile tests have been conducted.Bavar (which means belief) is Tehran’s first long-range missile defence system, and is set to be operational by March 2018, he added.In 2010, Iran began manufacturing Bavar-373 after the purchase of the S-300 from Russia was suspended due to international sanctions.Russia resumed the sale following the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers which lifted sanctions, and Iran’s S-300 defence system became operational in March.On Saturday, the new defence minister Amir Hatami said Iran has a specific plan to boost missile power.He said he hoped the combat capabilities of Iran’s ballistic and cruise missiles would increase in the next four years.The comments came amid increasing tensions with Washington, which has passed new sanctions against Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
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