city Pyongyang: Last News

Blur debuted new songs from their latest album ‘The Ballad Of Darren‘ along with a smattering of deep cuts and fan favourites at an intimate show at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith last night (Tuesday July 25). Check out footage and the setlist below.As announced earlier this month, the returning Britpop veterans took to the stage at the iconic London venue to perform their new album in its entirety, with the show also livestreamed online.The band took to the stage, backed by string quartet, with bassist Alex James lounging on a sofa and smoking as they eased into playing album opener ‘The Ballad’.

North Korea's air force has shown the country copied and pasted extra planes into doctored images, new analysis has shown.Pyongyang boasted of 150 planes taking part in an exercise last Thursday which demonstrated the "might of the people's air force", which is actually much smaller than first thought.Photos that showcase the "matchless bravery and indomitable fighting spirit" are said to have been doctored, with some plains apparently copied and pasted to make up poor numbers.READ MORE: 'Democracy Manifest' - sting operation, music cameo and decades search for furious blokeThorsten Beck, photo analysis expert at the HEADT Centre in Berlin, Germany, filed the images through a clone detection software and found "elements" that had been "cloned".Beck said: "Whoever created or manipulated these pictures certainly had some command of Photoshop. It does not look amateurish, but the composition, the purpose and nature of the manipulation speak a different language."Partly because the images dramatise the power of North Korea’s air force, they appear somehow too good to be true and that creates a funny effect in some of the images."Of the photos, one in particular stood out to Beck, an image that supposedly showcased 30 warplanes.

North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Thursday morning local time, just two days after Pyongyang sent an intermediate-range ballistic missile flying over Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.  About 40 missiles have been launched by North Korea this year, including six in the past two weeks, but Tuesday's test marked the first time in five years that the country has sent a missile over Japan.  The U.S. and South Korea staged joint drills on Wednesday in response, with the USS Ronald Reagan moving into waters east of South Korea.

North Korea is a nuclear weapons state.The North Korean leader vowed that the country would “never give up” its nuclear weapons, the hermit state's media reported Friday (September 9).Nuclear weapons represent the “dignity, body, and absolute power of the state,” Kim said.READ MORE: Russia will be like 'North Korea on steroids' when Putin is replaced - Kremlin adviser“The adoption of laws and regulations related to the national nuclear force policy is a remarkable event as it’s our declaration that we legally acquired war deterrence as a means of national defence.“As long as nuclear weapons exist on Earth, and imperialism and the anti-North Korean manoeuvres of the US and its followers remain, our road to strengthening our nuclear force will never end.”His actions mark a shift from previous legislation that stated would keep its weapons only until other countries denuclearized.The older laws also said that North Korea would not use nuclear weapons preemptively against non-nuclear states.But now, Kim has enshrined the right for his country to use preemptive nuclear strikes to protect itself.The new law also bans the sharing of nuclear technology with other countries, CNN reported.Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the stance demonstrated Pyongyang’s schemes of strengthening ties with China and Russia at a time of high international tension.

North Korean propaganda video has been posted featuring an 11-year-old girl who insists that despite reports of a runaway coronavirus outbreak, “everyone is just fine” in the totalitarian state. The girl, who says her name is “Song-a”, is apparently a Harry Potter fan and learned English from her mum.“Just like this, everything is under control as it used to be and everyone is just fine!”READ MORE:North Korea lifts Covid-19 restrictions despite recording almost 100k cases a day“Pyongyang where I live is a very beautiful and magnificent city,” she says in one of the clips.

North Korea has opted to lift its Covid-19 restrictions despite recording almost 100,00 cases each day.The World Health Organisation (WHO) have questioned the country's reports of “progress” however, instead assuming that Pyongyang's Covid crisis is actually worsening. Despite no access to data, the WHO are sceptical over state media claims that cases of coronavirus are falling.The country, which announced its first Covid case on May 12, claimed the outbreak is under control, but WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan questioned that belief.“We assume the situation is getting worse not better,” he said, acknowledging, though, that the secretive totalitarian state had provided very limited information.Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s lead on Covid-19, meanwhile said the country had registered more than three million suspected cases, although the official accounts only mention cases of “fever”.The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday (June 2) some 96,600 “fevered cases” in 24 hours, for a total of 3.8 million cases since late April.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un led a massive crowd of mourners in the streets of Pyongyang despite the country’s strict coronavirus lockdown as his “mentor” Hyon Chol Hae was laid to rest.The retired Marshal of the Korean People's Army, who was official bodyguard to Kim’s father Kim Il-sung, reportedly died of “multiple organ failure” on May 19 at the age of 87.Hyon Chol Hae was one of the most senior military officials in North Korea, becoming only the fifth person to be promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Korean People's Army.Kim and the honour guard of Korean People’s Army officers escorting his coffin went unmasked throughout the proceedings. Hyon’s lavish state funeral, which was attended by tens of thousands of people and watched by many more on the state TV channel, seemed to suggest that the authorities in Pyongyang aren’t concerned by the spread Covid-19 in the city.

North Korea is advising citizens to combat Covid with traditional medicines such as tea as the Omicron variant continues to spread throughout its unvaccinated population. Earlier this month Kim Jong-un admitted for the first time that the pandemic had reached North Korea.

North Korean government has always insisted that there had been no Covid-19 cases within its country’s borders.But today Pyongyang admitted for the first time that the pandemic had spread to North Korea.Leader Kim Jong-un has for the last two years been boasting that his country’s strict "quarantine front” had held firm when every other country in the world’s defences had failed.“There has been the biggest emergency incident in the country, with a hole in our emergency quarantine front, that has been kept safely over the past two years and three months since February 2020,” the official KCNA news agency said.Kim has now ordered a strict national lockdown after revealing that there has been an Omicron outbreak in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.

North Korea appears to have fired a ballistic missile into the sea just days after the last test.Kim Jong-un's missile was projected off the North Korean east coast, according to South Korea’s military, and Yonhap news agency believes it was a submarine-launched ballistic missile.Japan's defence ministry also confirmed this, as they tweeted that the projectile could be a ballistic missile.Reports say there has been a significant increase in missile testing by North Korea this year, with leader Kim stating the exercises are being carried out to protect the country from foreign threats to the state, reports the Mirror.In a speech at a military parade last week, he also claimed his nuclear force was not only tasked with preventing war through deterrence, but potentially carrying out strikes against anyone who violates the North's "fundamental interests.’'On Wednesday, North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards the sea off its east coast, South Korea and Japan said, after Pyongyang vowed to develop its nuclear forces "at the fastest possible speed".The United States assessed that North Korea was preparing its Punggye-ri nuclear test site and could be ready to conduct a test there as early as this month, State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said.This incident comes as South Korea's president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol takes office on Tuesday.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here .North Korea has said that it opposes war and that its nuclear weapons are for self-defence.

North Korea has launched a "possible ballistic missile" just days after Kim Jong-un said he was prepared to use his nuclear arsenal. The Japanese Defence Ministry confirmed the launch this morning (May 4), writing on Twitter: "A possible ballistic missile was launched from North Korea.

North Korea as they wait to see if the secretive country will hold a military parade to mark the birthday of its founder, Kim Il Sung.Such parades are not rare in the country, with paranoid dictator Kim Jong Un – Kim Il Sung’s grandson – often keen to show off his military capabilities, but there hasn’t been one for seven months.There were reports of jets and helicopters being heard flying low over the centre of the capital Pyongyang on Thursday night, and roads were apparently closed in parts of the capital, suggesting a spectacular event was getting under way.But soldiers appeared to be continuing their parade training at a military base in the city this morning, with NK News reporting that they didn’t march through the city last night after all.NK News says a parade could take place tonight instead.In recent years, North Korea has held its military parades at night before broadcasting an edited version on state TV a few hours later, reports The Japan Times.For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.The waiting game comes as the current leader Kim has been ramping up tensions in the region once again.Last month he was snapped laughing and joking as his forces tested an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time since 2017, and reports have suggested the country is gearing up for its first test of a nuclear bomb in nearly half a decade.The United States has recently sent an aircraft carrier group to the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan for the first time since 2017.

Kim Jong-un is showing that tyrannical tendencies run in the family.Kim Yo-jong, 34, is the de facto second in command to her brother and next in line to rule the hermit kingdom.And if recent evidence is anything to go by, she might be every bit as volatile as the diminutive dictator. This week she issued a chilling threat to neighbours South Korea, suggesting they wouldn't hesitate to use nuclear missiles to 'eliminate' their military if they went ahead with pre-emptive strikes.It put her firmly in the limelight after a period in which her growing influence has become apparent.

North Korean missile exploded in mid-air and damaged various parts of Pyongyang city university, potentially killing two people according to reports.Intelligence authorities said that the Hwasong-17, which North Korea fired from the Pyongyang Sunan Airfield on the 16th, damaged "major facilities" in the capital's down town area, "blowing off" the roof of the Kim Jong-il Political and Military University.Information that two people were killed in the explosion on the same day is being analysed by officials.A high-ranking intelligence official said: "The missile fragments did not fall like hail on a private house, but major facilities in downtown Pyongyang were damaged."A large crater was blown into the ground near the Kim Jong-il Political and Military University, about 9km from Pyongyang Sunan Airfield, the paper reported.Part of the university's roof was blown off, it is claimed, while two people reportedly died in the explosion.The missile launch is understood to be the 10th of its kind this year, showing renewed intent by the hermit kingdom to improve weapons systems which have long-evaded it.Lee Choon Geun, an honorary research fellow at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, told CBS News that if the missile's toxic fuels fell on civilian residential areas in North Korea, they would likely cause a major health impact.The school is based on North Korea’s top military academy, Kim Il Sung Military University.

North Korea appeared to have fired a short-range multiple rocket launcher on Sunday, March 20 amid rising tension on the Korean peninsula, South Korea's military said. In response, South Korea said it was "maintaining a readiness posture" following Kim Jong Un's latest test."This morning there was firing in North Korea which is assumed to be multiple rocket launcher shots, and our military was monitoring the related situation and maintaining a readiness posture," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, without elaborating.North Korea's military fired four shots around 7:20 am (22:20 GMT on Saturday) for about an hour toward its west coast from an unidentified location in South Pyongan Province, Yonhap news agency reported.Pyongyang has conducted an unusually high pace of missile launches this year, Reuters reported.The US alleged that the country has been testing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which have a minimum range of 5,500km (3,417 miles) and are specifically designed to carry nuclear warheads.

ballistic missile today (Saturday, March 5). The country's neighbouring militaries in South Korea have said North Korea's latest missile fired from an area near the capital city of Pyongyang and flew east for around 168 miles.The missile, which was monitored by South Korean and US forces, is said to have travelled at an altitude of 348 miles before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan.The Japanese Prime Minister's Office suspects that the projectile is a ballistic missile and has issued a warning for vessels in the Sea of Japan, east of North Korea.It reads: "According to the Ministry of Defense, a possible ballistic missile was launched from North Korea."Vessels should pay attention to future information, and if they find a fallen object, do not approach them and report the relevant information to the Japan Coast Guard."The launch was North Korea's ninth round of weapons tests in 2022 despite Kim Jong-Un being urged to halt his tests as the Russia-Ukraine war continues to heat up World War Three fears.

NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman’s friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was sparked by accident after the Chicago Bulls legend had no idea where he was going.The event sparked a friendship which saw Rodman repeatedly return to the country and even had the leader of North Korea ask him if he could take him to “America”.Rodman believed the trip in February 2013 was for a usual basketball game and autograph signing booked by his agent, Darren Prince.But it was later revealed that Prince had no idea there was a difference between South and North Korea and Rodman himself had no idea of the country.The former Detroit Pistons star made the journey to Pyongyang and had the red carpet rolled out for him by basketball fan Kim.However, bravely Rodman changed his mind about competing after turning up at the arena for the game.He was then approached by a number of men in black suits that caused him to think he might be ending up in jail.According to Yahoo Sports, the men took him up to the stand to a table overlooking the entire court.A confused Rodman would then hear a huge applause and believed it was the fans who spotted him so he began to wave back to them.Embarrassingly they were not cheering for him but their leader who just walked past to sit down next to Rodman.Using an interpreter, Kim began asking Rodman how he was to which the stat replied: “I still don’t know what the f**k is going on.”Kim was later revealed to be a huge fan of the legendary Championship-winning Chicago Bulls team that contained Rodman, Scottie Pippen, and Michael Jordan.Speaking to Yahoo! Sports, Rodman said: “I don’t even know this guy.

Kim Jong-un's rarely seen aunt has been spotted in public nine years after the ruthless dictator had her husband executed. Kim Kyong-hui is the sister of Kim Jong-un's father and former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, and has not been seen since January 2020.

Kim Jong-un has visited a munitions factory producing a "major weapon system" after North Korea conducted more weapons tests and unveiled their latest missiles.The rogue leader has celebrated "leaping progress in producing major weapons" for the role it plays in modernising the country's armed forces.One of the country's latest missiles includes an upgraded long-range cruise missile.Tensions remain rampant after the country carried out a series of seven weapons tests already in 2022, already surpassing the total amount of missiles it launched last year.This has been met with significant condemnation from international countries with the US pushing for new and imposed sanctions.An update has now been carried out on the long-range cruise missile system that was tested on Tuesday. North Korean state media have said that Kim didn't attend the tests for these missiles, but during a visit to the munitions factory he celebrated "leaping progress in producing major weapons".Kim Jong-un said: "The factory holds a very important position and duty in modernising the country's armed forces and realising the national defence development strategy."State media did not specify the weapons or the factory's location.It was reported last week that North Korea would strengthen its defenses against the US and consider resuming "all temporally-suspended activities".Kim Jong-un called for "an all-out drive" to produce "powerful, cutting-edge arms" at the munitions factory.His workers praised his commitment to "smashing ...

Kim Jong-un takes no chances when he goes to the loo as he apparently takes his own toilet with him wherever he goes. Keen to prevent potential rivals finding out about his state of health, the North Korean dictator makes it a strict rule only to use his own toilet, even travelling with a portable potty to prevent his poo falling into the wrong hands.It would be “unthinkable” for the leader to use a regular public loo, says an anonymous North Korean source.The prince of Pyongyang’s personal Portaloo is heavily guarded, and anyone caught using it without permission risks a death sentence, according to reports.The portable toilet is hidden in one of the cars in Kim’s official motorcade, and travels with him everywhere he goes.“The restrooms are not only in Kim Jong-un's personal train but whatever small or midsize cars he is travelling with and even in special vehicles that are designed for mountainous terrain or snow," a source said.“There are multiple vehicles within the convoy so that people cannot tell which one he is in, and there is a separate car that acts as his restroom.”Having a special loo set aside for VIPs isn’t so unusual.

North Korea has threatened to scrap its self-imposed ban on testing long-range missiles and nuclear weapons after tensions mounted with America once again.The dictatorship lashed out at American "military threats" and said the country had reached a "danger line".Leader Kim Jong-un met with powerful North Korean figureheads to discuss potential countermeasures to American hostility, North Korean state media has reported.The KCNA news agency said: "The hostile policy and military threats of the United States have reached a danger line that cannot be overlooked any more despite our sincere efforts for maintaining the general tide for the relaxation of tensions".The policymaking committee are said to have examined whether they should restart "all temporally-suspended activities" and had a rethink of "trust-building measures that we took on our own initiative".A rethink from the North Korean dictator comes after President Joe Biden's administration announced fresh sanctions on six North Koreans involved in the regime's missile plans.The six were linked to North Korean weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes.New sanctions followed a series of missile tests by North Korea, including two tests of what Pyongyang claimed to be a hypersonic missile.North Korea has not tested its nuclear weapons or its long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) since 2017, but tests for short-range missiles began in 2019.The short-range tests began shortly after denuclearisastion talks broke down with the US and Donald Trump's administration at a failed summit.Professor Yang Moo-jin of the University of North Korean Studies said the KCNA report was "quite disturbing" as North Korea appeared to be gearing up to "cross