North Korea has successfully conducted a missile test aimed at securing multiple warhead capability, state media reported on Thursday, contradicting South Korea’s assessment that the test is believed to have ended in failure.

During the test conducted on Wednesday, North Korea’s Missile Administration “successfully conducted the separation and guidance control test of individual mobile warheads”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

North Korea said the test was “aimed at securing the MIRV capability”, referring to multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle technology, which allows a single ballistic missile to deliver multiple warheads to different targets.

The announcement contradicts South Korea’s assessment that the missile exploded in the air, Yonhap news agency reported.

On Wednesday, South Korea said that the missile was launched from an area in or around Pyongyang at around 5:30 a.m. but exploded over the East Sea after flying some 250 km.

However, North Korea said the test “used the first-stage engine of an intermediate-range solid-fuel ballistic missile within a 170-200 kilometre radius”.

The separated mobile warheads were guided correctly to three target coordinates, the KCNA said.

The effectiveness of a decoy separated from the missile was also verified by anti-air radar, it added.

The test was overseen by Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), and Kim Jong-sik, first vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, the KCNA said.

The officials emphasised that enhancing “the MIRV capability is a very important defence technological task and a top priority of the WPK Central Committee,” the KCNA reported, suggesting it might also be a top priority for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Developing MIRV technology was included in North Korea’s five-year development plan, which was unveiled during the eighth congress of the WPK in January 2021.

North Korea claimed that “the test is part of the administration’s normal activities,” the KCNA said.

This is the first time North Korea has publicly disclosed that it conducted a missile test to secure multiple warhead capability.

South Korea, the US and Japan condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

AGENCIES

The number of patients who died from the latest outbreak of West Nile fever in Israel has risen to four, with one new death case, the country’s Ministry of Health has said.The ministry said on Wednesday that it is currently investigating a suspected case where the virus may have caused another patient’s death, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry also reported six new cases of infection with the virus, bringing the total number to 48 since the beginning of May. Among them, 36 were hospitalized, with five patients under ventilation.

On Tuesday, Israel’s environmental protection and health ministries reported that mosquitoes infected with the virus were detected at Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv.

Following the detection, the Israel Airports Authority conducted extensive pest control in the airport area.

The virus, mainly transmitted through mosquito bites, typically causes flu-like symptoms including headaches, fever, and muscle aches.

However, in about one in 150 cases, it can lead to severe central nervous system illnesses like encephalitis or meningitis, potentially causing paralysis, brain damage, or even death.

AGENCIES

 With Iran set to hold snap polls on Friday to elect the successor to late President Ebrahim Raisi, a three-way race — heading into a run-off — is likely, as per various surveys, though they differ on the positioning of the top three candidates.

Meanwhile, authorities hope for a heavier ‘legitimising’ turnout, given the unprecedented low percentage of voting in the 2021 elections and parliamentary polls earlier this year.

The turnout in the 2021 elections – which Raisi won – was 48.8 per cent – the lowest ever so far since the 1979 revolution. It further declined to around 41 per cent in the two-round Majles election in March and May this year. Part of the disenchantment of voters is over social and economic issues and the prevention of a large number of reformists. Mavericks like former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, barred from the presidential race, also do not pass vetting.

The predictions of the likely turnout, as per the surveys and analyses, depend on the orientation of the pollsters or analysts. While those by emigres, who do not enjoy the best of relations with the present Iranian dispensation, claim a much lower turnout would be recorded this time, those by in-country groups, related to government institutions, are more sanguine, report a slight bump up.

However, they also do not predict any radical breakout.

It was perhaps with this in mind, that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday called for a “maximum” voter turnout in a message to the country’s “enemies”.

“The Islamic Republic has enemies. One thing that helps the Islamic Republic overcome its enemies is the elections. If a good turnout is seen in these elections, then it will make the Islamic Republic proud,” he said in his address at a religious function.

All six approved candidates, pegged as five hardliners/conservatives, of various intensities, and one reformist, are still in the race, unlike some previous instances, when some hardliners withdrew and threw support behind others of their persuasion to prevent vote fragmentation.

The top three contenders are former chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, Majles Speaker and former Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf (both hardliners), and cardiac surgeon Masoud Pezeshkian, who served as a minister in the Khatami regime (reformist).

The other three – Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani, Vice President and Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs head Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, and cleric and former Minister Mostafa Pourmohammadi – do not figure much in the calculus.

However, the surveys rate the chances of the top three quite differently, as per reports.

The Iranian Students Polling Agency (ISPA), which is affiliated with the government’s Academic Centre of Education, Research, and Culture, in a survey published on Wednesday last week, has forecast a turnout of over 50 per cent, placing Jalili first, and Pezeshkian second – less than a percentage point ahead of Qalibaf.

However, its update on Monday had Pezeshkian now leading over Jalili, albeit by a small margin, while Qalibaf stayed in third place.

In both, none of the leading candidates was even the 30 per cent mark, indicating a run-off.

Meta, a polling organisation in the Imam Sadeq University in Tehran, in its survey published last week, had forecast just over 50 per cent turnout, with Pezeshkian ahead – but over Qalibaf, while Jalili was in third place.

An update this week had the same positioning but with lower numbers for the candidates. It was also claimed that in a run-off, Qalibaf would beat Pezeshkian, and if the run-off was Qalibaf vs Jalili, the former would triumph then too.

A survey by the “privately-run” Shenaakht, coming out in the middle of the month, predicted well over 50 per cent turnout, and Qalibaf on top and both Pezeshkian and Jalili tied in second place – over 10 percentage points behind.

While for Jalili and Qalibaf, their closeness to Supreme Leader Khamenei and the IRGC background could weigh in their favour with their establishment, sole reformist candidate Pezeshkian, whose presence seems geared at drawing out reformist voters for higher voting, may find the going tough unless there is a massive turnout in his favour.

However, his ethnic background – being an Azeri – could cloud his chances. And then, his recent statements supporting Iran’s return to the nuclear deal and wider outreach to the West drew veiled censure from the Supreme Leader, who was scornful of those believing that “everything good comes from the US.” The other two peg more hopes from BRICS and the SCO.

Pezeshkian also strayed from consensus by expressing support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

But, no matter who wins, any radical change in domestic and foreign policies is unlikely since the President is only the second in command. And then, it is the Supreme Leader who also certifies the winner.

AGENCIES

Armoured vehicles and troops of the Bolivian Armed Forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz on Wednesday evening, hours after an attempted coup.

Bolivian police arrested rebel military commander General Juan Jose Zuniga, who led the failed coup attempt.

Bolivian President Luis Arce condemned the coup attempt and called on citizens to mobilise and defend democracy. He also named a new army commander who ordered troops to withdraw.

Earlier, soldiers marched on Plaza Murillo, a square outside the seat of government, led by General Zuniga, and forced their way into the old government headquarters, Palacio Quemado.

The presence of armed troops generated a strong response from citizens, who gathered in the streets surrounding Plaza Murillo, the epicentre of Bolivia’s political power, to denounce the military move.

Representatives of social organisations in different parts of the country also demonstrated in defence of democracy, joining the President’s call to protect the constitutional order.

AGENCIES

Two people were killed and one military personnel wounded as a result of a new Israeli missile attack that hit several military sites in southern Syria, the Syrian Defence Ministry said. Israel initiated an aerial attack on the southern region of Syria late Wednesday from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, targeting multiple locations, the Ministry said in a statement.
The Syrian air defence managed to intercept some of the missiles, shooting them down in the process, it added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the attack in the Sayyida Zaynab suburb in the southern countryside of Damascus. Also Read – Passenger train derailment in Russia leaves 70 injured The UK-based watchdog group said the Israeli missiles directly targeted the location where vehicles were stationed at the service centre of the Jihad al-Bina Foundation, affiliated with the Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian militias in the vicinity of the Sayyida Zaynab area. It said ambulances rushed to the targeted site as columns of smoke rose from there. Also Read – N. Korea says successfully conducted multiple warhead missile capability test The Syrian air defence system launched missiles to intercept the Israeli attack, it added. Israel has repeatedly targeted Syrian military sites, especially those believed to be housing pro-Iran militias or weapon storage facilities linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah, a long standing adversary of Israel in the region.

AGENCIES

One was killed and three others were injured inside a vehicle on Interstate 5 in Federal Way in the US state of Washington, according to State Patrol.

State Patrol troopers responded to the scene on northbound I-5 and found four people in a black BMW, Xinhua news agency reported.

The incident took place on Wednesday noon.

The male driver died from being stabbed.

One male passenger was shot multiple times, and another male passenger and a female passenger each had multiple stab injuries.

They were sent to the hospital for treatment, according to State Patrol. AGENCIES

A total of 259 observers from 40 countries and 21 international organisations will monitor Mongolia’s upcoming regular parliamentary elections, as announced by the country’s General Election Commission (GEC) on Wednesday.

Also, 27 journalists from 12 international media outlets will cover the elections of the State Great Khural, the country’s unicameral parliament, the commission said.

Mongolia, with a population of 3.5 million, has scheduled Friday as the date for the State Great Khural elections, reports Xinhua news agency.

The GEC has registered 1,294 candidates from 19 political parties and two coalitions, as well as 42 independents, for the parliamentary elections.

According to the law, the election campaign will be halted 24 hours before polling day.

A total of 2,238,360 Mongolian citizens are expected to cast their votes on the polling day.

In May 2023, the parliament passed amendments to increase the number of legislators from 76 to 126 in the country’s constitution.

Additionally, parliament members will be elected using a mixed electoral system, in which 78 members will be elected by majority representation and 48 by proportional representation. AGENCIES

Australian police have charged a male offender overnight after a man was stabbed to death in Melbourne.

Emergency services were called to a property on Warnock Street in Broadmeadows shortly before 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday following reports of a man having been stabbed, reports Xinhua news agency.

The suburb is located approximately 15 kilometres north of Melbourne’s central business district, home to over 12,000 residents.

Upon arrival, officers found a 32-year-old man of no fixed place of address deceased outside the property.

A 42-year-old Broadmeadows man was arrested at the scene before he was charged with murder. AGENCIES

 Kenyan President William Ruto termed Tuesday’s street protests against proposed tax hikes in the East African nation as treasonous, noting that his government will soon provide an expeditious response to the situation.

Ruto’s remarks came a few hours after at least five protestors were shot dead and more than 150 others injured as police used tear gas and live rounds after thousands stormed into Kenya’s Parliament and set part of it on fire.

In his televised address to the nation, Ruto said the government has mobilized all its resources to ensure the situation does not occur again “at whatever cost”.

He directed security organs to use all means possible to thwart any threats to the country’s national security, Xinhua news agency reported.

“It is possible that the criminals who reigned terror on innocent people and challenged our security organs are likely to continue with this behaviour,” he said, adding that the planners, financiers and abetters of the protests would not go scot-free.

The protestors gathered in various towns across Kenya, including the capital Nairobi, where they breached the heavily guarded premises to enter both the National Assembly and the Senate, destroying property and marching into the buildings despite police firing live bullets in the air.

In his address, Ruto said the government would not tolerate crime masked as democratic expression. “The government will secure the nation and any threats to national security are a danger to the Republic and will be dealt with,” he said.

The president observed that the national conversation on what affects the nation would only be done under the rule of law, constitutionalism, and respect for the nation.

Ruto spoke as Aden Duale, the cabinet secretary for defence, gazetted the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to aid the police in curbing protests.

The Kenya Defence Forces were deployed on Tuesday in support of the National Police Service in response to the security emergency caused by ongoing violent protests in various parts of the country, Duale said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed for calm and dialogue, noting that he is saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the protests.

Kenyatta asked elected leaders to listen to the people’s grievances, calling for calm and for the leadership “to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them.”

The lawmakers on Tuesday morning passed the contentious finance bill 2024, seeking to raise an additional 346.7 billion shillings ($2.67 billion), by such measures as increasing the railway development levy from 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent and the import declaration fee from 2.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent.

The legislators also imposed an eco-levy on imported items like smartphones and electronics, noting they end up as electronic waste damaging the environment.

Ruto, who won the elections in August 2022 on the platform of helping the poor, has been under pressure to raise additional revenues in the country amid rising government debt repayments.

The finance bill was thus amended to remove the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions, and the 2.5 per cent motor vehicle tax.

There will be no increase in mobile money transfer fees, and the excise duty on vegetable oil has also been removed. Levies on the housing fund and the proposed one on social health insurance will not attract income tax. AGENCIES

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has emphasised the significance of a strong turnout in the country’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Friday.

He made the remarks on Tuesday in an address to thousands of Iranians from different provinces gathered in Iran’s capital Tehran, three days ahead of the 14th presidential election and on the occasion of the religious holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement published on the leader’s website.

“In three days, the Iranian people will face the important test of election, whose importance is greater than ever,” Khamenei said, stressing that maximum participation and the selection of the most qualified candidate would bring pride to the nation.

Listing the characteristics of the “most qualified” candidate, Iran’s leader stated that the next president should firmly believe in the principles and foundations of the Islamic Revolution and establishment, demonstrate efficiency and liveliness in fulfilling responsibilities, and possess the ability to harness the country’s diverse and abundant resources to drive progress.

He emphasized that Iran had always managed to make progress without reliance on foreigners, adding the Iranian people would never let others decide their fate.

“We have from the very beginning sought to interact with the entire world, with one or two exceptions,” he said.

Iran’s 14th presidential election, initially set for 2025, was rescheduled following the unexpected death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19 in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

The candidates for the upcoming election include Alireza Zakani, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Masoud Pezeshkian, Saeed Jalili, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi. AGENCIES