Tag Archives: oceania

headline

North Korea may be tunnelling again at remote nuclear test site

New commercial satellite imagery is showing some of the clearest signs to date that North Korea is tunnelling again at its remote underground nuclear test site in a way that could potentially shorten the time it needs for its next test.

The April 3 imagery from Planet shows a new so-called crosscut tunnel, according to Jeffery Lewis, a weapons expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

"The telltale sign is the pile of spoil in front of the tunnel. That's rock from inside the mountain as they dig the new tunnel," Professor Lewis said.

READ MORE: UN assembly suspends Russia from top human rights body

The crosscut tunnel intersects with one of the main tunnels beyond the entrance, providing a shorter distance to the underground launch area.

In 2018, North Korea exploded the original entrance to the tunnel but likely did not destroy the entire underground structure.

This comes as North Korea may be preparing to take "another provocative action" next week in connection with Pyongyang's April 15 holiday celebrating the birthday of the country's founding father, Kim Il-sung, according to the State Department's special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim.

Mr Kim told reporters on Wednesday that he didn't want to speculate about what specific action Pyongyang might take, but he raised the prospect that it could be a nuclear test, as well as another missile launch.

North Korea has conducted more than a dozen missile tests this year, including several ballistic missile launches.

"We are worried that in connection with the upcoming April 15 anniversary that the DPRK may be tempted to take another provocative action. We obviously hope not, but we will be prepared," Mr Kim said, referring to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, North Korea's official name.

Mr Kim reiterated that the US has publicly and privately delivered the message to North Korea that it's willing to engage diplomatically, but he said the US has yet to receive a response.

This photo distributed by the North Korean government shows what it says is a test-fire of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.

The United States and allies believe that North Korea is beginning to prepare for a possible underground nuclear test for the first time since 2017.

North Korea has recently resumed digging tunnels and construction activities at its underground nuclear test site, according to five US officials.

Commercially available satellite imagery had shown some indications of activity on the surface at Pyongyang's remote Punggye-ri nuclear test site.

READ MORE: Sydney Airport apologises to customers for long lines and delays

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, walks around the alleged Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.

It is not yet clear how soon the regime would be capable of testing a device at the site, as it depends on the pace of the activity, the officials say.

The preparations for a possible underground nuclear test come after North Korea tested its first suspected intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017 last month.

"We remain concerned about the North Koreans-their attempt to continue to improve their nuclear capability as well as their ballistic missile capability," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Kirby declined to be more specific about what he was referring to regarding the regime's nuclear capability.

In 2018, North Korea appeared to destroy at least three nuclear tunnels, observation buildings, a metal foundry and living quarters at its Punggye-ri site, in a process observed by invited international journalists that CNN reported at the time.

A CNN crew at the remote mountain site in the country's north witnessed explosions at nuclear tunnels "2, 3 and 4", from observation decks about 500 metres away.

They were among two dozen journalists invited to the country to observe the apparent destruction of the site.

The move was seen at the time as North Korea making a gesture toward denuclearisation to the Trump administration, but in the wake of ongoing rhetoric, then-President Donald Trump cancelled a planned meeting with leader Kim Jong-un.

Officials told CNN that US and allied intelligence agencies assess that digging activities at previously shuttered underground tunnel areas are underway, which would be critical for the resumption of underground nuclear testing.

North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests at the site, which lies north of Pyongyang, the most recent and powerful of which was in September 2017.

There are also indications that North Korea's next ballistic missile test could come as soon as the next few weeks, one official said, though the official would not specify the reasons behind that assessment, and US officials say they believe Mr Kim is likely to resume testing a nuclear weapon.

READ MORE: Man found dead in floodwaters south-west of Sydney

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joins North Korean military personnel during the test launch operation of what state media reports a new type inter-continental ballistic missile.

The US intelligence community estimates North Korea could be ready to conduct a nuclear test this year, according to the annual threat assessment report by the director of national intelligence published last month.

The DNI said nuclear testing and long-range missiles tests are "laying the groundwork for an increase in tensions" by the regime.

The Defence Department is considering a package of military responses to North Korea's recent test of an improved intercontinental ballistic missiles that could range from flying bombers or sailing warships in the region to beefing up exercises and training, according to the defence officials.

Japan and South Korea are being consulted on a potential decision and could be part of any show of force that is decided upon, the officials say.

The concern that nuclear testing could resume in the near future comes as North Korea has demonstrated a missile that could potentially reach the US.

The Pentagon is still assessing to what extent the missile is an improved version of previous launches.

North Korea reports the missile had a maximum altitude of 6284km distance of 1095km with a flight time of 68 minutes.

The missile test was accompanied with Hollywood-style edited video complete with a soundtrack and footage of Mr Kim.

headline

Key seats that will determine outcome of the federal election

Everybody in Australia has one vote in the coming election on May 21, but if you want to decide who wins, you really have to live in specific spots.

Because when it comes to electioneering, not all electorates are created equal.

Scott Morrison probably won't be shaking hands in Newtown and Anthony Albanese probably won't be kissing babies in Toowoomba.

READ MORE: When will the federal election take place this year?

Instead the politicians will be focused on the swing seats – the places in Australia that decide elections.

Here are the crucial seats in the upcoming federal election, state-by-state.

Victoria

For Labor last time around, Chisholm in Melbourne's east is the one that got away.

Bill Shorten campaigned hard in the electorate, but the Liberals held firm with MP Gladys Liu.

READ MORE: How to vote in this year's election

Now the Liberals are holding on by a 0.5 per cent margin. If there's a big swing to Labor on election day, this will be one of the first seats to fall.

New South Wales

Labor starts off on the defensive in New South Wales, with a series of states held by narrow margins, mostly around western Sydney and the Central Coast.

But the seats that may have the Liberals most nervous are ones that previously were considered unable to be lost by the party.

The seat they covet most is Warringah, formerly held by Tony Abbott, but now in the hands of independent Zali Steggall.

People in Sydney gather at a beach in Manly, on the city's north shore.

Warringah could be the canary in the coalmine for the Liberals in blue-ribbon seats. If Steggall holds on for a second term, the government is in strife.

They are also facing spirited independent challengers in Wentworth, North Sydney and Hughes (currently held by the UAP's Craig Kelly).

WATCH: How the drive to call the Federal Election will unfold

Queensland

Queensland saved Scott Morrison last time around, with the LNP holding firm as they lost ground elsewhere.

The Coalition's closest seat is Longman, which takes in Caboolture, Burpengary and Bribie Island on the north side of Brisbane.

Labor's closest seat is the inner-Brisbane electorate of Lilley, which nearly lost last time after Wayne Swan's retirement.

Tasmania

Thanks to a deal struck at federation, Tasmania always has five electorates, meaning they are smaller in population than anywhere else in the country.

As a result, politicians get more bang for their campaigning buck in Tasmania.

The closest seat is Bass, centred on Launceston, which has changed parties in every election since 2001.

READ MORE: Pensioner explains reason he confronted the Prime Minister

Reflections at Home Point, Tamar River, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Liberal MP Bridget Archer holds the seat on a 0.4 per cent margin, meaning the slightest swing will put it in Labor hands.

In Tasmania's northwest, Liberal-held Braddon is also at risk, while central Tasmania's Lyons is held by Labor by a 5.2 per cent margin.

South Australia

Labor is licking their lips at the prospect of picking up the seat of Boothby in Adelaide's south.

The seat is held by a 1.4 per cent margin by Nicolle Flint, who was heavily touted as a future leader before she announced her retirement.

Labor will be pointing to the results in the state election earlier this month, where they picked up several electorates in the area.

Teens jump of the jetty at Glenelg beach during a hot day in Adelaide.

Western Australia

The West has not been a bellwether in recent elections, swinging one way while the rest of the country swings the other.

But that may change thanks to the popularity of Premier Mark McGowan and his border policies.

On paper the least secure seat is Labor-held Cowan, but it's likely more campaigning will be done in Liberal-held Swan, thanks to the retirement of MP Steve Irons.

It's 3.2 per cent margin doesn't look very secure in the wake of a state election last year that left the Liberals with just two seats statewide.

Northern Territory

The Top End has two electorates – one very big and one very small. The Darwin electorate of Solomon is held by Labor by a margin of 3.1 per cent.

But the seat of Lingiari, which is everywhere else in the Territory, is represented by long-time member Warren Snowdon, who is now retiring.

The election will determine whether Snowdon's personal appeal has been behind Labor's strong performance there over the years.

Without him, the 5.5 per cent margin seems far less secure.

Alice Springs Northern Territory

Australian Capital Territory

None of the seats in the ACT are competitive this time around, with all expected to go to Labor comfortably.

But this may be the year the Liberals lose a seat in the Senate in the territory.

While each state has 12 senators, the ACT has just two. If the Liberals' primary vote is low enough, the seat may be pilfered by former Wallaby captain and independent David Pocock.

David Pocock was well-regarded as one of the most abrasive and technically gifted rugby forwards in the world in the past decade.