North Korea tests fresh hydrogen bomb? 

International Desk: A 2.9 magnitude earthquake has been recorded close to a nuclear testing site in North Korea, a US-based monitor has said, fuelling fears the country has tested another hydrogen bomb.

The US Geological Survey said it had recorded the quake around 23km north-east of Sungjibaegam – a known North Korean nuclear testing site.

Although analysts cannot be 100 per cent certain the quake is the result of a nuclear test, it shares many "characteristics" with past tests. 

Pyongyang's last known nuclear test occurred on 3 September but caused an earthquake with a much greater magnitude of 6.3. The action drew widespread condemnation including from the UN.

The North Korean regime has stepped up its nuclear and missile testing over the past year as tensions between it and the US become increasingly fraught.

On Thursday, the North Korean foreign minister accused US President Donald Trump of having "lit the wick of war" between the two countries and warned that America would be made to pay with a "hail of fire".

It is feared that the regime is close to being able to make a nuclear warhead small enough to fit on the end of a missile.

Source: Agencies
 

risingbd/Dhaka/October 13, 2017/A K Azad