IRAN
Iran denies explosion at underground uranium facility
Marcus George, Reuters – Jan 28, 2013
Iran has denied media reports of a major explosion at one of its most sensitive uranium enrichment sites, describing them as Western propaganda designed to influence upcoming nuclear negotiations.
World powers seek Iran atom talks in February
Pawlak, Croft, and George, Reuters – Jan 28 2013
World powers have asked Iran to hold a new round of talks over its nuclear work in February, while expressing disappointment over Tehran’s reluctance to schedule negotiations. A spokesman for the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday Iran had not agreed to her proposal, issued on behalf the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany, to meet at the end of January.
Iran sends monkey into space, showing missile progress
Yeganeh Torbati, Reuters – Jan 28, 2013
Iran said on Monday it had launched a live monkey into space, seeking to show off missile delivery systems that are alarming to the West given Tehran’s parallel advances in nuclear technology.
US frustration grows as nuclear impasse likely to continue
Taimur Khan, The National – Jan 28, 2013
A US State Department spokesperson expresses frustration at lack of progress on Iranian nuclear negotiations.
NORTH KOREA
Kim Vows North Korean Retaliation Against U.S. for Sanctions
Paul Tighe and Sangwon Yoon, Bloomberg News – Jan 28, 2013
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed “high-profile” retaliation against the U.S. and its allies for increasing United Nations sanctions against his regime, building on last week’s pledge to test a nuclear device. Kim convened a meeting of foreign affairs and security officials on Jan. 26 to discuss the “grave situation” caused by “hostile forces,” the official Korean Central News Agency said yesterday.
JCS chairman says N. Korea ready for nuclear test
Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency – Jan 28, 2013
South Korea’s chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday North Korea is ready for a nuclear test “anytime” for political purposes, urging his military to stay vigilant against threats from the communist state. Army Gen. Jung Seung-jo made the remark during his visit to front-line units in the wake of a series of daily threats from the isolated state, which is believed to be preparing a third nuclear test in the nation’s far northeast.
North Korea Nuclear Test: U.S. Envoy Glyn Davies Warns Of ‘Dangerous Game Of Risk’
Mari Yamaguchi, Huffington Post – Jan 28, 2013
A U.S. envoy said Monday that North Korea is playing a dangerous game with the international community by threatening a nuclear test and urged the communist nation to scrap its plan. Glyn Davies, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy, urged Pyongyang to return to its international obligations in abandoning its nuclear programs.
INDIA
India Joins US, France, Russia and China with Successful Launch of Underwater Ballistic Missile K-15
International Business Times – Jan 28, 2013
India on Sunday joined the select league of nations – USA, France, Russia and China – to launch nuclear-tipped missiles from sea by successfully test-firing its underwater ballistic missile, K-15, which has a range of 700 km. Completing India’s nuclear triad, which refers to its ability to fire missile from land, air and sea, the indigenously built K-15 missile was launched from a pontoon in the Bay of Bengal off Visakhapatnam coast, meeting all the objectives of the mission.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Israel Girds for Attacks as Syria Falls Apart
Jodi Rudoren and Anne Barnard, The New York Times – Jan 27, 2013
At least one Iron Dome missile defense battery was deployed Sunday in northern Israel amid reports of intense security consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Syria and the possibility of chemical weapons falling into the hands of Islamist rebels or being transferred to the militant group Hezbollah.
China tests anti-missile interception
Big News Network – Jan 28, 2013
China said it successfully tested a “land-based mid-course missile interception” within its territory, the second such test in two years, but gave no details. The official Xinhua News Agency, quoting an official with the Defense Ministry’s information bureau, said the test was conducted Sunday and that it “has reached the preset goal.”
