The Malaysian Insider :: World |
| North Korea may have third nuclear test in 2011 — South Posted: 23 Dec 2010 07:10 PM PST SEOUL, Dec 24 — North Korea will probably carry out a third atomic test next year, and prospects for bilateral talks with the South are slim, a research report from a South Korean foreign ministry institute said today. The regular report was published a day after Pyongyang vowed a nuclear "sacred war" and the South held a major military drill near the border. The North, which carried out nuclear tests in 2006 and last year, has yet to show it has a deliverable weapon as part of its plutonium arms programme, but a third test would raise tensions further on the divided peninsula and rattle global markets. "There is a possibility for North Korea carrying out its third nuclear test to seek improvement in its nuclear weapons production capability, keep the military tension high and promote Kim Jong-un's status as the next leader," the report said, referring to Kim Jong-il's youngest son, Pyongyang's heir apparent. "Tension between the two Koreas will remain high with chances of additional North Korean attacks on the South staying high," the institute said, according to a summary of the report. "Chances of a summit meeting between leaders of the two sides look slim." The analysis for 2011 was written by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, which is run by the Foreign Ministry. Analysts say the North's tactic of demonstrating what progress it has made towards developing a nuclear weapon is a ploy aimed at restarting talks between itself, the South, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, from which it hopes to wring concessions. "Some form of meeting between six-party members could be held during 2011 to discuss North Korea's uranium enrichment, but chances are very low for any meaningful progress being achieved," the institute said. — Reuters |
| Ex-Obama aide gets green light to run for Chicago mayor Posted: 23 Dec 2010 06:52 PM PST  US President Barack Obama bids farewell to outgoing White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in this October 1, 2010, file picture. — Reuters pic In a 3-0 vote, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners found that Emanuel did not intend to permanently leave Chicago when he went to work for the Obama administration. Opponents of Emanuel's campaign say he is not a legal Chicago resident for the purpose of the mayoral race, and are expected to take the case to court. Emanuel told reporters he was very pleased with the board vote. "It reminds I think everybody what the priorities are facing the city, which is about safer streets, strong schools and stable city finances," he said. Chicago-based activist Rev Jesse Jackson was critical of the ruling. "This decision makes the rules and laws too elusive and breeds insecurity," Jackson said in a statement. "It suggests one set of rules for the rich and powerful and another set for the rest of society." Jackson's son, US Representative Jesse Jackson Jr, considered running for mayor but decided against it. The Democratic primary election for mayor is February 22. According to a recent Chicago Tribune/WGN poll, Emanuel has the lead in the race. Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has been in office for 21 years, decided not to seek re-election. — Reuters |
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