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KOREAN PENINSULA

New launcher may be deployed soon

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea said on Friday the latest test-firing of its "super-large" multiple rocket launcher was a final review of the weapon's combat application, a suggestion that the country is preparing to deploy the new weapons system soon. The Republic of Korea's military on Thursday said the DPRK fired two projectiles, likely from the same "super-large" rocket launcher. It expressed "strong regret" over the launches. On Friday, the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency confirmed the launches were made with the presence of top leader Kim Jongun and other top officials. "The volley test-fire aimed to finally examine the combat application of the super-large multiple launch rocket system," the KCNA said. It said Kim expressed "great satisfaction" over the results of the test-firing.

CANADA

Seven killed in light plane crash

Five US citizens and two Canadians were killed when a light airplane crashed in a wooded area on the north shore of Lake Ontario, Canada's transport safety agency said on Thursday. The US-registered single-engine Piper PA-32 plane departed Toronto's Buttonville Airport and was apparently headed to Quebec City when it crashed on the approach path to an airport in Kingston, Ontario, on Wednesday, officials said. Emergency services, including police on all-terrain vehicles and a military search and rescue helicopter, were dispatched to locate the downed plane, which was found in an area that is hard to reach due to thick brush. Canadian media reported that the pilot was from the US state of Texas and the plane was carrying his girlfriend, and three children aged three, 11 and 15, along with the two Canadians.

Agencies

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