While the news focus is on Russia and Ukraine these days, North Korea is on the road to new nuclear testing, notes Grumpy Editor.
Construction activity at the country’s nuclear testing ground appears to be resuming, based on satellite images.
The action comes four years after leader Kim Jong Un declared the site’s closure and invited foreign journalists to observe destruction of tunnels.
Punggye-ri in the northeast part of North Korea is the site used for the last nuclear test five years ago.
The country has made nine rounds of missile launches so far this year.
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…
FLORIDA MANATEES GOBBLE LETTUCE. More than 55 tons of lettuce are fed to starving manatees in Florida. It’s part of an experimental program to help the slow-moving marine mammals since their natural food is being destroyed by water pollution.
CONGRESS PUTS STAMP ON USPS BILL. After more than a decade in the making, Congress passes legislation designed to place the U.S. Postal Service on stronger financial footing. It keeps six-days-a-week deliveries. The bill awaits President Joe Biden signing it into law.
NO PERMIT TO CARRY WEAPON IN ALABAMA. Alabama residents will not be required to obtain a permit or undergo a background check to carry a concealed weapon starting next year, following legislation signed into law. It makes Alabama the 22nd state to adopt that policy.
EARTH SAFE FROM ASTEROID. Word that a 230-foot-wide asteroid is expected to hit Earth next year turns out to be a false alarm. When discovered, astronomers thought it would hit Earth and "do real damage" to a city.
MAN'S CLOTHING CONTAINS LIZARDS, SNAKES. A man at the San Ysidro border crossing with Mexico is caught trying to smuggle 52 lizards and snakes hidden in his clothing. Agents find they were tied up in small bags and say "they were concealed in the man’s jacket, pants pockets and groin area.”
RUSSIA IN NAME AFFECTS BUSINESS. Russia in its name is affecting business at New York City’s 100-year-old Russian Tea Room. Despite its name, the Russian Tea room isn’t Russian at all. It’s owned by a financial group incorporated in New York state. But that hasn’t stopped protesters looking to boycott all things Russian.
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