N korean leaderNorth Korea says it has successfully tested an engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile. The new type of engine would guarantee the ability to launch a nuclear strike on the US mainland. State media said the test was conducted at the country’s long-range missile launch site near its west coast. It is the latest in a series of tests and launches carried out by the isolated nation.

Leader Kim Jong-un supervised the test, state media reported, during which the engine spewed out huge flames with a deafening boom. Mr Kim was quoted as saying the country would now be able to keep any cesspool of evils in the earth including the US mainland within North Korea striking range.