Kim Jong-un has supervised the test of a new “tactical guided weapon” just months after the summit in Vietnam failed to achieve any results as the US continues to demand unconditional denuclearization before any sanctions relief.

The North Korean leader personally observed the new weapon test on Wednesday, KCNA said, without providing details, other than saying it has a “peculiar mode of guiding flight” with a “powerful warhead.”

“The completion of the development of the weapon system serves as an event of very weighty significance in increasing combat power,” Kim said.

The White House said it was aware of the weapons test report but refused to issue a comment.

The second summit between President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader in Hanoi, Vietnam in February wrapped up early, after the two leaders failed to reach an accord on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. While Washington insisted that North Korea should get rid of their missile and nuclear weapon programs, Kim allegedly made it clear that Trump must offer sanctions relief before the denuclearization process can proceed. For the last two months, the negotiations have stalled.

In the wake of the failed summit, Kim had promised to boost defense while giving the White House until the end of the year to change its “posture” in dealing with Pyongyang.

“I don’t see this [weapons test] as a provocation,” former US diplomat Jim Jatras told RT America. “I think they feel that their expectations from Trump are not being met and this is their way of saying, ‘Hey, guys, listen, we’re still serious about this.’”

“Let’s remember that there has been a lot of resistance within the administration to president Trump’s outreach to North Korea. They don’t want this deal to go through because if there is the denuclearization of Korea, if there is an end to the Korean war, why do we have 29,000 troops in South Korea?” Jatras said.

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A 68-million-year-old baby Tyrannosaurus rex fossil is up for sale on eBay for a jaw-dropping $2.95 million. The bones belong to a four-year-old dinosaur whose owner sparked controversy by suddenly flogging them online.

The rare fossilized skeleton was uncovered in Montana in 2013 and has been on loan to the University of Kansas Natural History Museum where it was on display until this week, when the exhibition was pulled after it learned that the dinosaur’s owner had listed it on eBay. The museum posted a statement on Twitter distancing itself from the entire enterprise.

The fossil has a 15-foot body and a 21-inch skull. It is owned by Alan Detrich, who describes himself as a “world famous fossil hunter” and found the remains on private property he leased to hunt for fossils. He shared the fossils with the KU museum two years ago because he thought “the public ought to see it.”

Museum director Leonard Krishtalka explained they took issue with how “abruptly” Detrich put the dinosaur on eBay and how the listing made it appear that the university was promoting the sale, and that it falsely claimed a KU researcher was writing a paper on the fossil for a journal.

The retired oil investor appeared nonplussed by the outrage his eBay post generated, telling his critics in a statement: “You’re welcome — for me to allow my dinosaur to be in the museum and to be able to show the people. People have had the opportunity to actually see the baby T. rex.”

Detrich also tweeted about his previous dinosaur sales, saying he sold an adult T. rex skeleton he found in South Dakota in 1992 and named ‘Samson’ for over $8 million in 2001.

News of the sale is being met with horror and dismay among the scientific community who feel private sales prevent them from studying rare fossils. The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (SVP) voiced its concerns in a letter which explained the fossil “represents a unique part of life’s past [and] may be lost from the public trust.”

The Paris prosecutor has opened an investigation into the disastrous fire, that devastated one of the most well-known landmarks in the city. The blaze itself is not contained yet.

The fire broke out at the Notre Dame Cathedral late on Monday, promptly engulfing the 13th-century building and causing a complete collapse of its spire and roof.

The Paris prosecutor office has launched a probe into the incident, entrusting it to French judiciary police, which indicates that the investigation is criminal. The city prosecutor has attended the scene of the incident, while firefighters continue to battle fire on the remains of the iconic landmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Edouard Philippe have also arrived at the scene. The fire has disrupted Macron’s plans to address the nation and unveil a set of measures in response to the Yellow Vest protests.

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After the ‘worst case scenario’ was avoided and firefighters managed to save the Notre Dame’s structure from total destruction, President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to restore the historic cathedral to its former glory.

“This cathedral, we will all rebuild together,” Macron promised while visiting the heartbreaking scene at the center of Paris. “We will appeal to the greatest talents… and we will rebuild… Because that’s what the French expect, because that’s what our history deserves, because it’s our deep destiny.”

The chief architect in charge of the works at Notre-Dame, Philippe Villeneuve, also pledged to rebuild the national symbol.

“We have rebuilt the cathedral of Reims after the bombing by the Germans during the First World War and today we still see in its splendor,” he said.

While Macron promised to launch an international fundraising campaign, the Heritage Foundation said it will launch a “national collection” of funds for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris on Tuesday, after the tragic incident raised a wave of condolences around the world.

Rebuilding the cathedral will take “years of work,” said Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF).

“I am completely dismayed because we were at the start of a major restoration program of the cathedral,” said Michel Picaud, president of the patronage foundation Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris. “Victor Hugo had sounded the alarm about the state of the cathedral resulting in twenty years of restoration work in the nineteenth century, and we will have to do the same.”

Meanwhile the Pinault family of the retail conglomerate Kering announced that it will donate €100 million for the reconstruction of the building.

Hundreds of firefighters are still working the scene of the terrible fire, trying to preserve whatever is left of the world art treasures. The Crown of Thorns, one of the major reliquaries of the church, was saved from the inferno along with many other treasures, Bishop Patrick Chauvet, rector of Notre-Dame de Paris noted earlier. The altar and the cross also survived the fire, local media reported citing the mayor’s office.

While no one has died in the blaze, at least one firefighter was “seriously” injured trying to contain the fire, local media reported.

Fire has destroyed two thirds of the roof of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, yet the French firefighters remain cautiously optimistic that they may have managed to save its two towers from collapsing.

“We can consider that the two towers of Notre-Dame are saved,” commander of the Brigade of firefighters in Paris, Jean-Claude Gallet, told reporters.

“We can think that the structure is saved,” said Laurent Nuñez, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Interior. “We are much more optimistic than earlier, but we must remain cautious.”

Earlier firefighters expressed doubts the devastating fire at the Notre Dame cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) can be stopped and have not ruled out further collapse of the iconic landmark.

“We’re not sure we can stop the fire spreading into the northern bell tower – and you can imagine the damage if it collapses,” said Jean-Claude Gallet, the commander of the Paris firefighters. Over 400 people are combating the blaze.

The next hour and a half will determine the fate of the 13th-century cathedral, French firefighters have said.

Earlier, the firefighters ruled out the possibility of using aerial support in fighting the devastating blaze.

“Helicopter or plane, the weight of the water and the intensity of dropping it at low altitude could weaken the structure of Notre-Dame and cause collateral damage to surrounding buildings,” the French Civil Security tweeted.

A firefighter at the scene told Reuters that the main focus of the emergency workers is on saving work of arts from the back of the cathedral, as well as preventing the northern – left from the entrance – bell tower from collapsing.

Fire has spread to the left rectangular tower of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been ravaged by a massive blaze. The historic building has had its spire and roof completely collapse.

LATEST: Notre Dame towers ‘saved’ from the blaze, French firefighters hope

Smoke can be seen billowing from the left rectangular tower of the cathedral, prompting fears that the blaze has actually spread to the few parts of the 13th-century building left untouched by the fire.

The towers are the oldest part of the cathedral, which has lived through several renovations and received ‘new’ additions in the 17th and 18th centuries. The towers house the bells of the cathedral. Its largest bell is actually the namesake of the incumbent French president and goes by the name of ‘Emmanuel’.

The firefighters, who are still struggling to contain the fire, said they are reluctant to call in aerial support, such as firefighting helicopters. A massive haul of water, poured on the ancient structure, might collapse the entire building.

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Paris’ most visited tourist attraction – the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral – caught fire Monday afternoon. By nightfall the 850 year-old jewel of Gothic architecture turned into blazing inferno.

The fire broke out at Notre-Dame around 18:50 local time (16:50 GMT), according to a member of the cathedral’s administrative staff. Huge plumes of thick smoke were seen billowing over rooftop of the 35-meter tall building. The exact place where the blaze started is unknown so far, although initial reports placed it amid the restoration scaffolding on the roof, near the spire. 

Over 400 firefighters were called to fight the inferno. They rushed to the scene and tried to contain the blaze with water hoses, yet their efforts were in vain as the flames continued to march across the roof.
Authorities evacuated all buildings near the iconic landmark located on the Ile de la Cite – an island in the River Seine, marking the ancient heart of Paris. Meanwhile, huge crowds of people froze throughout the area, mesmerized and shocked by the fire.

In less than an hour, large spurts of flame were bursting through the roof near the spire of the cathedral. In mere minutes the wooden structure was engulfed in flames while the fire continued to rage across the roof.

A large part of the roof between the spire and the bell towers collapsed and the spire soon followed, crashing down into the burning abyss that was the interior of the cathedral.

The spire, made of wood and covered with lead, was built during Notre Dame’s restoration in the 19th century. It was by weather and time in many places, and renovation work was underway to shore it up.
French President Emmanuel Macron cancelled his scheduled address to the nation because of what he called a “terrible fire” less than an hour after the blaze broke out. “I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” he tweeted as the church’s spire and the roof went down.

Cathedral spokesman, Andre Finot, said that the entire wooden interior of the 12th century landmark was burning and would be destroyed. “Everything is burning, nothing will remain from the frame.”

The cathedral was home to numerous pieces of art as well as some Christian relics, such as what is believed to be a piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, as well as the Crown of Thorns he wore. Both relics, obtained from the Byzantine Empire back in the 13th century, were reported safe.
Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic event, many French residents were seen praying and singing hymns right on the streets leading to the banks of the Seine River not far from the Notre-Dame. Some people were kneeling in the streets.

“Basically the whole rooftop is gone. I see no hope for the building,” a witness, Jacek Poltorak, who watched the fire from a fifth-floor balcony two blocks from the southern facade of the cathedral, told Reuters.

“Everything is collapsing,” a police officer near the scene said.

“The Holy See has seen with shock and sadness the news of the terrible fire that has devastated the Cathedral of Notre Dame, symbol of Christianity in France and in the world,” the Vatican said. Meanwhile, condolences from the foreign leaders started to pour in.

While the firefighters desperately sought to contain the fast-moving fire, they ruled out the use of flying water tankers to extinguish the flames, saying that it could lead to the entire structure collapsing.

“Helicopter or plane, the weight of the water and the intensity of dropping it at low altitude could weaken the structure of Notre-Dame and cause collateral damage to surrounding buildings,” the French Civil Security Service said in a tweet.

Some two hours after the start of the fire, flames were seen inside one of the bell towers of Notre-Dame. As the dusk fell upon Paris, the 12th-century cathedral was still burning, with the spurts of fire still raging above its walls, illuminating the towers with the dark orange light and casting an eerie glow through its stained-glass windows.

Nearly three hours after the fire started, a Fire Department spokesman said the next 90 minutes would be crucial in seeing if the blaze could be contained. Later, the Paris Fire Chief, Jean-Claude Gallet admitted that he was “not sure we are capable of stopping the spreading” of fire to Notre-Dame’s second tower and belfry. At the same time, the firefighters reported that were trying to do their best to save the northern tower, which had caught fire.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has extended his sympathies to all Catholics and all citizens of France as “part of us burns,” referring to the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) in central Paris.

“Our Lady of Paris is in flames,” the president tweeted on Monday evening, as the church’s spire and roof collapsed. “My thoughts are with all the Catholics and all the French. Like all our compatriots, I am sad tonight to see this part of us burn.”

Built starting in the 12th century, the Gothic architecture jewel was undergoing repairs. The scaffolding around the roof and the spire of the church caught fire on Monday, and firefighters have struggled to contain the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

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The world watched in horror as Paris’ historic Notre Dame Cathedral erupted in flames Monday. It was the second fire to hit a historic French Catholic church in under a month.

Editor’s note: The initial version of this article contained information about vandalism in French churches. The author believed it necessary to include it to point out the troubles that have recently plagued the Catholic churches of France. The text stressed that vandalism had nothing to do with the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral. Upon review, we believe that although the article was factually correct, some readers may have found it insensitive. That was not what RT was aiming for. Like the rest of the world, we grieve for the partial loss of the architectural masterpiece that is Notre Dame.

While Notre Dame is undoubtedly the most well-known landmark to be affected, Paris’ second largest church, Saint-Sulpice, briefly burst into flames on March 17. The fire damaged the church’s doors and stained glass windows on the building’s exterior, but firefighters managed to bring it under control before anybody was hurt.

The fire that hit Saint-Sulpice reportedly started in a pile of clothes left outside the cathedral, before climbing up the door and to the stained glass. The clothes are believed to have been left there by a homeless person. Police said the fire was “not accidental,” but the pastor of Saint-Sulpice argued it was not an anti-religious attack.

Unlike in the Notre Dame fire, the damage to Saint-Sulpice was relatively minor. The church, founded in the 17th century, houses three paintings by 19th century Romantic artist Eugene Delacroix, none of which were damaged.

Fortunately, many of the relics in Notre Dame escaped the fire unscathed. The ancient Crown of Thorns and the tunic of St. Louis were transported safely to the Paris City Hall. The cathedral frame itself also remained intact, though its roof and spire collapsed.

Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, which caught fire on Monday, had reached a “tipping point” and required an expensive makeover after deteriorating for years, experts had previously warned.

The iconic Paris landmark was hit with a major fire just days after the new restoration work had begun on the building. The fire caused the collapse of the church’s famous spire, which was made of wood and covered with lead. Parts of the roof of the building also collapsed as the fire continued to ravage the Gothic structure.

The peak of the church had been undergoing a major €6 million renovation — and the fire is thought to be linked to the revamp, French media reported, quoting the Paris fire brigade.

Structural problems have plagued the old building for years, including dangerously eroded stone, broken gargoyles and fallen balustrades, André Finot, the cathedral’s spokesperson, told the New York Times in 2017. Finot told the newspaper the situation was “spinning out of control.”

Despite the deterioration, tourists still flocked to the famous landmark, unaware of just how desperately a major makeover was needed.

The Friends of Notre Dame foundation has even been seeking to raise a massive €150 million ($180 million) from French citizens and Francophiles in the US to help foot the bill for a major facelift. The French government itself allocates about €2 million each year for upkeep of the building.

While experts said that the cathedral was not at risk of sudden collapse, many will now be fearing the worst, as parts have already collapsed.

Notre Dame, built in the 12th and 13th centuries, has seen more than one overhaul in its time, with one of the most major happening between 1844 and 1864 when its spire and flying buttresses were revamped.

“When you look at [the cathedral] from the front, there is no problem,” Friends of Notre-Dame head Michel Picaud told the Times. “But when you go behind the scenes, that’s when things start to go downhill.”

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