North Korea defies warnings in rocket launch success

North Korea has successfully launched a long-range rocket, defying international warnings. The rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas. North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space. South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a disguised test of long-range missile technology. More

(Source: BBC News - Dec 12)