750 POSTS TODAY

North Korea has said it will fire a rocket to put a satellite into orbit between April 12 and 16 to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of founding president Kim Il-sung, saying the launch was for peaceful purposes. But the United States and its allies suspect it is a disguised missile test, and say the launch would contravene UN sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's missile program. It probably is a disguised missile test. In other news, Americans are queueing around the block for a chance to win the biggest lottery jackpot in history. The US Mega Millions lottery has reached an unprecedented US$540 million, which organisers claim is the biggest bonanza in world history.