In brief: N. Korea may be upgrading rocket site

Washington – Satellite imagery shows North Korea is upgrading its old launch site in the secretive country’s northeast to handle larger rockets, like space launch vehicles and intercontinental missiles, a U.S. institute claimed Tuesday.

The U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said the upgrade of the Musudan-ri site began last summer and reflects North Korean determination to expand its rocket program.

The U.S. and other nations are worried such rockets could be developed to deliver nuclear weapons.

North Korea on Tuesday vowed to push ahead with its nuclear program because of what it called U.S. hostility.

Quebec tuition protest reaches 100 days

Montreal – Tens of thousands of students marched through the streets of Montreal on Tuesday to mark 100 days since the movement against higher tuition fees began. The protest comes after Quebec’s provincial government passed emergency legislation to end Canada’s most sustained student demonstrations ever.

Protesters carrying red banners and signs walked in unison chanting “our streets!” Police say they had been targeted with projectiles by masked people in the crowd and asked them to disperse but there have been no arrests thus far.

Since the law was passed Friday, nightly protests have often turned violent, resulting in some 300 arrests Sunday alone. Police have yet to fully enforce the new law, which calls for protests of more than 50 people to provide a detailed agenda.

Student groups have vowed to challenge the legislation in court.