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White House analysis casts doubt on North Korea's nuclear test claims

North Korea says it has successfully conducted a test of a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear device on Wednesday morning.

However, the White House has said initial analysis of the reported nuclear test is not consistent with claims of a successful hydrogen bomb.

In a statement the country said it would continue to strengthen its nuclear programme as long as the US maintained what it called "its stance of aggression."

Much of the international community has condemned North Korea after the claim, including China, the country's major ally, and Britain, which said the move was a "provocation".

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North Korea 'conducts successful hydrogen bomb test'

The surprise announcement was made on North Korean state TV Credit: RTV

North Korea said it had successfully conducted a test of a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear device on Wednesday morning.

The announcement on North Korean state TV followed detection of a 5.1 magnitude earthquake near its known nuclear test site earlier on Wednesday.

The nuclear test is the fourth by the isolated country, which is under US and UN sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes.

The US Geological Survey said it had measured an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 - bigger than the three previous bombs North Korea tested in 2013, 2009 and 2006.

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