N Korea brings forward rocket launch to as early as today

North Korea's widely-condemned launch of a long-range rocket could happen within a matter of hours, after Pyongyang shortened and brought forward the start of the launch window to today morning.

An updated notification sent by Pyongyang to UN agencies yesterday -- a copy of which was released by the South Korean government -- said the launch would now take place between February 7-14.

The initial window announced by the North on Tuesday had been February 8-25.

Any launch would now take place before the February 16 birthday of late leader Kim Jong-Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong-Un.

The planned satellite launch has been slammed by the international community as a disguised ballistic missile test that amounts to another serious violation of UN resolutions, following the North's nuclear test last month.

The US and its allies have warned Pyongyang it would pay a heavy price for pushing ahead with the launch, but analysts say the North's timing has been carefully calculated to minimise the repercussions.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump has said we shouldn't “underestimate” Kim Jong-un's “talent”, during a political rally in Florence, South Carolina.

The billionaire said he had to give credit to Kim for dealing with generals and maintaining control after his father's death. 

It's not the first time Trump has been praiseworthy of the North Korean dictator. In January, during a political rally in Iowa, he praised Kim, saying the way he executes his political opponents shows "he's the boss".

Trump has a track record of praising the leadership qualities of controversial world powers - from Vladimir Putin to the Chinese government. In August, he suggested Kim might be a "genius".