UN Scrambles to Meet as World Slams N. Korea

But US scraps deal to provide food assistance

(NEWSER) - The UN Security Council criticized North Korea today for its attempt to launch a rocket but didn't impose sanctions or other penalties. US ambassador Susan Rice said the council "deplored this launch" and agreed to "continue consultations on an appropriate response." The Washington Post says some council members, including China, are worried that if they come down too hard on Pyongyang, it will provoke the North into moving ahead with a nuclear test. More»

Unofficial envoy fears 'crisis'

(NEWSER) - Despite global fears of a violent confrontation, South Korea launched fighter jets and fired live artillery in a military exercise close to the North Korea border. But the two-hour operation ended without incident, and Pyongyang officials promised not to retaliate, reversing earlier threats of a "deadly" response. Residents of Yeonpyeong and other "front-line" islands had been ordered to move into air-raid shelters for the operation, but many fled the island attacked last month by North Korea. More»

US-drafted measure strengthened by Obama appearance at meeting

(NEWSER) - The UN Security Council today adopted a US-drafted resolution that outlines much of President Obama’s plan to rid the world of nuclear weapons. The president’s attendance at the meeting of heads of state—just the fifth in UN history—underscores the centrality of the issue for his administration. Though the measure passed unanimously, the US was not able to convince Russia and China to include Iran and North Korea by name, notes the Washington Post. More»

(AP) - The UN Security Council today punished North Korea for its recent nuclear test, imposing new sanctions, expanding an arms embargo, and authorizing ship searches on the high seas. Russia and China joined Western powers and nations from every region in unanimously approving the resolution. North Korea has said it would consider such a move an act of war. More»

(AP) - The UN Security Council has condemned North Korea's nuclear test as a clear violation of its resolutions. The council said in a statement today that it will begin work immediately on a new legally binding resolution addressing North Korea's violations. More»