NORTH KOREA TESTS NUCLEAR WEAPON FOR THIRD TIME

The United States and the international community quickly condemned a nuclear test by North Korea yesterday, the country’s third such nuclear detonation in seven years. North Korea’s KCNA news service said the country detonated a “miniaturized” nuclear device that the U.S. Geological Survey said registered as a 5.1 magnitude seismic event. Experts estimated the yield of the nuclear explosion to be slightly larger than the 6 to 7 kilotons of North Korea’s previous two tests. In response, the United Nations Security Council called an emergency meeting for today while President Barack Obama deemed the test a “highly provocative act.” North Korea’s lone ally, China, also condemned the test. “The danger posed by North Korea’s threatening activities warrants further swift and credible action by the international community,” Obama said in a statement. “The United States will also continue to take steps necessary to defend ourselves and our allies.” In a statement, North Korea’s KCNA confirmed that the test took place. “It was confirmed that the nuclear test that was carried out at a high level in a safe and perfect manner using a miniaturized and lighter nuclear device with greater explosive force than previously did not pose any negative impact on the surrounding ecological environment,” KCNA said.