NORTH KOREA
North Korea Confirms It Conducted 3rd Nuclear Test
David E. Sanger and Choe Sang-hun, The New York Times – Feb 12, 2013
North Korea confirmed on Tuesday that it had conducted its third, long-threatened nuclear test, according to the official KCNA news service, posing a new challenge for the Obama administration in its effort to keep the country from becoming a full-fledged nuclear power. The KCNA said it used a “miniaturized and lighter nuclear device with greater explosive force than previously” and that the test “did not pose any negative impact on the surrounding ecological environment.”
World leaders react to North Korea’s nuclear test
Ed Payne, CNN – Feb 12, 2013
Reaction to North Korea’s nuclear test — its third since 2006 — poured in Tuesday from around the world.
U.N. Security Council to meet Tuesday on North Korea’s nuclear test
Louis Charbonneau, Reuters – Feb 12, 2013
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned as “deplorable” North Korea’s nuclear test on Tuesday, and U.N. diplomats said the Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the possibility of imposing new sanctions on Pyongyang.
North Korea nuclear test: Live Report
Moira Shaw, AFP – Feb 12, 2013
Timeline of events and world reactions to North Korea’s nuclear test.
IRAN
Iran calls for end to nuclear arms after North Korean test
Yeganeh Torbati, Reuters – Feb 12, 2013
Iran said on Tuesday that all the world’s nuclear weapons should be destroyed, shortly after North Korea said it had conducted its third nuclear test in defiance of United Nations resolutions.
Iran soothes nuclear tensions by resuming uranium conversion
Julian Borger, The Guardian – Feb 12, 2013
Iran has confirmed it has resumed the conversion of medium-enriched uranium into oxide fuel, slowing down the growth of its stockpile and creating more time for talks on its nuclear program.
U.N. nuclear watchdog says it will work for Iran deal
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – Feb 12, 2013
The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Tuesday it would seek in talks in Iran this week to bridge differences that have prevented it restarting an investigation into the Islamic state’s atomic activities.
Iran may allow UN team to visit key military site
Nasser Karimi, Bloomberg Businessweek – Feb 12, 2013
Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday raised prospects that Tehran may allow inspectors from the U.N. nuclear agency to visit a military site where the country is suspected of conducting nuclear-related experiments. A ministry spokesman said the upcoming talks with a delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency could lead to a visit to the site — if a “deal” was struck with the Iranian side.
