U.S. aircraft carrier headed to Korea
Top news: U.S. President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak have agreed to stage joint naval exercises as a first response to North Korea's shelling of a South Korean military installation today. The exercises will include the U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington.
The U.S. faces few attractive options in responding to North Korea's latest aggression. It's clear from recent revelations of the progress North Korea's nuclear program that sanctions have not been fully effective. But more aggressive responses, such as a naval quarantine, would require thousands of troops and could result in a new war with Seoul on the front lines.
North Korea has blamed the South for pushing the peninsula to the "brink of war" though satellite images show no major military buildup.
Rescuers discovered the bodies of two civilians killed in yesterday's attack along with two South Korean marines.
Mineral diplomacy: Japan has secured a deal to purchase rare earth metals from Australia, reducing its dependence on China.
| Asia - Afghanistan's election authority has certified parliamentary election results from all but one province.
- The Vatican has threatened a new Chinese bishop with excommunication after he was ordained by the Beijing-backed church without approval.
- 17 people were sentenced to life in prison in Kyrgyzstan for last summer's ethnic violence.
Europe - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has survived calls for his immediate ouster amid the country's growing dept crisis.
- Authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany have arrested 11 people in connection with a suspected terrorism plot against Belgium.
- Portuguese unions staged a 24-hour strike against government austerity measures.
Middle East - Members of the Iranian parliament have sent a letter to the Guardian Council criticizing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
- Hundreds of Christians rioted in Cairo after authorities halted construction of a church.
- A car bombing of a Shia religious procession killed 15 in Northern Yemen.
Africa - More than 2,100 civilians have been kiled by fighting in Mogadishu this year according to the city's main ambulance service.
- After months of uncertainty, Nigeria has set presidential elections for next April.
- East African leaders are meeting in Addis Ababa to discuss unresolved issues surrounding Southern Sudan's independence referendum.
Americas - Nearly half of the Mexican public considers the country's war on drugs a failure, according to a new poll.
- The convoy of a leading Haitian presidential candidate was attacked by gunmen.
- Brazilian police have begun a major offensive against gang violence in Rio de Janeiro.
-By Joshua Keating |  |
JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images
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