N. Korea Launches Rocket

North Korea told the world to go stuff it today, launching a long-range rocket over Japan in defiance of international pressure. The State Department confirmed the launch, which took place Sunday morning in the North, Reuters reports. The US thinks Pyongyang is testing a Taepodong-2 missile, which could carry a warhead as far as Alaska. President Obama had warned of international action if the launch went ahead.

"The projectile launched from North Korea today appears to have passed over toward the Pacific," the Japan prime minister's office said. The rocket's second booster splashed into the ocean, which indicates a successful launch. Japan, which took no action against the missile, has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
(More North Korea stories.)