UN chief says North Korean announcement is destabilizing...US soldiers evacuated...Iranians go home

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations secretary-general is condemning North Korea's announcement of its latest nuclear test, calling it "profoundly destabilizing for regional security." Ban Ki-moon spoke to reporters shortly before the U.N. Security Council met in emergency session on North Korea's announcement — the first step toward a likely tightening of international sanctions on the country.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A U.S. military official says two wounded American soldiers and the body of a third have been evacuated from a battlefield in southern Afghanistan. The casualties occurred during fighting that raged for hours yesterday near the city of Marjah, in southern Helmand province. The evacuation was delayed yesterday when one helicopter took fire and was unable to land, and another was unable to take off. A spokesman says U.S. special forces were advising their Afghan counterparts during the battle.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Iranian diplomats have left Saudi Arabia and returned to Tehran after the kingdom severed ties with the Islamic Republic. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported today that staff at the Iranian Embassy in Riyadh and the Iranian Consulate in Jiddah had left the country. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties to Iran over the storming of two diplomatic posts in the country following the kingdom's execution of a top Shiite cleric who was also an opposition figure. Several Saudi allies have followed the kingdom's lead and scaled back or cut diplomatic ties to Iran.

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are falling again today, as investors worry about signs of belligerence from North Korea, and more weakening of China's economy. A monthly survey of China's service industries slipped to a 17-month low, renewing fears that the second-largest economy in the world is stumbling. And the signs of weakness in China are sending oil prices lower. U.S. benchmark crude is down three and a-half percent today to below $35 a barrel in New York.

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania high school basketball coach who apparently head-butted a referee during a game has been put on leave. Videos posted online show Neshaminy High School boys basketball coach Jerry Devine confronting a referee last night after he disagreed with a foul call. Devine was ejected from the game. The school district says the coach, who also teaches algebra and history, has been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the incident.

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