North Korea’s foreign ministry announced yesterday that it would continue to test missiles in the face of international censure. Pyongyang insisted that North Korea had every right to arm itself for defense purposes, and suggested that the country would attack if the international community attempted to compel the country to end its weapons program.

The New York Court of Appeals refused to require or forbid same-sex marriage today, instead ruling that the legislature must decide whether or not marriage may be extended to same-sex couples. The 4-2 majority denied that opposition to same-sex marriage stems exclusively from bigotry and argued that the legislature might define marriage in exclusively heterosexual terms in order to ensure children’s welfare.

Conservatives in the House will begin hearings in San Diego on illegal immigration today to promote the Sensenbrenner bill passed by the House last December. Supporters of the Senate immigration bill, including Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), will hold counter-hearings, starting today in Philadelphia.

Amidst criticism accusing Britain of sending insufficient forces to Afghanistan, Britain’s Defense Ministry is considering increasing its presence in the country to better patrol the southern regions. The government will not discuss its deliberations with the press, except to say that it considers the situation in Afghanistan a pressing affair.

In Mexico’s presidential vote recount, conservative Felipe Calderon pulled ahead of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the former Mayor of Mexico City. The recount began after leftist candidate Obrador accused the Calderon campaign of massive electoral fraud. Obrador held a slight lead in the recount until this morning.