U.S., allies clash with China, Russia over North Korea missiles

The United States and its allies clashed with China and Russia on Friday over North Korea's escalating ballistic missile launches and American-led military exercises in South Korea, again preventing any action by the deeply divided UN Security Council. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said North Korea's "staggering 59 ballistic missile launches this year," including 13 since Oct. 27 and one that made an "unprecedented impact" about 50 kilometers from South Korea's shore, are about more than advancing Pyongyang's military capabilities and seek to raise tensions and stoke fear in its neighbors. She said 13 of the 15 Security Council members have…