Again: past tense and present tense problem

I think I still have a problem with grammar. I found the following text at the bbc website:

"Scientists in South Korea say they believe the North's claim is genuine, but they are still trying to get further confirmation."

I still don't understand why the writer used "say" (not said) and "is genuine" (not was genuine).

why?

Because the situation is still the case. Don't get too hung up on backshifting everything. We often use the present in reporting if the situation is current or unchanged.

"I'm coming to the part this weekend."

Options:

She says she's coming this weekend.
She said she was coming this weekend.

Now, I take another sentence from the same source:

"Meeting in New York, the UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea over its claimed test."

Now, why the writer uses "condemned" (not condemn)?

Thanks

for reference:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6036129.stm

<<<Because the situation is still the case. Don't get too hung up on backshifting everything. We often use the present in reporting if the situation is current or unchanged. >>>

<<<"Meeting in New York, the UN Security Council strongly condemned North Korea over its claimed test." >>>

The UN have strongly condemed North Korea in the past, and they continue to do so.

I have a different opinion why he/she uses past tense. In my opinion, it is because the meeting has finished. Is it so? It refers to an event that has been closed (a meeting in New York).

Am I correct? (please refer to previous comment)

<I have a different opinion why he/she uses past tense. In my opinion, it is because the meeting has finished. Is it so? It refers to an event that has been closed (a meeting in New York). >

Yes, at the metting they did that, they condemned SK. The meeting is over, so past tense is fine there.

if you say the above news in your own language, i guess you will use same logic and verb tenses as used to express it in english as you showed us...your are just confusing yourself.

This topic should be in the English area, shouldn't it ?

<This topic should be in the English area, shouldn't it ? >

This is the English area.