North Korea Launches ICBM in First Test in Nearly a Year

A North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was launched on Thursday for the first time in nearly a year. It was the longest ballistic missile test by the North with a flight-time of 87 minutes, according to South Korea. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the launch was ordered by the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, who was present when the missile was fired. The United States, South Korea, and Japan also identified the weapon as an ICBM and condemned the launch as raising tensions. According to the Japanese government the missile was launched on lofted test trajectory, reaching an altitude of 7,000 km (4,350 miles). On a normal, flatter trajectory that translates to a potential range of over 15,000 km (9,300 miles), putting anywhere in the mainland United States within range....