"North Korea Conducts Test of Long-Range Ballistic Missile"

North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile off its east coast, indicating its continued development of missiles capable of targeting American military bases in the Western Pacific. The missile, which did not fly over Japan, fell in waters between the two countries after flying for 372 miles. Analysts believe the test may have involved a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile powered by a solid-fuel engine, making it faster to launch and more difficult to intercept. This development poses a potential threat to U.S. territories like Guam in the Western Pacific.