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North Korea says it tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile — potentially its most powerful weapon yet, and possibly capable of reaching the United States.
The announcement came hours after South Korean defense officials saidNorth Korea had launched a missile from the country's North Phyongan province, which was tracked for 37 minutes and reached an altitude of 2,500 kilometers before it fell in the Sea of Japan.
Tuesday's test comes after a series of missile tests this year, as the United States looks to check North Korea's ability to build a nuclear-tipped missile that could reach North America. Trump took to Twitter to criticize North Korea ruler Kim Jong Un and once again ask China to put pressure on him.
And a little extra
A top Chinese policy expert on North Korea said, however, that Trump’s hopes for a “heavy move” by China might be misplaced.
“At its heart, the North Korean nuclear issue is a problem to be resolved between North Korea and the US. North Korea is reacting to the US. China will strongly condemn this test and enforce any measures taken by the UN Security Council — but the US should not try to push its responsibility onto China,” said Lu Chao, director of a government think tank in northern China.
QUICK THINGS TO KNOW
World: Far-right extremists now make up a third of all referrals to a major UK government anti-radicalization program, but many in Britain still see terrorism as "a Muslim problem.” And meet the mild-mannered accountantwho is challenging Turkey’s president.
US news: Nearly 40 states are now refusing to fully cooperate with Trump’s voter fraud investigation. And the parents of a college student who killed herself after reporting she was raped have filed a wrongful death suit.
Entertainment: E! News anchor Maria Menounos said she’s stepping downto focus on her health after recently undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor. YouTube and VH1 star Stevie Ryan has died at 33. And someone cleaned Trump’s Hollywood star and it turned into a huge meme.
Tech: Facebook is battling a gag order that keeps it from letting users know about government warrants for their information. How Brooklyn rapper Bobby Shmurda got busted with help from Silicon Valley. And Microsoft’s chatbot Zo calls the Qur’an violent and has theories about bin Laden.
Happy 4th of July, America
Hi! Hello! Did you know that Chris Christie, the historically unpopular governorof New Jersey, was busted enjoying a beach that he closed down? And by god, the internet didn’t disappoint (see #BeachGate). Meanwhile, the annual feast commemorating freedom, summer, and the invention of light beer is also a big day for the food biz. Americans will spend an estimated $7.1 billion on food during the holiday weekend. We’re talking a whole lotta burgers. Enjoy!
