The United States, Japan, Australia and South Korea are all warning North Korea not to proceed with test-firing a long range ballistic missile.

• Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: “It would be a very serious matter, and indeed a provocative act if indeed North Korea should decide to launch that missile.”

North Korea responded by lashing out at the Bush administration for moving ahead with plans to build a missile shield. North Korea said the Star Wars like program could fuel a dangerous arms race in space. In other news from the region — 22,000 U.S. troops and 280 aircraft are taking part in staged war games today in the western Pacific.