S. Korea test launches first domestically made space rocket
South Korea’s first domestically produced space rocket reached its desired altitude but failed to deliver a dummy payload into orbit in its first test launch Thursday.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in still described the test as an “excellent accomplishment” that takes the country a step further in its pursuit of a space launch program.
Live footage showed the 154-foot rocket soaring into the air with bright yellow flames shooting out of its engines following blastoff at Naro Space Center, the country’s lone spaceport, on a small island off its southern coast.
After the launch, the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the country’s space agency, reported that Nuri’s first and second stages separated properly and that the third stage carried the payload — a 1.5-ton block of stainless steel and aluminum — 435 miles above Earth. But Moon, who observed the launch at the Naro spaceport, said in a televised speech that the payload didn’t stabilize in orbit after being separated from the third stage.
Key suspect arrested in Haitian president’s assassination
A key suspect in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has been arrested in Jamaica by U.S. authorities and Interpol.
Mario Palacios Palacios, a former Colombian military officer, was arrested in Kingston earlier this month. The arrest had remained secret. Palacios’ arrest was confirmed by multiple Haitian and Jamaican sources speaking to the Miami Herald on the condition of anonymity.
Haiti police say former Colombian soldiers made up the hit squad that stormed Moïse’s private residence in the middle of the night July 7.
Yelling that their presence was part of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration operation, they gained access to the home. Moïse was tortured and shot multiple times, while his wife, Martine, was seriously injured, according to a 122-page Haitian police investigative report. None of the president’s security detail was killed or injured.
U.S. blocks tomato imports from Mexican farm over labor abuses
The United States ordered a halt Thursday to imports of tomatoes from a Mexican farming company and its subsidiaries for what officials said was abusive treatment of workers that amounts to forced labor.
Customs and Border Protection issued an order to detain shipments from Agropecuarios Tom, based in the central Mexican state of San Luis Potosi.
The agency said its investigation found evidence of deception, withholding of wages, debt bondage, and other abusive working and living conditions.
It said the Mexican government took action against the same farm over forced labor allegations in October 2020.
Agropecuarios Tom disputed the allegations in general but said it is waiting for further details from CBP so it can respond in detail.
Volvo adds 195,000 vehicles to recall for dangerous air bags
Volvo is recalling another 195,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the front driver’s air bags could explode and send shrapnel into the cabin.
It’s the company’s third U.S. recall for the issue with air bag inflators made by supplier ZF/TRW. It stems from the death of an unidentified U.S. driver. In all, the recalls cover more than a half-million vehicles.
The latest recall posted Thursday by U.S. safety regulators covers XC70 and V70 wagons from the 2001 through 2007 model years that were built from Feb. 22, 2000, through May 4, 2007.
At least 19 people in the U.S. and 28 worldwide have been killed by exploding Takata inflators. More than 400 have been injured in the U.S.
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