News

Why can’t North Korea launch a spy satellite?

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

ticker NEWS

North Korea’s second attempt to deploy a spy satellite into orbit has failed as its rocket booster encountered a malfunction in its third stage, according to reports from state media.

The setback has not deterred the nation’s space authorities, who are determined to make another attempt come October.

This recent mishap marks the second unsuccessful effort by North Korea to launch a spy satellite, following its initial try in May, which saw the Chollima-1 rocket plunge into the sea.

The launch, executed before dawn, took place within the opening hours of an eight-day window that North Korea had initially announced for the operation. The secretive nation has expressed its ambition to place its inaugural military spy satellite in orbit, as part of a broader plan to establish a constellation of satellites aimed at surveilling the movements of U.S. and South Korean military forces.

State news agency KCNA attributed the failure of Thursday’s launch to an anomaly in the emergency blasting system during the third-stage flight. According to South Korea’s military, which closely monitored the mission from the North’s Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, the flight ended in failure, and efforts are underway to locate and potentially retrieve any debris.

The launch event triggered an emergency alert in Japan shortly before 4 a.m. local time (1900 GMT), prompting residents in Okinawa to seek shelter. Approximately 20 minutes later, the Japanese government declared that the missile had passed and consequently lifted the emergency warning.

In a press conference, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno voiced concern over the recurring missile launches, labelling them as a genuine threat to regional security. “We will strongly protest against North Korea and condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” Matsuno stated, revealing that sections of the rocket had descended into the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.

The launch garnered swift international condemnation. South Korea’s National Security Council deemed the event a provocation and a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea’s utilisation of ballistic missile technology.

The White House also denounced the launch, citing its infringement on multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. The U.S. State Department called upon North Korea to cease “further threatening activity” and urged Pyongyang to engage in earnest diplomatic discussions.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department emphasised that the technologies employed in space launch vehicles (SLVs) closely resemble those found in ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

News

Epstein hearing explodes over redactions and hidden names

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

Published

4 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.

US lawmakers have accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding key names linked to Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery congressional hearing. The confrontation centred on redactions within investigative files that critics argue should have been fully disclosed under federal law.

Representative Thomas Massie pressed the Justice Department over blacked-out sections, specifically questioning references to billionaire Leslie Wexner. Bondi maintained that Wexner’s name was released promptly once flagged, defending the department’s handling of the documents.

Frustration boiled over as lawmakers challenged the extent of the redactions, leading to an extraordinary moment in the hearing as Bondi pushed back and praised President Donald Trump while standing by the department’s review process.

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News

Angus Taylor moves to challenge Sussan Ley for party leadership

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Published

4 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.

Angus Taylor has resigned from the Coalition frontbench to launch a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, declaring he lacks confidence in her ability to rebuild support for the Liberal Party. His move sets up a high-stakes internal contest that could reshape the party’s direction.

Supporters of Mr Taylor are expected to push for a meeting by Friday to trigger a potential leadership spill, intensifying pressure on Ms Ley. Moderate MPs are calling on her to demand clear proof of numbers before any ballot takes place.

With the Liberals trailing in the polls and facing mounting questions over strategy, both camps are outlining starkly different visions for the party’s future as tensions rise in Canberra.

#AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #AngusTaylor #SussanLey #LeadershipSpill #Canberra #AusPol #PoliticalNews

News

Iran buries nuclear site entrances amid rising tensions with the U.S.

Published

20 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Satellite images reveal that Iran has buried all three tunnel entrances at its Isfahan nuclear complex. Analysts say the move mirrors defensive preparations taken before U.S. airstrikes devastated the facility last year, with no vehicle or personnel activity visible around the entrances.

The burial appears aimed at limiting damage from potential airstrikes and complicating any ground raid targeting enriched uranium stored in the underground facility. Experts suggest equipment or materials may have been moved into the tunnels for protection, though this remains unconfirmed.

The fortification comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. President Trump has demanded Iran curb its nuclear program, warning of military action, while Tehran insists halting uranium enrichment is unacceptable. Recent indirect talks in Oman showed little progress toward a new deal.