North Korea

North Korea found itself front and center in the international community when it launched a long-range missile Friday morning, local time. Despite the country’s reported efforts, officials in the US claim the launch failed because the rocket broke before leaving the Earth’s atmosphere.

Kim Jong Il, the eccentric leader of North Korea since 1994, has died at the age of 69. North Korea’s state-run KCNA news agency reported that after “great mental and physical strain,” he passed away of a heart attack at 8:30 a.m. Saturday while on a train during a “field guidance tour.”