6.1.2023

North Korea Spy Satellite

North Korea said it failed to launch its first military surveillance satellite into space yesterday after the carrier rocket splashed into waters west of South Korea due to engine and fuel issues. South Korea and Japan temporarily told residents to take shelter over concerns about the launch and potential debris falling into their territories. 

Putting a spy satellite into orbit requires a long-range ballistic missile, which the United Nations Security Council currently bans North Korea from using. A spy satellite would bolster the East Asian country's nuclear weapons program (see timeline), enabling it to gather intelligence on targets and antimissile systems. North Korea is planning another launch at an unidentified date; the country previously announced a launch window between May 31 and June 11. See a breakdown of satellites in orbit by country here. 

Separately, US officials reported encountering suspected spies from China posing as tourists in recent years to gain access to military bases in Alaska. 

NBA Finals Tip Off

The Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat face off in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight (8:30 pm ET, ABC), chasing what would be a historic title for either franchise.

The Nuggets make their first-ever finals appearance after having largely breezed through the postseason, including a 4-0 sweep of LeBron James and the Lakers in the conference finals. Led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, who averaged a triple-double during the playoffs, Denver posted a 34-7 record at home this year and will have homecourt advantage during the series.  

Miami arrives riding an unprecedented playoff run and looking to become the first eight seed to capture an NBA title. Led by six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, the Heat entered the playoffs via a play-in game before beating both the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and the second-seeded Boston Celtics. 

Denver won both regular season matchups between the two, 124-119 and 112-108. Read about Denver's "altitude advantage" here.

Jam Master Jay

Federal prosecutors charged a third man, 49-year-old Jay Bryant, with the 2002 murder of hip-hop pioneer Jason Mizell, also known as Jam Master Jay. Mizell, who as a DJ made up one-third of Run-DMC—regarded as one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history—was shot and killed at the age of 37 in a recording studio in Queens, New York. 

Officials say Bryant, currently in custody on unrelated drug charges, was spotted with two other men, now-59-year-old Ronald Washington and now-39-year-old Karl Jordan Jr., entering the studio building the night of the shooting. Bryant's DNA was also allegedly found at the scene. Washington and Jordan Jr. were indicted in 2020; officials suggested a drug dispute as the motive of the murder. Washington is also a suspect in the 1995 killing of an associate of deceased rapper Tupac Shakur.

Run-DMC is credited with transitioning hip-hop from its disco and funk origins to an aggressive style with sharp lyrics and distinct beats, while popularizing an underground fashion and cultural aesthetic with a mainstream audience. Their self-titled debut was the first hip-hop album to achieve gold status. 

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Science & Technology

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In-Depth

> Tales of the Tongue

Science | Elizabeth Pennisi. The tongue, first evolving 350 million years ago, has played a significant role across the animal kingdom, having enabled terrestrial vertebrates to thrive by allowing them to ingest food and transition from sea to land. (Read)

> The Newest College Admissions Ploy

ProPublica | Daniel Golden, Kunal Purohit. A growing industry is helping high schoolers publish research for their college applications, but the credibility of these papers raises concerns about pay-to-play advantages for affluent families. (Read)

Air New Zealand asks passengers to step on the scale.

Authorities solve fluorescent green water mystery in Venice. 

The National Zoo welcomes a new baby gorilla.

How to ease a hangover.

See photos of the world's only all-white albino panda.

The insanity of the annual Cooper Hill Cheese Roll. (via YouTube)

Manuscripts provide insight into the life of medieval minstrels.

Georgia urges residents to wear clothes in driver's license photos.

Clickbait: South African firm offers professional cuddle services.

Historybook: Marilyn Monroe born (1926); Morgan Freeman born (1937); Helen Keller dies (1968); CNN debuts as world’s first 24-hours news network (1980); General Motors Corp. files for bankruptcy, fourth-largest US bankruptcy in history at the time (2009).