North Korea Missile Launch Appears to Fail

It’s another rough landing. The latest attempt at international provocation from the Hermit Kingdom appears to have failed, according to South Korea’s national news agency. Kim Jong Un’s country botched three missile launches last month, and South Korea and Japan were on high alert for another — as was China, which saw a surprise visit from North Korean official Ri Su Yong today, in a possible attempt at reconciliation. North Korea has said its goal is to develop a nuclear missile that can hit the mainland United States.

White House Locked Down After Object Thrown Over Fence

Not again. In an occurrence that’s become all too common, Barack Obama’s home and office was locked down for three hours because someone chucked a metal object over the building’s seven-foot iron fence. A woman was put in handcuffs at the scene, and it’s unclear what the object was. The area swarmed with emergency vehicles after the incident, but thorough security sweeps are expected — even if the object is benign. The incident should help spur the Secret Service’s plan to build a new, 14-foot fence to discourage interlopers.

Eric Holder: Snowden Did a ‘Public Service’

It’s a step up from “traitor.” The U.S. ex-attorney general said that former NSA contractor Edward Snowden “actually performed a public service by raising the debate” about government surveillance, one that prompted needed changes in the system. But Snowden’s leak of classified information was “inappropriate and illegal,” and merits punishment. Holder added that a judge sentencing the Russian-protected privacy crusader could take those positive results into account before handing down sentence. That’s purely hypothetical, of course, unless Snowden makes good on declarations he’d gladly give himself up and go to prison.

Chad’s Former Leader Convicted of Crimes Against Humanity 

He’s not going to go quietly. Throughout his African Union-backed human rights trial, Hissene Habre has refused to recognize the court’s legitimacy, shouting over the proceedings and insisting on being carried into the Dakar courtroom. But the verdict is in: Habre is guilty of crimes against humanity for sexually enslaving and raping people, as well as ordering people killed while he controlled Chad between 1982 and 1990. Habre denies the accusations, but will be spending the rest of his life in prison.

Iraqi Forces Make Way Into Fallujah

It’s been a bad week for ISIS. The militant group has held Fallujah since January 2014, but a week ago the Iraqi army announced a new push to retake the city. Today, special forces marched in, backed by Shia militias and air support from Iraq’s military and a U.S.-led coalition. ISIS is reportedly trying to hold off the assault with suicide and car bombings, and the military forces have said they will likely pause before striking Fallujah’s center to give the estimated 50,000 trapped civilians a chance to escape.

Trump Tells Bikers Illegal Immigrants Get Better Care Than Vets

It was a thunderous reception. Citing recent scandals in which veterans died waiting for care, Donald Trump told riders at Rolling Thunder, an annual Washington motorcycle ride to honor POWs and MIA troops, that immigrants to the U.S. have it better. The billionaire, who never served in the military, has drawn flak for ridiculing Sen. John McCain’s capture in Vietnam, and for delaying distribution of fundraiser money to veterans’ charities. But the 5,000-strong crowd was unbothered, indicating that the Donald may have a shot with veterans.

Mexican Soccer Star Kidnapped, Then Rescued

Fame is a dangerous game. Alan Pulido, a striker for Greek team Olympiakos, was abducted by a group of masked men while leaving a party in his home state of Tamaulipas, one of Mexico’s most violent areas. Police say he was rescued hours later and is unharmed, though local media photos showed him with a bandaged hand. The motive for the kidnapping remains unclear, but much of the violence in Tamaulipas has been pinned on battles between rival drug cartels, and Mexico has sent more federal troops to tackle the problem.

Dollar Gains, Global Stocks Creep Up

They’re looking to the future with interest. With the U.S. and the U.K. on vacation for the holiday weekend, Stoxx Europe 600 edged up 0.1 percent as investors were buoyed by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s statement Friday that interest rates would “probably” increase in the not-too-distant future. That brought the dollar up — and encouraging numbers in Friday’s May employment report could see investors even more bullish ahead of potential rate hikes at the Fed’s June or July meetings.

Drowned Baby Photo Mobilizes Refugee Advocates, Verizon and Unions Agree on Terms to End Strike

Photo of drowned migrant baby touches European hearts. (Reuters)

Verizon, unions reach deal to end six-week strike. (NYT)

London’s Labour mayor joins Tory PM to oppose Brexit. (AP)

Iran won’t take part in Hajj pilgrimage this year. (WSJ) sub

Uganda cuts military ties with North Korea. (Reuters)

Sharks attack, injure swimmers on both U.S. coasts. (ABC)