In brief: Rocket’s problems hamper launch

Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s first rocket launch Tuesday failed to push a satellite into its orbit.

The launch Tuesday was South Korea’s first involving a rocket from its own territory. It was a two-stage Naro rocket whose first stage was designed by Russia.

Russia’s Interfax-AVN news agency, citing an unidentified Russian space industry source, said the satellite never reached orbit and problems occurred in the South Korean-built second stage of the rocket.

Banks report less money to Mexico

Mexico City – Cash remittances from Mexicans living abroad keep tumbling, with a second-quarter drop of 17.9 percent compared with the same period last year, officials said Tuesday.

Mexico’s central bank said remittances for April through June fell to $5.6 billion, continuing a trend that has lasted more than a year. The money transfers are off 12 percent during the first six months of 2009.