Top Stories Today – May 31, 2019
Top Stories Today – May 31, 2019
N Korea executed envoy over Trump-Kim summit
North Korea executed its former top nuclear envoy to the US and four other foreign ministry officials in March after a failed summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported. Kim Hyok Chol, who led working-level negotiations for the February summit in Hanoi, was executed by firing squad after being charged with espionage after allegedly being co-opted by the US, the newspaper said Friday, citing an unidentified source.
The move was part of an internal purge Kim undertook after the summit broke down without any deal, it said. Kim Jong Un’s top aide Kim Yong Chol, who was also involved in the summit, is reportedly undergoing hard labor, according to the Chosun Ilbo report. South Korea’s Presidential Blue House wouldn’t confirm the report on Friday, and advised media not to jump to conclusions. Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters in Singapore on Friday evening that he couldn’t confirm Kim Hyok Chol’s execution. Bloomberg News
Trump to hit Mexico with tariffs
US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs on all goods coming from Mexico, demanding the country curb illegal immigration into the US. In a tweet, Trump said that from 10 June a 5% tariff would be imposed and would slowly rise “until the illegal immigration problem is remedied”. Jesús Seade, Mexico’s top diplomat for North America, said the proposed tariffs would be “disastrous”.
Trump declared a national emergency at the US-Mexico border in February. He said it was necessary in order to tackle what he claimed was a crisis at the US southern border. Border agents say they are overwhelmed, but critics say they are mishandling and mistreating migrants. The US president has long accused Mexico of not doing enough to stem the flow of people, and this is his latest attempt to put pressure on the neighboring state. BBC
Trump to visit Britain on June 3
US President Donald Trump will be in Britain June 3 on a state visit by invitation of Queen Elizabeth II and participate in events commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. This will be the second time Trump has gone to Britain since taking office, after a working visit in July of last year. A state visit involves more pomp and pageantry, and the host country pays the costs. An invitation was extended after Trump took office but was delayed for a number of reasons, including security.
Trump will take part in the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, in which 150,000 Allied troops pushed German forces from France. He will attend events in Portsmouth, and in Normandy, France, alongside French President Emanuel Macron. The president will attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and cultural engagements with members of the Royal Family. The Voice of America
China: US lies about tariffs
China on Friday accused the United States of repeatedly lying after President Donald Trump said trade war tariffs were having a “devastating effect” on the Asian country’s economy. “The US side has said such lies not just once or twice. Every time China exposes them in time, but the US seems to be very persistent, even obsessed, and keeps repeating these lies,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing.
“The tariffs are having a devastating effect on China. People are fleeing the country with their companies,” Trump said, though he fails to mention that US importers and consumers bear the brunt of the cost of tariffs on products coming into the United States. China is preparing to retaliate with an increase in tariffs on $60 billion in US goods to take effect on Saturday. “I would like to warn the American side not to overestimate their own rumor-making ability, nor underestimate the judgment of others. The real spirit does not come from repeated lies and fallacies, or some illusion of self-weaving,” Geng said. The Voice of America
Louisiana Governor signs heartbeat abortion law
Louisiana’s Democratic governor has signed a highly restrictive new abortion law that bans the procedure after a foetal heartbeat is detected. The law could prohibit abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy. State legislators overwhelmingly backed the bill on Wednesday, by 79 votes to 23 and Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill into law on Thursday.
It is the latest in a raft of anti-abortion measures which are expected to face legal challenges. Four other states have passed similar limits to abortion this year. In a statement, Governor Edwards said: “I call on the overwhelming bipartisan majority of legislators who voted for [the law] to join me in continuing to build a better Louisiana that cares for the least among us and provides more opportunity for everyone.” He did not hold a signing ceremony. BBC
Morocco suspect admits killing Scandinavian hiker
The suspected leader of a jihadist cell has told a Moroccan court that he beheaded one of two Scandinavian hikers murdered in the High Atlas mountains. Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway, were found beheaded in an isolated area in December. Abdessamad Ejjoud, a 25-year-old street vendor, told the court: “I beheaded one of them… I regret it.” He and 23 other alleged Islamists are on trial in Salé, near Rabat.
Three of them – Ejjoud, Younes Ouaziyad, 27, and Rachid Afatti, 33 – are accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) group and carrying out the killings. They could face the death penalty if found guilty. The identity of Ejjoud’s victim was not made clear. The three are the only ones directly accused of carrying out the murders. All 24 defendants face various terrorism charges. BBC