News Roundup 10/16/2017

By Andy Gutierrez

1. North Korea Nuclear War Threat:

Tensions in the Korean peninsula escalated Monday as North Korean deputy ambassador Kim In Ryong warned that a nuclear war with the U.S. could occur at any time. The ambassador told the U.N. General Assembly that his country has the right to protect themselves from U.S. threats with nuclear weapons. Ryong goes on to warn that if the U.S. invades his country, they will suffer severe punishment.

These warnings come as the U.N. toughens sanctions against North Korea, and new sanctions are announced by the European Union. Both sides do not want to escalate the situation further as the U.S. continues with diplomatic talks, and North Korea hopes for a word free of nuclear weapons. However, neither side have plans to stand down unless the other does as well.

Source: AP News

2. Trump Calls for Temporary Fix to Healthcare:

President Trump voiced his support of a measure that would make changes to the existing Obamacare healthcare plan. The president’s approval is a contrast of the plans he originally had to repeal and replace Obamacare, citing that it could not be fixed. President Trump made contradictory statements first announcing that he would hold payments from those who offer affordable plans but then endorses a plan that would bring those payments back.

This has caused many to speak out as the payments would raise premiums, this has also prompted Democrats to get involved with the situation. The statements come as the president attempts to repair relationships with GOP leaders.

Source: Los Angeles Times

3. Bowe Bergdahl Pleads Guilty:

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl plead guilty to desertion after he walked off an army base in Afghanistan in 2009. Bergdahl is also facing a charge of endangering troops after several troops were sent out to find him. Sergeant Bergdahl stated that what he did was inexcusable and that his intentions were to get officials to listen to him.

Soon after he walked off the base, he was captured by the Taliban and was kept for five years, until the Obama administration freed five prisoners in exchange for him in 2014. Obama praised Bergdahl’s bravery, but President Trump had harsh words for him, calling him a traitor. Hearings on the case will begin next week where an army judge will determine his punishment.

Source: New York Times

4. Search for Missing Person After Oil Rig Explosion Suspended:

A fire began at an oil rig in the middle of Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana Sunday night and burned into Monday. Several workers were rescued and treated, but one person was reported missing. Rescuers began searching for 44-year-old Timothy Morrison. After several hours of searching, including help from a helicopter, Morrison was not found and officials called off the search.

Officials worked quickly to disable the plant to prevent more oil from leaking into the lake and said that there is no immediate threat to the surrounding areas. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but fire officials believe that chemicals could have been a factor.

Source: CNN

5. Cold Case Solved:

Authorities arrested five people over the weekend that they believe are connected to a cold case involving a murder that occurred 34 years ago in Georgia. Two of those arrested are law enforcement and will be charged with obstruction of justice in the racially motivated murder.

The case had run cold shortly after the discovery of 23-year-old Timothy Coggins’ body in 1983, but new information led officials to reopen the case in March of this year. On Friday, detectives served search warrants where various pieces of evidence were found. The five are expected to be charged with murder and concealing a death among others as officials review the case to see if the death penalty is an option. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: CNN