News Roundup 02/27/19
1. Trump Dines With Kim Jong-un as World Waits on Nuclear Deal
President Donald Trump left on Wednesday to begin another round of nuclear diplomacy with North Korea’s dictator, Kim Jong-un. American and Asian officials hope that this second meeting will produce results from the personal chemistry that these two leaders have. After a friendly greeting between the two, Trump went on to praise the friendship that he has developed with Jong-un, saying that it is his greatest diplomatic gambit. Trump praised the dictator as the leader who could help his country’s economy bloom. Kim Jong-un had praise of his own for Trump, trumpeting his decision to engage with North Korea directly, as well as saying that the two have been able to ge over many issues to get to this second meeting.
Source: CNN
2. India Pakistan: Kashmir Fighting Sees Indian Aircraft Downed
The aerial attacks that are happening across the Line of Control separating territory belonging to India and Pakistan are the first since a war that took place in 1971. These attacks began after an attack in Kashmir killed around 40 Indian troops, which is the deadliest attack since the beginning of a 30 year insurgency against the rule of India in Kashmir. A group based in Pakistan is taking credit for this attack. The military spokesperson for Pakistan said the fighter jets were doing “strikes” in Kashmir on Wednesday- the reason for which in unknown. Two Indian fighter jets responded to these strikes and came across the de facto border dividing Kashmir. Major General Asif Ghafoor made a statement saying, “Our jets were ready and we shot them down.” He then went on to say that one Indian pilot was put into custody, whereas earlier it was stated two pilots were captured. No one knows why these numbers have changed since the first statement was made.
Source: BBC News
3. Live Updates: Cohen Testifies About Donald Trump
Michael Cohen, who used to be Trump’s lawyer and fixer, testified before the House Oversight Committee for the first time on Wednesday about what it was like to be in the president’s inner circle, making Trump out to be a dishonest businessman who might have committed a crime while he has been in office. Cohen repeated an earlier statement saying that while Trump was a candidate, he was aware that his confidant Roger Stone was having discussions with Julian Assange about WikiLeaks’ about possibly leaking hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee. After the hearing, which lasted seven hours, Rep. Elijah Cummings(D-MD) stated that the members of his committee need to be better and sympathized with the position that Cohen is in.
Source: ABC News
4. Ivanka Trump and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Square Off on Twitter About the Average American’s Paycheck
New representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has a strong response to First Daughter and Senior White House Advisor Ivanka Trump’s dismissal of her Green New Deal Proposal. Trump was asked how she feels about those who may buy into Ocasio-Cortez’s proposal to make sure jobs give their employees wages that families are able to live on. Trump stated that she believes people want to work for their wages, and do not want a guaranteed minimum just handed to them. Ocasio-Cortez introduced her Green New Deal on Feb. 7, which includes goals to net zero greenhouse gas emissions, create new jobs, giving a just transition, and making sure we have clean air and water. Ocasio fired back stating that people want to be able to earn enough money to live comfortably, and that a living wage is not a privilege to be earned, but a right everyone deserves.
Source: People
5. Paul Shrader on Oscar Loss: “Never Underestimate the Power of Mediocrity”
The First Reformed writer and director ended his social media hiatus on Tuesday to give a blunt evaluation of the last few months he spent on the Oscar’s campaign trail. He was asked by A24 to stay away from social media when the campaigning first began because he made a post stating that he would like to work with Hollywood pariah Kevin Spacey. After he went dark on social media, Shrader received his first nomination for best original screenplay, but ultimately lost to Green Book. Shrader stated that he does not respect the Academy and the choices they have made, but at the same time he is grateful that they have selected him to receive a nomination for his movies.
Source: Vanity Fair