Updated May 9, 2019

North Korea fires suspected missiles, South reports

Kim Jong-un. Photo: Pyeongyang Press Corps/Pool/Getty Images

North Korea fired 2 suspected short-range missiles eastward Thursday, South Korea's military said, per AP.

Details: The launch began about 4:30 p.m. local time from the northwest location of Sino-ri, towards the east, the South’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Why it matters: It's the latest development in escalating tensions in the region. On Saturday, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un oversaw "strike drill" missile tests and said troops should be on "high alert posture." Negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea on denuclearization have stalled since President Trump's summit with Kim ended without a deal in Hanoi in February.

The big picture: Trump remained optimistic of reaching an agreement with Kim after Saturday's missile tests. The latest launch coincides with U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun visiting South Korea.

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Axios

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. cities crack down on protesters

The scene near the 5th police precinct during a demonstration calling for justice for George Floyd in Minneapolis on Saturday. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images

Major U.S. cities have implemented curfews and called on National Guard to mobilize as thousands of demonstrators gather across the nation to continue protesting the death of George Floyd.

The state of play: Hundreds have already been arrested as tensions continue to rise between protesters and local governments. Protesters are setting police cars on fire as freeways remain blocked and windows are shattered, per the Washington Post. Law enforcement officials are using tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disperse crowds and send protesters home.

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Axios

Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd protests: What you need to know

Photo: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Clashes erupted between law enforcement and protesters in several major U.S. cities Saturday night as demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black men spread across the country.

The big picture: Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody is the latest reminder of the disparities between black and white communities in the U.S. and comes as African Americans grapple with higher death rates from the coronavirus and higher unemployment from trying to stem its spread.

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Orion Rummler

Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

In photos: Protesters and police clash nationwide over George Floyd

A firework explodes behind a line of police officers next to the Colorado State Capitol during a protest over the death of George Floyd in Denver on May 30. Photo : Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray as the protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd continued nationwide into early Sunday.

The big picture: Police responded over the weekend with force, in cities ranging from Salt Lake City to Atlanta to Des Moines, Houston to Detroit, Milwaukee to Washington, D.C., Denver and Louisville. Large crowds gathered in Minneapolis on Saturday for the fifth day in a row.

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