May 24, 2018

South Korean president "perplexed" by Trump's summit decision

Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump. Photo: Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images

South Korean officials were blindsided by President Trump’s Thursday morning announcement that he was canceling the June summit with Kim Jong-un, per the AP. President Moon Jae-in said, "I am very perplexed and it is very regrettable" that the summit won't go ahead as planned.

What’s happening: At a late-night emergency meeting called to respond to Trump's announcement, Moon urged Trump to hold direct talks with Kim to resolve the standoff, per Yonhap. Moon only returned to South Korea yesterday after meeting with Trump at the White House to discuss the summit. He is now in a difficult position, as South Korea had planned to resume peace talks with the North.

Go deeper

Dave Lawler, Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian

34 mins ago - World

Trump to end Hong Kong’s special trade status

President Trump. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

President Trump announced on Friday that the U.S. would be fundamentally changing longstanding policies toward Hong Kong as a result of Chinese encroachment on the city's autonomy.

Why it matters: Trump said he would be effectively ending the special trade status that has allowed Hong Kong to flourish as a gateway to the Chinese market. That leaves an uncertain future for businesses that operate in Hong Kong, not to mention the city's 7 million residents, and could be met with reprisals from Beijing.

Go deeper (2 min. read)

Axios

Updated 50 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Police officer in George Floyd killing charged with third-degree murder

A protester with a sign with George Floyd's last words. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer involved in the killing of George Floyd, was charged Friday with third-degree murder and manslaughter, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman.

The state of play: Freeman said that the delay in Chauvin's arrest, which came four days after Floyd's death on Monday, was due to the need to collect sufficient evidence — and that it was "by far the fastest" his office had charged a police officer. He added that he also anticipated charges against the other three officers involved in Floyd's arrest and death, but refused to elaborate.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)

Axios

Updated 50 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 5,871,347 — Total deaths: 362,554 — Total recoveries — 2,463,332 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 1,731,035 — Total deaths: 102,201 — Total recoveries: 399,991 — Total tested: 15,646,041 — Map.
2020: North Carolina asks RNC if convention will honor Trump's wish for no masks or social distancing.
Supreme Court: Senators Grassley, Leahy urge Supreme Court to continue live streams post-pandemic.
Public health: Hydroxychloroquine prescription fills exploded in March —How the U.S. might distribute a vaccine.
Business: Fed chair Powell says coronavirus is "great increaser" of income inequality.
🚀 Space: How to virtually watch SpaceX's first crewed launch Saturday.

Other resources (<1 min. read)