By Prarthana Mitra
Talks between North Korea and the United States continue over denuclearisation with their fair share of drama and controversy. On the brighter side, the two bizarre weeks for the trapped children in Thailand will soon come to an end, as rescue operation is successfully underway. Meanwhile, gay pride marches continue to be a privilege denied in some countries.
Pompeo’s gangster-like attitude puts North Korea off
North Korean diplomats who met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week said that the manner in which he is pushing Pyongyang for unilateral and gangster-like demand for denuclearization was “deeply regrettable.” This came just hours after Pompeo informed that the two days of talks in the North Korean capital yielded positive and “productive” results. He went on to later dismiss Korea’s criticism altogether.
Even though Kim Jong-un has decided to continue diplomatic discussions on the issue, one thing is clear from North Korea’s harsh reaction – “denuclearization of the Korean peninsula” still means different things to the two countries.
Turkish authorities clampdown on Gay Pride March, again
In Turkey for the fourth year in a row, a ban on Gay Pride March saw the law enforcement coming down hard on gay rights activists and groups, who pressed on with the event at Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square last Sunday.
Despite Ergodan revelling in absolute power, around 1,000 people gathered and unfurled a rainbow flag in the area, reading out a press statement amid heavy security. When they refused to obey the police and disperse, rubber bullets were used along with tear gas, followed by unlawful detainment of 11 activists. Amnesty International has demanded their immediate release. Citing security reasons for banning the march, the governor’s office issued a statement saying that they “did not find it appropriate for the Pride Walk to take place.”
https://twitter.com/RealNewsLine/status/1013821886319546371
Four out of 12 children rescued from the Thai cave
The rescue of the Thai children trapped in an underwater cave with their football coach is underway, as eighteen divers have entered the cave to retrieve the 12 children who had been trapped there for two weeks. Elon Musk announced earlier this week, that he was sending engineers and experts to assist in the rescue operation after one local diver died trying to rescue the children.
https://twitter.com/InayamNews/status/1014423380399968256
According to The Guardian, four children had been successfully extracted from the flooded cave by Sunday evening. Sources in the diving team and the Thai navy confirmed the first two boys to be freed were airlifted to Chiang Rai city, about 50 miles away.
LeBron James leaves Cleveland for the Lakers
In an upsetting decision from NBA star LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers lost their major star to the Los Angeles Lakers for a 4-year, $154 million deal. This is the second time in his 15-year career that James parts with his home state team.
Having carried Cleveland to four consecutive Western conference titles, James hopes to try and set the Lakers up for title contenders as well. Presently a young team that lacks star power, the Lakers are sure to benefit from James’ presence. Lakers great Kobe Bryant welcomed him to the team with a tweet.
Fox and Disney to finalise their deal on July 10
Twenty-First Century Fox Inc has finally set July 10 as the date for its stockholders to vote on the proposed mega-merger with Walt Disney Co.
In December last year, Disney had offered to buy Foxs film, television and international businesses to provide a fillip to their distribution wing, against streaming rivals Netflix and Amazon. A Fox spokesperson on Wednesday confirmed that the vote would take place, after months of deliberation and potential counter-bids from largest U.S. cable operator Comcast, which also expressed interest in buying Fox’s assets.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius