Trump declares summit with Kim a success +++ Kim hails new era in relations +++ Analysts question value of Kim-Trump deal

13. Juli 2018, 02:00

Trump declares summit with Kim a success

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US president Donald Trump have signed an agreement that commits North Korea to de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula in exchange for security guarantees. After an unprecedented meeting in Singapore, Trump said he is very proud of what had been achieved: “We have developed a very special bond. So people are going to be very impressed, people are going to be very happy, and we’re going to take care of a very big and very dangerous problem for the world.” Trump said sanctions on North Korea remain in place for now, but announced an immediate end to joint military exercises with South Korea. South Korea has said it needs to seek clarity on Trump's intentions after the announcement.

Kim hails new era in relations

North Korean leader Kim hailed the meeting as the beginning of a new relationship: “We had an historic meeting and decided to leave the past behind. The world will see a major change.”

Analysts question value of Kim-Trump deal

Some analysts have said the agreement signed contains no serious detail and does not mention either a verifiable nor irreversible process to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Political scientist Robert Kelly is from Pusan National University in South Korea: “As many analysts have said, is there a timeline how quickly will this happen, what will be removed, who is going to do it? There’s nothing about inspectors or cameras. Who’s going to go in there, what do they have?” The two sides have committed to holding follow-up talks.

Stranded migrants en route to Spain

Over 600 rescued migrants who’ve been stranded for days in the Mediterranean on the aid ship, Aquarius, are now on their way to Spain. They’re being transported to Valencia by the Aquarius and two ships supplied by Italian authorities. The Aquarius had been stranded since Saturday after Italy and Malta refused to allow the migrants to disembark.

Kurz pledges support to Israel

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on a visit to Israel has pledged Austrian support for Israel whenever it is under threat. Addressing the American Jewish Committee in Jerusalem, Kurz said whilst Austria is a neutral country it is in its national interest to stand by Israel as well as historically a moral duty.

Turkey condemns Austrian mosque closures

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said Austria's decision to close down mosques and expel foreign-funded imams is a threat to dialogue between religions. Yildirim said the decision is very unfortunate shortly before Austria takes over the presidency of the EU.

Africa’s ancient baobabs dying

Scientists say some of Africa’s oldest baobab trees have abruptly died in the past decade, and may have fallen victim to climate change. Writing in the journal Nature Plants, the research team said the deaths of the baobab trees, which were over a thousand years old, is an event of an unprecedented magnitude.

The weather

Cloud moving in bringing rain and heavy thunderstorms. Some sun in the south east. Top temperatures 18 to 32 degrees.

Übersicht

• News In English