1 U.S. Seizes North Korean Ship Suspected of Violating Sanctions
The United States has seized a North Korean ship that officials say was in violation of sanctions imposed by the United Nations. A 17-thousand-ton cargo ship named the Wise Honest was caught smuggling coal and is the largest bulk carrier for the regime. The sanctions are designed to deprive Pyongyang of cash and supplies for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. With the advent of the seizure, the U.S. is seeking a civil forfeiture action, a method used to take ownership of planes or boats used by drug smugglers. "Today's civil action is the first-ever seizure of a North Korean cargo vessel for violating international sanctions," Geoffrey Berman, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, says in a statement. "We are willing and able to deploy the full array of law enforcement tools to detect, deter, and prosecute North Korea's deceptive attempts to evade sanctions." While the President has previously been pretty optimistic about his relationship with diminutive dictator Kim Jong-Un, new reports of missile launches has caused a shift. State-run media says that Kim oversaw the latest "strike drill" to help guarantee "the genuine peace and security" of the country. State-run TV said Kim ordered the North Korean military to step up its strike ability on what it called "the western front."
2 Trump: Iranian Leaders Should Call Him
When it comes to the seemingly growing tensions between the United States and Iran, President Trump says he’s got the solution: that Iranian leaders should call him “and talk about making a great deal.” Speaking at the White House yesterday, Trump was pressed on questions about Iran's nuclear program – and the new sanctions he slapped on Iranian industrial metals this week. He’s also threatened further action. Still, Trump maintained he’s not looking to hurt the nation – and suggested that Iran could prosper peacefully with U.S. help. Trump previously pulled the U.S. out of the multi-nation Iran nuclear accord. On a related note, President Trump says former Secretary of State John Kerry should be prosecuted for talking with Iranian leaders, after he left office. Trump says that Kerry violated U.S. law when using back channels to try and keep the Iran nuclear accord together. He also claims that Kerry is "telling Iran not to call me.”
3 Severe Weather Slams Southern Plains And Deep South
A powerful storm system is triggering flash-flooding and tornadoes across the Deep South – and it’s marching east. The two-day outbreak of severe weather has spawned at least 20 tornadoes from Texas and Louisiana to Oklahoma and Kansas. One death was reported in Austin when a man was swept away by rising flood waters. But the punishment isn’t over down south – as flash flood watches and warnings are in effect from Houston to New Orleans. The National Weather Service says heavy rainfall is expected across the western Gulf Coast through tomorrow. In the Northeast? Some rain today – and sorry moms, your Mother’s Day is expected to be a soaker.