1 Trump & Clinton React To News About Julian Assange
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been summarily “dismissed” from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Assange was arrested on an extradition request from the U.S. and for violating UK bail conditions after being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years. Now, two of the people that helped make him a household name – President Trump and Hillary Clinton – are reacting…though very differently. For his part, the President appeared nonplussed when asked about the Assange arrest – and deferred questions to the Justice Department, saying he “knows nothing about WikiLeaks” and “it’s not my thing.” Of course, that’s very different than the way he continuously praised the group during his 2016 presidential campaign. As for Mrs. Clinton, she’s a bit more strident. Not surprising considering the information Wikileaks “revealed” as a result of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hack. Saying that Assange needs to answer to his charges, Clinton also dismissed suggestions that the arrest is an attack on journalists. “I think it is clear from the indictment it's not about punishing journalism,” she notes. “It's about assisting the hacking of a military computer to steal information from the US government.” Meanwhile, lawyers for Assange are fighting his extradition request from the U.S. UK officials have confirmed the request for extradition is for alleged an "computer related offense," and WikiLeaks Editor in Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson says UK officials must stop this petition. Until it gets sorted out, Assange will remain jailed in London for the bail condition charge – at least until his extradition hearing on May 2nd.
2 Kim Says NKorea Must Deliver "Blow" Against Sanctions
Is the once warm and fuzzy relationship between Kim Jong Un and President Trump over? Depends whom you ask. While the Korean Central News Agency says Kim wants North Korea to deliver a "blow" to those imposing sanctions on the country, Mr. Trump’s position appears more muted. When asked about ongoing negotiations with North Korea on denuclearization, at the White House yesterday, the President replied, "We'll see." He made those comments during a meeting with South Korea's President Moon Jae-in. He also noted that he had a good meeting with North Korea’s diminutive dictator in February – and said there are some discussions about additional meetings. Trump stressed that the North has “tremendous potential,” if a deal can get done on the nukes and added, "The world is watching." Trump then extended warm wishes to Kim and “the people of North Korea.” As for Kim’s comments, he reportedly said North Korea will double down on efforts to create a self-reliant economy, "to deal a telling blow to the hostile forces" who miscalculate that sanctions can bring North Korea “to its knees.” The comments were reported hours ahead of a Washington summit between Trump and President Moon, who has suggested easing sanctions against North Korea to allow for inter-Korean economic engagement.
3 Officials Say One Dead, Flights Disrupted Due To "Bomb Cyclone" Storm
At least one person is dead in the major spring storm that's hitting the Plains and Upper Midwest. Denver Police say the person died in an accident with a snow plow near the city's airport Wednesday night. According to FlightAware, around 13-hundred flights have been delayed and another 700 have been canceled – with Minneapolis-St. Paul and Denver International Airports being the two hardest hit airports with SkyWest and Southwest the most affected airlines. Meanwhile, portions of interstates are shut down across Colorado, South Dakota and Minnesota. State officers are closed across amajority of South Dakota's counties as state emergency operations centers are open across several states.