Korean Leaders Pledge Denuclearization and End to Korean War

The Takeaway

Here’s what you’ll find on today’s show:

— For the first time in over half a century, a North Korean leader crossed the country’s southern border today. Kim Jong-un met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the newly renovated “Peace House” as part of the two countries’ third summit. The Korean leaders discussed the path for an official end to the Korean War and North Korea’s nuclear program, pledging to totally denuclearize the Peninsula. The historic occasion was watched feverishly by media worldwide, and South Korean citizens took off from work to behold with rapt attention the breakthrough that might have seemed elusive when President Trump began to ramp up the threats on their northern neighbor.

— A Norristown jury has found actor and comedian Bill Cosby guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand over a decade ago. The three charges of aggravated indecent assault, on which the jurors deliberated for just 14 hours, carry a potential 30-year prison sentence. This was Cosby’s second trial in the case. Last summer, the first jury deadlocked and the judge was forced to declare a mistrial. In the intervening time between the two trials, the #MeToo movement was launched, spurring greater attention and deference to womens’ allegations. Unlike last summer, five other Cosby accusers were allowed to testify this time about their alleged encounters with the comedian, which may have corroborated Constand’s testimony.

— As authorities in Toronto, Canada continue to investigate the deadly van attack that killed 10 people more attention has been drawn to the Incel community. The suspect in the attack, Alek Minassian, allegedly posted about an “Incel Rebellion” and referenced mass-shooter Elliot Roger on his Facebook page moments before the attack. 

— Last month, Craigslist shuttered its wildly popular “personals” section, citing a new law targeting sex trafficking online. The “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act”, commonly known as FOSTA, is designed to end the sex trafficking of minors. But many sex workers say it punishes them in the process. Opponents say the law drives sex work underground, making it far more dangerous, while obscuring the forums for sex trafficking that law enforcement uses to dismantle these networks. Since the law was enacted, several websites used by sex workers to advertise have shut down or restricted content.  

Are you with The World?

The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.

When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.