10 things you need to know today: June 9, 2018

1. U.S.-EU trade talks planned at G7 summit

World leaders at the G7 summit in Quebec maintained a cordial tone in public statements Friday despite deep disagreement over trade policy sparked by President Trump's recent imposition of steep steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. The U.S. and EU will begin a new dialogue on trade this month, France announced after Trump's meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. "Something's going to happen. I think it will be very positive," Trump said of the plan, affirming that he and Macron continue to have "a great relationship."

Reuters CNN

2. Mueller issues new charges against Paul Manafort and aide Konstantin Kilimnik

In a new indictment released Friday, Special Counsel Robert Mueller announced new charges of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice against former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort. Friday's indictment also charges Manafort's aide Konstantin Kilimnik, who may have ties to Russian intelligence. The document says Manafort and his previously indicted business partner Rick Gates were hired as lobbyists by the Ukrainian government and did not disclose that income to the United States. The indictment also details Manafort's previous charges, which include conspiracy against the U.S. and working as an unregistered foreign agent.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The Justice Department Politico

3. Report: Nearly 1,800 families separated at U.S.-Mexico border in 17 months

Some 1,768 immigrant families were separated by U.S. officials in the 17-month period from October 2016 to February 2018, Reuters reports, a span that includes time from both the Obama and Trump administrations. Since February, the pace of separations has increased thanks to the Trump administration's new "zero tolerance" policy, but Reuters' source, an unnamed government official, could not provide more recent statistics. Congressional testimony from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official in May indicated 638 parents were separated from 658 children in a two-week span last month. Once separated, children are often moved to shelters hundreds of miles away from their families.

Reuters NPR

4. Singapore prepares Trump-Kim summit security

Singapore was chosen to host Tuesday's summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un primarily because it is one of few nations with diplomatic relations with both parties, the White House told CNBC. But the city-state is also considered a convenient choice because its extensive surveillance apparatus makes easier security preparations for the off-again, on-again talks. Singapore is known for its strict laws and harsh punishments governing personal behavior, including protests that otherwise would coalesce near the negotiations.

NBC News CNBC

5. U.S soldier killed in Somalia

A Friday attack in Jubaland, Somalia, that killed one U.S. soldier and injured four more was claimed Saturday by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked extremist group that seeks to overthrow the Somali government. The American special operations forces were fighting with Somali and Kenyan troops to expel al Shabaab from villages in the area and "establish a permanent combat outpost." President Trump tweeted later Friday that his "thoughts and prayers are with the families" of those killed or wounded. The U.S. has about 500 troops in Somalia.

Reuters The Hill

6. China reportedly hacked Navy undersea warfare plans

Chinese government hackers stole data from a U.S. Navy contractor in January and February of this year, obtaining secret plans for undersea warfare, The Washington Post reported Friday. The hackers took some 614 gigabytes of material, much of it pertaining to new weapons and communications systems, including a supersonic anti-ship missile intended for use on American submarines within two years. The Post's sources are unnamed as an investigation of the breach is ongoing. The report does not name the contractor and withholds details of the missile project for security reasons.

The Washington Post Reuters

7. New DNC rule would exclude candidates like Sanders

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Friday adopted a new rule that would exclude candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the runner-up of the party's 2016 presidential primary race. The rule says candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination must themselves be registered Democrats and must "run and serve" as Democrats as well. Sanders campaigned for the Democratic nod but is an independent. His supporters slammed the rule change, arguing it will alienate younger voters and "make the Democratic Party an exclusive club."

The Hill Politico

8. Charles Krauthammer announces he has terminal cancer

Conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer announced Friday he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. "My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live," he wrote in a farewell letter at The Washington Post. "This is the final verdict. My fight is over." Krauthammer, 68, thanked his medical caregivers, friends, colleagues, and readers. "I leave this life with no regrets," he said. "It was a wonderful life — full and complete with the great loves and great endeavors that make it worth living."

The Washington Post The Hill

9. Disney animation chief, Pixar co-founder resigns after 'missteps'

Animator John Lasseter, who co-founded Pixar and served as chief creative officer of Pixar and Disney Animation, announced Friday he will step down from his role following "missteps" that made coworkers feel "disrespected and uncomfortable." A Hollywood Reporter story published Friday quoted an unnamed Pixar employee who alleged Lasseter was known "for grabbing, kissing, making comments about physical attributes" with Disney and Pixar staff. Lasseter apologized to "anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form."

CNN Reuters

10. Golden State Warriors win 3rd title in 4 years

The Golden State Warriors bested the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-85 Friday night, winning their second NBA championship in a row and their third in four years. Led by point guard Stephen Curry, who scored 37 points, the Warriors bested the Cavs in four straight games for the title despite remarkable performances from LeBron James. "Probably one of the greatest playoff runs we've ever seen from an individual," said Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue of James. "Sometimes you can give everything you got and still come up short."

ESPN The New York Times