Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un meet in Singapore. After reaching an agreement on denuclearisation with North Korea, the US president said Americans could “sleep well” again. Materialising a mere months after the two leaders exchanged insults and threatened nuclear war, the deal received a cautious welcome. However, critics question whether North Korea’s promises will be verifiable, with further concern at the ending of joint US military exercises with South Korea. President Trump also raised eyebrows over his praise for the leader in the world’s most totalitarian state: “I learned he’s a very talented man,” said Trump. “I also learned that he loves his country very much.”

Theresa May sees off parliamentary challenge on Brexit, for now. The government had suffered 15 defeats in the House of Lords, but on Tuesday these amendments to the EU Withdrawal Bill were rejected by the House of Commons – after considerable drama. However, a number of Tory MPs advocating a ‘soft’ Brexit remain unhappy. Former Attorney-General, Dominic Grieve, argues that Parliament must be able to direct the government in the event of a ‘no deal’ scenario. His amendment will be tabled in the Lords tomorrow, before returning to the Commons on Wednesday (if passed by the Lords). The vote will be another key test for the Prime Minister, who insists that the government’s negotiating position cannot be tied by Parliament.

In other Brexit-related drama, new allegations were made over Russian involvement ahead of the referendum. It emerged that Arron Banks, millionaire funder of Leave.EU, held several meetings with the Russian Ambassador – previously undisclosed. This week he appeared before the Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Select Committee, alongside Andy Wigmore of Leave.EU. The two men claim they are victims of a media “witch hunt.” After new evidence emerged over their Russian connections, the chairman of the committee, Damian Collins, said the two men may have misled Parliament. “What we really need to know is why,” he said, adding, “It makes you question whose side they are on.” Banks and Wigmore walked out of the committee hearing early to meet DUP MPs Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley.

Abortion top of the agenda at Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. At the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, delegates overwhelmingly supported a leadership motion to change the party’s policy. Some members had argued for freedom of conscience on the issue, but they were overruled. Sinn Féin now supports legal access to abortion within “a limited gestational period.” “No-one is saying members can’t have a conscience and you’re entitled to have your viewpoint respected, but there is a difference between personal views and our role as legislators,” said Michelle O’Neill. In other remarks, the party’s president, Mary Lou McDonald, said that abortion policy would not be a ‘red-line issue’ for her party in efforts to restore power-sharing at Stormont.

Castlederg mother wins fight for life-saving cannabis oil to be returned. Charlotte Caldwell described the confiscation of the medication at Heathrow Airport as “horrific and cruel.” Her 12-year-old son, Billy, suffers from epilepsy; after taking cannabis oil to control his seizures he went 300 days without an episode. His seizures returned when the medication was confiscated. Ms Caldwell accused Home Office minister Nick Hurd of “signing (her) son’s death warrant” when he refused to reverse the confiscation. In the face of widespread outcry, the medication was returned following an emergency intervention by the Home Secretary, Sajid Javid. There have been calls for a review of the UK’s drugs legislation.

 

Also published on Medium.