Today’s edition of quick hits:
* The latest from New Zealand: “The main suspect accused of carrying out a massacre at two New Zealand mosques on Friday was described by officials as a ‘right-wing extremist terrorist,’ and appeared to post a lengthy manifesto before the attack detailing his white-supremacist worldview.”
* Changes ahead: “New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday vowed ‘our gun laws will change’ after mass shootings at two mosques in the city of Christchurch killed 49 people and wounded dozens more the day before.”
* Wasting little time: “President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday, rejecting Congress’ resolution to terminate his declaration of a national emergency on the southern border.”
* The word “several” stood out: “Former Donald Trump campaign aide Rick Gates is still cooperating in ‘several ongoing investigations,’ defense lawyers and federal prosecutors said Friday, suggesting probes stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller’s inquiry into Russia’s election interference remain active.”
* Perhaps Trump shouldn’t have claimed victory on this one: “North Korea is considering suspending denuclearization talks with the United States unless Washington changes its stance after the breakdown of a summit meeting in Hanoi between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a senior North Korean official said Friday. “
* ICC: “The United States will repeal or deny visas to International Criminal Court staff seeking to investigate Americans in Afghanistan or elsewhere and may take similar action to protect Israelis or other allied forces from prosecution, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday.”
* These were pretty impressive protests: “Thousands of students across the United States were expected to stage school walkouts Friday, joining peers around the world to demand action on climate change.” * Remember this guy? “Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man charged with sending more than a dozen pipe bombs to prominent critics of President Donald Trump, is expected to plead guilty next week, court records show.” * I wonder what the story is on this one: “The Southern Poverty Law Center fired co-founder and chief litigator Morris Dees on Wednesday, the civil rights organization announced.” Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past." Recommended
