Daily News Roundup

Wednesday, March 7

Trump adviser quits over tariffs

Top White House economic adviser Gary Cohn, a Wall Street banker who became a key architect of the 2017 tax overhaul and a bulwark against protectionist forces within the Trump administration, is resigning, the White House said.

“It has been an honour to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in particular the passage of historic tax reform,” Mr Cohn said in a statement issued by the White House.

“I am grateful to the President for giving me this opportunity and wish him and the administration great success in the future.”

In a statement to The New York Times, Donald Trump thanked Mr Cohn for his “dedicated service to the American people”.

Mr Cohn’s resignation came after Mr Trump said he would impose hefty tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in a move that would hit close allies Canada and Mexico.

Mr Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs had prompted speculation Mr Cohn might leave the White House because of his opposition to the policy.

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North- South Korea talks “progress” welcomed by US.  

United States President Donald Trump says “we have come a long way” in denuclearisation efforts with North Korea, after South Korea said Pyongyang would be willing to meet with the US and suspend nuclear tests while talks proceed.

The US, South Korea and China responded with cautious optimism about North Korea’s willingness to talk, a development that follows months of insults and threats of war between Mr Trump and the North.

But some US and South Korean officials said a breakthrough remained unlikely after the failure of previous talks, adding that North Korea may be trying to buy time to develop its weapons programs and seek relief from punishing American and UN sanctions.

“We have come certainly a long way, at least rhetorically, with North Korea,” Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, declining to say whether he had any preconditions for talks.

“The statements coming out of South Korea and North Korea have been very positive. That would be a great thing for the world.”

Earlier, Mr Trump welcomed the first “serious effort” to make progress in many years.

“The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!” he tweeted.

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Barbie releases new dolls for International Women’s Day

Barbie has created a range of dolls that honour 17 modern-day and historic role models for International Women’s Day.

A trailblazing film director. A snowboarding champion. A pioneering mathematician for NASA. An iconic artist. Barbie is marking International Women’s Day by honouring some of the inspiring women of the present and the past.

The brand announced on Tuesday, a day before International Women’s Day, that it has chosen 17 modern-day and historic role models to honour with a doll in their likeness.

The 14 new honorees of the brand’s “Shero” program include Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and Olympic gold medallist Chloe Kim.

The brand’s new “Inspiring Women” series is honouring pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart; celebrated artist Frida Kahlo; and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, the NASA mathematician who broke race and gender barriers.