The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in statement that the North attempted to launch an unidentified missile early in the morning from the Wonsan area, but likely failed. The military is analyzing what happened and had no other details.
Despite recent failures, there has been growing outside worry over the North’s nuclear and missile activity this year, which included a nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket test in February that outsiders saw as a test of banned long-range missile technology.
In April, North Korea tried unsuccessfully to launch three suspected Musudan missiles, which have a potential range of about 2,180 miles, putting U.S. bases in Guam within distance.
— Associated Press
LIBYA
Pro-government forces target Islamic State
Libyan forces loyal to the U.N.-brokered unity government advanced Monday against two strongholds of the Islamic State, with several officials saying the troops had taken a town from the extremist group.
The forces entered Bin Jawad, about 100 miles from the central city of Sirte, the main Islamic State bastion in Libya. The unit’s spokesman, Ali Alhassi, later said the troops had liberated the town.
Elsewhere, militiamen from the western city of Misurata — who are also loyal to the U.N.-backed government — were pushing toward Sirte.
Since 2014, Libya has been divided between two parliaments and governments, with each backed by militias and tribes.
After the United Nations brokered a political deal between factions from each camp at the end of last year, the new unity government has tried to consolidate its grip in the capital, Tripoli, but has faced resistance from various groups. The Islamic State has managed to exploit the turmoil, seizing territory.
— Associated Press
BRITAIN
London’s mayor joins push against ‘Brexit’
London’s new mayor has joined forces with Prime Minister David Cameron in the campaign to prevent Britain’s exit from the European Union.
The Labour Party’s Sadiq Khan and Cameron, a Conservative, made an unusual campaign appearance together Monday just weeks after Khan won a bitterly fought election to become London’s first Muslim mayor.
Both made passionate pleas for voters to reject a British exit, or “Brexit,” in a June 23 referendum.
Khan’s appearance represented a break with Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has refused to make joint appearances with Cameron even though he agrees with the Conservative Party leader on the need to stay in the E.U.
Khan said he will work with the Conservative-led government when it is in Londoners’ interests. He said that the economic reasons to remain in the 28-nation E.U. bloc are clear and that there is an important “patriotic case,” as well.
“This vote is about our values, it is about our character, it is about how we see our city and our country in the future,” he said. “The reason why London is the greatest city in the world — and it is — we have never taken an isolationist approach. We are open-minded, we are outward-looking.”
— Associated Press
Egyptian court sentences 36 Islamists to life: An Egyptian court has convicted and sentenced 36 Islamist figures, including a top leader of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, to life imprisonment. The state-run Middle East News Agency said Mohammed Badie and the other defendants were sentenced on charges of inciting violence that led to the killing of three people in July 2013. The case goes back to the days after the military's ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, a Brotherhood member.
Hong Kong activist beaten by police is sentenced to prison: A Hong Kong democracy activist whose beating by police was caught on video was sentenced to five weeks in prison on charges related to the confrontation. Local broadcaster RTHK said Ken Tsang was sentenced on charges of assaulting police and resisting arrest over an October 2014 incident at the height of protests against China's plans to restrict elections.
— From news services
