FBI investigates “lone wolves”; Zuckerberg to testify before European Parliament

FBI conducts 1,000 investigations into "lone wolf" elements

Speaking at a hearing before the US Senate Appropriations Committee, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Christopher Wray emphasized that the FBI's highest priority in counterterrorism operations at this time is to fight "lone wolf" terrorists.

Currently, the above agency has conducted about 1,000 investigations into these types of terrorist suspects in all US states, not including investigations into the al-Qaeda network, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) organization...

Mr. Wray pointed out that stopping these subjects is extremely difficult because they often choose "soft targets" and easy-to-use weapons when carrying out terrorism.

In addition, the FBI is also conducting 1,000 other investigations into domestic terrorists, including right-wing extremists or left-wing extremists.

North Korea has 6 months to move nuclear and missile abroad

Range of some North Korean missiles. Graphics:Economist

6 European countries taken to court for air pollution

On the morning of May 17, in Brussels, the European Commission announced that it would sue six member states, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Hungary and Romania, at the Court of Justice of the European Union because these countries have not complied with air quality standards for many years.

The current air quality standards were introduced by the European Union in 2008, which require member states to take measures to reduce the amount of N2O as well as PM10 particles in the air. However, according to the accusations of the European Commission, the 6 countries that have just been sued have not complied with these regulations for many consecutive years. In addition, according to the European Commission, air pollution is currently causing urgent health threats and requires tough action.

EU countries fined for air pollution will have to pay fines of at least 11 million euros, plus 240,000 euros a day until air quality meets acceptable standards.

Knife attack at a tram station in the capital Dublin (Ireland)

Source: Dublin Live

Two people were injured in a knife attack at a tram station in the capital Dublin on the morning of May 17, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.

RTE quoted medical sources as saying that one of the two victims was in critical condition, the other had minor injuries.

Authorities arrested the attacker, a 27-year-old man. He is currently being held at a local police station for questioning.

India declares ceasefire in Kashmir during Ramadan

Indian soldiers patrol in the Kashmir region. Source: NDTV

On May 16, the Indian government announced that it would stop counter-insurgency operations in the Kashmir region under its control during the holy month of Ramadan.

On Twitter, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the decision was made to help Muslims enjoy Ramadan in peace. This is the first ceasefire announced by the Indian government in Kashmir in the past 18 years. Minister Singh called on all sides to cooperate with the government's initiative, but made it clear that security forces have the right to respond if attacked or to protect innocent people.

Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Mark Zuckerberg agreed to testify behind closed doors to the European Parliament next week.

Facebook's CEO will appear before the European Union (EU) legislature to answer questions about the user data disclosure scandal.

The Facebook CEO meeting with members of the European Union (EU) legislature is a “slap in the face” for the UK as the country’s Parliament also asked the Facebook founder to explain his role in the scandal of leaking data of 10 million users to the company Cambridge Analytica. Previously, Zuckerberg had refused to appear before British senators three times.

54 bombs found in home of Indonesian police station attacker

On May 17, the Indonesian National Police's Anti-Terrorism Task Force (Detachment 88) found a total of 54 pipe bombs at the home of Tri Murtiono, the ringleader of the suicide bombing at the Surabaya police headquarters on May 14.

Surabaya police chief Rudi Setiawan said the homemade bombs were ready to be detonated and the explosives were stored in 27 containers.

Since the suicide bombings at three churches in Surabaya, East Java, on May 13, police have arrested 19 terror suspects nationwide, including in East Java (13 suspects), Palembang in South Sumatra (2 suspects), Pekanbaru in Riau province (1 suspect) and Bangeren Tangerang (3 suspects), according to police. Police have also shot dead several other suspects, including four in Pekanbaru.