South Korea and North Korea remove propaganda loudspeakers, US suspends steel and aluminum tariffs

World workers celebrate May 1st

March in Moscow, Russia. Source: TASS

On May 1, workers in many countries around the world took to the streets to celebrate the anniversary of the workers' movement. They carried flags, wore red shirts and chanted slogans in the parade. In many places around the world, protests broke out to demand that governments improve the living standards of workers and laborers, and improve safety in the working environment.

President Donald Trump makes new decision on steel and aluminum tariffs

US President Donald Trump holds up an executive order imposing steel and aluminum tariffs on countries. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has just delayed imposing steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union (EU) until June 1, while reaching an agreement to completely exempt Argentina, Australia and Brazil from the tariffs.

Reuters quoted the White House as saying the decision was made just hours before the tariff suspension on the above countries expired on May 1. The White House said details of the agreements with Brazil, Argentina and Australia would be finalized shortly, but did not disclose specific terms.

There will be no further tariff delays after June 1, a source familiar with the matter said. On March 23, the US president imposed a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on imported aluminum from several countries, but temporarily exempted Canada, Mexico, the EU, Australia, Brazil and Argentina. He also ruled out permanent steel and aluminum tariffs on South Korea.

Mr Trump used the 1962 trade law to create protections for US steel and aluminum producers on national security grounds amid a global oversupply. China’s excess production is seen as the cause of the oversupply.

South Korean soldiers remove loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda at the border area on May 1. Photo: Reuters

North Korea is dismantling propaganda loudspeakers at points along the border between the two countries, South Korea's defense ministry said yesterday. Seoul is also taking similar action, Reuters reported.

This is the latest step towards reconciliation between the two countries, following the historic summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27.

Scotland imposes 'floor price' on alcoholic drinks

Illustration photo. Source: news.sky.com

On May 1, Scotland (UK) became the first place in the world to set a minimum price for alcoholic beverages. The government of this territory hopes that this will be a pioneering step to reduce the health risks associated with alcohol.

The new policy will set a minimum price of 50 pence (equivalent to 0.70 USD or 0.57 EUR) for each unit of alcoholic beverage. The new price will be applied starting this week.

Speaking to reporters, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland was the first territory in the world to "courageously" impose a floor price on alcoholic beverages. She expressed hope that many European countries and other regions would follow this model in the future. Ireland and Wales have already expressed their desire to adopt a similar initiative.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Source: AFP/TTXVN

Brazilian federal prosecutors have filed new corruption charges against former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the head of the country's Workers' Party (PT), Gleisi Hoffmann.

According to the new allegations, Lula and the PT leadership had access to a slush fund funded by the construction company Construtora Odebrecht worth up to $40 million in 2010 in exchange for government decisions that favored the company. Lawyers defending former President Lula da Silva and Odebrecht have not yet responded to the allegations. The PT said in a statement the same day that the allegations were baseless.

Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva, 72, who served two terms as president from 2003 to 2010, remains a highly influential politician in the South American country. In 2017, he was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 12 years and 1 month in prison for allegedly receiving a luxury apartment from the construction company OAS in the corruption scandal of the national oil company Petrobras.

Consecutive explosions in Nigeria, at least 20 people killed

The scene of an attack in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Source: AFP/TTXVN

At least 20 people were killed in a series of large explosions that occurred on May 1 in and around a mosque in Mubi town, Adamawa state, northeastern Nigeria.

Police in Adamawa state said the attacks were likely carried out by Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which began its campaign of violence in 2009 with the aim of establishing an Islamic state in Nigeria.