Russia opens investigation into plane crash; US raises 25% tax on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods

Ukraine's President-elect pledges to continue path to join NATO, EU

President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a press conference in Kiev, Ukraine. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

The representative of the campaign team for Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mr. Sviatoslav Yurash, affirmed that the upcoming government in Ukraine will adhere to the country's foreign policy roadmap in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU).

In an interview with NewsOne TV on May 5, Mr. Yurash affirmed the new administration's consistent stance throughout the election campaign, which is to always support the path of association with the EU and NATO by all means. Mr. Yurash added that this team is working closely to develop foreign policies for Mr. Zelenskiy in the first 100 days as President of Ukraine. However, so far, both the EU and NATO have stated that it is too early to talk about Ukraine joining either of these two blocs, until the country meets the necessary standards and the process can take many years.

US raises 25% tax on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods

Chinese goods are loaded at Long Beach port, Los Angeles, USA on September 29, 2018. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

US President Donald Trump said on May 5 that tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods would increase from 10% to 25% on May 10, and threatened to impose 25% tariffs on another $325 billion worth of Chinese goods "soon." According to President Trump, the trade deal negotiations between the two countries "continue, but too slowly, as they (China) seek to renegotiate."

The Chinese delegation is scheduled to arrive in Washington on May 8 to begin a new round of trade negotiations. In this context, President Trump's move is like a new "deadline" and puts strong pressure on Beijing, while casting a shadow over the prospect of the two sides reaching an agreement to end the months-long trade war that has slowed global growth and disrupted markets.

Russia opens investigation into plane crash

On May 6, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Clause 3, Article 263 of the Criminal Code for "violation of aviation safety regulations resulting in the death of two or more people" after the Sukhoi plane caught fire. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has requested the establishment of a national commission to investigate the accident and instructed Health Minister Veronika Skvortsovoi to provide all necessary support to the victims. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences over the plane crash that killed 41 people and ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.

The fire caused extensive damage to the plane. Authorities are investigating the cause from various angles, but it is still too early to draw any conclusions. Meanwhile, Interfax news agency on May 6 quoted a source saying that so far, Russian aviation authorities have not yet decided to stop operating flights related to the Sukhoi Superjet 100 model in Russia.

US sends aircraft carrier and bombers to Middle East to 'warn' Iran

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln trains in the Atlantic Ocean in early 2019. Photo:US Navy

"The United States is deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle East to send a clear and unmistakable message to Iran. Any attack on the interests of the United States or its allies will be met with a strong response," US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on May 6. Bolton said the decision was in response to recent signs of tension between Washington and Tehran. "The United States does not seek war with Iran, but we are always ready to respond to any attack from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the Iranian military," he added.

This is the latest move by the administration of US President Donald Trump to increase pressure on Iran. The US previously announced that it would no longer grant sanctions exemptions to countries importing Iranian crude oil, recommending that they import oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The IRGC is also listed by Washington as an international terrorist organization.

Oil tanker explodes in Niger, killing at least 55 people

Scene of the tanker fire on May 5. Photo:Twitter.

At least 55 people were killed when an oil tanker exploded near the international airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, the Interior Ministry said on May 6. The explosion occurred around midnight, killing 55 people and injuring 36 others, all with burns, according to the ministry.

Witnesses at the scene said an oil tanker overturned on the tracks and the explosion occurred while a large crowd of people were trying to collect oil leaking from the crashed vehicle.