US warns China of tariff retaliation; EU backs Iran nuclear deal
(Baonghean.vn) - The US warns China about tariff retaliation; the EU reaffirms its support for the Iran nuclear deal; Nigeria rescues 54 hostages kidnapped by Boko Haram; Israel names a new settlement in the Golan after the US President... are the world's top news stories of the past 24 hours.
US warns China of tariff retaliation
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Goods are loaded at the port in Long Beach, Los Angeles, USA, February 27, 2019. Photo: THX/TTXVN |
US President Donald Trump on May 13 warned China not to retaliate against Washington's decision to raise tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. In a statement posted on Twitter, President Trump said that if Beijing retaliates, the situation will only get worse. He said there is no reason for American consumers to pay the increased tariffs, and that the tariffs could be avoided if manufacturers moved production from China to other countries.
Meanwhile, on the same day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing the country's firm stance of not giving in to external pressure. The Chinese Ministry of Finance announced that, starting June 1, China will impose tariffs of 5-25% on $60 billion worth of US goods.
EU reaffirms support for Iran nuclear deal
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High Representative of the European Union (EU) Federica Mogherini. Photo: Reuters |
The European Union (EU)'s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Federica Mogherini, said on May 13 that the EU fully supports the Iran nuclear deal and hopes that rival powers will avoid escalating tensions over the issue. Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany, Mogherini said the EU will use everything, including politics, to protect the deal.
Previously, on May 10, Ms. Mogherini affirmed that the EU will commit to implementing the nuclear deal, as long as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms Iran's compliance with this agreement.
Nigeria rescues 54 hostages kidnapped by Boko Haram
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| Boko Haram gunmen (photo taken from video). Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
On May 13, the Nigerian Army confirmed that it had rescued 54 people held hostage by Boko Haram militants in the northeastern state of Borno.
The terrorists fled after the army attacks, leaving behind their hostages, including 29 women and 25 children. During the same operation, the Nigerian army destroyed two vehicles and a makeshift camp of Boko Haram.
Israel names new settlement in Golan after US President
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Israel names new settlement in Golan after US President. Photo: Reuters |
According to Mr. Netanyahu, the country has now selected a location in the Golan Heights to build this new settlement and preparations are underway.
India issues unusual air pollution warning in New Delhi
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| New Delhi, India, is shrouded in smog. Photo: AFP |
On May 13, the Indian city government of New Delhi issued an unusual summer air pollution warning as dust storms and heat waves across the country's north pushed smog levels to dangerous levels.
New Delhi's air is often heavily polluted with toxic smog from car exhaust, industrial and agricultural waste mainly in winter, but less polluted in summer.
However, the Indian government said the air quality index in the city on May 13 was very poor. The amount of PM2.5, the most dangerous type of dust, was measured at 154 micrograms per cubic meter.3, 5 times higher than the safe level.
Mr. Assange has his investigation into sexual assault allegations reopened
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| WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London (UK) in May 2017. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Speaking to reporters, Sweden's Deputy Attorney General Eva-Marie Persson announced that the country has decided to reopen the 2010 investigation into WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over allegations of sexual assault and will complete the preliminary investigation, which was suspended in 2017.
According to her, there is still evidence that Mr. Assange sexually assaulted her and a new interrogation of Mr. Assange is needed.
Meanwhile, WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said that Sweden's reopening of the investigation into founder Assange would give him a chance to prove his innocence.