NEWS OF THE DAY
From Around the World
1 Europe outreach: The European Union’s top diplomat said Monday in Brussels that the world is going through a “moment of chaos” and that the 28-nation bloc must work more closely with international partners as the multilateral system comes under threat. In a speech to EU ambassadors, foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said “the question is: is it a moment or is it a long-term trend?” While she didn’t mention the U.S. or President Trump directly, Mogherini underlined the importance of the Iran nuclear agreement and the global climate change pact rejected by Trump. Mogherini urged the ambassadors to reassure partners — ranging from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and all of Africa — that “Europe is not withdrawing from the world stage. On the contrary, we will be even more engaged.”
2 American killed: A U.S. service member has been killed and another wounded in an apparent insider attack in eastern Afghanistan. “The sacrifice of our service member, who volunteered for a mission to Afghanistan to protect his country, is a tragic loss for all who knew and all who will now never know him,” Resolute Support and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan Commanding General Scott Miller said Monday. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the administration is monitoring the situation and President Trump was briefed by Chief of Staff John Kelly.
3 Argentina woes: President Mauricio Macri has announced new taxes on exports and the elimination of several ministries in a bid to halt economic turmoil that has sent the peso to record lows. Macri said Monday that he will also allocate more economic aid and strengthen food programs for the poor. The changes come as Macri attempts to reduce the country’s deficit and calm markets.
4 Libya chaos: About 400 prisoners escaped from a jail in the Libyan capital as recent fighting between rival militias that has killed dozens compelled the U.N.backed government to declare a state of emergency in and around Tripoli. The inmates overwhelmed guards and forced open the gates of the Ain Zara prison after riots broke out, police said. The fighting in Tripoli erupted last week when a militia attacked southern neighborhoods of the capital. Rival groups that support the U.N.backed government came to the city’s defense. At least 47 people, including civilians, have since been killed.
5 Tycoon arrested: Liu Qiangdong, the billionaire founder of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has returned to China after being arrested in the U.S. on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct, Zhang Shuhan, a company official, said Monday. Also known as Richard Liu, the founder of the Beijing-based company was arrested in Minneapolis late Friday, jail records show. Liu, 45, was released Saturday pending possible criminal charges. Police declined to say what Liu was accused of doing. China’s foreign ministry said Monday the Chinese Consulate in Chicago is looking into the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Nasdaq-listed JD.com said in a statement that Liu was falsely accused.
6 Deadly explosion: At least eight people were killed in an explosion Monday at a munitions plant near Cape Town, South Africa. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blast at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition depot, which shook homes and rattled windows in the area. Cape Town fire official Theo Layne says eight people died and several people were missing.
Chronicle News Services