A domestic tourist climbed over a fence and jumped into a section of the world-famous display of China's Terracotta Army, damaging two ancient clay warriors, authorities said Saturday. He "pushed and pulled" the clay warriors and two were "damaged to varying degrees", the statement said.
Related news
The German Cabinet has approved stricter asylum laws, aiming to streamline the deportation process by easing the designation of "safe countries of origin." This move, spearheaded by interior minister Dobrindt, seeks to bypass parliamentary approval for such designations. The cabinet also approved the abolition of a rule calling for people in pre-deportation custody to be automatically be assigned a lawyer by the state.
A US federal judge on Monday cancelled the planned trial of US aviation giant Boeing over crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft that left nearly 350 people dead. The case dates to a January 2021 Justice Department agreement with Boeing that settled charges that the company knowingly defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration during the MAX certification.
A record 1,194 migrants crossed the English Channel to the U.K. in small boats on Saturday, the highest single-day number this year, bringing the annual total to 14,811. This surge has increased pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government to address the issue. While seeking enhanced cooperation with France, the UK.
In Cairo, Iranian, Egyptian, and UN leaders convened to address concerns over Iran's escalating uranium enrichment, as highlighted in a recent IAEA report. The report indicated Iran's increasing stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, raising serious concerns. Discussions aimed to find a diplomatic solution, with Iran asserting its cooperation and denying intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
A minor earthquake, registering a magnitude of 2.4, struck Long Beach at 11.34 pm Pacific time on Sunday night. The US Geological Survey reported the quake originated at a depth of 7.6 miles, with its epicenter situated less than a mile from Los Angeles. The region typically experiences around 59 similar-sized earthquakes annually.
The EU is grappling with a surge in Russian fertilizer imports despite efforts to cut ties with Moscow. While reducing Russian oil and gas, the EU's fertilizer purchases have increased significantly, now constituting 30% of imports. To counter this, the European Parliament has endorsed tariffs on Russian and Belarusian fertilizers, aiming for a 50% duty by 2028.
China rebuked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his Tiananmen Square crackdown anniversary remarks, calling them a distortion and interference. Lin Jian stated China lodged a protest with the US. Security tightened in Beijing, Hong Kong, while activist Chow Hang-tung protested with a hunger strike. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te contrasted democracy with authoritarianism.
Consumer confidence in the U.S. rebounded significantly in May, ending a five-month decline. The Consumer Confidence Index rose to 98, driven by easing inflation, steady job growth, and subsiding the tariff concerns. This surge in optimism could boost consumer spending and overall economic activity, signaling a potential turnaround in the near-term economic outlook.
French street artist Theo Clerc, imprisoned in Azerbaijan for 422 days for painting graffiti in the metro, has been pardoned and released. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev granted the pardon, allowing Clerc to return to France. French authorities had previously raised concerns about discriminatory treatment in the case, as Clerc's codefendants received only fines.
Amid rising tensions, China deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups and numerous warships around Taiwan in May, conducting extensive military activities. These actions, involving 70 vessels and numerous aircraft, aimed to pressure Taipei and assert Beijing's sovereignty claims. The increased military presence signifies a strategy of comprehensive pressure and military expansion, particularly after Lai assumed office.