Trump approves Emergency Declaration for Washington, D.C. as sewage spill lingers
U.S. President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Washington, D.C. on Saturday, as a sewage line collapse and spill continued to tarnish the Potomac River.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced in a press release that federal disaster assistance is available to the District of Columbia to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from the sewage line collapse since Jan. 19.
"The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives, to protect property, public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe," FEMA said, adding that this assistance is for the District of Columbia and the area where the district has responsibilities in the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of Virginia.
Trump raises new global tariff from 10 pct to 15 pct
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he will raise the new global tariff to 15 percent, one day after he announced a 10 percent worldwide duty following a heavy blow from the Supreme Court.
"I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been 'ripping' the U.S. off for decades, without retribution (until I came along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level," Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday.
He added that during the next short number of months, his administration will "determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again - GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!!!"
Iran designates EU states' navies, air forces as terror organizations
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday the country had designated the navies and air forces of all member states of the European Union (EU) as terrorist organizations.
The move is to respond to the EU's recent "unlawful and unjustified" decision to label Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, the ministry said in a statement.
The EU decision is "in contradiction with the fundamental principles and rules of the United Nations Charter and international law," the statement said.
Ukraine will do everything necessary to deliver results for peace: Zelensky
The Ukrainian side will do everything necessary so that the next round of negotiations between Ukraine, the United States and Russia can deliver results for Ukraine and peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday.
Ukraine will by no means stand in the way of peace, he said in a video address.
Zelensky announced that his meetings with European partners are scheduled for next week. "We will coordinate in detail so that Europe is involved in all processes and grows only stronger," Zelensky said.
Arab countries condemn U.S. ambassador's remarks over Israeli "right" to entire Middle East
The Arab League, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee that Israel has the right to claim control over the entire Middle East.
Huckabee's remarks, being illogical and irrational, are "inconsistent with the fundamental principles and established norms of diplomacy," Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said in a statement.
Those remarks "serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions" when countries are exploring ways to implement the Gaza ceasefire and "seize the opportunity to launch a serious political process towards peace," he said.■
