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A killer hog disease is killing China’s pigs, and experts worry it could cause a shortage for the whole world. China consumes around 28 percent of the world’s meat and 49 percent of its pork. 

Because of the outbreak of African swine fever, hog futures on the New York market have already risen by 50 percent. 

China is reportedly in talks to buy pork from France, and it’s also said to be an issue in trade talks with the U.S. The problem is, experts say, China would not want to admit to a pork shortage in those talks because that would weaken its hand in negotiations.

Lawmakers in Hawaii are worried that rising ocean levels because of climate change could cause the renowned Waikiki Beach to disappear. That’s based on a report by the state of Hawaii saying ocean levels will rise 90 centimeters by the end of this century. 

The lawmakers say the next 15 to 20 years could see the island of Honolulu start experiencing coastal erosion, the loss of infrastructure and frequent flooding. Already, at high tide in recent years, seawater flows across Waikiki Beach onto roads and sidewalks.

#U.S. politicians are starkly divided over the newly released #Mueller report, which neither accuses President #Trump nor exonerates him of trying to obstruct justice in the Russia investigation. 

Some Democrats have said the alleged actions of the Trump administration are “worse than Watergate,” referring to the scandal that ended the presidency of #RichardNixon.

Some #Democrats think there are still grounds for impeachment, but others think it might just raise President Trump’s standing in the polls. For now, Democrats are demanding the full version of the Mueller report, without any parts redacted.

Global Headlines

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The government of Sri Lanka said that the coordinated bombings of churches and hotels across the country on Easter Sunday had been carried out by a local extremist group known as NTJ.

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The U.S. government announced that it will not reissue waivers for Iran oil imports, making 8 countries, including South Korea, no longer exempt from U.S. sanctions once their current waivers end (on May 2)

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A strong earthquake struck the Philippines on Monday evening killing at least 6 people and injuring some 50 others.

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Sudan's interim leader said the transitional military council is committed to handing power to a civilian authority.

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Climate change protesters who have brought parts of London to a standstill said they were ready to discuss their demands with the government.  

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Despite a row between the U.S. and the Chinese IT company Huawaei, the company announced promising business results for the first quarter of 2019.

Russian media have reported sightings of a polar bear in a village some 700 kilometers from his home.

Locals in the village of Tilichiki, on the Kamtchatka Peninsula, have taken pictures of the bear wandering around, and say he’s exhausted. 

They’ve been feeding him fish. Apparently, climate change caused the bear to move south, which he did by hitching a ride on an ice floe. 

But he’s not the first to do so – in February, another village was visited by dozens of polar bears looking for food. The local authorities are planning to sedate this bear and airlift him back home.

The city of #Seoul has announced tough new rules on #trash and #tents in the parks along the #HanRiver. Under measures announced on Sunday, tents on the river have to be taken down after 7 PM, and the areas where tents are allowed have been reduced to just 13. 

#Tents with more than one person inside cannot be closed and must be left open. Violators risk getting a fine of 1 million won. To deal with the growing problem of trash, groups planning an event on the river will have to submit a clean-up plan and pay a deposit. Those who fail to follow the city’s cleaning guidelines won’t be allowed to hold more events and will lose their deposits.

The authorities in Paris are one step closer to finding what caused the fire last week that ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral. A source from the police has told CNN that investigators think the fire started at the center of the cathedral’s roof, near its iconic spire. They came to that conclusion based on amateur video and photos from local residences. The source said they’re also looking at the elevators used by the workers, but no further details were given on that. Apparently, security guards only noticed the flames when they were already 3 meters high, meaning the fire alarm might not have been working properly.

Global Headlines

HEADLINE 1

At least 228 people were killed in a series of bomb blasts that hit luxury hotels and churches across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

HEADLINE 2

According to a report, #employees at large companies earned three times more than those in small companies with less than four employees.

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The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Sunday that it will implement safety measures on all 400 airplanes owned by local carriers.

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Suicide bombers and fighters attacked the communications ministry in the centre of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul.

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Gunmen raided a family party in the Mexican state of Veracruz, killing 13 people, including a child, authorities said.

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Volcanic ash hit parts of Bali on Sunday following another eruption of Mount Agung.