US to Open New De Facto Embassy in Taiwan, Defying Beijing’s Pressure

The U.S. government’s completion, this week, of a sprawling de facto American embassy in Taipei signals a strong warming of relations between the two governments despite pressure from Beijing.

 

Officials from Washington on Tuesday will unveil the new structure built for its informal diplomatic mission, the American Institute in Taiwan. The 14,000-square-meter, $250 million compound on the northeastern edge of Taiwan’s capital will replace a smaller one that is located in the city center.

 

For years, the United States has been moving diplomatic missions around the world to comply with new security rules following two bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa 20 years ago. The U.S. Department of State is spending $21 billion to replace 201 of what officials of the U.S. government’s General Accountability Office say are not only unsafe but “dilapidated” diplomatic facilities.

 

But the boxy U.S. hillside compound in Taipei has excited officials in Taiwan because it follows what they see as encouraging moves by Washington recently that — as Taiwan officials see it — give them a shot of strength to resist unending pressure from China. Beijing claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory.

 

“The AIT’s completion of its new offices, this kind of major event indicates a sense of importance, whether it’s for government departments or for the public,” Taiwan foreign ministry spokesman Andrew Lee told a news conference week.

 

Tension with China

 

Taiwan looks to U.S. support to stand up to China, which has the world’s second largest economy and the third most powerful military.

Beijing has claimed sovereignty over the island since communists came to power on the mainland in 1948 and China considers it a renegade province. Meanwhile, polls in Taiwan show that most Taiwanese prefer autonomy. Beijing has turned up pressure since 2016, when President Tsai Ing-wen took office in Taiwan and rejected the idea that both sides fall under one flag.

 

Beijing goes to great lengths to prevent Taiwan from joining international organizations. It has paid four of Taiwan’s formal diplomatic allies to switch allegiance since 2016, officials in Taipei say, leaving just 18 countries that recognize Taipei. It has also flown military planes just outside Taiwan’s air defense identification zone 12 times since 2015 and sailed an aircraft carrier around the island.

 

Series of pro-Taiwan decisions

 

Taiwan-U.S. ties have solidified since March, when U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act. The measure, which passed unanimously in the U.S. Congress and triggered a formal protest from Beijing, encourages high-level visits between Washington and Taipei in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Marie Royce, assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, is visiting Taiwan June 10-14 and will attend a ceremony marking completion of the Taipei compound.

 

In April, the U.S. government said it would give American defense contractors marketing licenses for submarine technology sought by Taiwan’s defense ministry.

 

Later in April, the State Department advocated participation for Taiwan in the World Health Organization’s annual assembly and other international organizations. Last month, the White House criticized China for asking that 44 international airlines avoid listing Taiwan as a “country” on their websites.

 

The new de facto embassy compound comes as a sign of U.S. concern for Taiwan as China tries to make Taiwan bend, ruling party legislator Lee Chun-yi said.

 

“At least what everyone can see clearly is that at present it’s China that’s changing the China-Taiwan status quo, and the U.S. State Department has said that clearly,” the lawmaker said. “The cause of the problem isn’t Taiwan. Taiwan is maintaining the status quo. So, I think [progress in U.S.-Taiwan ties] is a positive development.”

 

A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Sunday the new building’s dedication set for Tuesday will mark “a milestone that reflects the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership.”

 

No formal relations

 

The new de facto diplomatic mission does not formalize Taiwan-U.S. relations. Washington dropped official recognition of Taiwan in 1979 in favor of recognizing the larger, faster-growing communist China. The U.S. still calibrates much of its Taiwan policy with an eye toward avoiding a major upset of Beijing, analysts say.

 

“Construction of this facility has been working for many years, so I don’t think there are any additional messages that you can derive from this facility,” said Alex Chiang, international relations professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei.

 

While Taiwan officials feel a boost for now, some worry it may not be for long and there is concern here the Trump Administration may be using Taiwan as a bargaining chip to get more from China on trade or North Korea.

Once Trump gets what he wants, some scholars argue, he will sideline ties with Taiwan.

 

Leaders of Taiwan’s ruling party “are worried the U.S. will suddenly drop everything,” said Lin Chong-pin, a retired strategic studies professor.

 

 

Омбудсмен просить Червоний Хрест надіслати представника на окуповану частину Донбасу

Уповноважений Верховної Ради з прав людини Людмила Денісова звернулася до віце-президента Міжнародного комітету Червоного Хреста (МКЧХ) Жіля Карбоньє з проханням сприяти візиту представника цього комітету до пенітенціарних закладах на окупованих територіях.

У листі, уривки з якого наводить сайт омбудсмена 11 червня, Денісова вказує, що здійснює «моніторинг дотримання прав громадян України, які перебувають у місцях позбавлення волі на тимчасово окупованих територіях Луганської та Донецької областей». Вона також просить керівника міжнародної організації «сприяти візиту представника комітету в пенітенціарні установи на окупованих територіях, перевірити умови тримання громадян України і можливість надання їм медичної допомоги».

Напередодні президент Петро Порошенко заявив, що Україна прагне інтенсивнішого залучення Червоного Хреста до захисту прав українців, ув’язнених у Росії та на окупованих територіях. Товариство Червоного Хреста працює в Україні понад століття, його представники активно долучаються до допомоги жителям Донбасу, організація періодично передає туди гуманітарну допомогу.

Міністр закордонних справ України Павло Клімкін порушить питання звільнення утримуваних у Росії українських політв’язнів на зустрічі з колегами в «нормандському форматі», яка відбудеться 11 червня. Про це президент України Петро Порошенко заявив 8 червня на зустрічі з родинами українських заручників, які утримуються у російських в’язницях, на окупованих територіях Донбасу та Криму.

Trump Says Friends, Enemies Cannot Take Advantage of US on Trade

President Donald Trump tweeted out more criticism of U.S. trade partners Monday, including allies in Europe and Canada, adding to his declarations that the United States will no longer tolerate what he has called “trade abuse.”

“Sorry, we cannot let our friends, or enemies, take advantage of us on Trade anymore. We must put the American worker first!” Trump said.

That was part of a string of messages in which the president asserted the United States “pays close the the entire cost of NATO” while other member countries take advantage of the U.S. on trade.

“We protect Europe (which is good) at great financial loss, and then get unfairly clobbered on Trade,” he said. “Change is coming!”

NATO members, in general, make direct financial contributions based on their economic output, and as a result of being the world’s biggest economy the United States does contribute a larger amount than other nations. Indirectly, NATO members contribute to the alliance through the size of their military budgets, and the United States also spends more on defense than any other nation.

Trump tweeted from Singapore where he traveled for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after attending a meeting of G-7 leaders in Canada.

After Trump left, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump’s decision to impose invoke national security grounds to impose new tariffs on aluminum and steel “insulting” because of the long history of Canadian troops supporting the United States in conflicts.

Trudeau also pledged to respond with equivalent tariffs on U.S. goods beginning July 1.

While airborne, Trump ordered U.S. officials to refuse to sign the traditional end-of-summit communique and tweeted criticism of what he said were Trudeau’s “false statements at his news conference.”

“PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, ‘US Tariffs were kind of insulting’ and he ‘will not be pushed around.’ Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!” he said.

Trump followed Monday with another tweet saying, “Fair Trade is no to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal,” and that Trudeau “acts hurt when called out.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo downplayed any rift in G-7 relations during a news conference Monday in Singapore.

“There are always irritants in relationships.  I am very confident that relationships between our countries, the United States and those G-7 countries, will continue to move forward on a strong basis,” he said.

Trudeau did not respond to the U.S. attacks, instead declaring the summit a success.

“The historic and important agreement we all reached” at the summit “will help make our economies stronger and people more prosperous, protect our democracies, safeguard our environment, and protect women and girls’ rights around the world. That’s what matters,” Trudeau said.

But foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said, “Canada does not believe that ad hominem attacks are a particularly appropriate or useful way to conduct our relations with other countries.”

The G-7 summit communique called for working together to stimulate economic growth “that benefits everyone,” and highlighted a commitment to a “rules-based international trading system” and “fight protectionism.” The document also supports strong health systems, advancing gender equality, ending sexual and gender-based violence, as well as efforts to create a more peaceful world and combat climate change.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told ARD television that Trump’s withdrawal from the communique through a tweet is “sobering and a bit depressing.”

French President Emmanuel Macron attacked Trump’s stance, saying, “International cooperation cannot be dictated by fits of anger and throwaway remarks.” He called Trump’s refusal to sign the communique a display of “incoherence and inconsistency.”

U.S. Republican Sen. John McCain, a vocal Trump critic, offered support for the other six world leaders at the Canadian summit.

“To our allies,” McCain tweeted, “bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro-globalization & supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn’t.” 

Trudeau and May also bucked Trump on another high-profile issue: Russia. Trump suggested Russia rejoin the group after being pushed out in 2014 when it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. Trudeau said he is “not remotely interested” in having Russia rejoin the group.

May added, “We have agreed to stand ready to take further restrictive measures against Russia if necessary.”

Swiss Voters Reject Campaign to Radically Alter Banking System

A radical plan to transform Switzerland’s financial landscape by barring commercial banks from electronically creating money when they lend was resoundingly rejected by Swiss voters on Sunday.

More than three quarters rejected the so-called Sovereign Money initiative, according to the official result released from the Swiss government.

All of the country’s self-governing cantons also voted against in the poll, which needed a majority from Switzerland’s 26 cantons as well as a simple majority of voters to succeed. Concerns about the potential risks to the Swiss economy by introducing a “vollgeld” or “real money” system appear to have convinced voters to reject the proposals.

The Swiss government, which had opposed the plan because of the uncertainties it would unleash, said it was pleased with the result.

“Implementing such a scheme, which would have raised so many questions, would have been hardly possible without years of trouble,” Finance Minister Ueli Maurer said.

“Swiss people in general don’t like taking risks, and …the people have seen no benefit from these proposals. You can also see that our banking system functions…The suspicions against the banks have been largely eliminated.”

The vote, called under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy after gathering more than 100,000 signatures, wanted to make the Swiss National Bank (SNB) the only body authorized to create money in the country.

Contrary to common belief, most money in the world is not produced by central banks but is instead created electronically by commercial lenders when they lend beyond the deposits they hold for savers.

This arrangement, underpinned by the belief that most debts will be repaid, has been a cornerstone of the global capitalist system but opponents say it is unstable because the new money created could exceed the rate of economic growth, which could lead to inflationary asset bubbles.

If approved, Switzerland, famed for its banking industry, would have been the first country in the world to introduce such a scheme, leading opponents to brand the plan a dangerous experiment which would damage the economy.

The plan could have had repercussions beyond Switzerland’s borders by removing a practice which underpins most of the world’s bank lending.

Support for reform had grown in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis, with campaigners saying their ideas would make the financial system more secure and protect people’s savings from bank runs.

As well as the Swiss government, opposition came from the Swiss National Bank and business groups.

“We are pleased, this would have been an extremely damaging initiative,” said Heinz Karrer, president of business lobby Economiesuisse.

The SNB acknowledged the result, saying adoption of the initiative would have made it much harder to control inflation in Switzerland.

“With conditions now remaining unchanged, the SNB will be able to maintain its monetary policy focus on ensuring price stability, which makes an important contribution to our country’s prosperity,” it said in a statement.

Campaigners – a group of academics, former bankers and scientists – said they would continue to work on raising their concerns.

“The discussion is only just getting started,” said campaign spokesman Raffael Wuethrich. “Our goal is that money should be in the service of the people and not the other way around and we will continue to work on it.” 

На Банковій анонсували плани президента щодо закону про антикорупційний суд

Прес-служба президента України повідомила, що Петро Порошенко планує зробити з законом «Про Вищий антикорупційний суд».

Як мовиться в повідомленні Банкової, цей документ уже надійшов до адміністрації голови держави і нині готується до підписання президентом.

Цей закон, ініційований самим президентом, Верховна Рада ухвалила 315 голосами 7 червня, а попереднього дня, 9 червня, його підписав голова парламенту Андрій Парубій.

Ухвалення закону про антикорупційний суд домагалися від України її західні партнери, воно було однією з умов продовження співпраці Києва з Міжнародним валютним фондом.

Створення спеціалізованого антикорупційного суду передбачив закон про судоустрій і статус суддів, ухвалений 2016 року. Проте досі не був схвалений спеціальний закон щодо такого суду.

На Банковій анонсували плани президента щодо закону про антикорупційний суд

Прес-служба президента України повідомила, що Петро Порошенко планує зробити з законом «Про Вищий антикорупційний суд».

Як мовиться в повідомленні Банкової, цей документ уже надійшов до адміністрації голови держави і нині готується до підписання президентом.

Цей закон, ініційований самим президентом, Верховна Рада ухвалила 315 голосами 7 червня, а попереднього дня, 9 червня, його підписав голова парламенту Андрій Парубій.

Ухвалення закону про антикорупційний суд домагалися від України її західні партнери, воно було однією з умов продовження співпраці Києва з Міжнародним валютним фондом.

Створення спеціалізованого антикорупційного суду передбачив закон про судоустрій і статус суддів, ухвалений 2016 року. Проте досі не був схвалений спеціальний закон щодо такого суду.

Trump Arrives in Singapore for Summit with Kim

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have arrived in Singapore ahead of what is set to be the first ever meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting U.S. president. VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Singapore.

Trump Arrives in Singapore for Summit with Kim

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un have arrived in Singapore ahead of what is set to be the first ever meeting between a North Korean leader and a sitting U.S. president. VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Singapore.

Body Language: Photo of Merkel, Trump Captures G-7 Tensions

One photo is telling it all about tensions at the G-7 summit.

 

A picture of U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel displaying less-than-friendly body language is turning out to be a defining image of the contentious meeting of the Group of Seven leaders of the world’s advanced economies.

 

The picture, snapped by German government photographer Jesco Denzel, shows a standing Merkel with hands firmly planted on a table staring down at Trump, who is seated with his arms folded and eyes glaring. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stands next to Trump as French President Emmanuel Macron leans in next to Merkel.

 

The photo was tweeted by Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert. Shortly afterward, the White House issued a photo showing Trump speaking as Merkel, Abe and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listen.

 

Body Language: Photo of Merkel, Trump Captures G-7 Tensions

One photo is telling it all about tensions at the G-7 summit.

 

A picture of U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel displaying less-than-friendly body language is turning out to be a defining image of the contentious meeting of the Group of Seven leaders of the world’s advanced economies.

 

The picture, snapped by German government photographer Jesco Denzel, shows a standing Merkel with hands firmly planted on a table staring down at Trump, who is seated with his arms folded and eyes glaring. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stands next to Trump as French President Emmanuel Macron leans in next to Merkel.

 

The photo was tweeted by Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert. Shortly afterward, the White House issued a photo showing Trump speaking as Merkel, Abe and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listen.

 

МОЗ просить лікарів утриматися від участі в політичних заходах

Тиск на медичних працівників з метою примусової участі їх у політичних подіях передбачає адміністративну та кримінальну відповідальність – міністерство

МОЗ просить лікарів утриматися від участі в політичних заходах

Тиск на медичних працівників з метою примусової участі їх у політичних подіях передбачає адміністративну та кримінальну відповідальність – міністерство

New Italian Economy Minister Vows to Stay in Euro, Cut Debt Level

Italy’s new coalition government has no intention of leaving the euro and plans to focus on cutting debt levels, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said on Sunday, looking to reassure nervous financial markets.

Italian government bonds have come under concerted selling pressure on fears the government will embark on a spending splurge that Italy can ill-afford and markets are wary that euro-skeptics within the coalition might try to push Italy out of the eurozone.

In his first interview since taking office a week ago, Tria told Corriere della Sera newspaper that the coalition wanted to boost growth through investment and structural reforms.

“Our goal is [to lift] growth and employment. But we do not plan on reviving growth through deficit spending,” Tria said, adding that he would present new economic forecasts and government goals in September.

“These will be fully coherent with the objective of continuing on the path of lowering the debt/GDP ratio,” he said.

The government, comprising the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and far-right League, initially named as economy minister a man who had called the euro an “historic error”.

He was eventually handed a less important portfolio after the head of state refused to accept his nomination.

Tria, a little-known economics professor who is not affiliated to any party, said the coalition was committed to remaining within the single currency.

“The position of the government is clear and unanimous. There is no question of leaving the euro,” he said.

“The government is determined to prevent in any way the market conditions that would lead to an exit materializing. It’s not just that we do not want to leave, we will act in such a way that the conditions do not get anywhere near to a position where they might challenge our presence in the euro.”

Tria said he had spoken to his German counterpart and was looking for “fruitful dialogue” with the Europe Union, adding that Italian interests chimed with those of Europe.

“Basic choices”

The new government has promised to roll back pension reform, cut taxes and boost welfare spending, measures that are expected to cost tens of billions of euros. It also needs to find an estimated 12.5 billion euros ($14.8 billion) to stave off the threat of an automatic increase in sales taxes because of previously missed deficit targets.

Tria declined to say whether the coalition would hike the deficit target, but said he aimed to meet existing 2018 and 2019 debt reduction goals.

The previous center-left government had forecast a fall in debt to 130.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year and 128 percent next year against 131.8 percent in 2017.

Tria urged investors to look not just at the hard figures, but also study the content of the forthcoming 2019 budget.

“As part of the debt reduction and deficit reduction goals, the budget will reflect the basic choices on how and when to implement the [government] program,” he said.

“We have a program that focuses on structural reforms and we want it to also act on the supply side, creating more favorable conditions for investment and employment.”

The government has also promised to review a recent shake-up of mutual and co-operative banks, saying the changes risked penalizing domestic lenders. However Tria said the issue “is not the first problem we have to tackle”.

He also distanced himself from calls within the coalition for the government to issue securities to pay off individuals and companies owed money by the state.

“Stop-gap solutions solve nothing,” he said.

New Italian Economy Minister Vows to Stay in Euro, Cut Debt Level

Italy’s new coalition government has no intention of leaving the euro and plans to focus on cutting debt levels, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said on Sunday, looking to reassure nervous financial markets.

Italian government bonds have come under concerted selling pressure on fears the government will embark on a spending splurge that Italy can ill-afford and markets are wary that euro-skeptics within the coalition might try to push Italy out of the eurozone.

In his first interview since taking office a week ago, Tria told Corriere della Sera newspaper that the coalition wanted to boost growth through investment and structural reforms.

“Our goal is [to lift] growth and employment. But we do not plan on reviving growth through deficit spending,” Tria said, adding that he would present new economic forecasts and government goals in September.

“These will be fully coherent with the objective of continuing on the path of lowering the debt/GDP ratio,” he said.

The government, comprising the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and far-right League, initially named as economy minister a man who had called the euro an “historic error”.

He was eventually handed a less important portfolio after the head of state refused to accept his nomination.

Tria, a little-known economics professor who is not affiliated to any party, said the coalition was committed to remaining within the single currency.

“The position of the government is clear and unanimous. There is no question of leaving the euro,” he said.

“The government is determined to prevent in any way the market conditions that would lead to an exit materializing. It’s not just that we do not want to leave, we will act in such a way that the conditions do not get anywhere near to a position where they might challenge our presence in the euro.”

Tria said he had spoken to his German counterpart and was looking for “fruitful dialogue” with the Europe Union, adding that Italian interests chimed with those of Europe.

“Basic choices”

The new government has promised to roll back pension reform, cut taxes and boost welfare spending, measures that are expected to cost tens of billions of euros. It also needs to find an estimated 12.5 billion euros ($14.8 billion) to stave off the threat of an automatic increase in sales taxes because of previously missed deficit targets.

Tria declined to say whether the coalition would hike the deficit target, but said he aimed to meet existing 2018 and 2019 debt reduction goals.

The previous center-left government had forecast a fall in debt to 130.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year and 128 percent next year against 131.8 percent in 2017.

Tria urged investors to look not just at the hard figures, but also study the content of the forthcoming 2019 budget.

“As part of the debt reduction and deficit reduction goals, the budget will reflect the basic choices on how and when to implement the [government] program,” he said.

“We have a program that focuses on structural reforms and we want it to also act on the supply side, creating more favorable conditions for investment and employment.”

The government has also promised to review a recent shake-up of mutual and co-operative banks, saying the changes risked penalizing domestic lenders. However Tria said the issue “is not the first problem we have to tackle”.

He also distanced himself from calls within the coalition for the government to issue securities to pay off individuals and companies owed money by the state.

“Stop-gap solutions solve nothing,” he said.

White House Advisers Assail Canada’s Trudeau Over Tariff Remarks

A key White House adviser assailed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday, contending that he “stabbed us in the back” and undermined U.S. President Donald Trump after he left the G-7 economic summit to head to Singapore for nuclear weapons talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow blamed the Canadian leader for saying at a news conference that new U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel were “insulting,” prompting Trump to direct U.S. officials to rebuff its allies and refuse to sign the traditional end-of-summit communique in Quebec.

“We leave and then he pulls this sophomoric political stunt for domestic consideration,” Kudlow told CNN.  “You just don’t behave that way.  It’s a betrayal.”

Kudlow said Trump had negotiated the communique in “good faith,” and had called at the summit for “no tariffs, free trade.”  But Kudlow said that after Trump left the gathering hours early to head to Singapore, “He gets up in a plane and then… Trudeau stabs him.”  He said Trump “is not going to let a Canadian prime minister push him around.”

Kudlow added, “You can’t put Trump in a position of being weak going into the meeting with Kim,” where Trump is hopeful of negotiating the dismantling of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.  

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told Fox News, “There’s a special place in hell for any foreign leader that engages in bad faith diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump and then tries to stab him in the back on the way out the door… that’s what bad faith Justin Trudeau did with that stunt press conference.”

Navarro added, “To my friends in Canada, that was one of the worst political miscalculations of the Canadian leader in modern Canadian history. All Justin Trudeau had to do was take the win.”

Trudeau did not respond to the U.S. attacks, instead declaring the summit a success.

“The historic and important agreement we all reached” at the summit “will help make our economies stronger & people more prosperous, protect our democracies, safeguard our environment and protect women & girls’ rights around the world. That’s what matters,” Trudeau said.

Kudlow defended Trump’s suggestion that Russia be allowed to rejoin the G-7 group of seven of the world’s most advanced economies, although none of the other six leaders showed any support for the idea.  Russia was booted from the G-8 in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threw its support to pro-Russian insurgents fighting Kyiv’s troops in eastern Ukraine.

“Perhaps we should go back to the G-8,” Kudlow said. “Russia is a player on the world stage.”

As Trump was airborne, he instructed U.S. officials to not sign the communique issued by all seven leaders attending the gathering.

“Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers, and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!” Trump said on Twitter.

“PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, ‘US Tariffs were kind of insulting’ and he ‘will not be pushed around.’ Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!” Trump tweeted.

French President Emmanuel Macron assailed Trump’s stance, saying, “International cooperation cannot be dictated by fits of anger and throwaway remarks.” He called Trump’s withdrawal from signing the communique a display of “incoherence and inconsistency.”

“Germany stands by the jointly agreed communique,” Germany spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

Trudeau closed the annual G-7 Summit in Canada Saturday by refusing to budge on positions that place him at odds with Trump, particularly the new steel and aluminum tariffs that have drawn the ire of Canada and the European Union.

He said in closing remarks that Canada will proceed with retaliatory measures on U.S. goods as early as July 1.

“I highlighted directly to the president that Canadians did not take it lightly that the United States has moved forward with significant tariffs,” Trudeau said following the summit. “Canadians, we’re polite, we’re reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May echoed Trudeau, pledging to retaliate for tariffs on EU goods. “The loss of trade through tariffs undermines competition, reduces productivity, removes the incentive to innovate and ultimately makes everyone poorer,” she said. “And in response, the EU will impose countermeasures.”

Trudeau and May also bucked Trump on another high-profile issue: Russia. Trump is trying to have Russia rejoin the group after being pushed out in 2014 over Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Trudeau said he is “not remotely interested” in having Russia rejoin the group, which comprises the world’s seven of the world’s most advanced economies.

May added, “We have agreed to stand ready to take further restrictive measures against Russia if necessary.”

Before leaving the summit early for his meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump said Saturday there must be “fair and reciprocal” trade between the U.S. and other countries.

“The United States has been taken advantage of for decades and decades, and we can’t do that anymore,” Trump told reporters. He said many “unfair foreign trading practices” are getting “straightened out, slowly, but surely.”

WATCH: President Trump on Trade

He blamed past U.S. leaders for the current global trade landscape and congratulated other world leaders for “so crazily being able to make these trade deals that were so good for countries and so bad for the United States.”

Trump said talks this weekend with G-7 leaders convinced him they are “committed to a much more fair trade situation for the United States.”

Earlier, Trump described the U.S.-Canadian relationship as very good, stating “we’re actually working on cutting tariffs and making it all very fair for both countries. And we’ve made a lot of progress today. We’ll see how it all works out.”

After a sit-down meeting with Macron, Trump said the French leader been “very helpful” in efforts to address trade deficits with the European Union.

Macron responded that he had a “very direct and open discussion” with Trump and “there is a critical path that is a way to progress all together.”

Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, said Canada will not change its mind about the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs which she termed “illegal.”

Trump imposed the tariffs on the grounds that weak domestic industries could affect U.S. national security.

Wayne Lee, Steve Herman, Marissa Melton, Fern Robinson contributed to this report.

 

White House Advisers Assail Canada’s Trudeau Over Tariff Remarks

A key White House adviser assailed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday, contending that he “stabbed us in the back” and undermined U.S. President Donald Trump after he left the G-7 economic summit to head to Singapore for nuclear weapons talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow blamed the Canadian leader for saying at a news conference that new U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel were “insulting,” prompting Trump to direct U.S. officials to rebuff its allies and refuse to sign the traditional end-of-summit communique in Quebec.

“We leave and then he pulls this sophomoric political stunt for domestic consideration,” Kudlow told CNN.  “You just don’t behave that way.  It’s a betrayal.”

Kudlow said Trump had negotiated the communique in “good faith,” and had called at the summit for “no tariffs, free trade.”  But Kudlow said that after Trump left the gathering hours early to head to Singapore, “He gets up in a plane and then… Trudeau stabs him.”  He said Trump “is not going to let a Canadian prime minister push him around.”

Kudlow added, “You can’t put Trump in a position of being weak going into the meeting with Kim,” where Trump is hopeful of negotiating the dismantling of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.  

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told Fox News, “There’s a special place in hell for any foreign leader that engages in bad faith diplomacy with President Donald J. Trump and then tries to stab him in the back on the way out the door… that’s what bad faith Justin Trudeau did with that stunt press conference.”

Navarro added, “To my friends in Canada, that was one of the worst political miscalculations of the Canadian leader in modern Canadian history. All Justin Trudeau had to do was take the win.”

Trudeau did not respond to the U.S. attacks, instead declaring the summit a success.

“The historic and important agreement we all reached” at the summit “will help make our economies stronger & people more prosperous, protect our democracies, safeguard our environment and protect women & girls’ rights around the world. That’s what matters,” Trudeau said.

Kudlow defended Trump’s suggestion that Russia be allowed to rejoin the G-7 group of seven of the world’s most advanced economies, although none of the other six leaders showed any support for the idea.  Russia was booted from the G-8 in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and threw its support to pro-Russian insurgents fighting Kyiv’s troops in eastern Ukraine.

“Perhaps we should go back to the G-8,” Kudlow said. “Russia is a player on the world stage.”

As Trump was airborne, he instructed U.S. officials to not sign the communique issued by all seven leaders attending the gathering.

“Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers, and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!” Trump said on Twitter.

“PM Justin Trudeau of Canada acted so meek and mild during our @G7 meetings only to give a news conference after I left saying that, ‘US Tariffs were kind of insulting’ and he ‘will not be pushed around.’ Very dishonest & weak. Our Tariffs are in response to his of 270% on dairy!” Trump tweeted.

French President Emmanuel Macron assailed Trump’s stance, saying, “International cooperation cannot be dictated by fits of anger and throwaway remarks.” He called Trump’s withdrawal from signing the communique a display of “incoherence and inconsistency.”

“Germany stands by the jointly agreed communique,” Germany spokesman Steffen Seibert said in a statement.

Trudeau closed the annual G-7 Summit in Canada Saturday by refusing to budge on positions that place him at odds with Trump, particularly the new steel and aluminum tariffs that have drawn the ire of Canada and the European Union.

He said in closing remarks that Canada will proceed with retaliatory measures on U.S. goods as early as July 1.

“I highlighted directly to the president that Canadians did not take it lightly that the United States has moved forward with significant tariffs,” Trudeau said following the summit. “Canadians, we’re polite, we’re reasonable, but we will also not be pushed around.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May echoed Trudeau, pledging to retaliate for tariffs on EU goods. “The loss of trade through tariffs undermines competition, reduces productivity, removes the incentive to innovate and ultimately makes everyone poorer,” she said. “And in response, the EU will impose countermeasures.”

Trudeau and May also bucked Trump on another high-profile issue: Russia. Trump is trying to have Russia rejoin the group after being pushed out in 2014 over Russia’s aggression in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Trudeau said he is “not remotely interested” in having Russia rejoin the group, which comprises the world’s seven of the world’s most advanced economies.

May added, “We have agreed to stand ready to take further restrictive measures against Russia if necessary.”

Before leaving the summit early for his meeting in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Trump said Saturday there must be “fair and reciprocal” trade between the U.S. and other countries.

“The United States has been taken advantage of for decades and decades, and we can’t do that anymore,” Trump told reporters. He said many “unfair foreign trading practices” are getting “straightened out, slowly, but surely.”

WATCH: President Trump on Trade

He blamed past U.S. leaders for the current global trade landscape and congratulated other world leaders for “so crazily being able to make these trade deals that were so good for countries and so bad for the United States.”

Trump said talks this weekend with G-7 leaders convinced him they are “committed to a much more fair trade situation for the United States.”

Earlier, Trump described the U.S.-Canadian relationship as very good, stating “we’re actually working on cutting tariffs and making it all very fair for both countries. And we’ve made a lot of progress today. We’ll see how it all works out.”

After a sit-down meeting with Macron, Trump said the French leader been “very helpful” in efforts to address trade deficits with the European Union.

Macron responded that he had a “very direct and open discussion” with Trump and “there is a critical path that is a way to progress all together.”

Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, said Canada will not change its mind about the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs which she termed “illegal.”

Trump imposed the tariffs on the grounds that weak domestic industries could affect U.S. national security.

Wayne Lee, Steve Herman, Marissa Melton, Fern Robinson contributed to this report.

 

Half the World’s 152 Million Child Laborers Do Hazardous Work

The International Labor Organization reports 152 million children are victims of child labor, with nearly half forced to work in hazardous, unhealthy conditions that can result in death and injury.

Twenty years ago, hundreds of people, including children, participated in the Global March against Child Labor. They came to the International Labor Conference in Geneva demanding a Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

Basu Rai from Nepal was the youngest of the marchers. Now, a grown man he recalls clambering on table tops chanting slogans.

“Go, Go Global March. Stop, Stop Child Labor. We want education. No more tools in tiny hands. We want books and we want toys,” he said.

Rai was orphaned at age four. Homeless and without anyone to look after him, he became a street gangster, a rag picker, a delivery boy. He did anything to survive. Now, as an adult, he has become a Child Rights Activist.

“But, still I am afraid because I am a father to a two-month old daughter and then because the world is not safe for the children. So, this is our collective responsibility to work together for the sake of the childhood…But, still there are 152 million children who are languishing in a kind of slavery,” said Rai.

Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate, led the 1998 Global March of enslaved and trafficked children. He said progress has been made since then, but much remains to be done.

“If the children are still trapped into the supply chain, if the children are still enslaved, if the children are still sold and bought like animals and sometimes for less than the price of animals to work in fields and farms, and shops and factories, or for household work as domestic help, this is a blot on humanity,” said Satyarthi.

The ILO reports nearly half of the child laborers are found in Africa and in the Asia and Pacific regions. Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest proportion with one in five children working.

It notes children typically enter the work force at the age of six or seven, getting involved in hazardous work as they get older. About 70 percent of hazardous work is concentrated in agriculture. Other forms include mining, construction, and domestic service.

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said the world is facing an epidemic of occupational accidents and disease.

“Honestly, the annual toll is appalling — 2.78 million work-related deaths, 374 million injuries and illnesses. If these were the victims of a war, we would be talking a lot about it. Children and young workers are at greater risk and suffer disproportionately and with longer lasting consequences,” he said.

Ryder says legislation, labor inspection, and workplace labor relations and practices must be strengthened to stop this carnage.

 

Most child laborers are in the developing world. But, this shameful practice also occurs in some of the world’s richest countries. Zulema Lopez, a Child Rights Activist and Labor Relations student in the United States recalls her life as a child.

“At the age of seven, it was normal for me to wake up at five o’clock in the morning, put on my shoes, put on a T-shirt and go work in the hot sun, burning — my back was aching, 20-30 pounds of buckets of cucumbers next to me, trying to make ends meet,” said Lopez.

Lopez said people do not realize what is happening in their own backyard. She calls the exploitative work that robs children of their childhood unacceptable and said it must stop. She said children are the future and if people fail to protect the world’s children, then there is little hope for the future.

Half the World’s 152 Million Child Laborers Do Hazardous Work

The International Labor Organization reports 152 million children are victims of child labor, with nearly half forced to work in hazardous, unhealthy conditions that can result in death and injury.

Twenty years ago, hundreds of people, including children, participated in the Global March against Child Labor. They came to the International Labor Conference in Geneva demanding a Convention on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

Basu Rai from Nepal was the youngest of the marchers. Now, a grown man he recalls clambering on table tops chanting slogans.

“Go, Go Global March. Stop, Stop Child Labor. We want education. No more tools in tiny hands. We want books and we want toys,” he said.

Rai was orphaned at age four. Homeless and without anyone to look after him, he became a street gangster, a rag picker, a delivery boy. He did anything to survive. Now, as an adult, he has become a Child Rights Activist.

“But, still I am afraid because I am a father to a two-month old daughter and then because the world is not safe for the children. So, this is our collective responsibility to work together for the sake of the childhood…But, still there are 152 million children who are languishing in a kind of slavery,” said Rai.

Kailash Satyarthi, an Indian children’s rights activist and Nobel peace prize laureate, led the 1998 Global March of enslaved and trafficked children. He said progress has been made since then, but much remains to be done.

“If the children are still trapped into the supply chain, if the children are still enslaved, if the children are still sold and bought like animals and sometimes for less than the price of animals to work in fields and farms, and shops and factories, or for household work as domestic help, this is a blot on humanity,” said Satyarthi.

The ILO reports nearly half of the child laborers are found in Africa and in the Asia and Pacific regions. Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest proportion with one in five children working.

It notes children typically enter the work force at the age of six or seven, getting involved in hazardous work as they get older. About 70 percent of hazardous work is concentrated in agriculture. Other forms include mining, construction, and domestic service.

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said the world is facing an epidemic of occupational accidents and disease.

“Honestly, the annual toll is appalling — 2.78 million work-related deaths, 374 million injuries and illnesses. If these were the victims of a war, we would be talking a lot about it. Children and young workers are at greater risk and suffer disproportionately and with longer lasting consequences,” he said.

Ryder says legislation, labor inspection, and workplace labor relations and practices must be strengthened to stop this carnage.

 

Most child laborers are in the developing world. But, this shameful practice also occurs in some of the world’s richest countries. Zulema Lopez, a Child Rights Activist and Labor Relations student in the United States recalls her life as a child.

“At the age of seven, it was normal for me to wake up at five o’clock in the morning, put on my shoes, put on a T-shirt and go work in the hot sun, burning — my back was aching, 20-30 pounds of buckets of cucumbers next to me, trying to make ends meet,” said Lopez.

Lopez said people do not realize what is happening in their own backyard. She calls the exploitative work that robs children of their childhood unacceptable and said it must stop. She said children are the future and if people fail to protect the world’s children, then there is little hope for the future.

Порошенко висловив вдячність лідерам країн G7 і ЄС за підтримку України

«Кремлю слід позбутися ілюзій… Умови гранично чіткі: спочатку повага до міжнародного права, припинення агресії на Донбасі та повернення Криму Україні»

Порошенко висловив вдячність лідерам країн G7 і ЄС за підтримку України

«Кремлю слід позбутися ілюзій… Умови гранично чіткі: спочатку повага до міжнародного права, припинення агресії на Донбасі та повернення Криму Україні»

XI Takes Swipe at G-7 Summit In SCO Remarks

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)is holding its first summit since India and Pakistan joined the bloc which is widely seem by observers as a means for blocking American influence in Central Asia. 

The founding members of the alliance are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

The summit is being held in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. 

Chinese President Xi Jingping told the group in opening remarks Sunday, “We should reject selfish, short-sighted, narrow and closed-off policies.We must maintain the rules of the World Trade Organization, support the multilateral trade system and build an open global economy.”

Political analysts see the Chinese leader’s remarks as a thinly veiled reference to the chaos at the recent G-7 summit in Canada where the U.S. and its allies were divided by escalating trade tensions. 

After leaving the G-7 meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump described Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “meek and mild” and “dishonest & weak.”

Trump also withdrew his endorsement of the G-7 summit’s communique.

XI Takes Swipe at G-7 Summit In SCO Remarks

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)is holding its first summit since India and Pakistan joined the bloc which is widely seem by observers as a means for blocking American influence in Central Asia. 

The founding members of the alliance are China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

The summit is being held in the eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao. 

Chinese President Xi Jingping told the group in opening remarks Sunday, “We should reject selfish, short-sighted, narrow and closed-off policies.We must maintain the rules of the World Trade Organization, support the multilateral trade system and build an open global economy.”

Political analysts see the Chinese leader’s remarks as a thinly veiled reference to the chaos at the recent G-7 summit in Canada where the U.S. and its allies were divided by escalating trade tensions. 

After leaving the G-7 meeting, U.S. President Donald Trump described Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “meek and mild” and “dishonest & weak.”

Trump also withdrew his endorsement of the G-7 summit’s communique.

Rise in US Suicides Highlights Need for New Depression Drugs

A spike in suicide rates in the United States has cast fresh light on the need for more effective treatments for major depression, with researchers

saying it is a tricky development area that has largely been abandoned by big pharmaceutical companies.

U.S. health authorities said this week that there had been a sharp rise in suicide rates across the country since the beginning of the century and called for a comprehensive approach to addressing depression. The report was issued the same week as the high-profile suicides of celebrities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade.

Reuters was not able to determine whether either Bourdain or Spade were getting drug treatment. Representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kate Spade’s husband, Andy Spade, said in a statement this week that she had suffered from depression for many years and was working closely with her doctors.

With the availability of numerous cheap generic antidepressants, many of which offer only marginal benefit, developing medicines for depression is a tough sell.

Far more cancer drugs

Drugmakers have 140 therapies in development targeting mental health issues, including 39 aimed at depression, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade group. That compares with the industry’s work on 1,100 experimental cancer drugs, which can command some of the highest prices.

“Psychiatry has become a disfavored area for investment,” said Harry Tracy, whose newsletter, NeuroPerspective, tracks developments in drug treatments for psychiatric problems. “Insurers say, ‘Why should we pay more for a new treatment?’ ”

Some say anti-depressant drugs take too long to become effective, if they are effective at all. About half of people with depression fail to respond to current therapies, said Dr. Husseini Manji, global head of neuroscience at Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit.

Developing antidepressants is risky. Patients in clinical trials often show a big placebo response, masking the efficacy of the drug being tested. In addition, once approved, antidepressants require a large sales force to reach

psychiatrists as well as primary care providers.

Another impediment is the difficulty of conducting early depression research on animals that could form a basis for trials in people.

“This has been a big challenge to translate over to human clinical trials,” said Caroline Ko, project leader of NewCures, a newly formed program at Northwestern University aimed at reducing the risk of investment in treatments for depression, pain, Parkinson’s and other diseases.

Lone major player: Johnson & Johnson

J&J is the only large pharmaceutical company making a major investment in a new antidepressant, Tracy said. Smaller players include Sage Therapeutics, which expects a decision from U.S. regulators on a treatment for post-partum depression by the end of the year.

J&J’s esketamine targets treatment-resistant depression. It is similar to ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic and to relieve pain, and often is abused as a recreational party drug with the street nickname Special K.

The company expects to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of esketamine, a rapid-acting nasal spray, this year.

“Standard antidepressants can take weeks to work. They really are not useful in a crisis situation,” said Carla Canuso, who is leading J&J’s effort testing the drug in people deemed at imminent risk for suicide, which is most commonly associated with depression.

Allergan Plc is developing rapastinel, a fast-acting intravenous antidepressant the company purchased in 2015. The drug has breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA, with clinical trial results expected in early 2019. Last month, the company acquired another depression drug from its

collaborator, Aptinyx.

Dr. Julie Goldstein Grumet, a behavioral health expert from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, said 122 people in the United States took their lives by suicide each day last week. Many were never even diagnosed with a mental illness. 

“We’re missing opportunities to screen people for the risk of suicide,” she said.

Rise in US Suicides Highlights Need for New Depression Drugs

A spike in suicide rates in the United States has cast fresh light on the need for more effective treatments for major depression, with researchers

saying it is a tricky development area that has largely been abandoned by big pharmaceutical companies.

U.S. health authorities said this week that there had been a sharp rise in suicide rates across the country since the beginning of the century and called for a comprehensive approach to addressing depression. The report was issued the same week as the high-profile suicides of celebrities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade.

Reuters was not able to determine whether either Bourdain or Spade were getting drug treatment. Representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

Kate Spade’s husband, Andy Spade, said in a statement this week that she had suffered from depression for many years and was working closely with her doctors.

With the availability of numerous cheap generic antidepressants, many of which offer only marginal benefit, developing medicines for depression is a tough sell.

Far more cancer drugs

Drugmakers have 140 therapies in development targeting mental health issues, including 39 aimed at depression, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America trade group. That compares with the industry’s work on 1,100 experimental cancer drugs, which can command some of the highest prices.

“Psychiatry has become a disfavored area for investment,” said Harry Tracy, whose newsletter, NeuroPerspective, tracks developments in drug treatments for psychiatric problems. “Insurers say, ‘Why should we pay more for a new treatment?’ ”

Some say anti-depressant drugs take too long to become effective, if they are effective at all. About half of people with depression fail to respond to current therapies, said Dr. Husseini Manji, global head of neuroscience at Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit.

Developing antidepressants is risky. Patients in clinical trials often show a big placebo response, masking the efficacy of the drug being tested. In addition, once approved, antidepressants require a large sales force to reach

psychiatrists as well as primary care providers.

Another impediment is the difficulty of conducting early depression research on animals that could form a basis for trials in people.

“This has been a big challenge to translate over to human clinical trials,” said Caroline Ko, project leader of NewCures, a newly formed program at Northwestern University aimed at reducing the risk of investment in treatments for depression, pain, Parkinson’s and other diseases.

Lone major player: Johnson & Johnson

J&J is the only large pharmaceutical company making a major investment in a new antidepressant, Tracy said. Smaller players include Sage Therapeutics, which expects a decision from U.S. regulators on a treatment for post-partum depression by the end of the year.

J&J’s esketamine targets treatment-resistant depression. It is similar to ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic and to relieve pain, and often is abused as a recreational party drug with the street nickname Special K.

The company expects to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of esketamine, a rapid-acting nasal spray, this year.

“Standard antidepressants can take weeks to work. They really are not useful in a crisis situation,” said Carla Canuso, who is leading J&J’s effort testing the drug in people deemed at imminent risk for suicide, which is most commonly associated with depression.

Allergan Plc is developing rapastinel, a fast-acting intravenous antidepressant the company purchased in 2015. The drug has breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA, with clinical trial results expected in early 2019. Last month, the company acquired another depression drug from its

collaborator, Aptinyx.

Dr. Julie Goldstein Grumet, a behavioral health expert from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, said 122 people in the United States took their lives by suicide each day last week. Many were never even diagnosed with a mental illness. 

“We’re missing opportunities to screen people for the risk of suicide,” she said.

Salmonella Linked to Pre-cut Melon Sickens 60 in Midwest

Health officials say a salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon has sickened 60 people in five Midwestern states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Caito Foods LLC on Friday recalled pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fruit medleys containing at least one of those melons that were produced at its facility in Indianapolis.

It said the five states where people were sickened were Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. The CDC said the fruit was also distributed to stores in Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina. It was sold in clear plastic clamshell containers at Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon.

Officials said people should throw away or return recalled products. 

The CDC said 31 of the people sickened had been hospitalized, but that there had been no deaths reported. Those sickened often develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated food. The illness often lasts four to seven days.

Salmonella Linked to Pre-cut Melon Sickens 60 in Midwest

Health officials say a salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melon has sickened 60 people in five Midwestern states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Caito Foods LLC on Friday recalled pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fruit medleys containing at least one of those melons that were produced at its facility in Indianapolis.

It said the five states where people were sickened were Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. The CDC said the fruit was also distributed to stores in Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina. It was sold in clear plastic clamshell containers at Costco, Jay C, Kroger, Payless, Owen’s, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens, Walmart and Whole Foods/Amazon.

Officials said people should throw away or return recalled products. 

The CDC said 31 of the people sickened had been hospitalized, but that there had been no deaths reported. Those sickened often develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated food. The illness often lasts four to seven days.