China Muslims: Xinjiang schools used to separate children from families
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-48825090
China is deliberately separating Muslim children from their families, faith and language in its far western region of Xinjiang, according to new research.
At the same time as hundreds of thousands of adults are being detained in giant camps, a rapid, large-scale campaign to build boarding schools is under way.
Based on publicly available documents, and backed up by dozens of interviews with family members overseas, the BBC has gathered some of the most comprehensive evidence to date about what is happening to children in the region.
In a large hall in Istanbul, dozens of people queue to tell their stories, many of them clutching photographs of children, all now missing back home in Xinjiang.
"I don't know who is looking after them," one mother says, pointing to a picture of her three young daughters, "there is no contact at all."
Another mother, holding a photo of three sons and a daughter, wipes away her tears. "I heard that they've been taken to an orphanage," she says.
In 60 separate interviews, in wave after wave of anxious, grief-ridden testimony, parents and other relatives give details of the disappearance in Xinjiang of more than 100 children.
Records show that in one township alone more than 400 children have lost not just one but both parents to some form of internment, either in the camps or in prison.
Formal assessments are carried out to determine whether the children are in need of "centralised care".
Alongside the efforts to transform the identity of Xinjiang's adults, the evidence points to a parallel campaign to systematically remove children from their roots.
國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（七）
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Turkey's Erdogan fires central bank chief Murat Cetinkaya
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48891658
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fired the governor of the central bank and replaced him with his deputy.
No official reason was given for the sacking of Murat Cetinkaya, who had held the position since April 2016.
However, it comes amid reports of disagreements over interest rates, which the government wants to lower in a bid to boost economic growth.
The announcement has prompted renewed concern over the central bank's independence.
Mr Erdogan has called for interest rates to be lowered, describing them as the "mother and father of all evil". He has claimed that high interest rates cause inflation and believes that lowering them will improve growth.
But the central bank in September instead increased its benchmark interest rate from 17.5% to 24%, saying that doing so would help to battle inflation and boost the lira.
A "tight stance in monetary policy will be maintained decisively until inflation outlook displays a significant improvement", it said at the time.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48891658
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fired the governor of the central bank and replaced him with his deputy.
No official reason was given for the sacking of Murat Cetinkaya, who had held the position since April 2016.
However, it comes amid reports of disagreements over interest rates, which the government wants to lower in a bid to boost economic growth.
The announcement has prompted renewed concern over the central bank's independence.
Mr Erdogan has called for interest rates to be lowered, describing them as the "mother and father of all evil". He has claimed that high interest rates cause inflation and believes that lowering them will improve growth.
But the central bank in September instead increased its benchmark interest rate from 17.5% to 24%, saying that doing so would help to battle inflation and boost the lira.
A "tight stance in monetary policy will be maintained decisively until inflation outlook displays a significant improvement", it said at the time.
Sudan's military rulers and opposition reach power-sharing deal
[urlhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/05/sudan-military-opposition-power-sharing-deal[/url]
The military rulers of Sudan have reached a power-sharing deal with opposition members to cover the next three years until elections are held.
The new sovereign council agreed upon on Friday morning will rule the country by rotation, according to an African Union official mediating in the crisis that has rocked the country for the past six months.
The uprising of the Sudanese people, demanding democracy, freedom, justice and an end to human rights violations, has lasted through the removal of the country’s long-term president, a military takeover and the brutal killing on 3 June by heavily armed paramilitary forces of at least 128 protesters who were staging a peaceful sit-in, as well as the rape of many more.
Under the agreement, the military will lead the council first, with the head of the junta, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as its chair, and then civilians will take over.
The council will be made up of five military and five civilian members, as well as a sixth so-called civilian agreed upon by both sides who will actually be a retired military officer, according to reports.
An independent investigation into the killings was also announced, and anyone found guilty will not be allowed to sit on the sovereign council. The African Union suspended Sudan’s membership after the attack.
[urlhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/05/sudan-military-opposition-power-sharing-deal[/url]
The military rulers of Sudan have reached a power-sharing deal with opposition members to cover the next three years until elections are held.
The new sovereign council agreed upon on Friday morning will rule the country by rotation, according to an African Union official mediating in the crisis that has rocked the country for the past six months.
The uprising of the Sudanese people, demanding democracy, freedom, justice and an end to human rights violations, has lasted through the removal of the country’s long-term president, a military takeover and the brutal killing on 3 June by heavily armed paramilitary forces of at least 128 protesters who were staging a peaceful sit-in, as well as the rape of many more.
Under the agreement, the military will lead the council first, with the head of the junta, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as its chair, and then civilians will take over.
The council will be made up of five military and five civilian members, as well as a sixth so-called civilian agreed upon by both sides who will actually be a retired military officer, according to reports.
An independent investigation into the killings was also announced, and anyone found guilty will not be allowed to sit on the sovereign council. The African Union suspended Sudan’s membership after the attack.
Iran says it is ready to enrich uranium beyond nuclear deal levels
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/06/iran-says-it-is-ready-to-enrich-uranium-beyond-nuclear-deal-levels
A top aide to Iran’s supreme leader says the Islamic Republic is ready to enrich uranium beyond the level set by Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal, just before a deadline it set on Sunday for Europe to offer new terms to the accord.
A video message by Ali Akbar Velayati included him saying that “Americans directly and Europeans indirectly violated the deal,” part of Tehran’s hardening tone with Europe. European parties to the deal have yet to offer a way for Iran to avoid the sweeping economic sanctions imposed by Donald Trump since he pulled the US out of the accord a year ago, especially those targeting its crucial oil sales.
It comes as America has sent thousands of troops, an aircraft carrier, nuclear-capable B-52 bombers and advanced fighter jets to the Middle East. Mysterious oil tanker attacks near the strait of Hormuz, attacks by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia and Iran shooting down a US military drone have raised fears of a wider conflict engulfing the region.
In the video, available on a website for the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Velayati said that increasing enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels was “unanimously agreed upon by every component of the establishment”.
“We will show reaction exponentially as much as they violate it. We reduce our commitments as much as they reduce it,” said Velayati, Khamenei’s adviser on international affairs. “If they go back to fulfilling their commitments, we will do so as well.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/06/iran-says-it-is-ready-to-enrich-uranium-beyond-nuclear-deal-levels
A top aide to Iran’s supreme leader says the Islamic Republic is ready to enrich uranium beyond the level set by Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal, just before a deadline it set on Sunday for Europe to offer new terms to the accord.
A video message by Ali Akbar Velayati included him saying that “Americans directly and Europeans indirectly violated the deal,” part of Tehran’s hardening tone with Europe. European parties to the deal have yet to offer a way for Iran to avoid the sweeping economic sanctions imposed by Donald Trump since he pulled the US out of the accord a year ago, especially those targeting its crucial oil sales.
It comes as America has sent thousands of troops, an aircraft carrier, nuclear-capable B-52 bombers and advanced fighter jets to the Middle East. Mysterious oil tanker attacks near the strait of Hormuz, attacks by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen on Saudi Arabia and Iran shooting down a US military drone have raised fears of a wider conflict engulfing the region.
In the video, available on a website for the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Velayati said that increasing enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels was “unanimously agreed upon by every component of the establishment”.
“We will show reaction exponentially as much as they violate it. We reduce our commitments as much as they reduce it,” said Velayati, Khamenei’s adviser on international affairs. “If they go back to fulfilling their commitments, we will do so as well.”
Malta says deal reached with Italy to take migrants from rescue boat
https://www.dw.com/en/malta-says-deal-reached-with-italy-to-take-migrants-from-rescue-boat/a-49495330
Malta and Italy reportedly reached a deal on Friday to begin to tackle the standoff between charity rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea and Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
The two countries are said to have agreed to each take refugees from a sailboat belonging to Italian NGO Mediterranea that rescued 54 people at sea.
Under the arrangement, Malta would send a coast guard vessel to pick up migrants on the Mediterranea and bring them to the country's capital, Valetta.
In return, Italy would take another 54 migrants from Malta as "part of an initiative that promotes a European spirit of cooperation and goodwill between Malta and Italy," the Maltese government said.
Pregnant women and children were among the people on the sailboat, which was barred by Salvini from disembarking in his country's ports. Italian authorities evacuated only 13 "vulnerable" migrants from the vessel and took them to Lampedusa.
https://www.dw.com/en/malta-says-deal-reached-with-italy-to-take-migrants-from-rescue-boat/a-49495330
Malta and Italy reportedly reached a deal on Friday to begin to tackle the standoff between charity rescue ships in the Mediterranean Sea and Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
The two countries are said to have agreed to each take refugees from a sailboat belonging to Italian NGO Mediterranea that rescued 54 people at sea.
Under the arrangement, Malta would send a coast guard vessel to pick up migrants on the Mediterranea and bring them to the country's capital, Valetta.
In return, Italy would take another 54 migrants from Malta as "part of an initiative that promotes a European spirit of cooperation and goodwill between Malta and Italy," the Maltese government said.
Pregnant women and children were among the people on the sailboat, which was barred by Salvini from disembarking in his country's ports. Italian authorities evacuated only 13 "vulnerable" migrants from the vessel and took them to Lampedusa.
DOJ says it will continue to explore path for citizenship question as Trump considers executive order
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/05/trump-executive-order-citizenship-question-census-1399067
The Trump administration confirmed Friday that it will press forward with efforts to add a citizenship question to next year's census, with President Donald Trump saying he’s exploring the possibility of reviving the question via executive order and government lawyers telling a federal judge that they've "been asked to reevaluate all available options."
“We’re thinking about doing that. It's one of the ways,” Trump said of the prospective executive order as he prepared to depart the White House for his New Jersey golf club. “We have four or five ways we could do it. It’s one of the ways and we're thinking about doing it very seriously.”
The Trump administration's plans to add such a question to the decennial census were dealt a surprise blow last week by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the Trump administration's "explanation for agency action" was "incongruent with what the record reveals about the agency's priorities and decison making process" and ordered government lawyers to present a more truthful explanation to a lower court. Chief Justice John Roberts, siding with the court's four liberals, wrote the majority opinion.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/05/trump-executive-order-citizenship-question-census-1399067
The Trump administration confirmed Friday that it will press forward with efforts to add a citizenship question to next year's census, with President Donald Trump saying he’s exploring the possibility of reviving the question via executive order and government lawyers telling a federal judge that they've "been asked to reevaluate all available options."
“We’re thinking about doing that. It's one of the ways,” Trump said of the prospective executive order as he prepared to depart the White House for his New Jersey golf club. “We have four or five ways we could do it. It’s one of the ways and we're thinking about doing it very seriously.”
The Trump administration's plans to add such a question to the decennial census were dealt a surprise blow last week by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the Trump administration's "explanation for agency action" was "incongruent with what the record reveals about the agency's priorities and decison making process" and ordered government lawyers to present a more truthful explanation to a lower court. Chief Justice John Roberts, siding with the court's four liberals, wrote the majority opinion.
Iran nuclear deal: Macron and Rouhani agree to look at conditions for talks
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48897621
France and Iran have agreed to look at conditions for resuming talks to try to save Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers, President Emmanuel Macron says.
During a phone call with President Hassan Rouhani, Mr Macron expressed his "strong concern" about the consequences of abandoning the 2015 accord.
Mr Rouhani called on European countries to act urgently to save the deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme.
The agreement has been in jeopardy since the US pulled out last year.
Iran has already stockpiled more enriched uranium than the country was supposed to. The country has been expected to announce on Sunday that it will breach another limit by taking the enrichment process to a higher level.
It is going to be hard - if not impossible - to get the Americans back on board, BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Jonathan Marcus writes.
The Europeans are struggling to do much to relieve the pressure on Iran from US sanctions and the fate of the nuclear deal itself is now more precarious than ever, he adds.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48897621
France and Iran have agreed to look at conditions for resuming talks to try to save Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers, President Emmanuel Macron says.
During a phone call with President Hassan Rouhani, Mr Macron expressed his "strong concern" about the consequences of abandoning the 2015 accord.
Mr Rouhani called on European countries to act urgently to save the deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme.
The agreement has been in jeopardy since the US pulled out last year.
Iran has already stockpiled more enriched uranium than the country was supposed to. The country has been expected to announce on Sunday that it will breach another limit by taking the enrichment process to a higher level.
It is going to be hard - if not impossible - to get the Americans back on board, BBC Diplomatic Correspondent Jonathan Marcus writes.
The Europeans are struggling to do much to relieve the pressure on Iran from US sanctions and the fate of the nuclear deal itself is now more precarious than ever, he adds.
Greeks vote in snap general election
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48897925
Greeks are going to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the centre-right opposition mounting a strong challenge to the leftist government.
The New Democracy party of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is hoping to end more than four years of rule by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's Syriza party.
Mr Tsipras called snap elections soon after suffering an electoral defeat in May's European elections.
Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT).
It is Greece's sixth election since the global financial crisis in 2008.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48897925
Greeks are going to the polls to elect a new parliament, with the centre-right opposition mounting a strong challenge to the leftist government.
The New Democracy party of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is hoping to end more than four years of rule by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's Syriza party.
Mr Tsipras called snap elections soon after suffering an electoral defeat in May's European elections.
Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time (04:00 GMT).
It is Greece's sixth election since the global financial crisis in 2008.
US calls for German ground troops in Syria
https://www.dw.com/en/us-calls-for-german-ground-troops-in-syria/a-49501500
US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey has called on Germany to send military trainers, logistics specialists and technicians to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
"We want ground troops from Germany to partially replace our soldiers," Jeffrey said in an interview with the German dpa news agency and the weekly Welt am Sonntag newspaper, before adding that he expected an answer from the German government this month.
Jeffrey was in Berlin on Friday on a mission to draw pledges of military and financial support from the German government. "We are looking for volunteers who want to take part here and among other coalition partners," Jeffrey told the German news outlets, though he added that he had not asked for a specific number of soldiers.
He also said that troops would not necessarily be required to engage directly in fighting with the jihadi group.
"It is better to force IS back with local Syrian forces," he said. "But a certain international presence is needed to secure air support, for logistics, training, and technical help."
He also said combat should not be ruled out since ground troops would need to be prepared to defend themselves.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-calls-for-german-ground-troops-in-syria/a-49501500
US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey has called on Germany to send military trainers, logistics specialists and technicians to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
"We want ground troops from Germany to partially replace our soldiers," Jeffrey said in an interview with the German dpa news agency and the weekly Welt am Sonntag newspaper, before adding that he expected an answer from the German government this month.
Jeffrey was in Berlin on Friday on a mission to draw pledges of military and financial support from the German government. "We are looking for volunteers who want to take part here and among other coalition partners," Jeffrey told the German news outlets, though he added that he had not asked for a specific number of soldiers.
He also said that troops would not necessarily be required to engage directly in fighting with the jihadi group.
"It is better to force IS back with local Syrian forces," he said. "But a certain international presence is needed to secure air support, for logistics, training, and technical help."
He also said combat should not be ruled out since ground troops would need to be prepared to defend themselves.
Iran announces new breach of nuclear deal
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48899243
Iran has announced it will break a limit set on uranium enrichment, in breach of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran still wanted to salvage the deal but blamed European countries for failing to live up to their own commitments.
The US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018.
It has since reimposed strict sanctions on Iran.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48899243
Iran has announced it will break a limit set on uranium enrichment, in breach of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal.
Deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran still wanted to salvage the deal but blamed European countries for failing to live up to their own commitments.
The US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement in 2018.
It has since reimposed strict sanctions on Iran.
Greek elections: Centre-right regains power
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-48902766
Greece's centre-right opposition party New Democracy has won the nation's snap general election.
With most districts counted, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras admitted defeat to his rival, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
New Democracy has 39.8% of the vote so far, with Mr Tsipras's leftist Syriza party in second place with 31.6%.
Current projections give New Democracy an outright majority, as the winner receives 50 extra seats in parliament.
So far about 88% of districts have returned their results.
The prime minister-elect told supporters he had been given a strong mandate for change.
"The country proudly raises its head again," he told the crowd in the capital Athens, saying he would be a president for all because Greeks were "too few to stay divided".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-48902766
Greece's centre-right opposition party New Democracy has won the nation's snap general election.
With most districts counted, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras admitted defeat to his rival, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
New Democracy has 39.8% of the vote so far, with Mr Tsipras's leftist Syriza party in second place with 31.6%.
Current projections give New Democracy an outright majority, as the winner receives 50 extra seats in parliament.
So far about 88% of districts have returned their results.
The prime minister-elect told supporters he had been given a strong mandate for change.
"The country proudly raises its head again," he told the crowd in the capital Athens, saying he would be a president for all because Greeks were "too few to stay divided".
Taliban and Afghan government agree to reduce violence
https://www.dw.com/en/taliban-and-afghan-government-agree-to-reduce-violence/a-49517930
The Taliban on Monday agreed to reduce the number of civilian casualties in its offensive against Afghanistan's central government, according to a joint statement by representatives of the warring factions.
During talks in Doha, the militant group agreed to stop attacks on "religious centers, schools, hospitals, educational centers, bazaars, water dams and work places," according to a statement seen by DW.
The encounter ended with a joint "appeal and promise to reduce violence in Afghanistan," said Markus Potzel, Germany's Afghanistan envoy, who co-hosted the talks with Qatar.
The statement also gives assurances on "women's rights in political, social, economic, educational and cultural affairs in the contexts of Islamic values," according to DW's Pashto service.
Though the group refuses to recognize Afghanistan's central government in Kabul, calling it a "US puppet," Taliban representatives had agreed to meet with officials in Doha in a "personal capacity."
"The differences are almost so narrow," said Mutlaq al-Qahtani, Qatar's counterterrorism special envoy. "We are quite frankly surprised how serious both sides are," he added, "and they are so committed to putting an end to this conflict."
https://www.dw.com/en/taliban-and-afghan-government-agree-to-reduce-violence/a-49517930
The Taliban on Monday agreed to reduce the number of civilian casualties in its offensive against Afghanistan's central government, according to a joint statement by representatives of the warring factions.
During talks in Doha, the militant group agreed to stop attacks on "religious centers, schools, hospitals, educational centers, bazaars, water dams and work places," according to a statement seen by DW.
The encounter ended with a joint "appeal and promise to reduce violence in Afghanistan," said Markus Potzel, Germany's Afghanistan envoy, who co-hosted the talks with Qatar.
The statement also gives assurances on "women's rights in political, social, economic, educational and cultural affairs in the contexts of Islamic values," according to DW's Pashto service.
Though the group refuses to recognize Afghanistan's central government in Kabul, calling it a "US puppet," Taliban representatives had agreed to meet with officials in Doha in a "personal capacity."
"The differences are almost so narrow," said Mutlaq al-Qahtani, Qatar's counterterrorism special envoy. "We are quite frankly surprised how serious both sides are," he added, "and they are so committed to putting an end to this conflict."
Ukraine's Zelenskiy proposes peace talks with Putin
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraines-zelenskiy-proposes-peace-talks-with-putin/a-49515524
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the recently elected president of Ukraine, invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume peace talks to solve the ongoing conflict between their respective countries on Monday.
Zelenskiy made the invitation via YouTube, saying: "Now I want to address Russian President Vladimir Putin. We need to talk? We do. Let's do it."
In the address, which came as EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk were set to arrive in Kyiv, Zelenskiy proposed: "I suggest the following lineup for talks: me, you, US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron."
Zelenskiy was also clear about the topic of the meeting: "Let's discuss who Crimea belongs to and who isn't in the Donbass region."
https://www.dw.com/en/ukraines-zelenskiy-proposes-peace-talks-with-putin/a-49515524
Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the recently elected president of Ukraine, invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to resume peace talks to solve the ongoing conflict between their respective countries on Monday.
Zelenskiy made the invitation via YouTube, saying: "Now I want to address Russian President Vladimir Putin. We need to talk? We do. Let's do it."
In the address, which came as EU leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk were set to arrive in Kyiv, Zelenskiy proposed: "I suggest the following lineup for talks: me, you, US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French President Emmanuel Macron."
Zelenskiy was also clear about the topic of the meeting: "Let's discuss who Crimea belongs to and who isn't in the Donbass region."
Trump: 'We won't deal with UK ambassador' after leaked emails
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48914294
US President Donald Trump has stepped up his attack on the UK's ambassador in Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, saying "we will no longer deal with him".
In withering comments on Twitter, Mr Trump also lashed out at Theresa May, saying it was "good news" that Britain would soon have a new prime minister.
Sir Kim, in emails leaked on Sunday, described Mr Trump's administration as dysfunctional and inept.
Mrs May said she had "full faith" in Sir Kim but did not agree with him.
Her spokesman had described the leak as "absolutely unacceptable", and said the prime minister's office had made contact with the White House.
Mr Trump had already responded to the leaked emails by saying "we're not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well".
In Monday's series of tweets he said Sir Kim was "not liked or well thought of within the US".
Apparently angered by Mrs May's support for the ambassador, he again lashed out at her handling of Brexit, describing it as "a mess".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48914294
US President Donald Trump has stepped up his attack on the UK's ambassador in Washington, Sir Kim Darroch, saying "we will no longer deal with him".
In withering comments on Twitter, Mr Trump also lashed out at Theresa May, saying it was "good news" that Britain would soon have a new prime minister.
Sir Kim, in emails leaked on Sunday, described Mr Trump's administration as dysfunctional and inept.
Mrs May said she had "full faith" in Sir Kim but did not agree with him.
Her spokesman had described the leak as "absolutely unacceptable", and said the prime minister's office had made contact with the White House.
Mr Trump had already responded to the leaked emails by saying "we're not big fans of that man and he has not served the UK well".
In Monday's series of tweets he said Sir Kim was "not liked or well thought of within the US".
Apparently angered by Mrs May's support for the ambassador, he again lashed out at her handling of Brexit, describing it as "a mess".
China's vice premier talks with U.S. trade officials: Commerce Ministry
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/chinas-vice-premier-talks-with-u-s-trade-officials-commerce-ministry-idUSKCN1U501N
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Liu He conducted a phone call with U.S. trade officials, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Wednesday.
Liu spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday evening, the statement said.
The officials exchanged views on implementing an agreement reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump at their meeting in Osaka in late June, the statement said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/chinas-vice-premier-talks-with-u-s-trade-officials-commerce-ministry-idUSKCN1U501N
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese Vice Premier Liu He conducted a phone call with U.S. trade officials, China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Wednesday.
Liu spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday evening, the statement said.
The officials exchanged views on implementing an agreement reached between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump at their meeting in Osaka in late June, the statement said.
Trump lashes out at 'foolish' May as crisis over ambassador grows
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/09/donald-trump-calls-theresa-may-foolish-as-diplomatic-row-escalates
Transatlantic tensions over the British ambassador’s leaked criticisms of Donald Trump have grown into a diplomatic crisis after the US president attacked Sir Kim Darroch as “a pompous fool” and his commerce secretary postponed planned trade talks with Liam Fox.
A day after Trump said he would no longer deal with Darroch following the release of UK diplomatic memos calling him “incompetent”, “inept” and “insecure”, he used his Twitter feed to attack the diplomat, who he described as “wacky” and “very stupid”.
The president also volleyed a series of insults at Theresa May, calling her “foolish” and saying her Brexit plan had been a disaster because she ignored his advice.
The controversy escalated further as Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and Conservative leadership candidate, responded by calling the president’s language “disrespectful and wrong”.
In Tuesday night’s Conservative leadership debate, Hunt reiterated his support for Darroch and said that he would keep him in place were he to become prime minister. Frontrunner Boris Johnson was more limited in his criticism of Trump, saying that a good relationship with the US was “of fantastic importance”. And he refused to say that he would back Darroch if he won the contest.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/09/donald-trump-calls-theresa-may-foolish-as-diplomatic-row-escalates
Transatlantic tensions over the British ambassador’s leaked criticisms of Donald Trump have grown into a diplomatic crisis after the US president attacked Sir Kim Darroch as “a pompous fool” and his commerce secretary postponed planned trade talks with Liam Fox.
A day after Trump said he would no longer deal with Darroch following the release of UK diplomatic memos calling him “incompetent”, “inept” and “insecure”, he used his Twitter feed to attack the diplomat, who he described as “wacky” and “very stupid”.
The president also volleyed a series of insults at Theresa May, calling her “foolish” and saying her Brexit plan had been a disaster because she ignored his advice.
The controversy escalated further as Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary and Conservative leadership candidate, responded by calling the president’s language “disrespectful and wrong”.
In Tuesday night’s Conservative leadership debate, Hunt reiterated his support for Darroch and said that he would keep him in place were he to become prime minister. Frontrunner Boris Johnson was more limited in his criticism of Trump, saying that a good relationship with the US was “of fantastic importance”. And he refused to say that he would back Darroch if he won the contest.
EU presses Iran to stop violating nuclear deal 'without delay'
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-presses-iran-to-stop-violating-nuclear-deal-without-delay/a-49527039
Germany, France and Britain and the EU on Tuesday said Iran must stop violating its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, one day after UN inspectors confirmed that Tehran had begun enriching uranium over the stipulated limits.
Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had exceeded the limit of 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium.
In a second violation on Sunday, Tehran announced that it would raise its uranium enrichment level over the 3.67% purity limit agreed to in the deal. Iran has said its actions are in response to US sanctions on its oil exports, which are choking the country's economic lifeline.
In a joint statement released by the EU's diplomatic body, the European External Action Service (EEAS), European signatories to the deal expressed "deep concern" over Iran's repeated violation of several of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the Iran nuclear accord's official name.
"It must act accordingly by reversing these activities and returning to full JCPOA compliance without delay," the statement said, adding that a meeting of the JCPOA commission, which also includes Russia and China, "should be convened urgently," without specifying when.
https://www.dw.com/en/eu-presses-iran-to-stop-violating-nuclear-deal-without-delay/a-49527039
Germany, France and Britain and the EU on Tuesday said Iran must stop violating its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, one day after UN inspectors confirmed that Tehran had begun enriching uranium over the stipulated limits.
Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had exceeded the limit of 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium.
In a second violation on Sunday, Tehran announced that it would raise its uranium enrichment level over the 3.67% purity limit agreed to in the deal. Iran has said its actions are in response to US sanctions on its oil exports, which are choking the country's economic lifeline.
In a joint statement released by the EU's diplomatic body, the European External Action Service (EEAS), European signatories to the deal expressed "deep concern" over Iran's repeated violation of several of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the Iran nuclear accord's official name.
"It must act accordingly by reversing these activities and returning to full JCPOA compliance without delay," the statement said, adding that a meeting of the JCPOA commission, which also includes Russia and China, "should be convened urgently," without specifying when.
Opinion: Huawei's 5G plan for Germany is a bad deal
https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-huaweis-5g-plan-for-germany-is-a-bad-deal/a-49528206
Chinese tech giant Huawei wants to help construct Germany's 5G network. The new technology will radically increase mobile internet speeds. A Chinese company, in other words, is aiming to bring Germans faster internet access.
Ironically, China's government has done everything in its power to isolate the country's internet and social media platforms from the outside world. It has deployed state of the art technology to hamper the ability of Chinese people to learn what is happening in Germany and elsewhere around the globe.
DW's entire programming, including its Chinese language content, is blocked in China. The Chinese government makes it almost impossible for our journalists to work in the country. And only a small fraction of Chinese people are able to employ software that allows them to bypass China's firewall and access uncensored information from Germany, Europe and beyond. That firewall not only blocks DW content, but also other Chinese language reporting by Western media outlets such as the BBC.
What's more, China has continued to intensify its internet censorship. Just last week, its government blocked access the websites of German dailies Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The Communist Party does not want the populace reading about and discussing Chinese human rights issues. And neither does it want the Chinese people learning about the plight of the Uighur Muslim minority locked up in Chinese re-education camps, or about the situation in Tibet.
Here in Germany, meanwhile, anyone who wishes to do so can of course watch Chinese television stations. And Chinese journalists are free to travel around the country and report as they see fit.
https://www.dw.com/en/opinion-huaweis-5g-plan-for-germany-is-a-bad-deal/a-49528206
Chinese tech giant Huawei wants to help construct Germany's 5G network. The new technology will radically increase mobile internet speeds. A Chinese company, in other words, is aiming to bring Germans faster internet access.
Ironically, China's government has done everything in its power to isolate the country's internet and social media platforms from the outside world. It has deployed state of the art technology to hamper the ability of Chinese people to learn what is happening in Germany and elsewhere around the globe.
DW's entire programming, including its Chinese language content, is blocked in China. The Chinese government makes it almost impossible for our journalists to work in the country. And only a small fraction of Chinese people are able to employ software that allows them to bypass China's firewall and access uncensored information from Germany, Europe and beyond. That firewall not only blocks DW content, but also other Chinese language reporting by Western media outlets such as the BBC.
What's more, China has continued to intensify its internet censorship. Just last week, its government blocked access the websites of German dailies Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The Communist Party does not want the populace reading about and discussing Chinese human rights issues. And neither does it want the Chinese people learning about the plight of the Uighur Muslim minority locked up in Chinese re-education camps, or about the situation in Tibet.
Here in Germany, meanwhile, anyone who wishes to do so can of course watch Chinese television stations. And Chinese journalists are free to travel around the country and report as they see fit.
Germany's Angela Merkel seen shaking for third time within weeks
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-seen-shaking-for-third-time-within-weeks/a-49535413
German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to be shaking in Berlin on Wednesday while receiving Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, according to reporters and witnesses.
Video of the event shows her slightly shaking for an extended period of time while both countries' national anthems were playing.
At a press conference following talks with Finland's prime minister, Merkel told reporters that she was doing fine after the incident.
"I am doing well," Merkel said with a smile. "You don't have to worry about me."
She added that she is still in a "processing phase" after her first shaking spell in mid-June during a visit from Ukraine's president. "That is apparently not yet completely finished, but progress has been made," she added.
It was the third time in recent weeks that Merkel was seen visibly shaking at a public event, although Wednesday's incident was not as severe as the prior cases.
https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-angela-merkel-seen-shaking-for-third-time-within-weeks/a-49535413
German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to be shaking in Berlin on Wednesday while receiving Finnish Prime Minister Antti Rinne, according to reporters and witnesses.
Video of the event shows her slightly shaking for an extended period of time while both countries' national anthems were playing.
At a press conference following talks with Finland's prime minister, Merkel told reporters that she was doing fine after the incident.
"I am doing well," Merkel said with a smile. "You don't have to worry about me."
She added that she is still in a "processing phase" after her first shaking spell in mid-June during a visit from Ukraine's president. "That is apparently not yet completely finished, but progress has been made," she added.
It was the third time in recent weeks that Merkel was seen visibly shaking at a public event, although Wednesday's incident was not as severe as the prior cases.
US begins investigation of France's planned tax on tech giants
https://www.dw.com/en/us-begins-investigation-of-frances-planned-tax-on-tech-giants/a-49544088
US President Donald Trump ordered an inquiry on Wednesday into France's proposed "digital services tax," as he feels their European counterparts are unfairly targeting American tech giants.
US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said in a statement: "The United States is very concerned that the digital services tax which is expected to pass the French Senate tomorrow unfairly targets American companies."
The planned 3% tax on the annual revenues of firms providing services to French consumers will only apply to significant companies, "where US firms are global leaders," the USTR said.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in March that a 3% tax on the French revenue of major online companies could yield €500 million ($563 million) a year and would include some 30 companies, which were mostly from the US but also included others from China, Germany, Spain and the UK.
Paris has denied it is singling out the US companies. The tax would affect companies with at least €750 million in annual revenues and apply to revenue from digital business including online advertising.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-begins-investigation-of-frances-planned-tax-on-tech-giants/a-49544088
US President Donald Trump ordered an inquiry on Wednesday into France's proposed "digital services tax," as he feels their European counterparts are unfairly targeting American tech giants.
US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer said in a statement: "The United States is very concerned that the digital services tax which is expected to pass the French Senate tomorrow unfairly targets American companies."
The planned 3% tax on the annual revenues of firms providing services to French consumers will only apply to significant companies, "where US firms are global leaders," the USTR said.
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said in March that a 3% tax on the French revenue of major online companies could yield €500 million ($563 million) a year and would include some 30 companies, which were mostly from the US but also included others from China, Germany, Spain and the UK.
Paris has denied it is singling out the US companies. The tax would affect companies with at least €750 million in annual revenues and apply to revenue from digital business including online advertising.
Sir Kim Darroch: UK ambassador to US resigns in Trump leaks row
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48937120
Sir Kim Darroch has resigned as UK ambassador to the US, as a row over leaked emails critical of President Trump's administration escalates.
Theresa May said Sir Kim's departure was "a matter of deep regret" after the ambassador said it was "impossible" for him to continue.
Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson has faced strong criticism for failing to fully support him.
President Trump said on Monday that the US would not deal with Sir Kim.
The US president had branded him "a very stupid guy" after confidential emails emerged where the ambassador had called his administration "clumsy and inept".
In a letter to the Foreign Office, Sir Kim said he wanted to end speculation about his position: "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like."
His resignation has prompted widespread support for Sir Kim as well as criticism of Tory frontrunner Boris Johnson.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48937120
Sir Kim Darroch has resigned as UK ambassador to the US, as a row over leaked emails critical of President Trump's administration escalates.
Theresa May said Sir Kim's departure was "a matter of deep regret" after the ambassador said it was "impossible" for him to continue.
Tory leadership candidate Boris Johnson has faced strong criticism for failing to fully support him.
President Trump said on Monday that the US would not deal with Sir Kim.
The US president had branded him "a very stupid guy" after confidential emails emerged where the ambassador had called his administration "clumsy and inept".
In a letter to the Foreign Office, Sir Kim said he wanted to end speculation about his position: "The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like."
His resignation has prompted widespread support for Sir Kim as well as criticism of Tory frontrunner Boris Johnson.
Iranian boats 'tried to intercept British tanker'
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48946051
Iranian boats tried to impede a British oil tanker near the Gulf - before being driven off by a Royal Navy ship, the Ministry of Defence has said.
HMS Montrose, a British frigate shadowing the BP-owned tanker, was forced to move between the three boats and the tanker, a spokesman said.
He described the Iranians' actions as "contrary to international law".
Iran had threatened to retaliate for the seizure of one of its own tankers, but denied any attempted seizure.
Boats believed to belong to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) approached the tanker, British Heritage, and tried to bring it to a halt as it was moving out of the Gulf into the Strait of Hormuz.
Guns on HMS Montrose were trained on the Iranian boats as they were ordered to back off, US media reported. The boats heeded the warning and no shots were fired.
The BBC has been told British Heritage was near the island of Abu Musa when it was approached by the Iranian boats.
Although Abu Musa is in disputed territorial waters, HMS Montrose remained in international waters throughout.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48946051
Iranian boats tried to impede a British oil tanker near the Gulf - before being driven off by a Royal Navy ship, the Ministry of Defence has said.
HMS Montrose, a British frigate shadowing the BP-owned tanker, was forced to move between the three boats and the tanker, a spokesman said.
He described the Iranians' actions as "contrary to international law".
Iran had threatened to retaliate for the seizure of one of its own tankers, but denied any attempted seizure.
Boats believed to belong to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) approached the tanker, British Heritage, and tried to bring it to a halt as it was moving out of the Gulf into the Strait of Hormuz.
Guns on HMS Montrose were trained on the Iranian boats as they were ordered to back off, US media reported. The boats heeded the warning and no shots were fired.
The BBC has been told British Heritage was near the island of Abu Musa when it was approached by the Iranian boats.
Although Abu Musa is in disputed territorial waters, HMS Montrose remained in international waters throughout.
Trump expected to take executive action to add citizenship question to census
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/11/trump-expected-to-take-executive-action-to-add-citizenship-question-to-census-1405893
President Donald Trump is expected to take an executive action to add a question about citizenship to the census, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Trump has been frustrated by the administration’s legal hurdles to add a question on the census, but it’s unclear how he could act alone without an immediate court challenge. His administration is already printing census questionnaires without the question.
In a tweet, Trump announced that he would hold a previously unscheduled news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss his latest efforts at including the citizenship question as part of the census.
"The White House will be hosting a very big and very important Social Media Summit today," Trump tweeted. "Would I have become President without Social Media? Yes (probably)! At its conclusion, we will all go to the beautiful Rose Garden for a News Conference on the Census and Citizenship."
Trump told reporters last week that he was considering an executive order. "It's one of the ways," he said. "We have four or five ways we can do it. It's one of the ways and we're thinking about doing it very seriously."
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/11/trump-expected-to-take-executive-action-to-add-citizenship-question-to-census-1405893
President Donald Trump is expected to take an executive action to add a question about citizenship to the census, according to two people familiar with the situation.
Trump has been frustrated by the administration’s legal hurdles to add a question on the census, but it’s unclear how he could act alone without an immediate court challenge. His administration is already printing census questionnaires without the question.
In a tweet, Trump announced that he would hold a previously unscheduled news conference Thursday afternoon to discuss his latest efforts at including the citizenship question as part of the census.
"The White House will be hosting a very big and very important Social Media Summit today," Trump tweeted. "Would I have become President without Social Media? Yes (probably)! At its conclusion, we will all go to the beautiful Rose Garden for a News Conference on the Census and Citizenship."
Trump told reporters last week that he was considering an executive order. "It's one of the ways," he said. "We have four or five ways we can do it. It's one of the ways and we're thinking about doing it very seriously."
US census 2020: Trump retreats on citizenship question
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48959538
President Donald Trump will no longer pursue adding a question on citizenship to the 2020 US census questionnaire.
Instead, he said he had directed officials to obtain the information through an executive order for government agencies, as court challenges would have delayed a census.
"We will leave no stone unturned," Mr Trump said.
The retreat follows a long fight over the inclusion of the question, which the Supreme Court had blocked in June.
"We are not backing down on our effort to determine the citizenship status of the United States population," the US president said.
The order will require government agencies to hand over documents regarding citizenship.
"As a result of today's executive order we will be able to ensure the 2020 census generates an accurate count of how many citizens, non-citizens and illegal aliens are in the United States of America," Mr Trump said at the White House.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48959538
President Donald Trump will no longer pursue adding a question on citizenship to the 2020 US census questionnaire.
Instead, he said he had directed officials to obtain the information through an executive order for government agencies, as court challenges would have delayed a census.
"We will leave no stone unturned," Mr Trump said.
The retreat follows a long fight over the inclusion of the question, which the Supreme Court had blocked in June.
"We are not backing down on our effort to determine the citizenship status of the United States population," the US president said.
The order will require government agencies to hand over documents regarding citizenship.
"As a result of today's executive order we will be able to ensure the 2020 census generates an accurate count of how many citizens, non-citizens and illegal aliens are in the United States of America," Mr Trump said at the White House.
Taiwan president in U.S. after warning of threat from 'overseas forces'
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-congress-subpoenas/u-s-house-panel-authorizes-subpoenas-for-kushner-other-trump-aides-idUSKCN1U629U
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in the United States on Thursday on a trip that has angered Beijing, warning that democracy must be defended and that the island faced threats from “overseas forces,” in a veiled reference to China.
China, which claims self-ruled and democratic Taiwan as its own and views it as a wayward province, had called on the United States not to allow Tsai to transit there on her overseas tour.
“I want to reiterate that Taiwan is not, and will never, be intimidated,” Tsai told a reception in New York for representatives of Taipei’s 17 diplomatic allies, almost all small Central American, Caribbean or Pacific nations.
“The challenges we face only serve to strengthen our resolve to engage with the international community,” she said. “The 23 million people of Taiwan have a right to participate in international affairs and this right should not be subject to political preconditions.”
Tsai is spending four nights in the United States - two on the first leg and two on the way back from a visit to four Caribbean allies. She began her trip in New York and is expected to stop in Denver on her way back.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-congress-subpoenas/u-s-house-panel-authorizes-subpoenas-for-kushner-other-trump-aides-idUSKCN1U629U
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrived in the United States on Thursday on a trip that has angered Beijing, warning that democracy must be defended and that the island faced threats from “overseas forces,” in a veiled reference to China.
China, which claims self-ruled and democratic Taiwan as its own and views it as a wayward province, had called on the United States not to allow Tsai to transit there on her overseas tour.
“I want to reiterate that Taiwan is not, and will never, be intimidated,” Tsai told a reception in New York for representatives of Taipei’s 17 diplomatic allies, almost all small Central American, Caribbean or Pacific nations.
“The challenges we face only serve to strengthen our resolve to engage with the international community,” she said. “The 23 million people of Taiwan have a right to participate in international affairs and this right should not be subject to political preconditions.”
Tsai is spending four nights in the United States - two on the first leg and two on the way back from a visit to four Caribbean allies. She began her trip in New York and is expected to stop in Denver on her way back.