國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（七）

Immigration raids to take place across US starting Sunday

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/11/ice-raids-sunday-latest-undocumented-immigration-operation-trump-administration

US immigration officials have said immigration raids targeting thousands of families will take place in major cities across the United States starting on Sunday – less than a month after delaying a similar operation.

Such a move could see parents separated from US citizen children, more detained families and has already sparked a legal challenge.

Department of Homeland Security officials from the Trump administration, speaking anonymously, told newspapers that details of the raids had not been finalized, but would probably begin on Sunday in at least 10 major cities.

The raids would target at least 2,000 immigrants who have been ordered deported and crossed the border recently, though other undocumented people could also be arrested if the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agency intercepts them , according to the New York Times.

The operation was first announced by Donald Trump on Twitter last month – prompting immigrant advocates to increase education for migrants on their rights, including that they don’t have to open their door to Ice agents without a court warrant.

Among the myriad concerns raised by advocates is that some people ordered deported may never have received notices to appear in court. Trump often accuses migrants of deliberately ignoring notices, but in the past year, attorneys have complained that documents were sent to incorrect addresses or listed incorrect hearing dates and times, including midnight, when court is not in session, and 31 November, which doesn’t exist.

The US government could therefore arrest migrants who didn’t know they were due in court, which would allow the arrested to reopen their cases, if theyfound an attorney.

US Labour Secretary Alex Acosta resigns over Epstein case

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48967419

US Labour Secretary Alex Acosta is resigning amid criticism of his brokering of a plea deal for financier Jeffrey Epstein in a child sex case.

Mr Acosta, a former Florida prosecutor, made the announcement from the White House Lawn on Friday, as President Donald Trump stood by his side.

Democrats had called for him to quit over his handling of the Epstein case.

Mr Acosta had been defending the plea deal in a news conference only two days ago.

Mr Trump told reporters that the two had spoken on the phone earlier on Friday morning and that it was Mr Acosta's decision

Mr Acosta was the US Attorney in Miami in 2008 when he oversaw a non-prosecution deal against Epstein which allowed him to serve 13 months in jail - with much of that spent on work release at his Palm Beach office.

"This was him not me," Mr Trump said, adding that Mr Acosta was "a tremendous talent" who "went to Harvard" University. Earlier this week, Mr Trump told reporters that he felt badly for his labour secretary, but added that he did not know him personally before hiring him.

Mr Acosta told reporters: "I do not think it is right and fair... to have Epstein as the focus rather than the incredible economy that we have today".

But he added: "It would be selfish for me to stay in this position and continue talking about a case that's 12 years old."

Theresa May speaks of 'pride and disappointment' as prime minister
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48963537

Theresa May has told the BBC she will feel a "mixture of pride and disappointment" when she leaves Downing Street in 12 days' time.

In her final TV interview with political editor Laura Kuenssberg, the PM spoke of "frustration" at not seeing Brexit through and underestimating how "entrenched" MPs had become.

She said she had achieved an "enormous amount" in three years in the job.

But she was sorry having to leave when "there was more that I wanted to do".

Mrs May and her husband Philip will depart Downing Street on 24 July, succeeded as prime minister by either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt.

Rouhani says Iran ready to talk to U.S. if sanctions lifted

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-usa/rouhani-says-iran-ready-to-talk-to-u-s-if-sanctions-lifted-idUSKCN1U90DQ

DUBAI/PARIS (Reuters) - Iran is ready to hold talks with the United States if Washington lifts sanctions and returns to the 2015 nuclear deal it quit last year, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Sunday.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration says it is open to negotiations with Iran on a more far-reaching agreement on nuclear and security issues.

But Iran has made any talks conditional on first being able to export as much oil as it did before the United States withdrew from the nuclear pact with world powers in May 2018.

“We have always believed in talks ... if they lift sanctions, end the imposed economic pressure and return to the deal, we are ready to hold talks with America today, right now and anywhere,” Rouhani said in his Sunday speech.

'Edge of catastrophe': report warns firms and governments off Turkmenistan
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/14/edge-of-catastrophe-report-warns-firms-and-governments-off-turkmenistan

Investors and governments should stop cosying up to gas-rich Turkmenistan, according to a new report that describes the central Asian hermit state as “a country teetering on the edge of catastrophe”.

Turkmenistan, second only to North Korea in the scale of its isolation and leadership cult, has long been courted by western governments eager to tap into its gas reserves and associated wealth. The country is thought to possess about 10% of the proven global reserves of natural gas, but is currently in the midst of an economic crisis.

“Hunger and hyperinflation are being managed by further increasing the scale of human rights abuse and the level of intrusion into people’s lives,” says the report by the British thinktank the Foreign Policy Centre, which will be launched in parliament on Monday evening.

Its author, FPC director Adam Hug, said Turkmenistan was the worst country in the region “in terms of the depth and breadth of repression”, and said foreign investors should think twice before associating themselves with the country.

Exclusive: U.S. firms may get nod to restart Huawei sales in 2-4 weeks - official

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-huawei-tech-usa-blacklist-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-firms-may-get-nod-to-restart-huawei-sales-in-2-4-weeks-official-idUSKCN1U90ON

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. may approve licenses for companies to re-start new sales to Huawei in as little as two weeks, according to a senior U.S. official, in a sign President Donald Trump’s recent effort to ease restrictions on the Chinese company could move forward quickly.

Huawei, the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker, was added to a Commerce Department list in May that prohibits U.S. companies from supplying it with new American-made goods and services unless they obtain licenses that will likely be denied.

But late last month, after meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping, President Donald Trump announced American firms could sell products to Huawei. And in recent days, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said licenses would be issued where there is no threat to national security.

Trump’s reversal, and rapid implementation by the Commerce Department, suggests chip industry lobbying, coupled with Chinese political pressure, may well reignite U.S. technology sales to Huawei.

Two U.S. chipmakers who supply Huawei told Reuters in recent days they would apply for more licenses after Ross’s comments. They asked to remain anonymous.

South Africa's Jacob Zuma denies being 'king of corrupt people'

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48989499

South Africa's ex-President Jacob Zuma told a judge-led inquiry that allegations of corruption against him were a "conspiracy" aimed at removing him from the political scene.

He was appearing for the first time at the inquiry, which is investigating allegations that he oversaw a web of corruption during his term in office.

His supporters cheered when he entered the building.

Mr Zuma was forced to resign as president in February 2018.

He was replaced by his then deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, who promised to tackle corruption in South Africa. Mr Ramaphosa described Mr Zuma's nine years in office as "wasted".

The allegations against Mr Zuma focus on his relationship with the controversial Gupta family, which was accused of influencing cabinet appointments and winning lucrative state tenders through corruption.

He has also been accused of taking bribes from logistics firm Bosasa, run by the Watson family.

Theresa May: Trump's 'go home' remark to congresswomen 'completely unacceptable'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48990760

British Prime Minister Theresa May has criticised US President Donald Trump for calling on several Democratic congresswomen of colour to "go home".

The prime minister called Mr Trump's words "completely unacceptable", according to her spokesperson.

Mr Trump said the women "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe".

He was referring to four congresswomen - three who were born in the US and one who came as a child refugee.

His remarks were widely condemned as racist, and as having gone beyond previous statements and actions by the president that drew allegations of racism.

Italy seizes 'combat-ready' missile in raids on far right
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48987723

Anti-terrorism police in northern Italy have seized an air-to-air missile and other sophisticated weapons during raids on far-right extremist groups.

Three people were arrested, two of them near Forli airport. Neo-Nazi propaganda was also seized, in the raids.

The raids were part of an investigation into Italian far-right help for Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, local media said.

The missile was one of those used by the Qatari army, Italian police said.

The Turin special police force, called Digos, led the operations, assisted by police in Milan, Varese, Forli and Novara.

Italian media named those arrested as Fabio Del Bergiolo, 50, an Italian ex-customs officer and far-right Forza Nuova party activist; Alessandro Monti, 42, a Swiss national; and Fabio Bernardi, 51, also Italian.

The missile appears to be a French-made Matra Super 530 F.

Iran nuclear deal breaches not yet significant, EU says

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48995866

Iran's recent breaches of the 2015 nuclear deal are not significant and can be reversed, the European Union's foreign policy chief says.

"We invite Iran to reverse the steps and go back to full compliance," Federica Mogherini said on Monday.

Iran stepped up production of enriched uranium, used to make reactor fuel but also potentially nuclear bombs, in May.

It is responding to sanctions imposed by the US since it withdrew unilaterally from the agreement.

The breaches come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US.

"Technically all the steps that have been taken, and that we regret have been taken, are reversible," Ms Mogherini said, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers.

She said none of the signatories to the deal considered the breaches to be significant, and so they would not be triggering its dispute mechanism which could lead to further sanctions.

The meeting in Brussels was focused on reducing tensions with Iran and ensuring the nuclear deal remains in place.

Trial begins with high stakes for U.S.-Turkey ties, ex-Trump adviser Flynn
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-rafiekian/trial-begins-with-high-stakes-for-u-s-turkey-ties-ex-trump-adviser-flynn-idUSKCN1UA1ZT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a court case that could further strain American relations with Turkey and weigh on the sentencing of former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn.

Bijan Rafiekian’s trial in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, turns on whether he conspired to lobby on Turkey’s behalf to try to persuade the U.S. government to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for a failed coup in July 2016.

“During the summer and fall of 2016, the defendant has acted as an agent to advance one of Turkey’s most important foreign policy goals,” one U.S. prosecutor said in his opening statement, adding that was to help support Ankara’s goal in seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States.

Von der Leyen faces crucial vote in quest to lead EU executive

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-jobs-vonderleyen/von-der-leyen-faces-crucial-vote-in-quest-to-lead-eu-executive-idUSKCN1UA2JO

STRASBOURG (Reuters) - Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen faces a make-or-break vote on Tuesday in her quest to be the European Commission’s first female leader, and a raft of promises made the previous day may help her win over skeptical European Union socialist and liberal lawmakers.

To appease them, von der Leyen pledged more ambitious carbon dioxide emissions targets, a more growth-oriented fiscal policy and taxing big tech companies.

She also vowed to create an additional comprehensive European rule-of-law mechanism that includes annual reporting, boost the EU’s border guards earlier than scheduled to deal with the migrant issue, and set a minimum wage for EU workers.

Von der Leyen also suggested scrapping unanimous agreement by all 28 EU countries on climate, energy, social and taxation issues and give Britain more time to negotiate its exit from the bloc.

Her pledges came amidst anger among some EU lawmakers over her nomination by EU leaders and their rejection of the “spitzenkandidaten”, the main parliamentary groups’ candidates for the job.

Von der Leyen will address the 751-member European Parliament at 0700 GMT, to be followed by a debate and a secret ballot at 1600 GMT.

The assembly however is currently four members short which means she needs 374 votes instead of 376.

The scandal hanging over Ursula von der Leyen
https://www.politico.eu/article/the-scandal-hanging-over-ursula-von-der-leyen/

US House votes to condemn Trump's attacks on congresswomen

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49011843

The US House of Representatives has voted to symbolically condemn President Donald Trump after a series of attacks aimed at four congresswomen.

The resolution denounced Mr Trump's "racist comments that have legitimised fear and hatred of New Americans and people of colour".

It passed by 240 votes to 187 in the Democratic-controlled chamber.

Mr Trump has defended his calls for the four women to leave the US, saying: "I don't have a Racist bone in my body!"

All Democratic members were joined by four Republicans and the chamber's sole independent, former Republican lawmaker Justin Amash, to approve the resolution.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, the president said Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida Tlaib "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe" and should "go back".

Von der Leyen elected EU Commission head after MEPs vote

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49010801

Germany's Ursula von der Leyen has been narrowly elected president of the EU Commission following a secret ballot among MEPs.

The centre-right defence minister will replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on 1 November.

She secured the backing of more than half of the members of the European parliament on Tuesday evening.

The Commission drafts EU laws, enforces EU rules and has the power to impose fines on member states if necessary.

"The trust you placed in me is confidence you placed in Europe," Mrs von der Leyen, who is the first woman to be elected president of the European Commission, said in a speech immediately after the vote.

"Your confidence in a united and strong Europe, from east to west, from south to north."

"It is a big responsibility and my work starts now," she added. "Let us work together constructively."

She was confirmed by a margin of 383 votes to 327. She needed the backing of 374 out of 747 MEPs to win.

A total of 751 MEPs were elected in May, but four were absent for Tuesday's vote.

French environment minister resigns over lavish lifestyle claims

https://www.dw.com/en/french-environment-minister-resigns-over-lavish-lifestyle-claims/a-49609072

Francois de Rugy withdrew from his position on Tuesday after a week of pressure heaped on him. Reports published last week suggested he had lived a lavish lifestyle off the back of French taxpayers.

De Rugy said on his Facebook page he resigned because the "effort required to fight the accusations" meant that he could no longer carry out his ministerial duties "peacefully."

"I would like to thank the president of the Republic and the prime minister for the trust they have shown in me," De Rugy added. In his resignation post, de Rugy also said he had filed a criminal complaint against Mediapart, the investigative site that initially published the allegations.

Leader of Merkel's CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, to become German defense minister

https://www.dw.com/en/leader-of-merkels-cdu-annegret-kramp-karrenbauer-to-become-german-defense-minister/a-49613916

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is to be Germany's new defense minister, officials have confirmed. The reports come after the current defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, was voted EU Commission President on Monday.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, also known by her initials AKK, succeeded Chancellor Angela Merkel as leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) in December.

The move would come as a surprise, as many had expected Health Minister Jens Spahn, who was passed over for party leader, to become defense chief. It was doubly surprisingly because Kramp-Karrenbauer had previously said she would forgo a ministerial post in favor of concentrating on party leadership.

Christine Lagarde resigns as head of IMF

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-49009226

Christine Lagarde has said she will step down as managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

It comes ahead of a decision on her nomination to become head of the European Central Bank (ECB).

Ms Lagarde said she would leave the IMF on 12 September.

"With greater clarity now on the process for my nomination as ECB president and the time it will take, I have made this decision in the best interest of the fund," she said.

"The executive board will now be taking the necessary steps to move forward with the process for selecting a new managing director."

The former French cabinet minister has been head of the IMF since 2011.

If the European Council approves her ECB nomination, she will become the central bank's first ever female leader, responsible for the euro and the monetary policy of the eurozone.

US removes Turkey from F-35 program after S-400 fiasco

https://www.dw.com/en/us-removes-turkey-from-f-35-program-after-s-400-fiasco/a-49625337

The US on Wednesday announced that Turkey would no longer participate in its F-35 fighter jet program, citing the Turkish government's decision to purchase the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system.

"Unfortunately, Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 air defense systems render its continued involvement with the F-35 impossible," said White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham.

The F-35 "cannot coexist with a Russian intelligence collection platform that will be used to learn about its advanced capabilities," Grisham added.

Turkey's removal from the program is expected to happen by next year, said Ellen Lord, the US undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.

"We are proceeding with a very orderly wind-down by March 2020," said Lord. "This is a specific response to a specific action."

Nato chief calls on Russia to save INF missile treaty

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49026227

Time is running out to save a key missile treaty with Russia, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has told the BBC.

Mr Stoltenberg pledged a "measured, defensive" response if Russia did not come back into compliance with the deal by the 2 August deadline.

"We have to be prepared for a world... with more Russian missiles," he said.

The 1987 agreement signed by the US and USSR banned short and medium-range missiles.

President Trump announced the US would suspend its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in February, accusing Russia of breaching its terms.

Russia denied the allegation but suspended its own obligations shortly afterwards and announced plans to develop new weapons systems.

House kills attempt to impeach Trump for 'disgracing' presidency

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/17/house-kills-attempt-to-impeach-trump-for-disgracing-presidency

The House of Representatives killed an attempt to impeach Donald Trump on Wednesday, with 137 Democrats joining Republicans to table a vote on articles of impeachment brought by the congressman Al Green of Texas.

Ninety-five Democrats voted to advance the impeachment resolution, which blasted Trump for bringing “disgrace” on the presidency by issuing racist tweets last Sunday aimed at four congresswomen of color. “Tabling” the impeachment articles means they are in effect dead.

Many Democrats said they agreed with the sentiment, but the caucus followed the lead of the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who said Wednesday morning that multiple investigations into the president, his associates and their activities should play out before impeachment could be considered.

“We have six committees working on following the facts in terms of any abuse of power, obstruction of justice and the rest that the president may have engaged in,” Pelosi said Wednesday morning. “That is the serious path we’re on – not that Mr Green is not serious, but we’ll deal with that on the floor.”

Green, who represents the southern Houston suburbs, has made two prior attempts to get impeachment rolling on the House floor.

“In my opinion, it didn’t fail,” Green said. “In my opinion, we got 95 votes this time, 66 the last time. So that’s a plus. But whether we get 95 or five, the point is we have to make a statement.”

House holds William Barr, Wilbur Ross in criminal contempt of Congress

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/07/17/house-votes-to-hold-william-barr-wilbur-ross-in-criminal-contempt-of-congress-1418900

The House voted on Wednesday to ask the Justice Department to prosecute Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for defying congressional subpoenas, an escalation in House Democrats’ ongoing oversight battle with the Trump administration.

The 230-198 vote to hold Barr and Ross in criminal contempt of Congress is largely symbolic, as President Donald Trump’s DOJ will not act on the request.

But it reflects House Democrats’ frustration over the administration’s defiance of the House Oversight and Reform Committee’s subpoenas seeking information about failed efforts to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census.

“I do not take this decision lightly,” said Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), chairman of the Oversight Committee. “Holding any secretary in criminal contempt of Congress is a serious and sober matter, one that I have done everything in my power to avoid.”

“But in the case of the attorney general and Secretary Ross, they blatantly obstructed our ability to do congressional oversight into the real reason Secretary Ross was trying, for the first time in 70 years, to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census,” Cummings added.

DRC Ebola epidemic is international emergency, says WHO
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/17/drc-ebola-epidemic-is-international-emergency-says-who

The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a public health emergency of international concern, the World Health Organization has declared, calling for more funds and support to close it down.

The second biggest Ebola outbreak ever, after the 2014-16 epidemic in west Africa, has reached a critical point with the diagnosis of a case in Goma, a city of 2 million people, which is a transport hub on the border with Rwanda. That follows the case last week of a women who crossed into Uganda to buy fish – and the arrival of a family harbouring the virus, three of whom died, in Uganda last month.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director general, appealed on Wednesday for the international community to help with funds. WHO is working on a new plan to control the epidemic, he said, which would cost “hundred of millions” of dollars.

“It is time for the world to take notice and redouble our efforts. We need to work together in solidarity with the DRC to end this outbreak and build a better health system,” said Tedros.

“Extraordinary work has been done for almost a year under the most difficult circumstances. We all owe it to these responders – coming from not just WHO but also government, partners and communities – to shoulder more of the burden.”

Brexit: MPs approve measure to block Parliament shutdown

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49030225

MPs have voted in favour of a measure that could block efforts by the next prime minister to force through a no-deal Brexit by suspending Parliament.

The Commons voted by a majority of 41 to approve an amendment put forward by Labour's Hilary Benn and former minister Alistair Burt.

MPs are now voting on a Lords amendment which proposes a similar measure.

Tory leadership frontrunner Boris Johnson has not ruled out suspending Parliament.

His rival Jeremy Hunt has ruled it out.

If the 31 October deadline is reached without Parliament backing an agreement between the UK government and the EU, the UK is scheduled to leave the EU without a deal.

MPs have consistently voted against a no-deal Brexit, but the prime minister could try to get around that by suspending Parliament - proroguing - in the run-up to the deadline, denying them an opportunity to block it.

But the House of Lords' amendment to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill would require progress reports on restoring devolved government in Northern Ireland to be debated regularly in Parliament, effectively preventing it being shut down.

It builds on an amendment from pro-EU Tory Dominic Grieve passed by MPs last week that would require ministers to give fortnightly reports to Parliament throughout October on progress to restore devolution.

The new Lords amendment would ensure these have to be debated in the weeks before the Brexit deadline - meaning MPs and peers have to sit.

US shot down Iranian drone in Strait of Hormuz, says Trump
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49040415

President Donald Trump has said the US Navy shot down an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz.

He said the USS Boxer amphibious assault ship "took defensive action" on Thursday after the drone came within about 1,000 yards (914m) of the vessel.

Iran said it had no information about losing a drone. In June, Iran downed a US military drone in the area.

Earlier, Tehran said it had seized a "foreign tanker" and its 12 crew on Sunday for smuggling fuel in the Gulf.

Iran has been blamed by the US for attacks on tankers since May in the world's key shipping area. Tehran denies all the accusations.

Trump - I disagree with Omar 'send her back' chants
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49035505

President Donald Trump has disavowed the "send her back" chants directed at Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar by his supporters at a campaign rally.

Ms Omar is a US citizen who emigrated from Somalia with her family after fleeing the country's civil war.

The chants, which came after Mr Trump criticised Ms Omar and three other congresswomen, were widely condemned, including by some Republicans.

"I was not happy with it. I disagree with it," Mr Trump said of the chant.

He did not elaborate on with what he disagreed. "It was quite a chant and I felt a little bit badly about it," Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday. "I started speaking very quickly but it started up rather fast, as you probably noticed."