Erdoğan accuses US of planning to form 'terror army' in Syria
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/15/turkey-condemns-us-plan-for-syrian-border-security-force
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has accused the US of forming a “terror army”, after Washington announced plans for a 30,000-strong force inside Syria to protect territory held by its mainly Kurdish allies.
On Sunday, the US-led coalition said it was working with its Syrian militia allies, the mainly Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to set up the new border force. The force would operate along the borders with Turkey and Iraq, as well as within Syria along the Euphrates river, which separates most SDF territory from that held by the government. The announcement was one of the few insights into the Trump administration’s longer-term thinking for Syria.
【一蓮托生】國際時事政治選舉集中理性討論區（二）
濕鳩塞鷗
1001 回覆
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Greek unions strike over curbs planned in austerity bill
http://www.dw.com/en/greek-unions-strike-over-curbs-planned-in-austerity-bill/a-42148004
Athens faced major traffic jams Monday as trade unions proceeded with a 24-hour stoppage of commuter train and bus services ahead of parliament's vote on measures demanded by Greece's creditors.
Air traffic controllers also planned a three-hour stoppage from midday local time.
Parliament's vote, due late Monday, is regarded as the potentially last major package of cuts before a long-running international bailout program ends in August.
The bill, which would allow strikes only when a union musters a 50-percent vote at a members' assembly, again puts Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his nominally left-wing Syriza party on collision with organized labor.
Currently, the threshold is as low as 20 percent, and, reportedly in some cases strikes can be called by union executives alone.
http://www.dw.com/en/greek-unions-strike-over-curbs-planned-in-austerity-bill/a-42148004
Athens faced major traffic jams Monday as trade unions proceeded with a 24-hour stoppage of commuter train and bus services ahead of parliament's vote on measures demanded by Greece's creditors.
Air traffic controllers also planned a three-hour stoppage from midday local time.
Parliament's vote, due late Monday, is regarded as the potentially last major package of cuts before a long-running international bailout program ends in August.
The bill, which would allow strikes only when a union musters a 50-percent vote at a members' assembly, again puts Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his nominally left-wing Syriza party on collision with organized labor.
Currently, the threshold is as low as 20 percent, and, reportedly in some cases strikes can be called by union executives alone.
土耳其好似要開打
其實已經打緊
Turkey threatens attack 'at any moment' on Kurdish-held Afrin in Syria
http://p.dw.com/p/2qpyp
Turkish artillery shelled the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northwestern Syria for the third day on Monday, as Ankara threatened to act on long-running threats to root out Kurdish forces from near its border.
However, Russia also has political ties with the Syrian Kurds and has sought to include them in Moscow-backed Syrian peace talks in Sochi despite Turkish resistance.
Turkey threatens attack 'at any moment' on Kurdish-held Afrin in Syria
http://p.dw.com/p/2qpyp
Turkish artillery shelled the Kurdish-held area of Afrin in northwestern Syria for the third day on Monday, as Ankara threatened to act on long-running threats to root out Kurdish forces from near its border.
However, Russia also has political ties with the Syrian Kurds and has sought to include them in Moscow-backed Syrian peace talks in Sochi despite Turkish resistance.
U.S. Warned Jared Kushner About Wendi Deng Murdoch
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warned-jared-kushner-about-wendi-deng-murdoch-1516052072?mod=e2fb
WASHINGTON—U.S. counterintelligence officials in early 2017 warned Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, that Wendi Deng Murdoch, a prominent Chinese-American businesswoman, could be using her close friendship with Mr. Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, to further the interests of the Chinese government, according to people familiar with the matter.
U.S. officials have also had concerns about a counterintelligence assessment that Ms. Murdoch was lobbying for a high-profile construction project funded by the Chinese government in Washington, D.C., one of these people said.
It is common for counterintelligence officials to warn senior members of a new administration about interactions with people with foreign connections, and such briefings sometimes refer to specific people, according to people familiar with the protocols.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-warned-jared-kushner-about-wendi-deng-murdoch-1516052072?mod=e2fb
WASHINGTON—U.S. counterintelligence officials in early 2017 warned Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, that Wendi Deng Murdoch, a prominent Chinese-American businesswoman, could be using her close friendship with Mr. Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, to further the interests of the Chinese government, according to people familiar with the matter.
U.S. officials have also had concerns about a counterintelligence assessment that Ms. Murdoch was lobbying for a high-profile construction project funded by the Chinese government in Washington, D.C., one of these people said.
It is common for counterintelligence officials to warn senior members of a new administration about interactions with people with foreign connections, and such briefings sometimes refer to specific people, according to people familiar with the protocols.
Venezuela helicopter attack: Pilot Oscar Pérez in bloody siege
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42695537
Two police officers and several "terrorists" have been killed in an operation to capture a helicopter pilot accused of leading an armed rebellion in Venezuela last year, officials say.
Venezuelan forces surrounded a house in the town of El Junquito, near the capital, Caracas, as they targeted the "cell" linked to pilot Oscar Pérez. The authorities said they had arrested five people who they accuse of being part of a criminal group. It is unclear what became of Mr Pérez.
Mr Pérez was wanted after he used a stolen helicopter to throw grenades at government buildings on 27 June. Mr Pérez was on the run after launching a helicopter attack on the Venezuelan Supreme Court during opposition street protests last year. He became the country's most talked-about man and appeared in an online video on 5 July vowing to keep up his attacks on the government.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42695537
Two police officers and several "terrorists" have been killed in an operation to capture a helicopter pilot accused of leading an armed rebellion in Venezuela last year, officials say.
Venezuelan forces surrounded a house in the town of El Junquito, near the capital, Caracas, as they targeted the "cell" linked to pilot Oscar Pérez. The authorities said they had arrested five people who they accuse of being part of a criminal group. It is unclear what became of Mr Pérez.
Mr Pérez was wanted after he used a stolen helicopter to throw grenades at government buildings on 27 June. Mr Pérez was on the run after launching a helicopter attack on the Venezuelan Supreme Court during opposition street protests last year. He became the country's most talked-about man and appeared in an online video on 5 July vowing to keep up his attacks on the government.
Romanian PM resigns
https://www.politico.eu/article/romanian-pm-mihai-tudose-resigns/?cmpid=sf
Mihai Tudose’s resignation comes amid growing tensions with PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, who cannot be prime minister because of a suspended jail sentence he received for rigging a referendum.
Tudose took over in June 2017, after his predecessor Sorin Grindeanu was ousted by the PSD and its junior coalition partner ALDE, who argued that Grindeanu had fallen behind schedule implementing a reform program.
https://www.politico.eu/article/romanian-pm-mihai-tudose-resigns/?cmpid=sf
Mihai Tudose’s resignation comes amid growing tensions with PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, who cannot be prime minister because of a suspended jail sentence he received for rigging a referendum.
Tudose took over in June 2017, after his predecessor Sorin Grindeanu was ousted by the PSD and its junior coalition partner ALDE, who argued that Grindeanu had fallen behind schedule implementing a reform program.
Denmark will increase defense spending to counter Russia: PM
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-security-denmark/denmark-will-increase-defense-spending-to-counter-russia-pm-idUSKBN1F42LT?utm
RIGA (Reuters) - The Danish government expects to win backing for a substantial increase in defense spending next month, to counter Russia’s intensified military activity in eastern and northern Europe, the NATO-member’s prime minister said Monday.
Denmark last week deployed 200 troops to a UK-led NATO mission in Estonia aimed at deterring Russia from attacking the Baltic NATO members.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-security-denmark/denmark-will-increase-defense-spending-to-counter-russia-pm-idUSKBN1F42LT?utm
RIGA (Reuters) - The Danish government expects to win backing for a substantial increase in defense spending next month, to counter Russia’s intensified military activity in eastern and northern Europe, the NATO-member’s prime minister said Monday.
Denmark last week deployed 200 troops to a UK-led NATO mission in Estonia aimed at deterring Russia from attacking the Baltic NATO members.
[UAE vs Qatar]
UAE says Qatari jet fighters intercepted civilian flights
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-emirates/uae-says-qatari-jet-fighters-intercepted-civilian-flights-idUSKBN1F40ZV
DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said on Monday Qatari air force jets had twice intercepted its civilian aircraft during routine flights to Bahrain, but Qatar called the claim “completely untrue”.
Qatar said the allegation, reported by the UAE’s state news agency WAM, was intended to divert attention from what it said were violations by Emirati military aircraft of its airspace.
The UAE is one of four Arab countries, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, that imposed travel, diplomatic and trade sanctions on Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Qatar has denied the charges and accused the four countries of trying to make it conform to their foreign policy positions.
Qatar denies intercepting Emirati civilian aircraft
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/uae-qatari-fighter-jets-intercepted-civilian-flight-180115094656352.html
Qatar has denied as "completely false" claims by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that its fighter jets intercepted two Emirati passenger planes.
The allegations on Monday come amid rising tensions in the Gulf as a blockade imposed against Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain entered its eighth month.
They also follow Qatar filing two complaints at the United Nations over alleged violations of its airspace by Emirati military aircraft.
US Central Command, which is based at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, also did not have any report about incidents involving a commercial aircraft in the region, the Associated Press news agency said.
UAE says Qatari jet fighters intercepted civilian flights
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gulf-qatar-emirates/uae-says-qatari-jet-fighters-intercepted-civilian-flights-idUSKBN1F40ZV
DUBAI (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates said on Monday Qatari air force jets had twice intercepted its civilian aircraft during routine flights to Bahrain, but Qatar called the claim “completely untrue”.
Qatar said the allegation, reported by the UAE’s state news agency WAM, was intended to divert attention from what it said were violations by Emirati military aircraft of its airspace.
The UAE is one of four Arab countries, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, that imposed travel, diplomatic and trade sanctions on Qatar in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Qatar has denied the charges and accused the four countries of trying to make it conform to their foreign policy positions.
Qatar denies intercepting Emirati civilian aircraft
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/uae-qatari-fighter-jets-intercepted-civilian-flight-180115094656352.html
Qatar has denied as "completely false" claims by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that its fighter jets intercepted two Emirati passenger planes.
The allegations on Monday come amid rising tensions in the Gulf as a blockade imposed against Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain entered its eighth month.
They also follow Qatar filing two complaints at the United Nations over alleged violations of its airspace by Emirati military aircraft.
US Central Command, which is based at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, also did not have any report about incidents involving a commercial aircraft in the region, the Associated Press news agency said.
Palestinian leaders reconsider recognition of Israel
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/palestinian-leadership-revokes-recognition-israel-180116060200939.html
The Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) Central Council, the second-highest Palestinian decision-making body, has recommended to revoke recognition of Israel until the latter recognises the State of Palestine in its 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
During a meeting in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah late on Monday, the PLO, which is an umbrella of major Palestinian political parties, said it "assigned" its Executive Committee "to suspend recognition of Israel until it recognizes the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders and revokes the decision to annex East Jerusalem and expand and build settlements," according to Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency.
In a final statement read after the meeting, the PLO also said that the Oslo Accords, signed with Israel in the early 1990s, "no longer stand".
But several Palestinian political parties expressed their reservations on the final statement, saying the language was vague.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/palestinian-leadership-revokes-recognition-israel-180116060200939.html
The Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) Central Council, the second-highest Palestinian decision-making body, has recommended to revoke recognition of Israel until the latter recognises the State of Palestine in its 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
During a meeting in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah late on Monday, the PLO, which is an umbrella of major Palestinian political parties, said it "assigned" its Executive Committee "to suspend recognition of Israel until it recognizes the State of Palestine on the 1967 borders and revokes the decision to annex East Jerusalem and expand and build settlements," according to Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency.
In a final statement read after the meeting, the PLO also said that the Oslo Accords, signed with Israel in the early 1990s, "no longer stand".
But several Palestinian political parties expressed their reservations on the final statement, saying the language was vague.
Rohingya crisis: Bangladesh and Myanmar agree repatriation timeframe
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42699602
Bangladesh says it has agreed a timeframe with Myanmar for repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled an army crackdown last year.
Myanmar has agreed to accept 1,500 Rohingya every week, Bangladesh says, adding that it aims to return all of them to Myanmar within two years.
Over 650,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state in August.
Aid agencies have raised concerns about forcibly repatriating them.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42699602
Bangladesh says it has agreed a timeframe with Myanmar for repatriating hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled an army crackdown last year.
Myanmar has agreed to accept 1,500 Rohingya every week, Bangladesh says, adding that it aims to return all of them to Myanmar within two years.
Over 650,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh since violence erupted in Rakhine state in August.
Aid agencies have raised concerns about forcibly repatriating them.
支那陰道間諜
梅鐸都中過招
梅鐸都中過招
Philippines revokes licence of leading news website Rappler
[url]https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/philippines-revokes-licence-news-website-rappler-free-press
[/url]
The Philippine government has revoked the operating licence of leading news website Rappler, officials said on Monday in a ruling denounced by President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics as the latest blow to press freedom.
Rappler, set up in 2012, is among a clutch of Philippine news organisations that have sparred with Duterte over their critical coverage of his brutal drugs war.
But the government rejected allegations that the ruling was an attack on press freedom, with Duterte’s spokesman saying Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp had violated a provision in the country’s constitution restricting media ownership to Filipinos.
At his state of the nation address to Congress last year Duterte vowed to expose Rappler’s “American ownership”.
[url]https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/philippines-revokes-licence-news-website-rappler-free-press
[/url]
The Philippine government has revoked the operating licence of leading news website Rappler, officials said on Monday in a ruling denounced by President Rodrigo Duterte’s critics as the latest blow to press freedom.
Rappler, set up in 2012, is among a clutch of Philippine news organisations that have sparred with Duterte over their critical coverage of his brutal drugs war.
But the government rejected allegations that the ruling was an attack on press freedom, with Duterte’s spokesman saying Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp had violated a provision in the country’s constitution restricting media ownership to Filipinos.
At his state of the nation address to Congress last year Duterte vowed to expose Rappler’s “American ownership”.
May faces tougher transition stance from EU amid Norway pressure
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/15/norway-may-rip-up-eu-deal-over-uk-brexit-demands
Exclusive: Norwegian officials tell Brussels they may seek radical rethink of their terms if UK has access to single market for key sectors
Theresa May has been hit with a double Brexit blow as the EU toughened up its terms for a transition period and Norway privately warned Brussels that giving in to the UK’s demands for a “special” trade deal could force it to rip up its own agreements with the bloc.
However, the Guardian has learned that repeated representations have been made to EU officials by Oslo over their fears that an overly generous offer to the UK will fuel calls in Norway to renegotiate its ties with the bloc, according to senior diplomatic sources.
Norway makes larger financial contributions to the EU per capita than the UK and accepts free movement of people in order to have access to the single market. But it has no decision-making role in Brussels’ institutions.
A senior official said: “[The Norwegians] are following this very closely to make sure that we are not giving the UK a much more favourable deal.”
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/15/norway-may-rip-up-eu-deal-over-uk-brexit-demands
Exclusive: Norwegian officials tell Brussels they may seek radical rethink of their terms if UK has access to single market for key sectors
Theresa May has been hit with a double Brexit blow as the EU toughened up its terms for a transition period and Norway privately warned Brussels that giving in to the UK’s demands for a “special” trade deal could force it to rip up its own agreements with the bloc.
However, the Guardian has learned that repeated representations have been made to EU officials by Oslo over their fears that an overly generous offer to the UK will fuel calls in Norway to renegotiate its ties with the bloc, according to senior diplomatic sources.
Norway makes larger financial contributions to the EU per capita than the UK and accepts free movement of people in order to have access to the single market. But it has no decision-making role in Brussels’ institutions.
A senior official said: “[The Norwegians] are following this very closely to make sure that we are not giving the UK a much more favourable deal.”
Raids across Germany target suspected Iranian spies
http://www.dw.com/en/raids-across-germany-target-suspected-iranian-spies/a-42165145
German authorities on Tuesday conducted searches of homes and businesses belonging to 10 suspected Iranian spies.
The Federal Prosecutors Office ordered the searches after receiving a tip from Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
The suspects are believed to have spied on persons and institutions "on behalf of an intelligence entity associated with Iran," the prosecutor's office said.
No arrests were made during the raids, which were carried out in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Berlin.
http://www.dw.com/en/raids-across-germany-target-suspected-iranian-spies/a-42165145
German authorities on Tuesday conducted searches of homes and businesses belonging to 10 suspected Iranian spies.
The Federal Prosecutors Office ordered the searches after receiving a tip from Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
The suspects are believed to have spied on persons and institutions "on behalf of an intelligence entity associated with Iran," the prosecutor's office said.
No arrests were made during the raids, which were carried out in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Berlin.
Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanović shot dead outside party headquarters
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/oliver-ivanovic-serb-politician-in-kosovo-shot-dead
Oliver Ivanović, a prominent Kosovo Serb politician, has been gunned down outside his party headquarters on the day that Belgrade and Pristina started talks on normalising ties after a break of more than a year.
Ivanović was shot six times by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting in the divided city of Mitrovica. The popular former secretary of state for Kosovo and Metohija in the Serbian government was an opponent of the Belgrade-backed Serb party in Kosovo.
His death may further complicate the troubled relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, which continues to regard the region as a breakaway province. It also raises questions over international peacekeeping and rule-of-law missions in the region, which critics say turns a blind eye to organised crime.
In 2016, Ivanović was himself convicted of war crimes by a panel of international judges presiding over a Kosovo court. He was found guilty of ordering crimes against the civilian population in 1999 during the Kosovo war, which was brought to an end after an extensive Nato bombing campaign. In February last year, the conviction was overturned and the case sent back for retrial.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/oliver-ivanovic-serb-politician-in-kosovo-shot-dead
Oliver Ivanović, a prominent Kosovo Serb politician, has been gunned down outside his party headquarters on the day that Belgrade and Pristina started talks on normalising ties after a break of more than a year.
Ivanović was shot six times by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting in the divided city of Mitrovica. The popular former secretary of state for Kosovo and Metohija in the Serbian government was an opponent of the Belgrade-backed Serb party in Kosovo.
His death may further complicate the troubled relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, which continues to regard the region as a breakaway province. It also raises questions over international peacekeeping and rule-of-law missions in the region, which critics say turns a blind eye to organised crime.
In 2016, Ivanović was himself convicted of war crimes by a panel of international judges presiding over a Kosovo court. He was found guilty of ordering crimes against the civilian population in 1999 during the Kosovo war, which was brought to an end after an extensive Nato bombing campaign. In February last year, the conviction was overturned and the case sent back for retrial.
Trump Russia: Bannon 'ordered to testify to grand jury'
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42710630
Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to US President Donald Trump, has been summoned to testify before a grand jury, US media report.
He was reportedly subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, who is leading an inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
Mr Bannon appeared separately on Tuesday before a Congressional panel.
Congress is holding its own inquiry into the allegations.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42710630
Steve Bannon, former chief strategist to US President Donald Trump, has been summoned to testify before a grand jury, US media report.
He was reportedly subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, who is leading an inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
Mr Bannon appeared separately on Tuesday before a Congressional panel.
Congress is holding its own inquiry into the allegations.
Venezuela helicopter attack: Pilot Oscar Pérez in bloody siege
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42695537
Venezuela helicopter pilot Oscar Pérez killed in raid
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-42695537
Renegade helicopter pilot Oscar Pérez was killed in a nine-hour long siege near the capital, Caracas, on Monday, the Venezuelan government has confirmed.
The pilot was labelled a "terrorist" by the government after he threw grenades at government buildings from a helicopter he stole on 27 June.
He had been on the run since then.
Police tracked him down to a house where he was hiding along with members of the anti-government cell he founded.
Turkish attack on US-backed Kurds in Syria believed imminent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/turkish-attack-on-us-backed-kurds-in-syria-believed-imminent
Turkish troops and tanks near the Syrian border are making final plans to attack the US military’s Kurdish partners inside northern Syria as tensions between Ankara and Washington near unprecedented levels.
Ankara views the Syrian Kurds as an extension of the Turkish Kurdish PKK, with whom it has fought a four decade insurgency inside its borders. It has vowed not to allow Kurdish groups to dominate its border with Syria.
Bashar al-Assad and Russia, which has backed him into a winning position on the battlefield, support Turkey’s plan, which they see as limiting US influence in the war-ravaged country.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/16/turkish-attack-on-us-backed-kurds-in-syria-believed-imminent
Turkish troops and tanks near the Syrian border are making final plans to attack the US military’s Kurdish partners inside northern Syria as tensions between Ankara and Washington near unprecedented levels.
Ankara views the Syrian Kurds as an extension of the Turkish Kurdish PKK, with whom it has fought a four decade insurgency inside its borders. It has vowed not to allow Kurdish groups to dominate its border with Syria.
Bashar al-Assad and Russia, which has backed him into a winning position on the battlefield, support Turkey’s plan, which they see as limiting US influence in the war-ravaged country.
Bannon refuses lawmakers' questions, following 'White House instructions'
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/16/steve-bannon-trump-congress-intelligence-questioning
Steve Bannon refused to answer questions from the House Intelligence Committee during a closed-door session, even after he was issued a subpoena to testify by the committee on Tuesday, saying that the White House had told him not to.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said during a news conference after the marathon hearing, that Bannon’s lawyer had told the committee that the former White House aide “was willing to answer our questions but under instructions from the White House not to”. Schiff condemned what he called “a gag order from the White House”.
Schiff said: “This was the first time we saw a witness refuse to answer the questions under the instructions of the White House or claim that the White House might later invoke privilege.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/16/steve-bannon-trump-congress-intelligence-questioning
Steve Bannon refused to answer questions from the House Intelligence Committee during a closed-door session, even after he was issued a subpoena to testify by the committee on Tuesday, saying that the White House had told him not to.
Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said during a news conference after the marathon hearing, that Bannon’s lawyer had told the committee that the former White House aide “was willing to answer our questions but under instructions from the White House not to”. Schiff condemned what he called “a gag order from the White House”.
Schiff said: “This was the first time we saw a witness refuse to answer the questions under the instructions of the White House or claim that the White House might later invoke privilege.”
Far-right Identitarians want to become guardians for refugees
[url]http://www.dw.com/en/far-right-identitarians-want-to-become-guardians-for-refugees/a-42169257
[/url]
In a statement released on its website, the far-right Identitarian Movement in Hamburg claimed that members could earn between €19.50 and €33.50 ($23.90 - $41) an hour at the state's expense as guardians for underage refugees.
All unaccompanied underage refugees in Germany are assigned a legal guardian by law — often, but not always, a private citizen — who helps them through administrative questions and takes on legal responsibilities. For instance, if the refugee switches schools, the guardian has to sign the forms on their behalf. The guardians do not take the refugees into their homes.
The Identitarian statement made clear that the aim was to prevent specially trained people from what they call the "asylum industry," such as social workers, from getting the positions — and then allowing young Syrians to bring families over from the war-torn country — a measure that criminologists say would help reduce crime among young migrants.
[url]http://www.dw.com/en/far-right-identitarians-want-to-become-guardians-for-refugees/a-42169257
[/url]
In a statement released on its website, the far-right Identitarian Movement in Hamburg claimed that members could earn between €19.50 and €33.50 ($23.90 - $41) an hour at the state's expense as guardians for underage refugees.
All unaccompanied underage refugees in Germany are assigned a legal guardian by law — often, but not always, a private citizen — who helps them through administrative questions and takes on legal responsibilities. For instance, if the refugee switches schools, the guardian has to sign the forms on their behalf. The guardians do not take the refugees into their homes.
The Identitarian statement made clear that the aim was to prevent specially trained people from what they call the "asylum industry," such as social workers, from getting the positions — and then allowing young Syrians to bring families over from the war-torn country — a measure that criminologists say would help reduce crime among young migrants.
Carillion Crisis
Carillion collapse hits banks and investors, boosts short sellers
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-carillion-restructuring-funds/carillion-collapse-hits-banks-and-investors-boosts-short-sellers-idUSKBN1F4247
LONDON (Reuters) - Leading British lenders including Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group face the prospect of hundreds of millions of pounds in outstanding loans going unpaid from Carillion’s collapse on Monday.
In total, creditors to the UK support services and construction group, which was forced into liquidation on Monday, have around 1.6 billion pounds of debt exposure to the company.
Carillion was left with just £29m before going bankrupt
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42710795
Carillion was in talks with the government since October as part of a desperate bid to stave off collapse, according to the chief executive. Keith Cochrane says the construction giant was left with just £29m in cash by the time it went bust on Monday.
Until the last moments, directors still believed a rescue was possible, but banks became more demanding, he said. The details are included in a document Mr Cochrane has prepared as part of the insolvency process. His statement sets out attempts to save Britain's second biggest construction company after three profits warnings and a collapse in the share price.
The company employed 43,000 people worldwide, 20,000 in the UK, and had 450 contracts with the UK government. There are also big worries for an estimated 30,000 smaller firms which have been working on Carillion projects in the private sector.
Carillion collapse hits banks and investors, boosts short sellers
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-carillion-restructuring-funds/carillion-collapse-hits-banks-and-investors-boosts-short-sellers-idUSKBN1F4247
LONDON (Reuters) - Leading British lenders including Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group face the prospect of hundreds of millions of pounds in outstanding loans going unpaid from Carillion’s collapse on Monday.
In total, creditors to the UK support services and construction group, which was forced into liquidation on Monday, have around 1.6 billion pounds of debt exposure to the company.
Carillion was left with just £29m before going bankrupt
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42710795
Carillion was in talks with the government since October as part of a desperate bid to stave off collapse, according to the chief executive. Keith Cochrane says the construction giant was left with just £29m in cash by the time it went bust on Monday.
Until the last moments, directors still believed a rescue was possible, but banks became more demanding, he said. The details are included in a document Mr Cochrane has prepared as part of the insolvency process. His statement sets out attempts to save Britain's second biggest construction company after three profits warnings and a collapse in the share price.
The company employed 43,000 people worldwide, 20,000 in the UK, and had 450 contracts with the UK government. There are also big worries for an estimated 30,000 smaller firms which have been working on Carillion projects in the private sector.
Carillion Crisis
Carillion crisis: Theresa May rules out bailout as Labour accuses ministers of collusion - as it happened
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2018/jan/16/uk-inflation-cpi-poud-carillion-collapse-fallout-business-live
Theresa May told her cabinet that the “taxpayer could not be expected to bail out a private company” following the collapse of Carillion, according to her official spokesman.
He said the prime minister addressed the issue at the start of this morning’s meeting of her top team of ministers, arguing that a lot of work had gone into trying to find suitable financing options but that had not proved possible.
The spokesman made clear that in the short term the government would ensure that public services carried out operating, but that was simply replicating money that would have gone to the company - rather than pushing up the bill for taxpayers.
Carillion crisis: Theresa May rules out bailout as Labour accuses ministers of collusion - as it happened
https://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2018/jan/16/uk-inflation-cpi-poud-carillion-collapse-fallout-business-live
Theresa May told her cabinet that the “taxpayer could not be expected to bail out a private company” following the collapse of Carillion, according to her official spokesman.
He said the prime minister addressed the issue at the start of this morning’s meeting of her top team of ministers, arguing that a lot of work had gone into trying to find suitable financing options but that had not proved possible.
The spokesman made clear that in the short term the government would ensure that public services carried out operating, but that was simply replicating money that would have gone to the company - rather than pushing up the bill for taxpayers.
Koreas to carry single Olympic flag
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42721417
North and South Korea have agree to march together under a single "unified Korea" flag at next month's Winter Olympics in the South.
They also agreed to field a joint women's ice hockey team after rare talks at the truce village of Panmunjom.
They were the first high-level talks between the two Koreas in more than two years.
The Games will take place between 9-27 February in Pyeongchang in South Korea.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42721417
North and South Korea have agree to march together under a single "unified Korea" flag at next month's Winter Olympics in the South.
They also agreed to field a joint women's ice hockey team after rare talks at the truce village of Panmunjom.
They were the first high-level talks between the two Koreas in more than two years.
The Games will take place between 9-27 February in Pyeongchang in South Korea.
Former CIA agent arrested after fears that China spy network was betrayed
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/17/former-cia-agent-arrested-after-fears-that-china-spy-network-was-betrayed
A former CIA agent reportedly believed to be behind the unmasking of an espionage network in China, including more than 12 spies who were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese authorities, has been arrested in New York.
Hong Kong resident Jerry Chun Shing Lee was seized at JFK airport on Monday, six years after FBI agents discovered he was travelling with notebooks containing the identities of undercover US agents.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/17/former-cia-agent-arrested-after-fears-that-china-spy-network-was-betrayed
A former CIA agent reportedly believed to be behind the unmasking of an espionage network in China, including more than 12 spies who were killed or imprisoned by the Chinese authorities, has been arrested in New York.
Hong Kong resident Jerry Chun Shing Lee was seized at JFK airport on Monday, six years after FBI agents discovered he was travelling with notebooks containing the identities of undercover US agents.