國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（六）
Filibuster_HK
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但係會唔會有好大backlash
House Democrats to raise bill Friday to stop Trump's border wall 'emergency'
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/02/22/House-Democrats-to-raise-bill-Friday-to-stop-Trumps-border-wall-emergency/3281550833776/
Feb. 22 (UPI) -- House Democrats will introduce a measure Friday to kill the emergency declaration from President Donald Trump that aims to build the border wall without approval from Congress.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is set to file a joint resolution in the House Friday morning that would axe the president's declaration. The measure will be filed during the chamber's pro forma session, since Congress won't return from recess until Monday.
More than 200 lawmakers have co-sponsored the bill. In a letter to lawmakers this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's move "undermines the separation of powers and Congress's power of the purse."
The bill is expected to pass the House easily and set up a showdown in the Republican-controlled Senate. In the upper chamber, Republicans will have to choose between allying with the president or stopping what critics see as a presidential overreach.
"The president's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," Pelosi said.
Trump's declaration last week gives him unilateral permission to siphon money from drug interdiction programs and Defense Department construction projects, for a total of $6.7 billion to put toward building a wall. Trump said he plans to combine that money with $1.4 billion Congress has already authorized for the purpose, which was included in a spending bill last week that averted another federal shutdown.
Congress can overrule a declared national emergency and House Democrats have the votes to do it with a 235-197 majority. Then, it goes to the Senate, where as "privileged" legislation it needs only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass. Democrats have 47 seats so they would need four Republicans to vote for it.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can typically block bills from reaching the Senate floor, as he did during the shutdown last month. This case is different. Because the legislation is tied to a national emergency, the Senate must vote on it within 18 days.
Multiple Republican senators, including Marco Rubio of Florida and Susan Collins of Main, have already expressed opposition to Trump's declaration.
If passed by Congress, the bill would certainly be vetoed by Trump, and it's unclear whether there would be enough GOP support in Congress for an override.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/02/22/House-Democrats-to-raise-bill-Friday-to-stop-Trumps-border-wall-emergency/3281550833776/
Feb. 22 (UPI) -- House Democrats will introduce a measure Friday to kill the emergency declaration from President Donald Trump that aims to build the border wall without approval from Congress.
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, is set to file a joint resolution in the House Friday morning that would axe the president's declaration. The measure will be filed during the chamber's pro forma session, since Congress won't return from recess until Monday.
More than 200 lawmakers have co-sponsored the bill. In a letter to lawmakers this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's move "undermines the separation of powers and Congress's power of the purse."
The bill is expected to pass the House easily and set up a showdown in the Republican-controlled Senate. In the upper chamber, Republicans will have to choose between allying with the president or stopping what critics see as a presidential overreach.
"The president's decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated," Pelosi said.
Trump's declaration last week gives him unilateral permission to siphon money from drug interdiction programs and Defense Department construction projects, for a total of $6.7 billion to put toward building a wall. Trump said he plans to combine that money with $1.4 billion Congress has already authorized for the purpose, which was included in a spending bill last week that averted another federal shutdown.
Congress can overrule a declared national emergency and House Democrats have the votes to do it with a 235-197 majority. Then, it goes to the Senate, where as "privileged" legislation it needs only a simple majority of 51 votes to pass. Democrats have 47 seats so they would need four Republicans to vote for it.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell can typically block bills from reaching the Senate floor, as he did during the shutdown last month. This case is different. Because the legislation is tied to a national emergency, the Senate must vote on it within 18 days.
Multiple Republican senators, including Marco Rubio of Florida and Susan Collins of Main, have already expressed opposition to Trump's declaration.
If passed by Congress, the bill would certainly be vetoed by Trump, and it's unclear whether there would be enough GOP support in Congress for an override.
本身係無充分資訊同討論情況下(仲未提有幾多係misinfomation)
將脫唔脫歐呢個決定卸畀選民決定就係不負責任
留歐嗰邊諗住實食無癡牙, 鳩推個公投出黎找數
脫歐嗰邊諗住又食又拎, 班旗手又諗住輸鳩緊, 主力儲政治本錢
斑旗手又唔係細, 親身經歷過北愛邊境問題有幾大鑊
有乜撚嘢理由係未有北愛邊境對策情況下, 會搞脫歐, 你話係咪無打算贏?
依家係木已成舟,起左錨, 但條航線前線係無底深潭
轉軚好易, PM飛轉布魯塞爾拎信就搞掂, 但佢一拎實變過街老鼠, 政治前途幾可肯定盡毀, 所以我話要搵PM祭旗, 問題係邊個有咁嘅勇氣?
拎完封信係終止定中止脫歐可以再研究, 但3月底係deadline, 依家連再公投都唔夠時間, EU又唔同你玩, 依家變左deadlock, 要脫都唔係咁脫啦下嘛
將脫唔脫歐呢個決定卸畀選民決定就係不負責任
留歐嗰邊諗住實食無癡牙, 鳩推個公投出黎找數
脫歐嗰邊諗住又食又拎, 班旗手又諗住輸鳩緊, 主力儲政治本錢
斑旗手又唔係細, 親身經歷過北愛邊境問題有幾大鑊
有乜撚嘢理由係未有北愛邊境對策情況下, 會搞脫歐, 你話係咪無打算贏?
依家係木已成舟,起左錨, 但條航線前線係無底深潭
轉軚好易, PM飛轉布魯塞爾拎信就搞掂, 但佢一拎實變過街老鼠, 政治前途幾可肯定盡毀, 所以我話要搵PM祭旗, 問題係邊個有咁嘅勇氣?
拎完封信係終止定中止脫歐可以再研究, 但3月底係deadline, 依家連再公投都唔夠時間, EU又唔同你玩, 依家變左deadlock, 要脫都唔係咁脫啦下嘛
我想睇一次英國的political realignment 
唔睇好新嗰個independent group, 應該都係lib dem 2.0. 拎2x% 票但得<10%議席
Yougov 出過估算，independent group係會多lib dem少少票，不過主要係想睇兩大黨會唔會再分裂，甚至有realignment 的出現
indi 要生存只可以同lib dem merge, 加埋有幾多？過30% 就應該有100席，叫做有影響力。may 同corbyn睇落無咁快走，睇吓遲啲farage 嗰新黨會唔會同borris, rees-mogg 嗰派合作，再帶走兩黨hard brexitter。
幾百年歷史嘅Tories就此玩完
Venezuela crisis: Maduro closes border with Brazil
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47325201
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has closed the border with Brazil amid a row over humanitarian aid.
The embattled leader said he could also shut the key border with Colombia to stop the opposition bringing in relief.
Venezuela's inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items such as food, toiletries and medicine.
President Maduro denies any crisis and calls the aid delivery plans a US-orchestrated show.
His ally Russia has accused the US of trying to arm Venezuela's opposition.
Rival concerts will be held on both sides of a bridge linking Venezuela and Colombia later on Friday.
On the Colombian side, an event will be held to raise money for Venezuela. At the same time, Mr Maduro's government will hold its own concert, just 300m (980ft) away.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47325201
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro has closed the border with Brazil amid a row over humanitarian aid.
The embattled leader said he could also shut the key border with Colombia to stop the opposition bringing in relief.
Venezuela's inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items such as food, toiletries and medicine.
President Maduro denies any crisis and calls the aid delivery plans a US-orchestrated show.
His ally Russia has accused the US of trying to arm Venezuela's opposition.
Rival concerts will be held on both sides of a bridge linking Venezuela and Colombia later on Friday.
On the Colombian side, an event will be held to raise money for Venezuela. At the same time, Mr Maduro's government will hold its own concert, just 300m (980ft) away.
如果係真, 都比 Whigs 遲左100年
Brexit: Irish government hopes no-deal plan 'sits on shelf'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47329084
The Irish deputy prime minister has said he hopes that major legislation his government has prepared to manage a no-deal Brexit will never be used.
Simon Coveney unveiled the wide-ranging bill on Friday, bringing together work by nine government departments.
He said a "disorderly" Brexit would be a "lose, lose, lose" for the UK, the EU and the Republic of Ireland.
His aim for the emergency proposals is to ensure a smooth transition should the UK leave the EU without a deal.
The legislation is designed to support businesses and to protect jobs, essential services and citizens' rights.
It is envisaged that it will be fast-tracked through the Irish parliament and be signed into law before 29 March, when the UK is due to leave the EU.
Michel Barnier says there is high chance of 'accidental' no-deal Brexit
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/22/michel-barnier-says-there-is-high-chance-of-accidental-no-deal-brexit
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47329084
The Irish deputy prime minister has said he hopes that major legislation his government has prepared to manage a no-deal Brexit will never be used.
Simon Coveney unveiled the wide-ranging bill on Friday, bringing together work by nine government departments.
He said a "disorderly" Brexit would be a "lose, lose, lose" for the UK, the EU and the Republic of Ireland.
His aim for the emergency proposals is to ensure a smooth transition should the UK leave the EU without a deal.
The legislation is designed to support businesses and to protect jobs, essential services and citizens' rights.
It is envisaged that it will be fast-tracked through the Irish parliament and be signed into law before 29 March, when the UK is due to leave the EU.
Michel Barnier says there is high chance of 'accidental' no-deal Brexit
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/22/michel-barnier-says-there-is-high-chance-of-accidental-no-deal-brexit
Tories依家係攬住UK一齊死
係搵唔到解決方法下, 佢deadline前唔推人祭旗
咁Brexit法, Scotland無硬, NI都大機會
所以話佢地係以為實食無癡牙先鳩推公投, 又hea住搞
係搵唔到解決方法下, 佢deadline前唔推人祭旗
咁Brexit法, Scotland無硬, NI都大機會
所以話佢地係以為實食無癡牙先鳩推公投, 又hea住搞
Cameron豪賭一鋪
終成歷史罪人
終成歷史罪人
可能libdem會浴火重生呢
Farmers plan to plant 7 million fewer acres of soybeans this year
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/02/22/Farmers-plan-to-plant-7-million-fewer-acres-of-soybeans-this-year/6031550870599/
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- American farmers plan to plant fewer soybeans this year, after the trade war with China crashed soy prices in 2018 and left millions of bushels unsold, according to a new federal report.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual outlook for soy and other commodities, released Friday, predicts soy production will fall by about 8 percent. That's more than 7 million acres, or 11,000 square miles.
"This year's outlook represents a dramatic change from prior years because of China's imposition of tariffs on U.S. soybeans," the USDA's report said.
The areas most affected are states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. Their geographical location means those states supply the lion's share of U.S. soybeans to China. Trains from that region travel directly to the Pacific Northwest, from which barges move commodities to Asia.
"More than 70 percent of [North Dakota's] soybeans are exported to China," said Nancy Johnson, the executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. "We have a fabulous system for getting soybeans on trains to the Pacific Northwest. With [the China] market closed, it's been hard."
The production value of soy exceeded $41 billion in 2017, according to the American Soybean Association -- in large part due to China's demand for beans. China is the world's single largest soy importer, and the country purchased about 30 percent of all the beans grown in the United States, mostly to feed livestock, before the trade war began, according to U.S. government statistics.
After China placed retaliatory tariffs on soybeans over the summer, in response to tariffs levied by the Trump administration on Chinese goods, the nation all but stopped importing from the U.S.
While farmers in states like Iowa and Indiana have been able to sell their beans domestically or to countries other than China, farmers in the Great Plains have had to store large portions of their 2018 crop, and wait for the trade war to end.
Soy production is expected to drop more severely in those states, the report said.
"Because of our crop rotation, we can't just quit altogether," said Ron Van Bruggen, a farmer in Litchville, N.D. "But our plan is to grow less. We're going to cut back by about 25 percent."
Like other farmers in the region, Van Bruggen plans to replace that crop by planting corn and wheat, instead.
Overall, corn and wheat production is expected to increase this year, according to the report.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2019/02/22/Farmers-plan-to-plant-7-million-fewer-acres-of-soybeans-this-year/6031550870599/
EVANSVILLE, Ind., Feb. 22 (UPI) -- American farmers plan to plant fewer soybeans this year, after the trade war with China crashed soy prices in 2018 and left millions of bushels unsold, according to a new federal report.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's annual outlook for soy and other commodities, released Friday, predicts soy production will fall by about 8 percent. That's more than 7 million acres, or 11,000 square miles.
"This year's outlook represents a dramatic change from prior years because of China's imposition of tariffs on U.S. soybeans," the USDA's report said.
The areas most affected are states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska. Their geographical location means those states supply the lion's share of U.S. soybeans to China. Trains from that region travel directly to the Pacific Northwest, from which barges move commodities to Asia.
"More than 70 percent of [North Dakota's] soybeans are exported to China," said Nancy Johnson, the executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association. "We have a fabulous system for getting soybeans on trains to the Pacific Northwest. With [the China] market closed, it's been hard."
The production value of soy exceeded $41 billion in 2017, according to the American Soybean Association -- in large part due to China's demand for beans. China is the world's single largest soy importer, and the country purchased about 30 percent of all the beans grown in the United States, mostly to feed livestock, before the trade war began, according to U.S. government statistics.
After China placed retaliatory tariffs on soybeans over the summer, in response to tariffs levied by the Trump administration on Chinese goods, the nation all but stopped importing from the U.S.
While farmers in states like Iowa and Indiana have been able to sell their beans domestically or to countries other than China, farmers in the Great Plains have had to store large portions of their 2018 crop, and wait for the trade war to end.
Soy production is expected to drop more severely in those states, the report said.
"Because of our crop rotation, we can't just quit altogether," said Ron Van Bruggen, a farmer in Litchville, N.D. "But our plan is to grow less. We're going to cut back by about 25 percent."
Like other farmers in the region, Van Bruggen plans to replace that crop by planting corn and wheat, instead.
Overall, corn and wheat production is expected to increase this year, according to the report.
Theresa May must go in three months, cabinet ministers say
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/22/theresa-may-must-go-in-three-months-cabinet-ministers-say
Cabinet ministers will make it clear they believe Theresa May should step down after the local elections in May and allow a new leader to deliver the next phase of the Brexit negotiations, the Guardian understands.
Senior figures in government have suggested they want the prime minister to leave shortly after the first phase of the Brexit negotiations finishes – or risk being defeated in a vote of no confidence at the end of the year.
May wants to stay in place for long enough after Brexit to secure a political legacy beyond the fraught negotiations. But some ministers believe she should announce the timeline for her departure “on a high” after the local election results, paving the way for a Conservative leadership contest over the summer.
Brexiters in the cabinet are keen to see a new leader take over for the next stage of the negotiations with the EU, which May has already pledged will involve more active involvement for politicians rather than advisers.
Brexit: Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke issue delay warning
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47336501
Brexit should be delayed if Parliament does not approve a deal in the coming days, three cabinet ministers have warned publicly for the first time.
Ahead of crucial votes in the Commons, Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke told the Daily Mail they would be prepared to defy Theresa May and vote for a delay.
Downing Street said the trio's views on no deal were "scarcely a secret".
Conservative Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen called on them to resign.
"They are rejecting government policy and they are threatening to vote against government policy next week," the MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"In that case, they should do the honourable thing and resign from the government immediately."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/22/theresa-may-must-go-in-three-months-cabinet-ministers-say
Cabinet ministers will make it clear they believe Theresa May should step down after the local elections in May and allow a new leader to deliver the next phase of the Brexit negotiations, the Guardian understands.
Senior figures in government have suggested they want the prime minister to leave shortly after the first phase of the Brexit negotiations finishes – or risk being defeated in a vote of no confidence at the end of the year.
May wants to stay in place for long enough after Brexit to secure a political legacy beyond the fraught negotiations. But some ministers believe she should announce the timeline for her departure “on a high” after the local election results, paving the way for a Conservative leadership contest over the summer.
Brexiters in the cabinet are keen to see a new leader take over for the next stage of the negotiations with the EU, which May has already pledged will involve more active involvement for politicians rather than advisers.
Brexit: Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke issue delay warning
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47336501
Brexit should be delayed if Parliament does not approve a deal in the coming days, three cabinet ministers have warned publicly for the first time.
Ahead of crucial votes in the Commons, Greg Clark, Amber Rudd and David Gauke told the Daily Mail they would be prepared to defy Theresa May and vote for a delay.
Downing Street said the trio's views on no deal were "scarcely a secret".
Conservative Brexiteer Andrew Bridgen called on them to resign.
"They are rejecting government policy and they are threatening to vote against government policy next week," the MP told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"In that case, they should do the honourable thing and resign from the government immediately."
Nigeria election 2019: Atiku Abubakar challenges Muhammadu Buhari
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47242168
Nigerians are finally going to the polls for the country's general election following a last-minute postponement of the vote a week ago.
The main challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, is the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, 72.
Whoever wins will have to address power shortages, corruption, security threats, and a sluggish economy.
Voting began at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and polls are due to close at 14:00 (13:00).
President Buhari cast his ballot in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina. Asked if he would congratulate his rival if he lost, he said: "I will congratulate myself."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47242168
Nigerians are finally going to the polls for the country's general election following a last-minute postponement of the vote a week ago.
The main challenger to President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, is the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, 72.
Whoever wins will have to address power shortages, corruption, security threats, and a sluggish economy.
Voting began at 08:00 (07:00 GMT) and polls are due to close at 14:00 (13:00).
President Buhari cast his ballot in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina. Asked if he would congratulate his rival if he lost, he said: "I will congratulate myself."
Venezuela soldiers abandon posts at Colombia border
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47343918
Soldiers from the Venezuelan national guard have left their posts ahead of an opposition-led effort to bring aid into the country, Colombia's migration agency said.
In a separate development, Venezuelan troops have fired tear gas at people looking to cross into Colombia to work.
Tensions have been rising over a row about the delivery of humanitarian aid.
President Nicolás Maduro said the border with Colombia is partly closed to stop aid being delivered.
But self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó has vowed that hundreds of thousands of volunteers will help bring in the aid deliveries, which include food and medicine, on Saturday.
Local media report people jumping the barricades to cross the border at the Venezuela-Colombia border, while opposition MPs have posted defiant messages on social media denouncing the use of force.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, on the Colombia border, said Venezuelans were begging soldiers to be allowed to cross.
BBC: Latest updates on Venezuela border clashes
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-latin-america-47344348
Venezuela: border tensions rise as aid showdown looms – live
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/feb/23/venezuela-brazil-border-aid-live-news-latest-updates
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47343918
Soldiers from the Venezuelan national guard have left their posts ahead of an opposition-led effort to bring aid into the country, Colombia's migration agency said.
In a separate development, Venezuelan troops have fired tear gas at people looking to cross into Colombia to work.
Tensions have been rising over a row about the delivery of humanitarian aid.
President Nicolás Maduro said the border with Colombia is partly closed to stop aid being delivered.
But self-declared interim president Juan Guaidó has vowed that hundreds of thousands of volunteers will help bring in the aid deliveries, which include food and medicine, on Saturday.
Local media report people jumping the barricades to cross the border at the Venezuela-Colombia border, while opposition MPs have posted defiant messages on social media denouncing the use of force.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, on the Colombia border, said Venezuelans were begging soldiers to be allowed to cross.
BBC: Latest updates on Venezuela border clashes
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-latin-america-47344348
Venezuela: border tensions rise as aid showdown looms – live
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/feb/23/venezuela-brazil-border-aid-live-news-latest-updates
Trump says he's inclined to extend China trade deadline and meet Xi soon
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-says-hes-inclined-to-extend-china-trade-deadline-and-meet-xi-soon-idUSKCN1QB1ZQ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday there was “a very good chance” the United States would strike a deal with China to end their trade war and that he was inclined to extend his March 1 tariff deadline and meet soon with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
U.S. and Chinese negotiators had made progress and will extend this week’s round of negotiations by two days through Sunday, Trump told reporters at the White House as he met with his top negotiators and their counterpart, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.
Liu agreed there had been “great progress”.
“From China, we believe that (it) is very likely that it will happen and we hope that ultimately we’ll have a deal. And the Chinese side is ready to make our utmost effort,” he said at the White House.
“I think that we both feel there’s a very good chance a deal will happen,” Trump said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-says-hes-inclined-to-extend-china-trade-deadline-and-meet-xi-soon-idUSKCN1QB1ZQ
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday there was “a very good chance” the United States would strike a deal with China to end their trade war and that he was inclined to extend his March 1 tariff deadline and meet soon with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
U.S. and Chinese negotiators had made progress and will extend this week’s round of negotiations by two days through Sunday, Trump told reporters at the White House as he met with his top negotiators and their counterpart, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.
Liu agreed there had been “great progress”.
“From China, we believe that (it) is very likely that it will happen and we hope that ultimately we’ll have a deal. And the Chinese side is ready to make our utmost effort,” he said at the White House.
“I think that we both feel there’s a very good chance a deal will happen,” Trump said.
More than 100 separatists detained in Kashmir raids in pre-election crackdown
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir/more-than-100-separatists-detained-in-kashmir-raids-in-pre-election-crackdown-idUSKCN1QC070
SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - More than 100 separatists in Kashmir were detained in overnight raids, police officials said on Saturday, as part of a crackdown on groups that might cause trouble ahead of nationwide elections set to be held by May.
The move comes days after a suicide car bombing killed at least 40 Indian security personnel on Feb. 14. The Indian government has warned that it will use all options in its power to avenge the attack claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
“The arrival of more troops and the arrests of leaders and activists of separatist groups is part of an election exercise undertaken to ensure free and fair elections,” said one senior police official in the state.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir/more-than-100-separatists-detained-in-kashmir-raids-in-pre-election-crackdown-idUSKCN1QC070
SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - More than 100 separatists in Kashmir were detained in overnight raids, police officials said on Saturday, as part of a crackdown on groups that might cause trouble ahead of nationwide elections set to be held by May.
The move comes days after a suicide car bombing killed at least 40 Indian security personnel on Feb. 14. The Indian government has warned that it will use all options in its power to avenge the attack claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
“The arrival of more troops and the arrests of leaders and activists of separatist groups is part of an election exercise undertaken to ensure free and fair elections,” said one senior police official in the state.
篇文sum up咗通俄門調查嘅發展，有條不紊，每次介紹新人物出場嘅時候都相當清晰。可以同之前伏羽忍冬巴打 嘅文對讀
Court records reveal a Mueller report right in plain view
https://apnews.com/2b8513d4a4224a559d7048edb396cdfd
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was in full deflection mode.
The Democrats had blamed Russia for the hacking and release of damaging material on his presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump wasn’t buying it. But on July 27, 2016, midway through a news conference in Florida, Trump decided to entertain the thought for a moment.
It was just one small part of a sophisticated election interference operation carried out by the Kremlin — and meticulously chronicled by special counsel Robert Mueller.
We know this, though Mueller has made not a single public comment since his appointment in May 2017. We know this, though the full, final report on the investigation, believed to be in its final stages, may never be made public. It’s up to Attorney General William Barr.
We know this because Mueller has spoken loudly, if indirectly, in court — indictment by indictment, guilty plea by guilty plea. In doing so, he tracked an elaborate Russian operation that injected chaos into a U.S. presidential election and tried to help Trump win the White House. He followed a GOP campaign that embraced the Kremlin’s help and championed stolen material to hurt a political foe. And ultimately, he revealed layers of lies, deception, self-enrichment and hubris that followed.
Woven through thousands of court papers, the special counsel has made his public report. This is what it says.
Court records reveal a Mueller report right in plain view
https://apnews.com/2b8513d4a4224a559d7048edb396cdfd
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump was in full deflection mode.
The Democrats had blamed Russia for the hacking and release of damaging material on his presidential opponent, Hillary Clinton. Trump wasn’t buying it. But on July 27, 2016, midway through a news conference in Florida, Trump decided to entertain the thought for a moment.
It was just one small part of a sophisticated election interference operation carried out by the Kremlin — and meticulously chronicled by special counsel Robert Mueller.
We know this, though Mueller has made not a single public comment since his appointment in May 2017. We know this, though the full, final report on the investigation, believed to be in its final stages, may never be made public. It’s up to Attorney General William Barr.
We know this because Mueller has spoken loudly, if indirectly, in court — indictment by indictment, guilty plea by guilty plea. In doing so, he tracked an elaborate Russian operation that injected chaos into a U.S. presidential election and tried to help Trump win the White House. He followed a GOP campaign that embraced the Kremlin’s help and championed stolen material to hurt a political foe. And ultimately, he revealed layers of lies, deception, self-enrichment and hubris that followed.
Woven through thousands of court papers, the special counsel has made his public report. This is what it says.
RUSSIA, LOOKING TO INTERFERE
The plot began before Bernie Bros and “Lock Her Up,” before MAGA hats and “Lyin’ Ted,” before there was even a thought of Trump versus Clinton in 2016. It started in 2014, in a drab, concrete building in St. Petersburg, Russia.
There, a group of tech-savvy Russian nationals, working at an organization called the Internet Research Agency, prepared “information warfare against the United States of America.” The battleground would be the internet, and the target was the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Using a game plan honed on its own people, the troll farm prepared to pervert the social networks — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram — that Americans had come to depend on for news, entertainment, friendships and, most relevantly, political discourse.
“Russia, if you’re listening,” said Trump, looking directly into a television camera, “I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing” — messages Clinton was reported to have deleted from her private email server.
Actually, Russia was doing more than listening: It had been trying to help Republican Trump for months. That very day, hackers working with Russia’s military intelligence tried to break into email accounts associated with Clinton’s personal office.
It would use deception, disinformation and the expansive reach of the electronically connected world to spread “distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general.” Ultimately, it would carry a budget in the millions, bankrolled, according to an indictment, by Yevgeny Prighozin, a man so close to the Russian president that he is known as Putin’s chef. (Prighozin’s company has denied the charges).
It was a long game. Starting in mid-2014, employees began studying American political groups to see which messages fell flat and which spread like wildfire across the internet. The organization surreptitiously dispatched employees to the U.S. — traveling through states such as Nevada, California and Colorado— to collect on-the-ground intelligence about an America that had become deeply divided on gun control, race and politics.
As they gathered the research, the trolls began planning an elaborate deception.
They bought server space and other computer infrastructure in the U.S. to conceal the true origin of the disinformation they planned to pump into America’s social media blood stream. They began preparing networks of fake accounts they would use like sock puppets to masquerade as U.S. citizens.
The Russian trolls set up accounts that appeared to be associated with Black Lives Matter, the Tennessee GOP, Muslim and Christian groups and the American South. By late 2015, as Clinton sparred with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, her rival for the Democratic nomination, and as American media still saw Trump as a longshot to emerge from a crowded Republican field, the Internet Research Agency began secretly buying online ads to promote its social media groups.
By February 2016, they were ready. A memo circulated internally. Post content about “politics in the USA,” they wrote, according to court papers, and “use any opportunity to criticize Hillary and the rest (except Sanders and Trump— we support them).”
The plot began before Bernie Bros and “Lock Her Up,” before MAGA hats and “Lyin’ Ted,” before there was even a thought of Trump versus Clinton in 2016. It started in 2014, in a drab, concrete building in St. Petersburg, Russia.
There, a group of tech-savvy Russian nationals, working at an organization called the Internet Research Agency, prepared “information warfare against the United States of America.” The battleground would be the internet, and the target was the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Using a game plan honed on its own people, the troll farm prepared to pervert the social networks — Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram — that Americans had come to depend on for news, entertainment, friendships and, most relevantly, political discourse.
“Russia, if you’re listening,” said Trump, looking directly into a television camera, “I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing” — messages Clinton was reported to have deleted from her private email server.
Actually, Russia was doing more than listening: It had been trying to help Republican Trump for months. That very day, hackers working with Russia’s military intelligence tried to break into email accounts associated with Clinton’s personal office.
It would use deception, disinformation and the expansive reach of the electronically connected world to spread “distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general.” Ultimately, it would carry a budget in the millions, bankrolled, according to an indictment, by Yevgeny Prighozin, a man so close to the Russian president that he is known as Putin’s chef. (Prighozin’s company has denied the charges).
It was a long game. Starting in mid-2014, employees began studying American political groups to see which messages fell flat and which spread like wildfire across the internet. The organization surreptitiously dispatched employees to the U.S. — traveling through states such as Nevada, California and Colorado— to collect on-the-ground intelligence about an America that had become deeply divided on gun control, race and politics.
As they gathered the research, the trolls began planning an elaborate deception.
They bought server space and other computer infrastructure in the U.S. to conceal the true origin of the disinformation they planned to pump into America’s social media blood stream. They began preparing networks of fake accounts they would use like sock puppets to masquerade as U.S. citizens.
The Russian trolls set up accounts that appeared to be associated with Black Lives Matter, the Tennessee GOP, Muslim and Christian groups and the American South. By late 2015, as Clinton sparred with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, her rival for the Democratic nomination, and as American media still saw Trump as a longshot to emerge from a crowded Republican field, the Internet Research Agency began secretly buying online ads to promote its social media groups.
By February 2016, they were ready. A memo circulated internally. Post content about “politics in the USA,” they wrote, according to court papers, and “use any opportunity to criticize Hillary and the rest (except Sanders and Trump— we support them).”
As disinformation scrolled across American computer screens, an entirely different Russian operation readied its own volley.
In March 2016, as Clinton and Trump began to emerge as the leaders of their respective parties, Russian military intelligence officers began setting a trap.
Hackers in Russia’s military intelligence, known as the GRU, started sending dozens of malicious emails to people affiliated with Clinton’s campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee.
Like Watergate, it was a break-in. But this time, the burglary tools were emails disguised to fool people into sharing their passwords and in turn provide hackers unfettered access to their emails. The goal was to collect as many damaging documents as possible that could be released online and damage Clinton’s candidacy.
In a few short weeks, the hackers had penetrated their targets and hit the motherlode: the private Gmail account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
In March 2016, as Clinton and Trump began to emerge as the leaders of their respective parties, Russian military intelligence officers began setting a trap.
Hackers in Russia’s military intelligence, known as the GRU, started sending dozens of malicious emails to people affiliated with Clinton’s campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee.
Like Watergate, it was a break-in. But this time, the burglary tools were emails disguised to fool people into sharing their passwords and in turn provide hackers unfettered access to their emails. The goal was to collect as many damaging documents as possible that could be released online and damage Clinton’s candidacy.
In a few short weeks, the hackers had penetrated their targets and hit the motherlode: the private Gmail account of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.
___
A RECEPTIVE CAMPAIGN
While the Russians were hacking, a young Trump campaign adviser named George Papadopoulos received some startling news in London.
It was April 26, 2016. While traveling through Europe, he had connected with a Maltese academic. The professor, a middle-aged man with thinning gray hair named Joseph Mifsud, had taken a keen interest in Papadopoulos upon learning that he had joined the Trump campaign as a foreign policy adviser. To dazzle his young friend, Mifsud boasted of his high-level Russian connections and introduced him to a woman named Olga — a relative, he claimed, of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mifsud and Olga wanted Papadopoulos to arrange a meeting between Trump aides and Russian officials. Eager to ingratiate himself with the campaign, Papadopoulos brought up his newfound connections in a meeting with Trump and several high-ranking campaign officials, saying he could broker a Trump-Putin summit. When he raised the idea, his lawyers later said, Trump nodded with approval and deferred to another aide in the room, future Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said the campaign should look into it. Sessions would later say he remembered telling Papadopoulos that he wasn’t authorized to speak for the campaign.
When he walked into a London hotel for breakfast with Mifsud, Papadopoulos expected to discuss Russia’s “open invitation” to meet with Trump. But the conversation quickly turned to another subject. Mifsud confided in Papadopoulos that Russia had “dirt” on Clinton. What kind of dirt? “Thousands of emails.”
A RECEPTIVE CAMPAIGN
While the Russians were hacking, a young Trump campaign adviser named George Papadopoulos received some startling news in London.
It was April 26, 2016. While traveling through Europe, he had connected with a Maltese academic. The professor, a middle-aged man with thinning gray hair named Joseph Mifsud, had taken a keen interest in Papadopoulos upon learning that he had joined the Trump campaign as a foreign policy adviser. To dazzle his young friend, Mifsud boasted of his high-level Russian connections and introduced him to a woman named Olga — a relative, he claimed, of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mifsud and Olga wanted Papadopoulos to arrange a meeting between Trump aides and Russian officials. Eager to ingratiate himself with the campaign, Papadopoulos brought up his newfound connections in a meeting with Trump and several high-ranking campaign officials, saying he could broker a Trump-Putin summit. When he raised the idea, his lawyers later said, Trump nodded with approval and deferred to another aide in the room, future Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who said the campaign should look into it. Sessions would later say he remembered telling Papadopoulos that he wasn’t authorized to speak for the campaign.
When he walked into a London hotel for breakfast with Mifsud, Papadopoulos expected to discuss Russia’s “open invitation” to meet with Trump. But the conversation quickly turned to another subject. Mifsud confided in Papadopoulos that Russia had “dirt” on Clinton. What kind of dirt? “Thousands of emails.”
What happened next remains a mystery. Prosecutors haven’t revealed exactly where Mifsud got his information or what Papadopoulos might have done with it. The encounter, the first known instance of a Trump aide hearing of stolen emails, would later help kick-start the Russia investigation. But at the time, it was just one of many connections already established between the Trump campaign and Russia.
Unbeknownst to the public, Trump personal lawyer Michael Cohen had been trying to broker a business deal in Russia for the Republican candidate. The proposal was for a Trump Tower Moscow. A letter of intent was signed. Cohen had discussed it with Trump and his children. Cohen had even gone so far as to reach out to the Kremlin directly for help, speaking with an official about ways to secure land and financing for the project.
While Cohen pursued the deal, another person with Russia ties joined the Trump campaign. Paul Manafort, a longtime Washington insider, had made millions as a political consultant for Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. Over that time, Manafort developed a close relationship with a man named Konstantin Kilimnik, who the FBI says has ties to Russian military intelligence. Manafort also had worked for a Russian billionaire named Oleg Deripaska who is close with Putin.
But in March 2016, Manafort was looking for a comeback. His business had dried up after Yanukovych was ousted and fled to Russia. The millions that Manafort had hidden from the IRS while enjoying a lavish lifestyle were largely gone. With the Trump campaign, Manafort saw an opportunity to get back on his feet. He and his protege, Rick Gates, quickly worked their way into the highest levels of the campaign, and they began trying to make sure old clients had heard about their new positions.
Unbeknownst to the public, Trump personal lawyer Michael Cohen had been trying to broker a business deal in Russia for the Republican candidate. The proposal was for a Trump Tower Moscow. A letter of intent was signed. Cohen had discussed it with Trump and his children. Cohen had even gone so far as to reach out to the Kremlin directly for help, speaking with an official about ways to secure land and financing for the project.
While Cohen pursued the deal, another person with Russia ties joined the Trump campaign. Paul Manafort, a longtime Washington insider, had made millions as a political consultant for Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his pro-Russian political party in Ukraine. Over that time, Manafort developed a close relationship with a man named Konstantin Kilimnik, who the FBI says has ties to Russian military intelligence. Manafort also had worked for a Russian billionaire named Oleg Deripaska who is close with Putin.
But in March 2016, Manafort was looking for a comeback. His business had dried up after Yanukovych was ousted and fled to Russia. The millions that Manafort had hidden from the IRS while enjoying a lavish lifestyle were largely gone. With the Trump campaign, Manafort saw an opportunity to get back on his feet. He and his protege, Rick Gates, quickly worked their way into the highest levels of the campaign, and they began trying to make sure old clients had heard about their new positions.