U.S. warns China meddling in Hong Kong hurting business confidence
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-hongkong-idUSKCN1R305T?utm
[excerpt]
HONG KONG (Reuters) - The United States warned in a report on Friday that increased meddling from China in Hong Kong had adversely impacted the city, straining international business confidence in the Asian financial hub.
The U.S. State Department report cited incidents such as the expulsion of Financial Times editor Victor Mallet, the banning of a pro-independence political party, the jailing of young democracy activists and barring people from local elections.
The city is now also seeking to amend laws to allow individuals to be extradited to mainland China, despite grave human rights concerns toward Beijing.
“The tempo of mainland central government intervention in Hong Kong affairs - and actions by the Hong Kong government consistent with mainland direction - increased, accelerating negative trends seen in previous periods,” the U.S. State Department said in its 2019 report on the Hong Kong Policy Act.
“Growing political restrictions in Hong Kong may be straining the confidence of the international business community.”
The 1992 U.S.-Hong Kong policy act allows Washington to engage with Hong Kong as a non-sovereign entity distinct from China on matters of trade and economics.
The areas of special treatment for Hong Kong are fairly broad and now include visas, law enforcement including extraditions, and investment.
國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（六）
Filibuster_HK
1001 回覆
39 Like
2 Dislike
第 1 頁第 2 頁第 3 頁第 4 頁第 5 頁第 6 頁第 7 頁第 8 頁第 9 頁第 10 頁第 11 頁第 12 頁第 13 頁第 14 頁第 15 頁第 16 頁第 17 頁第 18 頁第 19 頁第 20 頁第 21 頁第 22 頁第 23 頁第 24 頁第 25 頁第 26 頁第 27 頁第 28 頁第 29 頁第 30 頁第 31 頁第 32 頁第 33 頁第 34 頁第 35 頁第 36 頁第 37 頁第 38 頁第 39 頁第 40 頁第 41 頁
It was announced today by the U.S. Treasury that additional large scale Sanctions would be added to those already existing Sanctions on North Korea. I have today ordered the withdrawal of those additional Sanctions!
CLS, 全世界除咗Trump 之外都無人知Trump 講緊咩新制裁，條友老人痴呆？
定係講緊放生星期四嗰兩間中國銀行？
CLS, 全世界除咗Trump 之外都無人知Trump 講緊咩新制裁，條友老人痴呆？
定係講緊放生星期四嗰兩間中國銀行？
“President Trump likes Chairman Kim and he doesn’t think these sanctions will be necessary.”
乜撚理由嚟？
乜撚理由嚟？
Trump-Russia: Special counsel Robert Mueller delivers report
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47671715
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his long-awaited report on alleged collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.
The report was delivered to the Department of Justice, where Attorney General William Barr will decide how much of it to share with Congress.
Mr Barr told congressional leaders that he anticipated being able to inform them of the key findings this weekend.
The special counsel reportedly will not issue any further indictments.
The report is intended to explain any prosecutorial decisions the special counsel has made in the 22 months since his appointment by deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
In his letter to Congress' judiciary committee leaders - Senators Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein and Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Doug Collins - Mr Barr confirmed there were no instances during the investigation where the Department of Justice ordered Mr Mueller to not take action.
He said he will now consult with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein - who managed the inquiry prior to Mr Barr's appointment - and Mr Mueller "to determine what other information from the report can be released to Congress and the public".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47671715
Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted his long-awaited report on alleged collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.
The report was delivered to the Department of Justice, where Attorney General William Barr will decide how much of it to share with Congress.
Mr Barr told congressional leaders that he anticipated being able to inform them of the key findings this weekend.
The special counsel reportedly will not issue any further indictments.
The report is intended to explain any prosecutorial decisions the special counsel has made in the 22 months since his appointment by deputy US Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.
In his letter to Congress' judiciary committee leaders - Senators Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein and Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Doug Collins - Mr Barr confirmed there were no instances during the investigation where the Department of Justice ordered Mr Mueller to not take action.
He said he will now consult with Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein - who managed the inquiry prior to Mr Barr's appointment - and Mr Mueller "to determine what other information from the report can be released to Congress and the public".
Trump cancels new North Korea sanctions
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47674761
US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the withdrawal of recently imposed sanctions against North Korea.
In a tweet on Friday, he mentioned "additional large-scale sanctions" by the US Treasury that had been added to already existing restrictions.
It is believed he was referring to the treasury's move on Thursday to blacklist two China-based shipping companies for reportedly violating sanctions against North Korea.
Pyongyang has made no public comment.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton described the treasury sanctions at the time as "important".
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Trump wrote: "It was announced today by the US Treasury that additional large-scale Sanctions would be added to those already existing Sanctions on North Korea.
"I have today ordered the withdrawal of those additional Sanctions!" White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders did not elaborate on which sanctions were being referred to by the president.
However, she added: "President Trump likes Chairman Kim [Jong-un] and he doesn't think these sanctions will be necessary."
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47674761
US President Donald Trump says he has ordered the withdrawal of recently imposed sanctions against North Korea.
In a tweet on Friday, he mentioned "additional large-scale sanctions" by the US Treasury that had been added to already existing restrictions.
It is believed he was referring to the treasury's move on Thursday to blacklist two China-based shipping companies for reportedly violating sanctions against North Korea.
Pyongyang has made no public comment.
US National Security Adviser John Bolton described the treasury sanctions at the time as "important".
In a tweet on Friday, Mr Trump wrote: "It was announced today by the US Treasury that additional large-scale Sanctions would be added to those already existing Sanctions on North Korea.
"I have today ordered the withdrawal of those additional Sanctions!" White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders did not elaborate on which sanctions were being referred to by the president.
However, she added: "President Trump likes Chairman Kim [Jong-un] and he doesn't think these sanctions will be necessary."
Trump無事?
Explainer: How much of the Mueller report must U.S. attorney general disclose?
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-disclosure-explainer-idUSKCN1R32S2?utm
【excerpt】
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Now that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted the report on his investigation of Russia’s role in the 2016 U.S. election, Attorney General William Barr must decide how much of the document - if any - to make public.
Justice Department regulations governing special counsels adopted in 1999 give Barr, the top U.S. law enforcement official, broad discretion in deciding how much to release to Congress and the public. Barr, in his January Senate confirmation hearings after being nominated by Trump, promised to “provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law” - a pledge that still gives him a lot of wiggle room.
Trump said on Wednesday he does not mind if the public is allowed to see the report.
Mueller was named special counsel in May 2017 by the department’s No. 2 official, Rod Rosenstein, to take over an investigation that had been headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He examined whether Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia and whether the president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction and Russia has denied election interference.
Here is an explanation of the rules Barr must follow and the political pressures that he faces in deciding on disclosure of Mueller’s findings.
WHAT DO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS CALL FOR?
Justice Department regulations do not require the release of the entire special counsel report but also do not prevent Barr from doing so, giving him leeway to disclose it if it is in the public interest.
Special counsels can be appointed by the department to investigate matters of high sensitivity that are not handled through the normal channels.
The department placed limits on special counsel powers in the 1999 regulations creating the post.
The regulations state that when an investigation is conducted a special counsel must provide the attorney general a “confidential report” explaining why particular individuals were or were not charged.
The regulations require Barr to notify the top Republicans and Democrats on the House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committees that the investigation has ended. Department policy calls for Barr to summarize the confidential report for Congress with “an outline of the actions and the reasons for them.” According to the regulations, Barr “may determine that public release of these reports would be in the public interest, to the extent that release would comply with applicable legal restrictions.”
In deciding what to release, Barr may have to confront thorny legal issues involving secrecy of grand jury testimony, protecting classified information, communications with the White House possibly subject to the principle of executive privilege shielding certain information from disclosure, and safeguarding confidential reasons for why some individuals were not charged.
WHAT POLITICAL PRESSURE MIGHT BARR BE FEELING?
Some Democrats have expressed concern Barr may try to shield Trump and bury parts of the report. Barr may feel pressure from the Republican president to conceal damaging parts of Mueller’s report and release any findings that may exonerate him.
Barr, 68, is a veteran Washington insider who also was attorney general from 1991 to 1993 under Republican President George H.W. Bush. He has embraced an expansive view of presidential powers but also is considered a defender of the rule of law.
Trump fired Barr’s predecessor, Jeff Sessions, in November after complaining for months about Sessions’ 2017 decision to recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-disclosure-explainer-idUSKCN1R32S2?utm
【excerpt】
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Now that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has submitted the report on his investigation of Russia’s role in the 2016 U.S. election, Attorney General William Barr must decide how much of the document - if any - to make public.
Justice Department regulations governing special counsels adopted in 1999 give Barr, the top U.S. law enforcement official, broad discretion in deciding how much to release to Congress and the public. Barr, in his January Senate confirmation hearings after being nominated by Trump, promised to “provide as much transparency as I can consistent with the law” - a pledge that still gives him a lot of wiggle room.
Trump said on Wednesday he does not mind if the public is allowed to see the report.
Mueller was named special counsel in May 2017 by the department’s No. 2 official, Rod Rosenstein, to take over an investigation that had been headed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He examined whether Trump’s 2016 campaign conspired with Russia and whether the president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction and Russia has denied election interference.
Here is an explanation of the rules Barr must follow and the political pressures that he faces in deciding on disclosure of Mueller’s findings.
WHAT DO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS CALL FOR?
Justice Department regulations do not require the release of the entire special counsel report but also do not prevent Barr from doing so, giving him leeway to disclose it if it is in the public interest.
Special counsels can be appointed by the department to investigate matters of high sensitivity that are not handled through the normal channels.
The department placed limits on special counsel powers in the 1999 regulations creating the post.
The regulations state that when an investigation is conducted a special counsel must provide the attorney general a “confidential report” explaining why particular individuals were or were not charged.
The regulations require Barr to notify the top Republicans and Democrats on the House of Representatives and Senate Judiciary Committees that the investigation has ended. Department policy calls for Barr to summarize the confidential report for Congress with “an outline of the actions and the reasons for them.” According to the regulations, Barr “may determine that public release of these reports would be in the public interest, to the extent that release would comply with applicable legal restrictions.”
In deciding what to release, Barr may have to confront thorny legal issues involving secrecy of grand jury testimony, protecting classified information, communications with the White House possibly subject to the principle of executive privilege shielding certain information from disclosure, and safeguarding confidential reasons for why some individuals were not charged.
WHAT POLITICAL PRESSURE MIGHT BARR BE FEELING?
Some Democrats have expressed concern Barr may try to shield Trump and bury parts of the report. Barr may feel pressure from the Republican president to conceal damaging parts of Mueller’s report and release any findings that may exonerate him.
Barr, 68, is a veteran Washington insider who also was attorney general from 1991 to 1993 under Republican President George H.W. Bush. He has embraced an expansive view of presidential powers but also is considered a defender of the rule of law.
Trump fired Barr’s predecessor, Jeff Sessions, in November after complaining for months about Sessions’ 2017 decision to recuse himself from overseeing the Russia investigation.
WHAT IF BARR DECLINES TO RELEASE THE FULL REPORT?
Democrats control the House and some already have pledged to subpoena the report and Mueller and go to court if necessary to secure its full release. The House on March 14 voted 420-0, with four conservative Republican lawmakers voting “present,” to approve a non-binding resolution urging Barr to make public everything in Mueller’s report that is not expressly prohibited by law and to provide the entire document to Congress.
HOW HAVE OTHER SPECIAL COUNSEL REPORTS BEEN HANDLED?
Only two special counsels have been appointed under the 1999 regulations: Mueller and former Senator John Danforth, who was appointed that same year to investigate the deadly 1993 federal raid on the Branch Davidian cult compound in Waco, Texas. Danforth’s report in 2000 cleared government officials of wrongdoing.
In appointing Danforth, Attorney General Janet Reno specifically directed him to draft a report for public release on his findings, which he did. Rosenstein made no such demand on Mueller.
Democrats control the House and some already have pledged to subpoena the report and Mueller and go to court if necessary to secure its full release. The House on March 14 voted 420-0, with four conservative Republican lawmakers voting “present,” to approve a non-binding resolution urging Barr to make public everything in Mueller’s report that is not expressly prohibited by law and to provide the entire document to Congress.
HOW HAVE OTHER SPECIAL COUNSEL REPORTS BEEN HANDLED?
Only two special counsels have been appointed under the 1999 regulations: Mueller and former Senator John Danforth, who was appointed that same year to investigate the deadly 1993 federal raid on the Branch Davidian cult compound in Waco, Texas. Danforth’s report in 2000 cleared government officials of wrongdoing.
In appointing Danforth, Attorney General Janet Reno specifically directed him to draft a report for public release on his findings, which he did. Rosenstein made no such demand on Mueller.
Factbox: Who did not face charges in Mueller's probe?
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-indictments-factbox-idUSKCN1R401G?utm
(Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday appeared to end his probe without bringing criminal charges against several individuals he had investigated, including advisers and family members of President Donald Trump accused by Democratic lawmakers of not fully disclosing contacts with Russians.
Mueller handed in a confidential report on his investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, who will decide how much of it to make public.
Mueller’s two-year investigation led to criminal charges against 34 individuals in total, including six of Trump’s associates and several Russian nationals. He did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said.
Trump has repeatedly called Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt” and denies any collusion with Russia. Russia denies interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
Following are some individuals who came under scrutiny during the investigation but appear to have avoided criminal charges.
DONALD TRUMP JR.
Trump’s eldest son met in June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York with a Russian lawyer to hear what he hoped was damaging information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “If it’s what you say I love it,” he wrote to Rob Goldstone, a British publicist who arranged the meeting.
U.S. prosecutors said the Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, was an agent for the Kremlin.
When the meeting became public in June 2017, Trump Jr. initially said the meeting was about U.S. sanctions on Russia, not the presidential election.
Trump Jr. also communicated during the campaign with WikiLeaks, the website that released stolen emails from the Clinton campaign.
JARED KUSHNER
President Trump’s son-in-law played a central role in the 2016 election and now serves as a senior White House adviser.
Kushner also attended the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. He said he arrived late and tried to leave early after concluding the meeting was a “waste of time.”
In December 2016, after Trump won the election, Kushner asked Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak to set up a secure communications channel at the Russian embassy. He also met that month with Sergei Gorkov, a Russian espionage officer who heads Vneshconombank, a Russian state-owned bank that is under U.S. sanctions. Kushner said no specific policies were discussed, nor was there any discussion about U.S. sanctions on Russia.
JEFF SESSIONS
Trump’s first attorney general told Congress he was unaware of any communications between the campaign and Russia, before admitting that he met with Kislyak at least twice during the campaign. That led Sessions, a former Republican senator, to recuse himself from oversight of the Russia investigation, drawing the ire of Trump.
Sessions also told Congress that during the campaign he resisted a proposal by then-foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulous to meet with Russian officials. But three people who were in the room for the discussion told Reuters that Sessions expressed no objections to the idea. All three have given their version of events to FBI agents or congressional investigators.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-indictments-factbox-idUSKCN1R401G?utm
(Reuters) - U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday appeared to end his probe without bringing criminal charges against several individuals he had investigated, including advisers and family members of President Donald Trump accused by Democratic lawmakers of not fully disclosing contacts with Russians.
Mueller handed in a confidential report on his investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, who will decide how much of it to make public.
Mueller’s two-year investigation led to criminal charges against 34 individuals in total, including six of Trump’s associates and several Russian nationals. He did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said.
Trump has repeatedly called Mueller’s investigation a “witch hunt” and denies any collusion with Russia. Russia denies interfering in the 2016 presidential election.
Following are some individuals who came under scrutiny during the investigation but appear to have avoided criminal charges.
DONALD TRUMP JR.
Trump’s eldest son met in June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York with a Russian lawyer to hear what he hoped was damaging information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “If it’s what you say I love it,” he wrote to Rob Goldstone, a British publicist who arranged the meeting.
U.S. prosecutors said the Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, was an agent for the Kremlin.
When the meeting became public in June 2017, Trump Jr. initially said the meeting was about U.S. sanctions on Russia, not the presidential election.
Trump Jr. also communicated during the campaign with WikiLeaks, the website that released stolen emails from the Clinton campaign.
JARED KUSHNER
President Trump’s son-in-law played a central role in the 2016 election and now serves as a senior White House adviser.
Kushner also attended the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting. He said he arrived late and tried to leave early after concluding the meeting was a “waste of time.”
In December 2016, after Trump won the election, Kushner asked Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak to set up a secure communications channel at the Russian embassy. He also met that month with Sergei Gorkov, a Russian espionage officer who heads Vneshconombank, a Russian state-owned bank that is under U.S. sanctions. Kushner said no specific policies were discussed, nor was there any discussion about U.S. sanctions on Russia.
JEFF SESSIONS
Trump’s first attorney general told Congress he was unaware of any communications between the campaign and Russia, before admitting that he met with Kislyak at least twice during the campaign. That led Sessions, a former Republican senator, to recuse himself from oversight of the Russia investigation, drawing the ire of Trump.
Sessions also told Congress that during the campaign he resisted a proposal by then-foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulous to meet with Russian officials. But three people who were in the room for the discussion told Reuters that Sessions expressed no objections to the idea. All three have given their version of events to FBI agents or congressional investigators.
OLEG DERIPASKA
Mueller was investigating Deripaska, a Russian metals magnate, because of his close ties to the Kremlin and his relationship with former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has been sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison for witness tampering, tax and bank fraud, and other crimes.
Manafort offered to share information about the campaign with Deripaska, a major lobbying client, but there was no evidence Deripaska ever accepted the offer.
The U.S. Treasury Department hit Deripaska’s businesses with economic sanctions in April 2018, alleging he was profiting from his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and from the country’s “malign activity” around the world.
Deripaska sued the U.S. government earlier this month, alleging it unfairly accused him of involvement in Russian government activities.
JEROME CORSI
Corsi, a right-wing political commentator and conspiracy theorist, came under scrutiny because longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone sought to use him as an intermediary to communicate with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during the election.
Corsi said in November that he had received an offer from Mueller’s office to plead guilty to one felony count of providing false information to them in return for a lighter sentence.
He said he rejected the deal because he never intentionally lied during his 40 hours of interviews with Mueller’s team.
CARTER PAGE
A foreign-policy adviser during the campaign, Page drew scrutiny from the FBI, which said in legal filings in 2016 that it believed he had been “collaborating and conspiring” with the Kremlin. Page met with several Russian government officials during a trip to Moscow in July 2016 and said he kept campaign officials up to date about his activities there.
Mueller was investigating Deripaska, a Russian metals magnate, because of his close ties to the Kremlin and his relationship with former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has been sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison for witness tampering, tax and bank fraud, and other crimes.
Manafort offered to share information about the campaign with Deripaska, a major lobbying client, but there was no evidence Deripaska ever accepted the offer.
The U.S. Treasury Department hit Deripaska’s businesses with economic sanctions in April 2018, alleging he was profiting from his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and from the country’s “malign activity” around the world.
Deripaska sued the U.S. government earlier this month, alleging it unfairly accused him of involvement in Russian government activities.
JEROME CORSI
Corsi, a right-wing political commentator and conspiracy theorist, came under scrutiny because longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone sought to use him as an intermediary to communicate with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during the election.
Corsi said in November that he had received an offer from Mueller’s office to plead guilty to one felony count of providing false information to them in return for a lighter sentence.
He said he rejected the deal because he never intentionally lied during his 40 hours of interviews with Mueller’s team.
CARTER PAGE
A foreign-policy adviser during the campaign, Page drew scrutiny from the FBI, which said in legal filings in 2016 that it believed he had been “collaborating and conspiring” with the Kremlin. Page met with several Russian government officials during a trip to Moscow in July 2016 and said he kept campaign officials up to date about his activities there.
U.S. preparing official document on recognizing Israeli sovereignty of Golan Heights: source
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-israel-golanheights-idUSKCN1R326F?utm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials are preparing an official document to codify recognition by the United States of Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights and President Donald Trump is likely to sign it next week, a senior administration official said on Friday.
Trump announced on Thursday that it was time for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights that Israel seized from Syria in 1967. Trump is likely to sign the presidential document when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington on Monday, the official said.
Trump’s announcement marked a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and gave a boost to Netanyahu, who is in a closely contested race in the April 9 election while also fighting allegations of corruption, which he denies.
The disputed area was captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981 in a move not recognized internationally. Netanyahu has pressed the United States to recognize its claim and raised that possibility in his first White House meeting with Trump in February 2017.
The decision to go ahead with the Golan announcement was spurred in part by an assessment by Trump’s aides that his controversial moves on Jerusalem in 2017 and 2018 had provoked less of a severe reaction in the Arab world than many experts had predicted, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Trump’s recognition of Israel’s claim to Jerusalem and the relocation of the U.S. embassy to the contested city, a break with decades of U.S. Middle East policy, ignited international criticism.
But they did not appear to quell behind-the-scenes security contacts developed in recent years between Israel and U.S. Gulf allies, with Washington’s urging, over their common enemy Iran, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Aides’ advice to Trump on recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan was that the U.S. administration could again weather any storm of international criticism, the source said.
Some U.S. officials were mindful, however, of the potential for complicating the coming rollout of the White House’s Israeli -Palestinian peace plan since it would make it harder for Arab states to fully embrace it, the source said.
The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday criticized Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The council adopted an annual resolution on the Syrian Golan. European members including Britain voted against it. The United States, which quit the council last year accusing it of an anti-Israel bias, does not participate.
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday the EU was holding its line on the Golan Heights despite Trump’s move.
The European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-israel-golanheights-idUSKCN1R326F?utm
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials are preparing an official document to codify recognition by the United States of Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights and President Donald Trump is likely to sign it next week, a senior administration official said on Friday.
Trump announced on Thursday that it was time for the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty of the Golan Heights that Israel seized from Syria in 1967. Trump is likely to sign the presidential document when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington on Monday, the official said.
Trump’s announcement marked a dramatic shift in U.S. policy and gave a boost to Netanyahu, who is in a closely contested race in the April 9 election while also fighting allegations of corruption, which he denies.
The disputed area was captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981 in a move not recognized internationally. Netanyahu has pressed the United States to recognize its claim and raised that possibility in his first White House meeting with Trump in February 2017.
The decision to go ahead with the Golan announcement was spurred in part by an assessment by Trump’s aides that his controversial moves on Jerusalem in 2017 and 2018 had provoked less of a severe reaction in the Arab world than many experts had predicted, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Trump’s recognition of Israel’s claim to Jerusalem and the relocation of the U.S. embassy to the contested city, a break with decades of U.S. Middle East policy, ignited international criticism.
But they did not appear to quell behind-the-scenes security contacts developed in recent years between Israel and U.S. Gulf allies, with Washington’s urging, over their common enemy Iran, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Aides’ advice to Trump on recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan was that the U.S. administration could again weather any storm of international criticism, the source said.
Some U.S. officials were mindful, however, of the potential for complicating the coming rollout of the White House’s Israeli -Palestinian peace plan since it would make it harder for Arab states to fully embrace it, the source said.
The U.N. Human Rights Council on Friday criticized Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The council adopted an annual resolution on the Syrian Golan. European members including Britain voted against it. The United States, which quit the council last year accusing it of an anti-Israel bias, does not participate.
European Council President Donald Tusk said on Friday the EU was holding its line on the Golan Heights despite Trump’s move.
The European Union does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area.
Islamic State defeated, 'caliphate' eliminated says U.S. ally in Syria
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamic-state-idUSKCN1R407D?utm
[excerpt]
BAGHOUZ, Syria (Reuters) - U.S.-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State’s last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz on Saturday, ending the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate after years of fighting.
“Baghouz has been liberated. The military victory against Daesh has been accomplished,” Mustafa Bali, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman, wrote on Twitter, declaring the “total elimination of (the) so-called caliphate”.
However, a Reuters journalist at Baghouz said there were still some sounds of shooting and mortar fire.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-islamic-state-idUSKCN1R407D?utm
[excerpt]
BAGHOUZ, Syria (Reuters) - U.S.-backed forces said they had captured Islamic State’s last shred of territory in eastern Syria at Baghouz on Saturday, ending the group’s self-proclaimed caliphate after years of fighting.
“Baghouz has been liberated. The military victory against Daesh has been accomplished,” Mustafa Bali, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman, wrote on Twitter, declaring the “total elimination of (the) so-called caliphate”.
However, a Reuters journalist at Baghouz said there were still some sounds of shooting and mortar fire.
Brexit march: Hundreds of thousands join referendum protest
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47678763
Hundreds of thousands are marching through central London calling for another EU referendum, as MPs search for a way out of the Brexit impasse.
Organisers of the "Put It To The People" campaign say more than a million people have joined the march before rallying in front of Parliament.
It comes after the EU agreed to delay the UK's departure from the EU.
PM Theresa May is coming under pressure to quit after saying she might not put her Brexit deal to a third vote by MPs.
She wrote to all MPs on Friday saying she will ditch plans to put the deal to another so-called meaningful vote if not enough MPs support it.
Downing Street sources have denied reports in the Times newspaper that discussions are under way about a timetable for the prime minister to step down.
Unless her deal is passed by MPs, the UK will have to come up with an alternative plan or else face leaving without a deal on 12 April.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47678763
Hundreds of thousands are marching through central London calling for another EU referendum, as MPs search for a way out of the Brexit impasse.
Organisers of the "Put It To The People" campaign say more than a million people have joined the march before rallying in front of Parliament.
It comes after the EU agreed to delay the UK's departure from the EU.
PM Theresa May is coming under pressure to quit after saying she might not put her Brexit deal to a third vote by MPs.
She wrote to all MPs on Friday saying she will ditch plans to put the deal to another so-called meaningful vote if not enough MPs support it.
Downing Street sources have denied reports in the Times newspaper that discussions are under way about a timetable for the prime minister to step down.
Unless her deal is passed by MPs, the UK will have to come up with an alternative plan or else face leaving without a deal on 12 April.
Islamic State group defeated as final territory lost, US-backed forces say
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47678157
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says the Islamic State group's five-year "caliphate" is over after the militants' defeat in Syria.
SDF fighters have been raising victory flags in Baghuz, the last stronghold of the jihadist group.
But as celebrations began there were also warnings that IS remains a major global security threat.
The jihadists retain a presence in the region and are active in countries from Nigeria to the Philippines.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-47678157
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says the Islamic State group's five-year "caliphate" is over after the militants' defeat in Syria.
SDF fighters have been raising victory flags in Baghuz, the last stronghold of the jihadist group.
But as celebrations began there were also warnings that IS remains a major global security threat.
The jihadists retain a presence in the region and are active in countries from Nigeria to the Philippines.
Tim Shipman
@ShippersUnbound
I have spoken to 11 cabinet ministers today who want the prime minister to resign. They will confront her at cabinet on Monday
@ShippersUnbound
I have spoken to 11 cabinet ministers today who want the prime minister to resign. They will confront her at cabinet on Monday
Lidington
Thailand votes in first post-coup election
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47664201
About 50 million voters are heading to the polls in Thailand for the first general election since the 2014 coup.
Thailand has been buffeted by political instability for years, largely a battle between supporters of the military and ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
After seizing power the army promised to restore order and democracy, but has repeatedly postponed the vote.
Critics say a new constitution the army introduced will ensure it remains influential whatever the outcome.
Turnout is expected to be high for this first election since 2011.
More than seven million people aged between 18-26 are eligible to vote for the first time and could be key to victory, so all parties have been keen to court their vote.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47664201
About 50 million voters are heading to the polls in Thailand for the first general election since the 2014 coup.
Thailand has been buffeted by political instability for years, largely a battle between supporters of the military and ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
After seizing power the army promised to restore order and democracy, but has repeatedly postponed the vote.
Critics say a new constitution the army introduced will ensure it remains influential whatever the outcome.
Turnout is expected to be high for this first election since 2011.
More than seven million people aged between 18-26 are eligible to vote for the first time and could be key to victory, so all parties have been keen to court their vote.
Brexit: May urged to quit to help deal pass
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47683059
Theresa May could gain support for her Brexit deal if she promises to stand down as PM, senior Conservatives have told the BBC.
MPs in the party have said they might reluctantly back the agreement if they know she will not be in charge of the next stage of negotiations with the EU.
It comes as newspaper reports claim cabinet ministers are plotting a coup against her.
No 10 has dismissed reports that Mrs May could be persuaded to stand aside.
The prime minister has come under growing pressure to quit following a week in which she was forced to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50, and criticised for blaming the delay to Brexit on MPs.
It remains unclear whether she will bring her withdrawal agreement back to the Commons for a third vote next week, after she wrote to MPs saying she would only do so if there was "sufficient support" for it.
According to reports in some of the Sunday papers, cabinet ministers are planning to oust Mrs May as prime minister and replace her with a "caretaker leader" until a proper leadership contest is held later in the year.
But there were differing accounts of who the preferred candidate is, with the Brexiteer and Remain wings of the party said to favour different interim leaders.
The Sunday Times reported that Mrs May's defacto deputy, David Lidington, who voted Remain, was being lined up to replace her, while the Mail on Sunday said the Brexiteer Environment Secretary Michael Gove was the "consensus choice".
But one senior backbencher told the BBC's Iain Watson that even standing aside would not be enough for her deal to be voted through - having twice been defeated by large margins - and that Mrs May might as well "dig in".
No 10 dismissed suggestions that Mrs May could be persuaded to stand aside, or that she would agree a "job share" arrangement where senior ministers would be given extra responsibilities.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47683059
Theresa May could gain support for her Brexit deal if she promises to stand down as PM, senior Conservatives have told the BBC.
MPs in the party have said they might reluctantly back the agreement if they know she will not be in charge of the next stage of negotiations with the EU.
It comes as newspaper reports claim cabinet ministers are plotting a coup against her.
No 10 has dismissed reports that Mrs May could be persuaded to stand aside.
The prime minister has come under growing pressure to quit following a week in which she was forced to ask the EU for an extension to Article 50, and criticised for blaming the delay to Brexit on MPs.
It remains unclear whether she will bring her withdrawal agreement back to the Commons for a third vote next week, after she wrote to MPs saying she would only do so if there was "sufficient support" for it.
According to reports in some of the Sunday papers, cabinet ministers are planning to oust Mrs May as prime minister and replace her with a "caretaker leader" until a proper leadership contest is held later in the year.
But there were differing accounts of who the preferred candidate is, with the Brexiteer and Remain wings of the party said to favour different interim leaders.
The Sunday Times reported that Mrs May's defacto deputy, David Lidington, who voted Remain, was being lined up to replace her, while the Mail on Sunday said the Brexiteer Environment Secretary Michael Gove was the "consensus choice".
But one senior backbencher told the BBC's Iain Watson that even standing aside would not be enough for her deal to be voted through - having twice been defeated by large margins - and that Mrs May might as well "dig in".
No 10 dismissed suggestions that Mrs May could be persuaded to stand aside, or that she would agree a "job share" arrangement where senior ministers would be given extra responsibilities.
秦國大選有無直播？
Trump-Russia inquiry: President 'did not conspire with Russia'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47688187
President Trump's campaign did not conspire with Russia during the 2016 election, according to a summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report submitted to Congress on Sunday.
The report summary did not draw a conclusion as to whether Mr Trump illegally obstructed justice, but did not exonerate the president.
The report was summarised for Congress by the attorney general, William Barr.
President Trump tweeted in response: "No Collusion, No Obstruction."
The report is the culmination of two years of investigation by Mr Mueller.
"While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," Mr Mueller wrote in his report.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-47688187
President Trump's campaign did not conspire with Russia during the 2016 election, according to a summary of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report submitted to Congress on Sunday.
The report summary did not draw a conclusion as to whether Mr Trump illegally obstructed justice, but did not exonerate the president.
The report was summarised for Congress by the attorney general, William Barr.
President Trump tweeted in response: "No Collusion, No Obstruction."
The report is the culmination of two years of investigation by Mr Mueller.
"While this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," Mr Mueller wrote in his report.
Attorney General Barr's letter on Mueller's findings
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-b13e-dce8-a5e9-b1be04990000
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000169-b13e-dce8-a5e9-b1be04990000
Thailand election: Pro-military political party takes lead
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47687316
A pro-military political party in Thailand has taken an unexpected lead in the country's first election since the army took power five years ago.
With more than 90% of ballots counted, the Palang Pracha Rath Party has gained 7.6 million votes - half a million more than opposition Pheu Thai (For Thais).
Pheu Thai is linked to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, whose loyalists have won every election since 2001.
The announcement of official results has been postponed until Monday.
However it is now looking more likely that the pro-military party will be in a position to form a government under the current leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup that ousted Mr Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.
The preliminary result is unexpected, with the Palang Pracha Rath Party (PPRP) initially predicted by many to come third.
More than 50 million people were eligible to vote, but turnout was reportedly just 64%, AFP news agency reported.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47687316
A pro-military political party in Thailand has taken an unexpected lead in the country's first election since the army took power five years ago.
With more than 90% of ballots counted, the Palang Pracha Rath Party has gained 7.6 million votes - half a million more than opposition Pheu Thai (For Thais).
Pheu Thai is linked to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, whose loyalists have won every election since 2001.
The announcement of official results has been postponed until Monday.
However it is now looking more likely that the pro-military party will be in a position to form a government under the current leader, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the coup that ousted Mr Thaksin's sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.
The preliminary result is unexpected, with the Palang Pracha Rath Party (PPRP) initially predicted by many to come third.
More than 50 million people were eligible to vote, but turnout was reportedly just 64%, AFP news agency reported.
