Brexit: No majority for any options after MPs' votes
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47728333
None of MPs' eight proposed Brexit options have secured clear backing in a series of votes in the Commons.
The options - which included a customs union with the EU and a referendum on any deal - were supposed to help find a consensus over how to leave the EU.
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said the results strengthened ministers' view their deal was "the best option".
The results capped a day of drama in which Theresa May promised to stand down as PM if her deal was passed.
How MPs voted
Confirmatory referendum - For: 268 Against: 295
Customs union - For: 264 Against: 272
Labour's Brexit plan - For: 237 Against: 307
Common Market 2.0 - For: 188 Against: 283
Revoking Article to avoid no deal - For: 184 Against: 293
No-deal exit on 12 April - For: 160 Against: 400
Malthouse Plan B - For: 139 Against: 422
EFTA and EEA membership - For: 65 Against: 377
國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（六）
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Austria mulls dissolving far-right movement over Christchurch links
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/austria-considers-dissolving-far-right-identitarian-movement-christchurch
The Austrian government is investigating the possibility of dissolving the far-right Identitarian Movement after it emerged the group had received a large donation from the alleged gunman in the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, on Wednesday confirmed there was a financial link between the man accused of killing 50 people at two mosques in the New Zealand city, and the Austrian branch of the far-right movement, which claims to want to protect Europe’s “cultural identity” from Islam.
“Our position is very clear,” said Kurz. “No form of extremism must be allowed to have a place in our society, whether it be radical Islamists or rightwing fanatics.”
The vice-chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, of the far-right Freedom party, the junior coalition partner to Kurz’s conservative Austrian People’s party (ÖVP), added: “Any connection to the brutish murders in Christchurch has to be ruthlessly cleared up.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/27/austria-considers-dissolving-far-right-identitarian-movement-christchurch
The Austrian government is investigating the possibility of dissolving the far-right Identitarian Movement after it emerged the group had received a large donation from the alleged gunman in the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Austria’s chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, on Wednesday confirmed there was a financial link between the man accused of killing 50 people at two mosques in the New Zealand city, and the Austrian branch of the far-right movement, which claims to want to protect Europe’s “cultural identity” from Islam.
“Our position is very clear,” said Kurz. “No form of extremism must be allowed to have a place in our society, whether it be radical Islamists or rightwing fanatics.”
The vice-chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, of the far-right Freedom party, the junior coalition partner to Kurz’s conservative Austrian People’s party (ÖVP), added: “Any connection to the brutish murders in Christchurch has to be ruthlessly cleared up.”
Facebook to ban white nationalism and separatism content
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/27/facebook-white-nationalism-hate-speech-ban
Facebook will no longer allow content supporting white nationalism and white separatism, it said on Tuesday. The announcement comes nearly a year after the revelation that its policy against white supremacy and hate speech still let users call for the creation of white ethno-states or claim the US “should be a white-only nation”.
The policy change announced on Wednesday, which will go into effect next week, comes in the wake of a white supremacist terror attack on mosques in New Zealand that left 50 people dead, and as Facebook and other social media companies continue to grapple with the ways violent white supremacist groups are using their platforms for propaganda and recruitment.
The company suggested in a post announcing the change that it had originally seen white nationalism as an acceptable point of view, similar to American nationalism, or Basque separatism. Although Facebook’s policies have long prohibited certain hateful rhetoric against based on people’s race, ethnicity or religion, it had not believed that “white separatism” necessarily belonged in a prohibited category.
“We didn’t originally apply the same rationale to expressions of white nationalism and separatism because we were thinking about broader concepts of nationalism and separatism – things like American pride and Basque separatism, which are an important part of people’s identity,” the company wrote in a post on Wednesday.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/27/facebook-white-nationalism-hate-speech-ban
Facebook will no longer allow content supporting white nationalism and white separatism, it said on Tuesday. The announcement comes nearly a year after the revelation that its policy against white supremacy and hate speech still let users call for the creation of white ethno-states or claim the US “should be a white-only nation”.
The policy change announced on Wednesday, which will go into effect next week, comes in the wake of a white supremacist terror attack on mosques in New Zealand that left 50 people dead, and as Facebook and other social media companies continue to grapple with the ways violent white supremacist groups are using their platforms for propaganda and recruitment.
The company suggested in a post announcing the change that it had originally seen white nationalism as an acceptable point of view, similar to American nationalism, or Basque separatism. Although Facebook’s policies have long prohibited certain hateful rhetoric against based on people’s race, ethnicity or religion, it had not believed that “white separatism” necessarily belonged in a prohibited category.
“We didn’t originally apply the same rationale to expressions of white nationalism and separatism because we were thinking about broader concepts of nationalism and separatism – things like American pride and Basque separatism, which are an important part of people’s identity,” the company wrote in a post on Wednesday.
完美演繹呢個Brexit有幾荒謬, 乜都唔想要, 而想要嘅係FF
但其實呢啲投票阻止唔到no deal
但其實呢啲投票阻止唔到no deal
唔太清楚個demographics
反正May姐都講明會辭職
快啲拎返封信
（拎完之後係咪短期內無得再啟動Article 50
）
快啲拎返封信
（拎完之後係咪短期內無得再啟動Article 50
）Government confirms tomorrow's vote ended to ensure UK can still delay Brexit until 22 May
A spokesperson for Andrea Leadsom has confirmed that the motion being debated tomorrow will be designed to ensure that the UK can still get an article 50 extension until 22 May, in line with the conditions set by the EU at last week’s summit. The spokesperson said:
//Tomorrow’s motion will need to be compliant with both the Speaker’s ruling and the EU council’s decision on conditionality relating to exit on 22 May. Discussions are ongoing and we will look to table the motion as soon as possible today, in order to avoid asking for another extension and the requirement to undertake European parliament elections.//
A spokesperson for Andrea Leadsom has confirmed that the motion being debated tomorrow will be designed to ensure that the UK can still get an article 50 extension until 22 May, in line with the conditions set by the EU at last week’s summit. The spokesperson said:
//Tomorrow’s motion will need to be compliant with both the Speaker’s ruling and the EU council’s decision on conditionality relating to exit on 22 May. Discussions are ongoing and we will look to table the motion as soon as possible today, in order to avoid asking for another extension and the requirement to undertake European parliament elections.//
Russia acknowledges presence of troops in Venezuela
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/russian-troops-landed-caracas-talks-venezuela-envoy-military
Russia has troops on the ground in Venezuela, officials from both countries have confirmed publicly for the first time, saying the deployment was provided for military consultations and was not linked to the “possibility of military operations”.
“Military experts are there; they are tasked with the practical implementation of provisions of military-technical cooperation agreements,” a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said in a televised briefing.
The remarks came five days after photographs showed nearly 100 Russian servicemen disembarking from two military planes in Caracas, stoking concerns in Washington that Moscow was increasing its support for Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/28/russian-troops-landed-caracas-talks-venezuela-envoy-military
Russia has troops on the ground in Venezuela, officials from both countries have confirmed publicly for the first time, saying the deployment was provided for military consultations and was not linked to the “possibility of military operations”.
“Military experts are there; they are tasked with the practical implementation of provisions of military-technical cooperation agreements,” a Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman said in a televised briefing.
The remarks came five days after photographs showed nearly 100 Russian servicemen disembarking from two military planes in Caracas, stoking concerns in Washington that Moscow was increasing its support for Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
Brexit: MPs asked to vote on withdrawal agreement only
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47740158
MPs will be asked to vote again on Brexit on Friday but only on part of the deal negotiated with the EU.
They will vote on the withdrawal agreement on the Irish "backstop", divorce bill and citizens' rights.
But it will not amount to a third "meaningful vote" on the deal, as it will not include a vote on the UK's future relationship with the EU.
Amid anger from MPs, Andrea Leadsom said it was "crucial" if the UK wanted to secure a Brexit delay until 22 May.
MPs will be debating the motion on the day the UK was supposed to leave the European Union - 29 March.
Leader of the Commons Mrs Leadsom told MPs that the European Council would only agree to the 22 May extension if MPs approved the withdrawal agreement by 23:00 GMT on Friday.
"It's crucial therefore that we make every effort to give effect to the council's decision and tomorrow's motion gives Parliament the opportunity to secure that extension," she said.
"I think we can all agree that we don't want to be in the situation of asking for another extension and facing the potential requirement of participating in European Parliament elections."
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47740158
MPs will be asked to vote again on Brexit on Friday but only on part of the deal negotiated with the EU.
They will vote on the withdrawal agreement on the Irish "backstop", divorce bill and citizens' rights.
But it will not amount to a third "meaningful vote" on the deal, as it will not include a vote on the UK's future relationship with the EU.
Amid anger from MPs, Andrea Leadsom said it was "crucial" if the UK wanted to secure a Brexit delay until 22 May.
MPs will be debating the motion on the day the UK was supposed to leave the European Union - 29 March.
Leader of the Commons Mrs Leadsom told MPs that the European Council would only agree to the 22 May extension if MPs approved the withdrawal agreement by 23:00 GMT on Friday.
"It's crucial therefore that we make every effort to give effect to the council's decision and tomorrow's motion gives Parliament the opportunity to secure that extension," she said.
"I think we can all agree that we don't want to be in the situation of asking for another extension and facing the potential requirement of participating in European Parliament elections."
US reveals secret deal to sell nuclear tech to Saudi Arabia
https://www.dw.com/en/us-reveals-secret-deal-to-sell-nuclear-tech-to-saudi-arabia/a-48107484
The Donald Trump administration has granted permission to unspecified US companies to sell nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia and provide technical assistance, US Energy Secretary Rick Perry told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
The companies have asked the administration to keep the approvals secret.
The oil-rich kingdom is set to build at least two nuclear power plants, with several countries, including the US, South Korea, and Russia, all vying for the project. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also stated that his country would also seek to develop nuclear weapons if its Iranian rivals obtained it.
Speaking to US lawmakers on Thursday, Energy Secretary Nick Perry said US was committed to keeping Saudis from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel for military purposes.
"What I'm really concerned about … is that if the United States is not the partner with Saudi Arabia" Perry said, "they will go to Russia and China for their civil nuclear technology."
"I can assure you that those two countries don't give a tinker's damn about nonproliferation," he added.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-reveals-secret-deal-to-sell-nuclear-tech-to-saudi-arabia/a-48107484
The Donald Trump administration has granted permission to unspecified US companies to sell nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia and provide technical assistance, US Energy Secretary Rick Perry told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
The companies have asked the administration to keep the approvals secret.
The oil-rich kingdom is set to build at least two nuclear power plants, with several countries, including the US, South Korea, and Russia, all vying for the project. However, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also stated that his country would also seek to develop nuclear weapons if its Iranian rivals obtained it.
Speaking to US lawmakers on Thursday, Energy Secretary Nick Perry said US was committed to keeping Saudis from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel for military purposes.
"What I'm really concerned about … is that if the United States is not the partner with Saudi Arabia" Perry said, "they will go to Russia and China for their civil nuclear technology."
"I can assure you that those two countries don't give a tinker's damn about nonproliferation," he added.
AG Barr to release Mueller report in 'weeks not months'
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/ag-barr-release-mueller-report-weeks-not-months-n987646
[excerpt]
There are no plans to give an advance copy to the White House, a Justice Department official and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr will make a version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report publicly available in weeks, not months, a Justice Department official and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday.
Both the Justice Department official and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said there were no plans to give a copy of the report to the White House before it is made public.
In an interview on Fox News, Graham said he had spoken with both Barr and President Donald Trump on Tuesday night. He said Trump told him that he had no objection to the report's being made public and that Barr told him that it was being delayed only for a series of reviews to remove classified information, grand jury information and sensitive materials related to associated cases being brought in other jurisdictions.
Graham said that the report would be made public and that Barr would appear before the Judiciary Committee some time in April. The Justice Department official said the timeline was "weeks, not months."
Barr announced on Friday that Mueller had delivered his report to the Justice Department after a nearly two-year investigation. Barr then sent a four-page letter to Congress on Sunday that said Mueller found no proof that President Donald Trump conspired with Russia in its 2016 election interference campaign.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/ag-barr-release-mueller-report-weeks-not-months-n987646
[excerpt]
There are no plans to give an advance copy to the White House, a Justice Department official and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham said.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General William Barr will make a version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report publicly available in weeks, not months, a Justice Department official and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday.
Both the Justice Department official and Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. said there were no plans to give a copy of the report to the White House before it is made public.
In an interview on Fox News, Graham said he had spoken with both Barr and President Donald Trump on Tuesday night. He said Trump told him that he had no objection to the report's being made public and that Barr told him that it was being delayed only for a series of reviews to remove classified information, grand jury information and sensitive materials related to associated cases being brought in other jurisdictions.
Graham said that the report would be made public and that Barr would appear before the Judiciary Committee some time in April. The Justice Department official said the timeline was "weeks, not months."
Barr announced on Friday that Mueller had delivered his report to the Justice Department after a nearly two-year investigation. Barr then sent a four-page letter to Congress on Sunday that said Mueller found no proof that President Donald Trump conspired with Russia in its 2016 election interference campaign.
Brexit: Last chance to guarantee 22 May delay, MPs told
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47742395
MPs have been told they face their "last opportunity" to ensure the Brexit process is extended to 22 May and bring certainty to people and businesses.
The attorney general said any further extension past 12 April would be "subject to the veto" of 27 EU leaders.
MPs will be asked to approve only part of the PM's Brexit deal, the withdrawal agreement, covering the terms of exit.
Labour said separating that from the political declaration would mean voting on a "blindfold Brexit".
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC's Today programme: "Take the political declaration off and it is completely blind - you have no idea what you are really voting for."
MPs will vote on the withdrawal agreement, a legally-binding document setting out the terms of the UK's departure from the EU, at 14:30 GMT.
It includes:
Details of the UK's £39bn financial settlement with the EU
Guarantees about the rights of EU and UK citizens
Details of "transition period" until the end of 2020
Controversial arrangements for the backstop, which seeks to prevent the return of customs infrastructure at the Irish border in the event no UK-EU trade deal is enforced.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47742395
MPs have been told they face their "last opportunity" to ensure the Brexit process is extended to 22 May and bring certainty to people and businesses.
The attorney general said any further extension past 12 April would be "subject to the veto" of 27 EU leaders.
MPs will be asked to approve only part of the PM's Brexit deal, the withdrawal agreement, covering the terms of exit.
Labour said separating that from the political declaration would mean voting on a "blindfold Brexit".
Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC's Today programme: "Take the political declaration off and it is completely blind - you have no idea what you are really voting for."
MPs will vote on the withdrawal agreement, a legally-binding document setting out the terms of the UK's departure from the EU, at 14:30 GMT.
It includes:
Details of the UK's £39bn financial settlement with the EU
Guarantees about the rights of EU and UK citizens
Details of "transition period" until the end of 2020
Controversial arrangements for the backstop, which seeks to prevent the return of customs infrastructure at the Irish border in the event no UK-EU trade deal is enforced.
Brexit: MPs defeat May's withdrawal agreement for third time by 344 to 286 votes - live news
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2019/mar/29/brexit-debate-latest-developments-live-news-may-at-risk-of-fresh-defeat-as-mps-debate-withdrawal-agreement-for-third-time-live-news?
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2019/mar/29/brexit-debate-latest-developments-live-news-may-at-risk-of-fresh-defeat-as-mps-debate-withdrawal-agreement-for-third-time-live-news?
政府係同一個議案輸完兩次都可以返兜再投第三次, 公民就投多次就唔得, DLLM
May’s statement:
On a point of order Mr Speaker, I think it should be a matter of profound regret to every member of this House that once again we have been unable to support leaving the European Union in an orderly fashion.
The implications of the House’s decision are grave.
The legal default now is that the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on 12 April.
In just 14 days’ time.
This is not enough time to agree, legislate for and ratify a deal, and yet the House has been clear it will not permit leaving without a deal.
And so we will have to agree an alternative way forward.
The European Union has been clear that any further extension will need to have a clear purpose and will need to be agreed unanimously by the heads of the other 27 member States ahead of 12 April.
It is also almost certain to involve the UK being required to hold European parliamentary elections.
On Monday, this House will continue the process to see if there is a stable majority for a particular alternative version of our future relationship with the EU.Of course, all of the options will require the withdrawal agreement.
Mr Speaker, I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House.
This House has rejected no deal. It has rejected no Brexit. On Wednesday it rejected all the variations of the deal on the table.
And today it has rejected approving the withdrawal agreement alone and continuing a process on the future.
This government will continue to press the case for the orderly Brexit that the result of the referendum demands
On a point of order Mr Speaker, I think it should be a matter of profound regret to every member of this House that once again we have been unable to support leaving the European Union in an orderly fashion.
The implications of the House’s decision are grave.
The legal default now is that the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on 12 April.
In just 14 days’ time.
This is not enough time to agree, legislate for and ratify a deal, and yet the House has been clear it will not permit leaving without a deal.
And so we will have to agree an alternative way forward.
The European Union has been clear that any further extension will need to have a clear purpose and will need to be agreed unanimously by the heads of the other 27 member States ahead of 12 April.
It is also almost certain to involve the UK being required to hold European parliamentary elections.
On Monday, this House will continue the process to see if there is a stable majority for a particular alternative version of our future relationship with the EU.Of course, all of the options will require the withdrawal agreement.
Mr Speaker, I fear we are reaching the limits of this process in this House.
This House has rejected no deal. It has rejected no Brexit. On Wednesday it rejected all the variations of the deal on the table.
And today it has rejected approving the withdrawal agreement alone and continuing a process on the future.
This government will continue to press the case for the orderly Brexit that the result of the referendum demands
即係禮拜一會再黎過
與此同時:
https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1111640125690310656
In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April. #Brexit
Tusk即約May姐去同其他元首解釋
與此同時:
https://twitter.com/eucopresident/status/1111640125690310656
In view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, I have decided to call a European Council on 10 April. #Brexit
Tusk即約May姐去同其他元首解釋
Trump threatens to close US-Mexican border
https://www.dw.com/en/trump-threatens-to-close-us-mexican-border/a-48121848
President Donald Trump threatened to close America's southern border or large sections of it next week if Mexico does not halt illegal immigration "immediately." It is a potentially drastic step that would affect the economies of both the US and Mexico.
"It could mean all trade" with Mexico, Trump said when questioned by reporters in Florida. "We will close it for a long time. I am not kidding around."
Trump had previously threatened to close the border - he said so at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday night - but this time was different as he gave a timetable.
It's not clear whether the planned measures will also affect commercial and air travel.
"If Mexico doesn't immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States through our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week," Trump said in a tweet. "This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and 'talk.'"
Trump's declaration came a day after Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his country was doing its part to fight migrant smuggling.
Criminal gangs south of the border charge thousands of dollars a person to move migrants through Mexico, increasingly toward remote sections of the US-Mexico border in large groups.
"We are going to do everything we can to help," Lopez Obrador said. "We don't in any way want a confrontation with the US government."
https://www.dw.com/en/trump-threatens-to-close-us-mexican-border/a-48121848
President Donald Trump threatened to close America's southern border or large sections of it next week if Mexico does not halt illegal immigration "immediately." It is a potentially drastic step that would affect the economies of both the US and Mexico.
"It could mean all trade" with Mexico, Trump said when questioned by reporters in Florida. "We will close it for a long time. I am not kidding around."
Trump had previously threatened to close the border - he said so at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday night - but this time was different as he gave a timetable.
It's not clear whether the planned measures will also affect commercial and air travel.
"If Mexico doesn't immediately stop ALL illegal immigration coming into the United States through our Southern Border, I will be CLOSING the Border, or large sections of the Border, next week," Trump said in a tweet. "This would be so easy for Mexico to do, but they just take our money and 'talk.'"
Trump's declaration came a day after Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said his country was doing its part to fight migrant smuggling.
Criminal gangs south of the border charge thousands of dollars a person to move migrants through Mexico, increasingly toward remote sections of the US-Mexico border in large groups.
"We are going to do everything we can to help," Lopez Obrador said. "We don't in any way want a confrontation with the US government."
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan in bitter election battle
https://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-recep-tayyip-erdogan-in-bitter-election-battle/a-48070536
Erdogan's AKP has won every election since it was first founded in 2001, winning support with a credible promise of a better future with good economic growth and improved living standards.
Erdogan himself has risen from the office of Istanbul's mayor to prime minister in 2003, and finally president in 2014. In 2017, a referendum on the new executive presidential system helped him concentrate his hold on power.
But now, for the first time in a long time, Turkey is in a recession. The currency has collapsed, and inflation, unemployment and prices have skyrocketed. An increasing number of companies are filing for bankruptcy. In order to force prices down in the markets, the government has set up its own stalls to sell state-subsidized vegetables, drawing long queues.
The economic slowdown could have an impact on Erdogan's AKP in the upcoming vote. As in the 2018 parliamentary election, the AKP is joining with the right-wing populist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to form the People's Alliance. In many places, the AKP is likely to remain the strongest power, but setbacks are expected — especially in the larger cities.
Mansur Yavas, the candidate of the largest secular opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), is ahead in the polls in the capital, Ankara. The opposition could also win mayoral races in Antalya, Adana, Mersin and possibly even Bursa. And Izmir, on the west coast, has been a CHP stronghold for years.
In Istanbul, the most recent polls put AKP candidate and former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim slightly ahead, but a tight race can't be ruled out. With a population of 15 million, the economic metropolis is considered the most important political trophy. As Erdogan himself has stressed time and again, whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey.
https://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-recep-tayyip-erdogan-in-bitter-election-battle/a-48070536
Erdogan's AKP has won every election since it was first founded in 2001, winning support with a credible promise of a better future with good economic growth and improved living standards.
Erdogan himself has risen from the office of Istanbul's mayor to prime minister in 2003, and finally president in 2014. In 2017, a referendum on the new executive presidential system helped him concentrate his hold on power.
But now, for the first time in a long time, Turkey is in a recession. The currency has collapsed, and inflation, unemployment and prices have skyrocketed. An increasing number of companies are filing for bankruptcy. In order to force prices down in the markets, the government has set up its own stalls to sell state-subsidized vegetables, drawing long queues.
The economic slowdown could have an impact on Erdogan's AKP in the upcoming vote. As in the 2018 parliamentary election, the AKP is joining with the right-wing populist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) to form the People's Alliance. In many places, the AKP is likely to remain the strongest power, but setbacks are expected — especially in the larger cities.
Mansur Yavas, the candidate of the largest secular opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP), is ahead in the polls in the capital, Ankara. The opposition could also win mayoral races in Antalya, Adana, Mersin and possibly even Bursa. And Izmir, on the west coast, has been a CHP stronghold for years.
In Istanbul, the most recent polls put AKP candidate and former Prime Minister Binali Yildirim slightly ahead, but a tight race can't be ruled out. With a population of 15 million, the economic metropolis is considered the most important political trophy. As Erdogan himself has stressed time and again, whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey.
Mueller report: Congress to get redacted version 'by mid-April'
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47752682
Robert Mueller's report into Russian interference in the 2016 US election will be made public "by mid-April".
Attorney General William Barr says he is now redacting the 400-page document.
In a letter to the heads of the House and Senate judiciary committees, he says he expects to be able to publish by mid-April, "if not sooner".
It comes a week after he published a four-page note summarising its conclusions - sparking demands for the report to be released in its entirety.
On Monday, six Democratic congressional committee chairs sent a letter to Mr Barr demanding the release of the full, "complete and unredacted" report by 2 April.
"Everyone will soon be able to read it on their own," Mr Barr wrote in his letter to congressional committee chiefs - although it will be redacted to remove legally sensitive material.
As well as promising to release a redacted version of the report, Mr Barr says that he won't be giving a copy to President Trump to review before publication, because "he has stated publicly that he intends to defer to me".
He adds that he will testify publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1 May, and the House Judiciary Committee the following day.
The attorney general also denies that his letter released last week was a "summary" of Mr Mueller's report, instead referring to it as a "supplemental notification".
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47752682
Robert Mueller's report into Russian interference in the 2016 US election will be made public "by mid-April".
Attorney General William Barr says he is now redacting the 400-page document.
In a letter to the heads of the House and Senate judiciary committees, he says he expects to be able to publish by mid-April, "if not sooner".
It comes a week after he published a four-page note summarising its conclusions - sparking demands for the report to be released in its entirety.
On Monday, six Democratic congressional committee chairs sent a letter to Mr Barr demanding the release of the full, "complete and unredacted" report by 2 April.
"Everyone will soon be able to read it on their own," Mr Barr wrote in his letter to congressional committee chiefs - although it will be redacted to remove legally sensitive material.
As well as promising to release a redacted version of the report, Mr Barr says that he won't be giving a copy to President Trump to review before publication, because "he has stated publicly that he intends to defer to me".
He adds that he will testify publicly before the Senate Judiciary Committee on 1 May, and the House Judiciary Committee the following day.
The attorney general also denies that his letter released last week was a "summary" of Mr Mueller's report, instead referring to it as a "supplemental notification".
Ukrainians go to the polls with comedian as favorite
https://www.dw.com/en/ukrainians-go-to-the-polls-with-comedian-as-favorite/a-48133062
Ukrainians were at the polls in presidential elections on Sunday, choosing from among 39 candidates, including a comedian, a chocolate manufacturer and a former prime minister.
If no candidate gets an absolute majority of votes — something that seems likely given the results of pre-election surveys — a runoff between the top two will be held on April 21.
All leading candidates in the election are in favor of Ukraine eventually joining NATO and the European Union.
Three candidates are seen as the main contenders in Sunday's election:
Volodymyr Zelensky, 41, an actor and comedian whose only "political experience" is playing a president on television.
Incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, 53, a millionaire businessman who made a fortune selling chocolate.
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, 58, who is making her third bid for the presidency.
https://www.dw.com/en/ukrainians-go-to-the-polls-with-comedian-as-favorite/a-48133062
Ukrainians were at the polls in presidential elections on Sunday, choosing from among 39 candidates, including a comedian, a chocolate manufacturer and a former prime minister.
If no candidate gets an absolute majority of votes — something that seems likely given the results of pre-election surveys — a runoff between the top two will be held on April 21.
All leading candidates in the election are in favor of Ukraine eventually joining NATO and the European Union.
Three candidates are seen as the main contenders in Sunday's election:
Volodymyr Zelensky, 41, an actor and comedian whose only "political experience" is playing a president on television.
Incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, 53, a millionaire businessman who made a fortune selling chocolate.
Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, 58, who is making her third bid for the presidency.
Slovakia: Liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova wins election
https://www.dw.com/en/slovakia-liberal-lawyer-zuzana-caputova-wins-election/a-48131765
Liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova won Slovakia's second-round presidential run-off Saturday, after the ruling party-backed candidate Maros Sefcovic conceded defeat.
Victory for the anti-corruption activist breaks a trend of populist, euroskeptic politicians gaining traction across the European Union.
Election results
With 91 percent of the latest vote counted, Caputova was winning 58-42. Sefcovic conceded defeat shortly before midnight. Caputova will now become Slovakia's fifth president since its independence in the 1993 split of Czechoslovakia.
https://www.dw.com/en/slovakia-liberal-lawyer-zuzana-caputova-wins-election/a-48131765
Liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova won Slovakia's second-round presidential run-off Saturday, after the ruling party-backed candidate Maros Sefcovic conceded defeat.
Victory for the anti-corruption activist breaks a trend of populist, euroskeptic politicians gaining traction across the European Union.
Election results
With 91 percent of the latest vote counted, Caputova was winning 58-42. Sefcovic conceded defeat shortly before midnight. Caputova will now become Slovakia's fifth president since its independence in the 1993 split of Czechoslovakia.
Turkey local elections: Erdogan fights for nation's confidence
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47764393
Millions of people are voting in Turkey's local elections, which are widely seen as a referendum on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The poll comes amidst an economic downturn, with the governing AK Party fearing it could lose control of Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey's biggest cities.
The country is in recession, inflation is at 20% and the lira has plunged by a third in value, causing bankruptcies.
More than 57 million voters can elect mayors and councillors across Turkey.
Mr Erdogan has said the poll is about the "survival" of the country and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has dominated politics for 16 years.
This will be the first municipal vote since Mr Erdogan assumed sweeping executive powers through last year's presidential election.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47764393
Millions of people are voting in Turkey's local elections, which are widely seen as a referendum on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The poll comes amidst an economic downturn, with the governing AK Party fearing it could lose control of Ankara and Istanbul, Turkey's biggest cities.
The country is in recession, inflation is at 20% and the lira has plunged by a third in value, causing bankruptcies.
More than 57 million voters can elect mayors and councillors across Turkey.
Mr Erdogan has said the poll is about the "survival" of the country and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has dominated politics for 16 years.
This will be the first municipal vote since Mr Erdogan assumed sweeping executive powers through last year's presidential election.
Voter turnout at the presidential election in Ukraine as of 11:00 on Sunday was 16.08%, according to data from 81 districts, Ukraine's Central Election Commission (CEC) reported on its website.
"I'm sure Ukraine will win," says President Petro Poroshenko, who hopes to be re-elected.
Actor and leading presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy has voted in the presidential election in Kyiv
Yulia Tymoshenko, one of the top candidates, casts her vote in Kyv. i
"I'm sure Ukraine will win," says President Petro Poroshenko, who hopes to be re-elected.
Actor and leading presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelenskiy has voted in the presidential election in Kyiv
Yulia Tymoshenko, one of the top candidates, casts her vote in Kyv. i
Ukraine election: Comedian leads presidential contest - exit poll
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47767440
A comedian with no political experience has won the most votes in the first round of Ukraine's presidential elections, according to exit polls.
They say Volodymyr Zelenskiy - who played the president on TV - received 30.4% of the vote, with current leader Petro Poroshenko second on 17.8%.
The two - who have expressed largely pro-EU opinions - are set to take part in a run-off election next month.
Ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko appears to have been eliminated on a projected 14.2%.
"I'm very happy but this is not the final action," Mr Zelenskiy told the BBC's Jonah Fisher minutes after the exit polls were announced.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47767440
A comedian with no political experience has won the most votes in the first round of Ukraine's presidential elections, according to exit polls.
They say Volodymyr Zelenskiy - who played the president on TV - received 30.4% of the vote, with current leader Petro Poroshenko second on 17.8%.
The two - who have expressed largely pro-EU opinions - are set to take part in a run-off election next month.
Ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko appears to have been eliminated on a projected 14.2%.
"I'm very happy but this is not the final action," Mr Zelenskiy told the BBC's Jonah Fisher minutes after the exit polls were announced.