Don McGahn won't comply with House Democrats' subpoena
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/05/07/don-mcgahn-wont-comply-with-house-democrats-subpoena-1308802
Former White House counsel Don McGahn is refusing to comply with a congressional subpoena for documents related to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, deferring to a last-minute instruction from the White House to disregard House Democrats' demands.
William Burck, McGahn’s attorney, said his client would defy the House Judiciary Committee’s subpoena for documents that were due Tuesday as part of the panel’s investigation into allegations that President Donald Trump obstructed justice.
“The committee seeks to compel Mr. McGahn to produce White House documents the executive branch has directed that he not produce,” Burck wrote in a letter, obtained by POLITICO, to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).
“Where co-equal branches of government are making contradictory demands on Mr. McGahn concerning the same set of documents, the appropriate response for Mr. McGahn is to maintain the status quo unless and until the committee and the executive branch can reach an accommodation,” Burck added.
The committee’s subpoena to McGahn also demanded that he testify publicly on May 21. A source involved in the negotiations said the White House’s request only applies to documents and is silent on whether McGahn would be permitted to testify in public later this month.'
Nadler’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Democrats have argued that because McGahn already provided voluminous testimony and documents to Mueller — much of which has already been made public — executive privilege no longer applies.
But McGahn’s successor as White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, indicated to Burck earlier Tuesday that the White House considers documents in McGahn’s possession to be subject to executive privilege and that any discussion about sharing them with Congress should be between lawmakers and the White House.
“The White House records remain legally protected from disclosure under longstanding constitutional principles, because they implicate significant executive branch confidentiality interests and executive privilege,” Cipollone wrote to Burck on Tuesday. “For these reasons, the Acting Chief of Staff to the President, Mick Mulvaney, directs Mr. McGahn not to produce these White House records in response to the committee's April 22 subpoena.”
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Venezuela's Guaido says intelligence agents have detained his deputy
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-court/venezuelas-guaido-says-intelligence-agents-have-detained-his-deputy-idUSKCN1SE2QJ?il=0
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Wednesday that intelligence agents had detained his deputy, the first arrest of a lawmaker since Guaido tried to spark a military uprising last week to bring down President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Edgar Zambrano, vice president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which Guaido heads, said on Twitter that agents from the SEBIN intelligence agency were using a tow truck to drag his vehicle, with him inside, to one of their Caracas bases.
On Tuesday, Venezuela’s pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly ruled to strip Zambrano, and six other lawmakers, of their parliamentary immunity to allow their future prosecution.
The Supreme Court had earlier accused the lawmakers of conspiracy, rebellion and treason, and on Wednesday accused three other opposition legislators of the same crimes. The opposition says Maduro has stacked the court with his own supporters, and the U.S. government this week threatened to sanction all its members.
“One of the principal conspirators of the coup has just been arrested,” Diosdado Cabello, head of the Constituent Assembly, said in comments broadcast on state television.
“They will have to pay before the courts for the failed coup that they attempted,” he said.
Zambrano said on Twitter that SEBIN agents had surrounded his vehicle by the headquarters of his Democratic Action party in Caracas’ La Florida district.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-court/venezuelas-guaido-says-intelligence-agents-have-detained-his-deputy-idUSKCN1SE2QJ?il=0
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido said on Wednesday that intelligence agents had detained his deputy, the first arrest of a lawmaker since Guaido tried to spark a military uprising last week to bring down President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Edgar Zambrano, vice president of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which Guaido heads, said on Twitter that agents from the SEBIN intelligence agency were using a tow truck to drag his vehicle, with him inside, to one of their Caracas bases.
On Tuesday, Venezuela’s pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly ruled to strip Zambrano, and six other lawmakers, of their parliamentary immunity to allow their future prosecution.
The Supreme Court had earlier accused the lawmakers of conspiracy, rebellion and treason, and on Wednesday accused three other opposition legislators of the same crimes. The opposition says Maduro has stacked the court with his own supporters, and the U.S. government this week threatened to sanction all its members.
“One of the principal conspirators of the coup has just been arrested,” Diosdado Cabello, head of the Constituent Assembly, said in comments broadcast on state television.
“They will have to pay before the courts for the failed coup that they attempted,” he said.
Zambrano said on Twitter that SEBIN agents had surrounded his vehicle by the headquarters of his Democratic Action party in Caracas’ La Florida district.
South Africa counts votes as Ramaphosa's ANC looks to retain power
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-election/south-africa-counts-votes-as-ramaphosas-anc-looks-to-retain-power-idUSKCN1SF00G
PRETORIA (Reuters) - South African elections officials counted ballot papers in the early hours of Thursday, a day after a vote seen as the toughest test yet for the African National Congress (ANC) party 25 years after it swept to power at the end of white minority rule.
The elections for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures are the first barometer of national sentiment since President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state in February 2018.
Ramaphosa is trying to arrest a slide in support for the ANC, which has won every parliamentary vote since the end of apartheid in 1994 but whose image has been tarnished by corruption scandals and a weak economy in the past decade.
Opinion polls suggest the ANC will again win a majority of the parliament’s 400 seats, but analysts say its margin of victory may fall amid frustration with slow progress addressing racial disparities in income and wealth.
Most polling stations closed around 1900 GMT on Wednesday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-safrica-election/south-africa-counts-votes-as-ramaphosas-anc-looks-to-retain-power-idUSKCN1SF00G
PRETORIA (Reuters) - South African elections officials counted ballot papers in the early hours of Thursday, a day after a vote seen as the toughest test yet for the African National Congress (ANC) party 25 years after it swept to power at the end of white minority rule.
The elections for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures are the first barometer of national sentiment since President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as head of state in February 2018.
Ramaphosa is trying to arrest a slide in support for the ANC, which has won every parliamentary vote since the end of apartheid in 1994 but whose image has been tarnished by corruption scandals and a weak economy in the past decade.
Opinion polls suggest the ANC will again win a majority of the parliament’s 400 seats, but analysts say its margin of victory may fall amid frustration with slow progress addressing racial disparities in income and wealth.
Most polling stations closed around 1900 GMT on Wednesday.
我同男朋友傾傾下脫歐，發覺佢對歐盟幾乎一無所知
https://lihkg.com/thread/1128058/page/1
我同男朋友傾傾下歐盟，發覺佢對歐州議會幾乎一無所知
https://lihkg.com/thread/1138274/page/3
https://lihkg.com/thread/1128058/page/1
我同男朋友傾傾下歐盟，發覺佢對歐州議會幾乎一無所知
https://lihkg.com/thread/1138274/page/3
Iran nuclear deal: Trump raises pressure with sanctions on metals
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48204646
US President Donald Trump has raised the pressure on Iran on the day Tehran said it was suspending some commitments to a landmark nuclear agreement.
Mr Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Iran's metals industry - its second biggest export earner after oil.
But he also said he hoped to meet Iran's leaders to work out a deal.
Iran's move to curb compliance with the 2015 international deal is an apparent bid to thwart the US sanctions policy.
The UK, France and Germany - the Western parties to the agreement - warned Iran not to abandon the accord.
They criticised Iran's "unwelcome" step and said they could only continue supporting the deal if Iran stuck to its commitments.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48204646
US President Donald Trump has raised the pressure on Iran on the day Tehran said it was suspending some commitments to a landmark nuclear agreement.
Mr Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Iran's metals industry - its second biggest export earner after oil.
But he also said he hoped to meet Iran's leaders to work out a deal.
Iran's move to curb compliance with the 2015 international deal is an apparent bid to thwart the US sanctions policy.
The UK, France and Germany - the Western parties to the agreement - warned Iran not to abandon the accord.
They criticised Iran's "unwelcome" step and said they could only continue supporting the deal if Iran stuck to its commitments.
Trump says China 'broke the deal' in trade talks, will pay through tariffs
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-says-china-broke-the-deal-in-trade-talks-will-pay-through-tariffs-idUSKCN1SF02T
Trump 'happy' to keep tariffs on Chinese goods; Beijing prepares retaliation
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-happy-to-keep-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-beijing-prepares-retaliation-idUSKCN1SE1OJ
Exclusive: China backtracked on almost all aspects of U.S. trade deal - sources
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-backtracking-exclusiv/exclusive-china-backtracked-on-almost-all-aspects-of-u-s-trade-deal-sources-idUSKCN1SE0WJ
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-says-china-broke-the-deal-in-trade-talks-will-pay-through-tariffs-idUSKCN1SF02T
Trump 'happy' to keep tariffs on Chinese goods; Beijing prepares retaliation
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-happy-to-keep-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-beijing-prepares-retaliation-idUSKCN1SE1OJ
Exclusive: China backtracked on almost all aspects of U.S. trade deal - sources
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-backtracking-exclusiv/exclusive-china-backtracked-on-almost-all-aspects-of-u-s-trade-deal-sources-idUSKCN1SE0WJ
US House panel holds Attorney General William Barr in contempt
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48204251
US Attorney General William Barr should be held in contempt of Congress, the House of Representatives judiciary committee has ruled.
Democrats on the committee took the rare step as tensions increased over the special counsel's findings on Russian interference.
President Donald Trump hit back by asserting executive privilege over the report, shielding it from public view.
The White House and Congress accused each other of abusing power.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report did not conclude that there was a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
However, Mr Mueller did detail 10 instances where Mr Trump possibly attempted to impede the investigation.
Meanwhile the Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr, one of President Trump's sons, to legally force him to testify.
He will be expected to answer questions about testimony he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017, which was later contradicted by the president's former lawyer Michael Cohen, sources from Congress tell Reuters news agency.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48204251
US Attorney General William Barr should be held in contempt of Congress, the House of Representatives judiciary committee has ruled.
Democrats on the committee took the rare step as tensions increased over the special counsel's findings on Russian interference.
President Donald Trump hit back by asserting executive privilege over the report, shielding it from public view.
The White House and Congress accused each other of abusing power.
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report did not conclude that there was a criminal conspiracy between Moscow and the Trump campaign to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
However, Mr Mueller did detail 10 instances where Mr Trump possibly attempted to impede the investigation.
Meanwhile the Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed Donald Trump Jr, one of President Trump's sons, to legally force him to testify.
He will be expected to answer questions about testimony he gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2017, which was later contradicted by the president's former lawyer Michael Cohen, sources from Congress tell Reuters news agency.
Exclusive: U.S. commander says he could send carrier into Strait of Hormuz despite Iran tensions
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-military-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-commander-says-he-could-send-carrier-into-strait-of-hormuz-despite-iran-tensions-idUSKCN1SF2NK
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The commander overseeing U.S. naval forces in the Middle East told Reuters on Thursday that American intelligence showing a threat from Iran will not prevent him from sending an aircraft carrier through the vital Strait of Hormuz, if needed.
Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, did not say whether he would send the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group into the strategic waterway off Iran, through which passes a fifth of oil consumed globally.
The group, whose deployment to the Middle East was fast-tracked by President Donald Trump’s administration as a warning to Iran, transited through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Thursday and was now under Malloy’s command.
“If I need to bring it inside the strait, I will do so,” Malloy said in an interview by phone. “I’m not restricted in any way, I’m not challenged in any way, to operate her anywhere in the Middle East.”
Malloy, whose naval forces would support efforts to defend U.S. troops throughout the region, did not enter into details on the U.S. intelligence. But he confirmed that some of the U.S. concerns centered on Iranian missiles.
“It might be a new fielding of technology by Iran,” Malloy said, adding the weaponry “falls under the category of destabilizing and offensive in nature.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-military-exclusive/exclusive-u-s-commander-says-he-could-send-carrier-into-strait-of-hormuz-despite-iran-tensions-idUSKCN1SF2NK
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The commander overseeing U.S. naval forces in the Middle East told Reuters on Thursday that American intelligence showing a threat from Iran will not prevent him from sending an aircraft carrier through the vital Strait of Hormuz, if needed.
Vice Admiral Jim Malloy, commander of the U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, did not say whether he would send the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group into the strategic waterway off Iran, through which passes a fifth of oil consumed globally.
The group, whose deployment to the Middle East was fast-tracked by President Donald Trump’s administration as a warning to Iran, transited through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea on Thursday and was now under Malloy’s command.
“If I need to bring it inside the strait, I will do so,” Malloy said in an interview by phone. “I’m not restricted in any way, I’m not challenged in any way, to operate her anywhere in the Middle East.”
Malloy, whose naval forces would support efforts to defend U.S. troops throughout the region, did not enter into details on the U.S. intelligence. But he confirmed that some of the U.S. concerns centered on Iranian missiles.
“It might be a new fielding of technology by Iran,” Malloy said, adding the weaponry “falls under the category of destabilizing and offensive in nature.”
First day of U.S.-China trade talks end; Trump's tariff hike set to take effect
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/first-day-of-u-s-china-trade-talks-end-trumps-tariff-hike-set-to-take-effect-idUSKCN1SF2BF
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.
Tension between Washington and Beijing has risen after a major setback in negotiations last week when China revised a draft deal and weakened commitments to meet U.S. demands for trade reform.
President Donald Trump responded by ordering a tariff hike, and China has said it would retaliate. The 10-month-old trade war has already cost companies in both countries billions of dollars.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talked for 90 minutes on Thursday and were expected to resume talks on Friday. Officials did not speak to reporters as they left the talks.
Before they get back around the table on Friday, the United States will have increased duties on $200 billion of Chinese goods, to 25 percent from 10 percent. The duties apply to cargoes leaving China after 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) Friday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/first-day-of-u-s-china-trade-talks-end-trumps-tariff-hike-set-to-take-effect-idUSKCN1SF2BF
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.
Tension between Washington and Beijing has risen after a major setback in negotiations last week when China revised a draft deal and weakened commitments to meet U.S. demands for trade reform.
President Donald Trump responded by ordering a tariff hike, and China has said it would retaliate. The 10-month-old trade war has already cost companies in both countries billions of dollars.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talked for 90 minutes on Thursday and were expected to resume talks on Friday. Officials did not speak to reporters as they left the talks.
Before they get back around the table on Friday, the United States will have increased duties on $200 billion of Chinese goods, to 25 percent from 10 percent. The duties apply to cargoes leaving China after 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) Friday.
Trump says 'nobody's happy' about North Korea missile launches
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/09/north-korea-has-fired-second-projectile-in-five-days-says-south-korea
Donald Trump has said he does not think North Korea is “ready to negotiate” after it launched suspected short-range missiles, in the second such weapons test in five days.
“We’re looking at it very seriously right now,” Trump told reporters in the White House. “Nobody’s happy about it.”
He said the relationship with Kim Jong-un’s government would continue, but added: “I don’t think they’re ready to negotiate.” US officials had previously expressed optimism that Trump would meet Kim for a third summit, aimed at persuading North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.
Administration officials have pointed to an extended hiatus in nuclear and missile tests since late 2017 as the most concrete achievement of Trump’s personal diplomacy with Kim, which has so far led to two summit meetings, in Singapore and Hanoi, but no significant steps towards North Korean disarmament or any easing of sanctions.
In another development likely to dent hopes of a resumption of talks, the US justice department said it had taken custody of a North Korean cargo ship it alleged had been involving in sanctions-busting by smuggling coal from Russia in defiance of a UN embargo.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/09/north-korea-has-fired-second-projectile-in-five-days-says-south-korea
Donald Trump has said he does not think North Korea is “ready to negotiate” after it launched suspected short-range missiles, in the second such weapons test in five days.
“We’re looking at it very seriously right now,” Trump told reporters in the White House. “Nobody’s happy about it.”
He said the relationship with Kim Jong-un’s government would continue, but added: “I don’t think they’re ready to negotiate.” US officials had previously expressed optimism that Trump would meet Kim for a third summit, aimed at persuading North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.
Administration officials have pointed to an extended hiatus in nuclear and missile tests since late 2017 as the most concrete achievement of Trump’s personal diplomacy with Kim, which has so far led to two summit meetings, in Singapore and Hanoi, but no significant steps towards North Korean disarmament or any easing of sanctions.
In another development likely to dent hopes of a resumption of talks, the US justice department said it had taken custody of a North Korean cargo ship it alleged had been involving in sanctions-busting by smuggling coal from Russia in defiance of a UN embargo.
South Africa election: ANC leads as votes counted
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48211598
Votes are being counted in South Africa's election, with President Cyril Ramaphosa hoping to prevent a slide in support for the governing African National Congress (ANC).
With results declared in some 70% of districts, it has won about 57% of the ballot, well ahead of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%.
The ANC took 62% at the last general election in 2014.
Anger over the economy and corruption may have eroded its appeal.
The radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is in third place with 10%, based on the official early results.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-48211598
Votes are being counted in South Africa's election, with President Cyril Ramaphosa hoping to prevent a slide in support for the governing African National Congress (ANC).
With results declared in some 70% of districts, it has won about 57% of the ballot, well ahead of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%.
The ANC took 62% at the last general election in 2014.
Anger over the economy and corruption may have eroded its appeal.
The radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), is in third place with 10%, based on the official early results.
Theresa May should set a date next week for her departure, the chair of the 1922 Committee, an influential group of Conservative MPs, has said.
Sir Graham Brady said it would be strange if a scheduled meeting with the prime minister and the group’s leaders next week did not result in a clear understanding of her departure timetable.
May indicated earlier this year that she would resign once her Brexit deal with Brussels has been passed by MPs, a promise which seemed to have switched a number of Brexit-backing Tory MPs into backing the deal, among them Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/theresa-may-must-set-departure-date-1922-committee?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2NK6gxykRJz_F1cOEGJLVdTJ0R2ynoYK6T1cD0tYcP5icMGZpWssIaGFo#Echobox=1557570672
Sir Graham Brady said it would be strange if a scheduled meeting with the prime minister and the group’s leaders next week did not result in a clear understanding of her departure timetable.
May indicated earlier this year that she would resign once her Brexit deal with Brussels has been passed by MPs, a promise which seemed to have switched a number of Brexit-backing Tory MPs into backing the deal, among them Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/11/theresa-may-must-set-departure-date-1922-committee?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2NK6gxykRJz_F1cOEGJLVdTJ0R2ynoYK6T1cD0tYcP5icMGZpWssIaGFo#Echobox=1557570672
The Brexit Party has overtaken the Conservatives in national polling for the first time, with Nigel Farage predicted to win 49 seats in a general election, a bombshell poll reveals.
A ComRes survey found that if a general election campaign led by Theresa May took place now, it would put the Tories on course for their worst result in history – apparently confirming the fears of Conservative MPs and activists in uproar over the Prime Minister’s handling of Brexit.
Labour would become the largest party by a margin of 137 seats, allowing Jeremy Corbyn to lead a minority government as the Tories fell to third place in terms of vote share.
（係General Election, 唔係歐洲議會)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/brexit-party-beats-tories-general-election-poll-would-win-49/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
A ComRes survey found that if a general election campaign led by Theresa May took place now, it would put the Tories on course for their worst result in history – apparently confirming the fears of Conservative MPs and activists in uproar over the Prime Minister’s handling of Brexit.
Labour would become the largest party by a margin of 137 seats, allowing Jeremy Corbyn to lead a minority government as the Tories fell to third place in terms of vote share.
（係General Election, 唔係歐洲議會)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/05/11/brexit-party-beats-tories-general-election-poll-would-win-49/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Labor is still on track to win power in Saturday's federal election, leading 51-to-49 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.
The latest Newspoll in The Australian also shows the coalition's primary vote has risen to 39 per cent and Labor's to 37 per cent.
https://amp.9news.com.au/article/c0417013-73eb-4283-9f14-a42f115260b3?fbclid=IwAR3_Hv0dc-wvjbR1WH9ZXExBK5RjcD0e-inf1oOg3HLMXKiUrmuO7VQVFTA
The latest Newspoll in The Australian also shows the coalition's primary vote has risen to 39 per cent and Labor's to 37 per cent.
https://amp.9news.com.au/article/c0417013-73eb-4283-9f14-a42f115260b3?fbclid=IwAR3_Hv0dc-wvjbR1WH9ZXExBK5RjcD0e-inf1oOg3HLMXKiUrmuO7VQVFTA
阿世柒咪激到嘔血
Iran facing 'unprecedented' pressure from international sanctions, Rouhani says
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48242997
Iran is facing "unprecedented" pressure from international sanctions, President Hassan Rouhani has said.
Renewed US sanctions had led to worse economic conditions than during the country's 1980-88 war with neighbouring Iraq, Mr Rouhani said.
His comments came amid rising tensions with the US, which last week deployed warships and warplanes to the Gulf.
Mr Rouhani, who has come under domestic political pressure, called for political unity to face down sanctions.
"During the war we did not have a problem with our banks, oil sales or imports and exports, and there were only sanctions on arms purchases," Mr Rouhani told political activists in the capital, Tehran.
"The pressures by enemies is a war unprecedented in the history of our Islamic revolution ... but I do not despair and have great hope for the future and believe that we can move past these difficult conditions provided that we are united," he said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48242997
Iran is facing "unprecedented" pressure from international sanctions, President Hassan Rouhani has said.
Renewed US sanctions had led to worse economic conditions than during the country's 1980-88 war with neighbouring Iraq, Mr Rouhani said.
His comments came amid rising tensions with the US, which last week deployed warships and warplanes to the Gulf.
Mr Rouhani, who has come under domestic political pressure, called for political unity to face down sanctions.
"During the war we did not have a problem with our banks, oil sales or imports and exports, and there were only sanctions on arms purchases," Mr Rouhani told political activists in the capital, Tehran.
"The pressures by enemies is a war unprecedented in the history of our Islamic revolution ... but I do not despair and have great hope for the future and believe that we can move past these difficult conditions provided that we are united," he said.
Philippines elections: Duterte faces key poll test
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48250388
Voting is under way in the Philippines, in mid-term polls seen as a popularity test for President Rodrigo Duterte after his first three years in office.
Gaining a Senate majority would allow him to push for constitutional changes and restore the death penalty.
Some 61 million people from more than 7,000 islands are registered to vote in provincial, city and national polls.
Voting began at 06:00 local time (2200 GMT Sunday) and polls will close at 18:00.
Several of Mr Duterte's children are standing for regional offices, including his daughter Sara who is seeking re-election as mayor of Davao.
Her father governed the city for much of the time since the late 1980s, before becoming president in 2016.
Sara Duterte is tipped by some as her father's potential successor in 2022.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48250388
Voting is under way in the Philippines, in mid-term polls seen as a popularity test for President Rodrigo Duterte after his first three years in office.
Gaining a Senate majority would allow him to push for constitutional changes and restore the death penalty.
Some 61 million people from more than 7,000 islands are registered to vote in provincial, city and national polls.
Voting began at 06:00 local time (2200 GMT Sunday) and polls will close at 18:00.
Several of Mr Duterte's children are standing for regional offices, including his daughter Sara who is seeking re-election as mayor of Davao.
Her father governed the city for much of the time since the late 1980s, before becoming president in 2016.
Sara Duterte is tipped by some as her father's potential successor in 2022.
Julian Assange: Sweden reopens rape investigation
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48253343
Swedish prosecutors have reopened an investigation into a rape allegation made against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange in 2010.
The inquiry has been revived at the request of the alleged victim's lawyer.
Assange, who denies the charges, has avoided extradition to Sweden for seven years after seeking refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy in London in 2012.
The 47-year-old was evicted last month and sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions.
He is currently being held at Belmarsh prison in London.
Swedish prosecutors originally decided to drop the rape investigation two years ago, saying they felt unable to take the case forward while Assange remained holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy.
But on Monday, Sweden's deputy director of public prosecutions, Eva-Marie Persson, announced that the case would be reopened. "There is still probable cause to suspect that Mr Assange committed rape," she said.
"Now that he has left Ecuador's embassy, the conditions in the case have changed and... the conditions are in place once again to pursue the case," she added.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48253343
Swedish prosecutors have reopened an investigation into a rape allegation made against Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange in 2010.
The inquiry has been revived at the request of the alleged victim's lawyer.
Assange, who denies the charges, has avoided extradition to Sweden for seven years after seeking refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy in London in 2012.
The 47-year-old was evicted last month and sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions.
He is currently being held at Belmarsh prison in London.
Swedish prosecutors originally decided to drop the rape investigation two years ago, saying they felt unable to take the case forward while Assange remained holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy.
But on Monday, Sweden's deputy director of public prosecutions, Eva-Marie Persson, announced that the case would be reopened. "There is still probable cause to suspect that Mr Assange committed rape," she said.
"Now that he has left Ecuador's embassy, the conditions in the case have changed and... the conditions are in place once again to pursue the case," she added.
Trump warns China against new tariffs
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48246821
US President Donald Trump has denied that US consumers will pay for higher tariffs on Chinese imports and has warned China not to follow suit.
The US more than doubled tariffs on $200bn (£153.7bn) of Chinese goods on Friday, in a sharp escalation of their trade war.
But in a series of tweets, Mr Trump said China had "taken so advantage of the US for so many years".
"Therefore, China should not retaliate - will only get worse!" he added.
Mr Trump said US consumers could avoid the tariffs by buying the same products from other sources.
"Many tariffed companies will be leaving China for Vietnam and other such countries in Asia. That's why China wants to make a deal so badly!" he said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48246821
US President Donald Trump has denied that US consumers will pay for higher tariffs on Chinese imports and has warned China not to follow suit.
The US more than doubled tariffs on $200bn (£153.7bn) of Chinese goods on Friday, in a sharp escalation of their trade war.
But in a series of tweets, Mr Trump said China had "taken so advantage of the US for so many years".
"Therefore, China should not retaliate - will only get worse!" he added.
Mr Trump said US consumers could avoid the tariffs by buying the same products from other sources.
"Many tariffed companies will be leaving China for Vietnam and other such countries in Asia. That's why China wants to make a deal so badly!" he said.
Hong Kong is Set for a U.S.-China Showdown
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/13/hong-kong-is-set-for-a-u-s-china-showdown/
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/13/hong-kong-is-set-for-a-u-s-china-showdown/
Prosecutor appointed by Barr poised to enter Washington firestorm
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/443736-prosecutor-appointed-by-barr-poised-to-enter-washington-firestorm
A new U.S. prosecutor is about to enter the center of a partisan firestorm in Washington.
John Durham, a longtime Justice Department official who is serving as a U.S. attorney in Connecticut, has reportedly been picked by Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference.
The Justice Department has been silent on the reports about Barr’s decision, and a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Connecticut also declined to comment.
Reports of the move have prompted cheers from Republicans while evoking suspicion from Democrats who have been critical of Barr’s decision to review the origins of the intelligence collection on the Trump campaign, which the attorney general referred to as “spying” last month.
Durham has a reputation for nonpartisanship and investigating sensitive national security matters, including leading a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which are now widely viewed as torture, on terrorist suspects starting in 2008 under the appointment of then-Attorney General Eric Holder. He also helped prosecute Connecticut’s former Gov. John Rowland, who is a Republican.
https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/443736-prosecutor-appointed-by-barr-poised-to-enter-washington-firestorm
A new U.S. prosecutor is about to enter the center of a partisan firestorm in Washington.
John Durham, a longtime Justice Department official who is serving as a U.S. attorney in Connecticut, has reportedly been picked by Attorney General William Barr to review the origins of the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference.
The Justice Department has been silent on the reports about Barr’s decision, and a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Connecticut also declined to comment.
Reports of the move have prompted cheers from Republicans while evoking suspicion from Democrats who have been critical of Barr’s decision to review the origins of the intelligence collection on the Trump campaign, which the attorney general referred to as “spying” last month.
Durham has a reputation for nonpartisanship and investigating sensitive national security matters, including leading a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation techniques,” which are now widely viewed as torture, on terrorist suspects starting in 2008 under the appointment of then-Attorney General Eric Holder. He also helped prosecute Connecticut’s former Gov. John Rowland, who is a Republican.
Trump Jr. reaches deal to testify with Senate Intelligence
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/443701-trump-jr-reaches-deal-to-testify-with-senate-intelligence
Donald Trump Jr. has agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a second round of questions, complying with a subpoena from Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who came under fire from fellow Republicans for demanding the testimony.
Trump Jr. struck the deal Tuesday to interview with the panel next month for between two and four hours. The committee had originally a set a 5 p.m. deadline on Monday for him to respond.
Questions about the Trump Tower project in Moscow and the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya are fair game, according to a source who was briefed on the deal.
Another source said the committee outlined 10 topics it hoped to discuss with Trump Jr., but the scope of the interview was negotiated down to six topics. The two sides also agreed this would be Trump Jr.’s last appearance before the committee.
The agreement ends a tense standoff that divided Republican lawmakers for the past week.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/443701-trump-jr-reaches-deal-to-testify-with-senate-intelligence
Donald Trump Jr. has agreed to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a second round of questions, complying with a subpoena from Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who came under fire from fellow Republicans for demanding the testimony.
Trump Jr. struck the deal Tuesday to interview with the panel next month for between two and four hours. The committee had originally a set a 5 p.m. deadline on Monday for him to respond.
Questions about the Trump Tower project in Moscow and the June 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump campaign officials and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya are fair game, according to a source who was briefed on the deal.
Another source said the committee outlined 10 topics it hoped to discuss with Trump Jr., but the scope of the interview was negotiated down to six topics. The two sides also agreed this would be Trump Jr.’s last appearance before the committee.
The agreement ends a tense standoff that divided Republican lawmakers for the past week.
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