國際時事政治選舉新聞張貼及討論區（六）

US lifts sanctions on Putin ally's firms

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47023004

The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on three firms linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, an ally of President Vladimir Putin.

Curbs on aluminium giant US Rusal, En+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo were lifted after Mr Deripaska ceded control.

The oligarch has been linked to the probe into alleged Russian interference in US elections, and Democrats wanted the sanctions to continue.

But the Treasury Department said curbs on oligarch himself remained in force.

The companies were blacklisted last April when the Trump administration targeted people and businesses it said had profited from a Russian state engaged in "malign activities" around the world.

That included Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential election, as well as international cyber attacks.

But earlier this month, Republicans in the US Senate blocked an effort to continue the sanctions against Rusal, the world's second largest aluminium firm and other Deripaska-linked firms.

Juan Guaidó: Venezuela has chance to leave chaos behind
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/27/juan-guaido-venezuela-has-chance-to-leave-chaos-behind

The opposition leader who last week declared himself Venezuela’s rightful interim president has played down fears of a possible armed conflict and claimed his economically devastated nation was living through an “almost magical moment” in its newly revived quest for democracy.

In one of his first interviews since last Wednesday’s surprise move, Juan Guaidó told the Guardian he was set on “getting the job done” to force Nicolás Maduro from power and ending a humanitarian emergency which has fuelled the largest exodus in modern Latin American history.

Guaidó said a combination of international backing, opposition unity and a reinvigorated grassroots support meant Venezuela now had a unique chance “to leave the chaos behind”.

“Frustration has turned to hope. People are daring to dream again … we have awoken from a nightmare to have new dreams, to dream of the future, to dream of our country, [to dream] not of what we were, but of what we can become,” said the 35-year-old politician.

Italian government split over Venezuela crisis

https://www.politico.eu/article/5star-league-italian-government-split-over-venezuela-crisis-alessandro-di-battista/

ROME — For Italy, a disagreement over its position on Venezuela's political crisis is just the latest in a long streak of infighting in its governing coalition.

Rome's absence from a joint statement by France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom on Saturday — which called for new elections in the Latin American country within eight days — was a result of fierce opposition from the anti-establishment 5Stars party, which refused to sign on, two people with knowledge of the Italian government's internal discussions said.

Luigi Di Maio, Italy's deputy prime minister and 5Star leader, refused to give the prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and foreign minister the go-ahead to sign the joint statement, despite pressure from both officials to sign it "to avoid further isolation in Europe," the two people said.

Far-right League leader Matteo Salvini, Italy's other deputy prime minister, on Saturday flatly contradicted Di Maio's position, effectively backing the approach put forward by Paris, Berlin, Madrid and London. “I hope the Italian government will let go of this prudent approach and support the Venezuelan people and their right to new elections and democracy.”

US files charges against China's Huawei and CFO Meng Wanzhou
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47036515

The US Justice Department has filed a host of criminal charges against Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and its chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou.

Among the charges are accusations of bank and wire fraud, obstruction of justice and theft of technology from US company T Mobile.

Ms Meng was arrested in Canada last month on a US request for allegedly evading sanctions on Iran.

The case has badly strained relations between China, Canada and the US.

Both Ms Meng and Huawei deny the allegations.

The indictment alleges Huawei misled the US and a global bank about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech, to conduct business with Iran.

President Donald Trump's administration has reinstated all sanctions on Iran removed under a 2015 nuclear deal and recently imposed even stricter measures, hitting oil exports, shipping and banks.

A second case alleges Huawei stole technology from T Mobile used to test smart phone durability, as well as obstructing justice and committing wire fraud.

Trump sceptical a deal on border wall can be reached

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47031810

US President Donald Trump says he is sceptical a deal can be reached on border security before government funding expires again next month.

He spoke to the Wall Street Journal as 800,000 federal employees returned to work after the longest ever closure of federal agencies, lasting 35 days.

The Republican president said he doubts he would lower the sum he is prepared to accept for a US-Mexico border wall.

Congress must agree a new bill by 15 February to avoid another shutdown.

Asked if he would accept less than the $5.7bn he wants to build a border barrier, he said: "I doubt it."

"I have to do it right," he added, noting that he has not ruled out a second shutdown in as many months to accomplish his signature campaign pledge.

The president also sounded unwilling to make any significant concession to strike a grand bargain with Democrats.

Mr Trump said he doubted he would back citizenship for immigrants who entered the US without documentation as children.

Whitaker: Mueller close to wrapping up Russia probe

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/28/whitaker-mueller-close-to-finishing-investigation-1132804

Special counsel Robert Mueller is close to finishing his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said on Monday.

Whitaker has condemned the Mueller investigation in the past, one of the biggest criticisms levied against him after his appointment by President Donald Trump.

When asked at a Justice Department news conference on Monday whether he maintained his concerns after being briefed on the report, Whitaker said: “I am comfortable that the decisions that were made are going to be reviewed either through the various means we have, but right now, the investigation is, I think, close to being completed, and I hope we can get the report from Director Mueller as soon as possible.”

Pelosi re-invites Trump to deliver State of the Union

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/28/state-of-the-union-date-2019-1131373

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to deliver the State of the Union address on February 5.

Pelosi had previously rescinded her invitation to Trump to give the address on Jan. 29, citing security concerns due to the government shutdown. Trump and Republicans were furious at Pelosi's unprecedented move, but they were powerless to prevent it.

With the shutdown ending last Friday after a five-week stalemate between Trump and Hill Democrats, negotiations began over the weekend to reschedule the State of the Union as soon as possible, according to several sources. Those calls quickly led to Pelosi extending an invitation to Trump for next week.

“When I wrote to you on January 23rd, I stated that we should work together to find a mutually agreeable date when government has reopened to schedule this year’s State of the Union address," Pelosi said in her Monday letter to Trump. "In our conversation today, we agreed on February 5th.”

LIVE – MPs debate and vote today on amendments to the Prime Minister’s deal for leaving the EU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElD-yafLd0k

Brexit: Theresa May to open Brexit plan amendments debate
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47037365
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-politics-47030804

Theresa May is due to open the debate on amendments to her Brexit plan, which could shape future talks with the EU.

Conservative MPs have been told to back a plan for an alternative to the Irish backstop, with cabinet minister Liam Fox saying it would give the PM a "strong mandate" to return to Brussels.

Some Tory Brexiteers have signalled they will now back Mrs May, despite previously threatening to rebel.

It is not yet known which amendments will be chosen for a vote.

Speaker John Bercow will say which amendments are going to be put forward at the start of the debate at about 13:45 GMT - with voting taking place in the Commons from 19:00 GMT.

Labour backs Cooper plan to rule out no-deal Brexit, creating high risk of defeat for May – Politics live
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2019/jan/29/brexit-vote-commons-latest-news-developments-liam-fox-says-may-now-saying-withdrawal-deal-text-must-be-rewritten-politics-live

DUP back Tory compromise Brexit plan

But the DUP (never ones to be put off by warnings about Brexit proposals being unrealistic) have endorsed the “Malthouse compromise”. (See 10.07am and 11.58am.) This is from the DUP leader Arlene Foster.

The 'Malthouse compromise': everything you need to know

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/29/the-malthouse-compromise-everything-you-need-to-know-brexit-vote

A compromise Brexit plan has emerged overnight in Westminster with the backing of heavyweight Tory Brexiters and remainers, including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nicky Morgan.

Two factions have thrown their weight behind the unexpected new compromise plan, backed by several ministers, which would involve a redrafting of the backstop and an extension of the transition period until 2021.

However, it is still unclear whether the prime minister is prepared to pursue the offer of compromise, while elements of the plan have been met with deep scepticism from some MPs and the EU.

What is the ‘Malthouse compromise’?
In a WhatsApp message to Conservative MPs, Morgan said the plan “provides for exit from the EU on time with a new backstop, which would be acceptable indefinitely, but which incentivises us all to reach a new future relationship. It ensures there is no need for a hard border with Ireland.”

In basic terms, the prime minister would renegotiate the backstop element of her Brexit deal to replace it with a free trade agreement with as-yet-unknown technology to avoid customs checks on the Irish border.

It would also involve extending the transition period for an extra year until December 2021 to allow more time to agree a new trading relationship.

我已經分唔清May係真傻定假癲

佢真係無曬橋喇
WTO

North Korea nuclear: US intelligence report says regime to keep weapons

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47051606

North Korea is unlikely to fully give up its nuclear weapons, a US intelligence report says, despite the hopes of the Trump administration.

The Worldwide Threat Assessment report also says Iran is not making nuclear weapons, but that cyber threats from China and Russia are a growing concern.

Both countries may be seeking to influence the 2020 election, it says.

National intelligence director Dan Coats and other intelligence chiefs presented it to the Senate on Tuesday.

North Korea remains "unlikely to give up" its weapon stockpiles and production abilities while it tries to negotiate "partial denuclearisation steps to obtain key US and international concessions", the report says.

Having nuclear weapons is seen as "critical to regime survival", it reads.

Brexit: May and Corbyn clash ahead of meeting

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47052227

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn warmed up for their long-awaited meeting to discuss the way ahead on Brexit by clashing in the House of Commons.

At Prime Minister's Questions the Labour leader repeatedly urged Mrs May to rule out a no-deal Brexit and to ditch her "red lines" in any upcoming talks with Brussels.

Mrs May hit back by saying that Mr Corbyn "has no plan for Brexit".

The pair will meet privately later to seek common ground on Brexit.

The BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said she was sure they would not be shouting at each other when they meet at 15:00 GMT, but "in terms of where the two main parties are, there really isn't much common ground".

Mr Corbyn agreed to the meeting because MPs voted against the idea of a no-deal Brexit on Tuesday evening. He had previously ruled out such a meeting unless Mrs May ruled out a no-deal Brexit herself.

German police arrest 3 Iraqi refugees suspected of planning terror attack

https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-arrest-3-iraqi-refugees-suspected-of-planning-terror-attack/a-47287328

Three Iraqi refugees were arrested on Wednesday in northern Germany for preparing a terror attack.

Two 23-year-olds and a 36-year-old were arrested in an early morning raid in the state of Schleswig-Holstein after a months-long investigation, German police said.

"According to the findings to date, the suspects had not yet selected a specific target for their attack," the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Two of the suspects are accused of preparing a bomb using gunpowder from fireworks and another of aiding and abetting the terror plans.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said that the suspects had already carried out explosive tests.

Democrats won't take hard line against border 'barrier' money in shutdown talks

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/30/no-deal-border-security-talks-2594735

Top Democrats refused to rule out extra funding for some kind of added barrier at the border as congressional deal-makers started negotiations Wednesday aimed at a compromise that could stave off a second shutdown.

The 17 lawmakers appointed to the special conference committee did not reach an agreement during their first meeting on whether they would fund President Donald Trump's border wall as they try to prevent another funding lapse in two-and-a-half weeks. But Democratic spending leaders said afterward that they will not take a hard line upfront against funding for a border barrier, the specifics of which were not defined.

"I’m not going to give you the conclusion. We’re going into this conference, and we’re open to everyone’s facts and figures," House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) told reporters after the meeting. "Everything’s on the table.”

Lowey said conferees are ready for "a real intense negotiation period" and are going to bring in experts to advise them on how to direct funding to improve border security.

EU's Jean-Claude Juncker rebuffs UK's plan to change Brexit deal
https://www.dw.com/en/eus-jean-claude-juncker-rebuffs-uks-plan-to-change-brexit-deal/a-47298845

The Brexit withdrawal agreement negotiated by the European Union and the United Kingdom "remains the best and only deal possible," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday.

Juncker told EU lawmakers that both sides had already discussed the UK's demands to seek alternative arrangements to the Irish backstop, a provision to try to keep an open border between Ireland and the UK province of Northern Ireland.

UK lawmakers called on May to renegotiate the backstop in a vote on Tuesday. The vote had "increased the risk of a disorderly withdrawal," Juncker said.

The president assured EU lawmakers that they would be "the first to know, and the last to decide" on any future talks.''

"The backstop is part of the withdrawal agreement," a spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday night. "The withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation."

He said Brussels was open to a delay beyond the deadline, but would continue its preparations for a no-deal Brexit on March 29.

Russians leaked Mueller investigation evidence online, prosecutors say
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/30/mueller-evidence-leaked-online-russians

Evidence gathered by Robert Mueller, the special counsel, was obtained by Russians and leaked online in an attempt to discredit his inquiry into Moscow’s interference in US politics, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

A court filing by Mueller’s office said more than 1,000 files that it shared confidentially with attorneys for indicted Russian hackers later appeared to have been uploaded to a filesharing site and promoted by a Twitter account.

“We’ve got access to the Special Counsel Mueller’s probe database as we hacked Russian server with info from the Russian troll case,” a tweet from the account said. “You can view all the files Mueller had about the IRA and Russian collusion. Enjoy the reading!”

The tweet was posted in October last year by the account @HackingRedstone, according to the filing. A reporter was also offered leaked material via a direct message the same day. The account has since been removed from Twitter.

Mueller’s court filing on Wednesday said the names and structure of folders containing the leaked files matched those used by Mueller’s office when it shared the data, and that these had not been made public.

Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit may be delayed to avoid no deal

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/31/jeremy-hunt-admits-brexit-may-have-to-be-delayed-to-avoid-no-deal

The foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has admitted article 50 may have to be extended to avoid the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal on 29 March.

The government had consistently ruled out seeking an extension and on Tuesday whipped its MPs to vote down an amendment to ask for a delay. But, speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Hunt conceded a delay might be necessary if an agreement with the EU was reached with only days to spare before the March deadline.

Asked if a technical delay would be necessary, Hunt said: “That depends on how long this process takes. It is true that if we ended up approving a deal in the days before the 29 March, then we might need some extra time to pass critical legislation. But if we are able to make progress sooner then that might not be necessary.”

He claimed changes to the withdrawal agreement could be made if the UK could allay Irish fears concerns about a possible hard border and those of the wider EU about the integrity of the single market. He said: “Provided we can meet these very reasonable concerns from our friends in Ireland about not having a hard border and concerns in the EU about access to the single market – provided we can do that, which I think we can, then I think there is a way through.”

European powers launch mechanism for trade with Iran

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-sanctions-eu/european-powers-launch-mechanism-for-trade-with-iran-idUSKCN1PP0K3

PARIS/BERLIN (Reuters) - France, Germany and Britain have set up a European mechanism for non-dollar trade with Iran to avert U.S. sanctions, although diplomats acknowledged it is unlikely to yield big commercial transactions Tehran says it needs to keep a nuclear deal afloat.

Washington’s major European allies opposed last year’s decision by President Donald Trump to abandon the 2015 deal, under which international sanctions on Iran were lifted in return for Tehran accepting curbs on its nuclear program.

The new European trade vehicle was conceived as a way to help match Iranian oil and gas exports against purchases of EU goods. However, those ambitions appear to have been toned down, with diplomats saying it could realistically be used only for smaller trade permitted by the Trump administration, for example of humanitarian products or food.

EU parliament recognizes Guaido as Venezuelan interim president

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-eu/eu-parliament-recognizes-guaido-as-venezuelan-interim-president-idUSKCN1PP1HQ

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament recognized Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaido as the de-facto head of state on Thursday, a symbolic step that lawmakers said was designed to keep pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

EU lawmakers voted in a non-binding resolution to recognize Guaido as interim leader and called on all EU governments to follow suit.

Republicans want Trump to keep out of border talks

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/427952-republicans-want-trump-to-keep-out-of-border-talks

Republicans are urging President Trump to step back, for now, from the negotiations to prevent a second partial government shutdown.

The president is offering a running, real-time commentary about the conference committee tasked with breaking the months-long stalemate between the White House and congressional Democrats, frustrating lawmakers who worry Trump is complicating already difficult talks.

In a tweet on Thursday, Trump warned that Republicans on the panel might be “wasting their time.”

GOP senators say Trump should stick to the sidelines and let the bipartisan group of appropriators, known for their ability to cut deals, get to work.

Lebanon forms new government after long delay
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47080597

Lebanon has agreed a new government of national unity, ending nearly nine months of political wrangling.

"We must turn the page and start working," said Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, who is now in his third term.

The 30-member cabinet has four women, including the interior minister - a first for Lebanon.

The most pressing challenge for the cabinet is to revive Lebanon's economic fortunes and cut the national debt, which stands at about 150% of GDP.

Mr Hariri's reforms are expected to unlock nearly $11bn (£8bn) in pledged international aid and loans.

China pledges 'tremendous' US soy purchases
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47081689

China has pledged to increase its purchases of US soybeans, as the two countries attempt to hammer out a trade deal.

US President Donald Trump touted the promise, made at the end of two days of talks in Washington, as evidence that the two sides were making progress.

"Before we make a deal, it's a fantastic sign of faith," he said,

In a letter shared by the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping also said the two sides had made "good progress".

At a press conference with Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday, Mr Trump said he hoped to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping to hash out a final agreement by the 1 March deadline.

Trump to meet with China's Xi to try to seal trade deal, progress reported
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/trump-to-meet-with-chinas-xi-to-try-to-seal-trade-deal-progress-reported-idUSKCN1PP1NF

US envoy Stephen Biegun reveals North Korea nuclear pledge
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47082860

North Korea has pledged to destroy all its nuclear material enrichment facilities, the US special envoy says.

Stephen Biegun said he planned to discuss "corresponding measures" the US can take in return for the country's denuclearisation.

The US would first however need "complete understanding" of the country's weapons programmes.

President Donald Trump earlier said both countries had made "tremendous progress".

Speaking in the Oval Office, the president said he would soon announce the date and location of a planned summit with North Korea's Kim Jong-un.