Latest News, News Headlines, Amazon Coupons, Amazon Offers

Latest News, News Headlines, Amazon Coupons, Amazon Offers


Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 03:56 AM PDT

Latest World News, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs


Will Turkey Buy Russia's SU-57 Fighter Jet?

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 07:00 PM PDT

UAC Aircraft

Warzone/The Drive: U.S. Withholding F-35 From Turkey Could Give Russia The Chance It Needs To Export SU-57

Russia may attempt to fill the vacuum created by a U.S. embargo on F-35 exports to Turkey with an export variant of its Su-57 advanced fighter.

I don't think anyone would claim it came as a surprise, but nonetheless, the U.S. deciding to hold back NATO ally Turkey's F-35 order and potentially curtailing its industrial involvement in the program is a major development. It's also one that is nearly certain to push Turkey further into Moscow's orbit and could offer Russia a unique and much-needed opportunity to export their Su-57 advanced fighter.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Russia is still developing this aircraft. If Turkey really wants it, they have to be prepared to wait a long time.

Turkey Faces A Choice -- F-35 Or Russia's S-400 Air-Defense Missile System

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 06:00 PM PDT

S-400s stationed in Russia and a F-35 on maneuvers © Reuters / Vitaly Nevar (L) ; Reuters / Amir Cohen (R)

NPR: U.S.-Turkey Standoff Over F-35 Escalates As Each Side Waits For The Other To Blink

The U.S. has suspended the delivery of parts and program materials to Turkey that it needs for standing up a key $12 billion jet fighter program there. The U.S. Defense Department says deliveries will not resume unless Ankara abandons its planned acquisition of a Russian missile defense system.

It's the latest slap in an escalating showdown between two longtime NATO allies whose ties have become increasingly strained in recent years.

At issue are two big arms deals being pursued by Ankara. Turkey wants to buy 100 F-35s, Lockheed Martin Corp.'s latest generation of stealth jet fighters. Turkey also intends to install Russia's advanced S-400 air-defense missile system.

U.S. officials have told Turkey that it cannot have both.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Turkey is saying that their agreement with Russia to buy their S-400 missile system is a done deal .... Russian S-400 purchase a 'done deal,' despite US freeze on F-35 deliveries – Turkish FM (RT). More here .... Turkish foreign minister: Defense deal with Russia 'done' despite US threats (The Hill)

More News On Turkey's Decision To Buy Russia's S-400 Air-Defense Missile System

High stakes for Turkey as Erdogan faces choice between US F-35 fighter jet and Russia's S-400 missile system -- CNBC
Turkey says proposed working group to ease U.S. worries over Russian S-400s -- Reuters
Turkey's marriage of F-35 and S-400 'absolutely unsustainable,' says EUCOM nominee -- Defense News
Turkey must choose between remaining NATO partner or buying Russian S-400 – Pence -- RT
U.S. VP Pence warns Turkey against buying Russian air defenses -- Reuters
Pentagon holds out hope of salvaging military sales to Turkey -- Al-Monitor
Turkish Pilots Continue F-35 Training Despite US Halting Deliveries – Report -- Sputnik

ISIS Fighters From Australia Want To Return Home

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 05:00 PM PDT

Photo: Australian jihadist Khaled Sharrouf, date and location unknown

ABC News Online: Islamic State recruit Mahir Absar Alam insists he's not a threat if allowed to return to Australia

An Australian member of Islamic State (IS) has begged to come home, describing "rivers of blood" flowing inside the group's self-proclaimed caliphate and a life of horror and misery.

Mahir Absar Alam, who was born in Sydney and went to high school in Loxton in country South Australia, urged Muslims around the world not to believe IS's propaganda and to stay in their home countries.

He was captured with his Syrian wife and two children in March by Kurdish-led forces outside the village of Baghouz, the last hold-out of IS militants.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: ISIS survivors say the worse offenders were the foreign fighters. In this context I believe the victims far more than the foreigners who are now saying that they were not fighters, hate ISIS, and only worked as nurses in the hospital.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 3, 2019

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 04:00 PM PDT



Cary Huang, SCMP: China's economy is hurting and a trade deal can't come a moment too soon for Beijing

* China's official economic figures point to a bad year. Beijing has only one real way out of the slump – it needs to end the trade war with Washington. Vice-Premier Liu He, who visits the US this week, should hammer out a deal soon

Deal or no deal, the ongoing US-China trade war
has already taken its toll on the Chinese economy. The latest evidence is the decline in profits in China's export-oriented manufacturing industry. In the first two months of the year, Chinese industrial firms' profits fell 14 per cent year on year, to 708 billion yuan (US$105 billion), according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics. It is the sharpest contraction since 2009.

Obviously, the trade war with the United States has dealt a severe blow to China, the world's second-largest economy, and weighed on Chinese factory activity, corporate earnings, business and consumption.

Read more ....

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 3, 2019

Xi Jinping Is Winning the National Security War -- Gordon G. Chang, National Interest

Why are Australian politicians intensifying their presence on Chinese social media platforms? -- Michael Walsh, Stephen Dziedzic and Jason Fang, ABC News Online

Trial of the century opens in Malaysia -- Nile Bowie and Matt Mulberry, Asia Times

Bouteflika's resignation means Algeria is ready to turn a page… or is it? -- Luigi Lonardo, LSE

Erdogan's Electoral Setback and Its Aftermath -- Bulent Aliriza, CSIS

Kurds face changing political landscape -- Faisal Al Yafai, Asia Times

The many and different faces of terror -- M.K. Narayanan, The Hindu

The Islamic State Was a Sham -- Daniel R. DePetris, National Interest

Theresa May Tears Up Her Red Lines -- Paul Goodman, Conservative Home

What next? UK's May, opposition seek elusive Brexit concord -- Jill Lawless, AP

Theresa May Crosses the Rubicon -- Robert Peston, Spectator

Theresa May Clearly Thinks Jeremy Corbyn Is Stupid -- Sean O'Grady, Independent

The West Takes NATO for Granted. One Country Still Wants In. -- Neil Hauer, The Atlantic

NATO at 70: Where next? -- Politico

How fair are the trials of Catalan pro-independence politicians? -- Thomas Sparrow, DW

Here's How Venezuela's 'Interim President' Blew His Chance to Oust Maduro -- Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, Daily Beast

World News Briefs -- April 3, 2019 (Evening Edition)

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 03:00 PM PDT



Reuters: Labour's Corbyn says Theresa May has not moved enough on Brexit

LONDON (Reuters) - Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May had not moved far enough in a first round of crisis talks aimed at breaking the domestic deadlock over Britain's exit from the European Union.

The United Kingdom was supposed to leave the EU last Friday but, nearly three years after it voted by 52 percent to 48 for Brexit in a referendum, it is still unclear how, when or even whether it will quit the bloc it joined in 1973.

After her EU withdrawal deal was rejected three times by lawmakers, the Conservative prime minister invited Corbyn, a veteran socialist, to talks in parliament to try to plot a way out of the crisis.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

SDF says Syria's Raqqa hit by mine blast, not suicide attack.

US-backed fighters clash with ISIS militants in eastern Syria.

Red Cross: Hundreds of unaccompanied children flood Syria camp.

Bridge between rivals? Iraq PM to visit Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi King Salman visits Bahrain.

Opposition urges Erdogan's cooperation over Istanbul vote.

Turkey election board: Eight Istanbul districts to recount votes.

Palestinian attempts West Bank stabbing, shot dead by Israeli: officials.

Remains of Israeli soldier missing since 1982 Lebanon war returned.

Iran flood death toll reaches 62.

ASIA

UN calls Brunei's anti-gay law a clear violation of human rights.

Thai junta files sedition complaint against new party leader.

Amid turmoil, NATO in Afghanistan marks anniversary.

US-China trade war is the 'biggest threat' to Asian economies as growth forecasts slashed.

China set to appoint new ambassador to Japan, as Xi Jinping prepares for June visit.

Former Malaysia PM pleads 'not guilty' in 1MDB corruption trial. Najib Razak, former Malaysian PM, pleads not guilty as 1MBD trial begins.

Japan solidifies defenses in southern island chain with string of new bases.


South Korea to discuss sanctions-violating ship with U.S., U.N..

South Korea to open area near DMZ to visitors.

Polls close in Solomon Islands but results may take weeks to come out.

Facebook removes 'fake' accounts linked to Pakistani military. Facebook deletes accounts linked to India's Congress party, Pakistan military.

AFRICA

American kidnapped on Ugandan safari, $500,000 ransom demanded.

Algerians demand sweeping change as Bouteflika era ends.

Algeria: Joyous scenes of celebration after Bouteflika resigns.

With the president gone, Algerian officials plot next steps.

UN chief visits Libya to bolster election push.

Eastern Libyan forces ordered to move west to fight militants.

ICC investigates massacre in central Mali. UN council requests options to overhaul Mali peace force.

S Sudan president, opposition to meet at Vatican 'retreat'.

Mozambicans line up for cholera vaccines to fight outbreak.

Egypt province bans disposable plastics at restaurants, stores.

EUROPE

NATO chief warns of Russia threat, urges unity in U.S. address.

Adviser to comedian-candidate says Ukraine ripe for change.

Theresa May to seek Brexit extension from EU to chase compromise with Labour party. Brexit: Theresa May to meet Jeremy Corbyn to tackle deadlock.

EU's Juncker: no more short Brexit delays unless leave deal approved by April 12.

Exclusive: U.S. senators want stiff sanctions to deter Russia election meddling.

Germany, France to launch multilateralism alliance.

Key US ally extends reach into eastern Mediterranean waters.

EU takes legal action against Poland to protect judges.

British soldiers use picture of Jeremy Corbyn as target practice in Afghanistan.

Julian Assange has 'repeatedly violated' asylum terms, Ecuador's president says.

AMERICAS

BREAKING NEWS: Biden breaks his silence on Creepy Joe scandal to admit he HAS made women 'uncomfortable' and promises to respect 'personal space' but does NOT apologize for 'connecting with people'.

Closing border 'not good for anyone': Mexican president.

Trump pulls back from border closure threats, saying Mexico is cooperating.

US Senators press Perry on nuclear work with Saudi Arabia.

American senators want stiff sanctions on key industries to discourage Russia from election meddling.

Venezuela: Pro-Maduro lawmakers strip Juan Guaido of parliamentary immunity.

Venezuelans storm bridge to Colombia.

Chicago elects Lori Lightfoot as first female black mayor.

Canada: ex-cabinet members expelled from Liberal party amid scandal.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Interviewing Islamic State detainees in Syria.

US targets AQAP 8 times in past 3 months.

Islamic State, without evidence, claims killing of Canadian in Burkina Faso.

Germany approves stripping dual national terrorist fighters of citizenship.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street ends up as trade deal hopes rise.

Trump team and China resume uphill effort to end trade rift.

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Boeing software 'engaged repeatedly'.

Twitter blocks French government with its own fake news law.

1MDB: Superyacht linked to financial scandal sold for $126m.

Libyan Strongman Khalifa Haftar Has Ordered His Forces To Launch Attacks In The West

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 02:00 PM PDT

A poster of the Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar is seen on a building destroyed by the war in the city of Benghazi [File: Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters]

The Libya Observer: Haftar's forces ordered to carry out military attacks in west Libya

The military media office of the self-styled army in eastern Libya, which is under the command of Khalifa Haftar, has announced that the forces have started advancing on western Libyan cities and districts in order to "purge the remaining terrorist groups in the region."

The media office published a video on Wednesday showing a convoy of armored vehicles and pickup trucks mounted with heavy guns on the road, which appeared to be Benghazi's coastline.

Read more ....

Update #1: Eastern Libya forces move west, talk about 'terrorism' mission (Reuters)
Update #2: Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar orders forces to advance west (Al Jazeera)

WNU Editor: The big question is .... are these forces going to continue all the way to Tripoli? .... Eastern Libya forces, moving west, say Tripoli key to national dignity (Reuters).

Delivery Of The U.S. Marine's New Helicopters Are Running 19 Months Late

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 01:00 PM PDT

The Corps took delivery of its first CH-53 King Stallion on May 16, 2018, at the New River Air Station in Jacksonville, North Carolina. (Sgt. Matthew Callahan/Marine Corps)

Bloomberg: Lockheed's $31 Billion Marine Helicopters Are Running 19 Months Late

* Navy sees need to delay initial combat capability to late 2021
* List of unresolved flaws grows to 102 from 94 in December

Lockheed Martin Corp.'s $31 billion King Stallion helicopter program for the U.S. Marines may miss its first key milestone by more than 19 months because of a growing checklist of flaws discovered in development testing.

The Naval Air Systems Command acknowledged that the helicopter designed to carry heavy cargo won't meet its December target date for initial combat capability. The roster of unresolved technical deficiencies has grown to 106 items from about 94 logged in December, according to Navy documents.

A proposed new date -- between July and September 2021 -- "has not been finalized and is pending the final decision" on a request before Congress to shift $158 million into the testing program to pay for fixes and more test flights, Greg Kuntz, a spokesman for the command, said in an email.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: These helicopters are more expensive than the F-35A .... The Marines' CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Is On Track To Be More Expensive Than An F-35A Joint Strike Fighter In Unit Cost (March 15, 2017), and the problems with the program are serious .... Problems Continue With The USMC's Huge New CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter (January 18, 2019)

For The Second Time In 5 Days RAF Jets Are Scrambled To Meet Approaching Russian Bombers

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 12:00 PM PDT

The RAF has been deployed to stop Russian Blackjack bombers (one pictured on Friday during previous incident) entering UK airspace for the second time in four days

Daily Mail: RAF Typhoons are scrambled to stop Russian Blackjack bombers entering UK airspace for second time in four days

* Two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 long range bombers entered international airspace
* Typhoons were deployed from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to monitor them
* RAF spokesman claims 'at no point did they enter UK territorial airspace'

The RAF has been deployed to stop Russian Blackjack bombers entering UK airspace for the second time in four days.

The two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 long range bombers flew inside international airspace off the northeastern coast of Scotland before being escorted back northwards again.

The RAF sent two of its Typhoons from its base in Lossiemouth, which were accompanied by a refuelling tank from its Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire.

Officials have confirmed that 'at no point' did the Russians manage to infiltrate British airspace.

Read more ....

More News On RAF Jets Being Scrambled To Meet Approaching Russian Bombers

RAF Lossiemouth jets scrambled to Russian planes twice in five days -- BBC
Britain scrambles jets after Russian bombers approach UK airspace -- Reuters
RAF Typhoons scrambled as Russian bombers approach UK -- SKY News
Fighter jets scrambled from RAF base in Scotland for second time in a week -- The Scotsman

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg Addresses The U.S. Congress

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 11:00 AM PDT



Reuters: NATO chief warns of Russia threat, urges unity in U.S. address

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization warned the U.S. Congress on Wednesday of the threat posed by "a more assertive Russia," including a massive military buildup, threats to sovereign states, the use of nerve agents and cyberattacks.

"We must overcome our differences now because we will need our alliance even more in the future. We face unprecedented challenges - challenges no one nation can face alone," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Saying "time is running out," Stoltenberg also called on Russia to return to compliance with the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, from which U.S. President Donald Trump plans to withdraw the United States this summer.

Read more ....

More News On NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg Addressing The U.S. Congress

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses joint session of Congress -- CBS
NATO chief to Congress: Alliance 'has also been good for the United States' -- The Hill
NATO secretary general calls for confronting Russian aggression in speech to Congress -- Politico
NATO chief, in speech to Congress, declares Trump's push for more defense spending is working -- FOX News
Political impact of NATO Secretary General before US Congress (Video) -- France 24

U.S. Military: Iran Responsible For Deaths Of 608 American Troops In Iraq Since 2003

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 10:19 AM PDT



Washington Examiner: Iran responsible for deaths of 608 American troops in Iraq

The U.S. military has revealed it believes Iran has helped kill 608 U.S. troops in Iraq since 2003, according to newly revealed and formerly-classified numbers.

"In Iraq, I can announce today, based on declassified U.S. military reports, that Iran is responsible for the deaths of at least 608 American service members," Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran, said during a State Department briefing Tuesday.

"This accounts for 17 percent of all deaths of U.S. personnel in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. This death toll is in addition to the many thousands of Iraqis killed by the IRGC's proxies." Since 2003, more than 4,400 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq.

Read more ....

Update: US Claims Iran Behind Killings of Hundreds of US Troops in Iraq (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: During this time Iranian proxies also killed thousands of Iraqis, something that I am sure many Iraqis still remember today.

Taiwan Threatens To 'Forcefully Expel' Incursions Chinese Warplanes. China Is Saying Its Patrols Will Continue

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 10:02 AM PDT

Two PLA Air Force J-11 fighters and a H-6K bomber patrol airspace between mainland China and Taiwan. Photo: Xinhua

CNBC: Taiwan's president orders military to 'forcefully expel' future incursions of China warplanes

* In a post showing the Taiwanese leader giving orders on the phone, President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the incursions as an "outright provocation of regional security and stability."
* According to risk consultancy Stratfor, the incident on Sunday is "one of the most serious incursions by People's Liberation Army Air Force fighter jets on the Taiwanese side of the maritime border this century."

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has called for Chinese warplanes that cross a maritime line separating the two sides to be "forcefully expelled."

Her comments in a Facebook post on Monday came after two Chinese fighter jets crossed a maritime line separating mainland China from the self-ruled island of Taiwan on Sunday.

In a post showing the Taiwanese leader giving orders on the phone, Tsai condemned the incursions as an "outright provocation of regional security and stability."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China is blaming the U.S. for the current tensions .... China's state-run media blames US for tensions in Taiwan Strait (Stars and Stripes). China is also bluntly saying that these flights will continue .... China to put Taiwan's airspace in 'patrol range': Global Times (Taiwan News).

More News On Current China - Taiwan Tensions

China-Taiwan tensions grow after warplane incursion -- BBC
Taiwan: Chinese Fighters Fly Across the Taiwan Strait as Regional Tensions Soar -- Stratfor
Taiwan will forcefully expel PLA warplanes next time: Tsai Ing-wen -- SCMP
Taiwan Will "Forcibly Expel" Chinese Planes After Recent Taiwan Strait Boundary Violation -- Warzone/The Drive
US warns Beijing against force after Taiwan incursion by fighter jets -- Straits Times/AFP
China's Fighters Are Provoking America's Allies -- Seth Cropsey, The National Interest

President Trump: 'Chinese President Xi Likes To Be Called King'

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 09:49 AM PDT

China's President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a state dinner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, November 9, 2017. Thomas Peter, Reuters

SCMP: Donald Trump reveals he called Xi Jinping 'king' – and says Xi liked it

* US president recalls remark on eve of resumption of talks seeking a deal to end the US-China trade war
* China is unlikely to take Trump's rhetoric 'too seriously' expert says

US President Donald Trump has said he called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "king" during a visit to China 18 months ago, and said his Chinese host "liked it".

Speaking at a Republican fundraising dinner in Washington on Tuesday, Trump shared the episode with guests, apparently to underline his friendly relationship with the Chinese leader.

The revelation came a day before negotiators from the United States and China began another round of highly anticipated talks in Washington to try to end their months-long trade war.

Read more
....

WNU Editor: It is a definite upgrade from being called "Chairman" .... Chinese President Xi Wants The Chinese Military To Address Him As 'Chairman' (July 12, 2017).

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Expels Two Former Cabinet Ministers In Bid To End Scandal

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 07:00 AM PDT



Reuters: Canada's Trudeau expels two ex-ministers from ruling party in bid to end scandal

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday sought to quell a crisis that threatens his chances of re-election, expelling from party ranks two former Cabinet members he said had undermined the ruling Liberals.

Trudeau said former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and former Treasury Board chief Jane Philpott would no longer be allowed to sit as Liberal legislators. They were also barred from running for the party in the federal election this October.

The Liberals have been in turmoil since Wilson-Raybould said in February that officials had inappropriately pressured her last year while she was justice minister to ensure that construction company SNC-Lavalin Group Inc escape a corruption trial.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is not going to end the scandal. Many Canadians do want to know the details on why did Prime Minister Trudeau decide to intervene in a criminal case that the Attorney General said was closed, and was she removed because of her refusal to do so.

More News On Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Expelling Two Former Cabinet Ministers In A Bid To End Scandal

Trudeau ejects Wilson-Raybould, Philpott from Liberal caucus -- CBC
Canada's ex-attorney general ousted from Trudeau's caucus -- AP
Canada's Trudeau ousts two ex-ministers from ruling party in bid to end scandal -- France 24
SNC-Lavalin affair: Trudeau expels 'whistleblower' MPs -- BBC
Canada: ex-cabinet members expelled from Liberal party amid scandal -- The Guardian
Canada's Justin Trudeau ousts ex-attorney general from Liberal party -- DW
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expels ex-ministers from Liberals in bid to end pre-election scandal -- ABC News Online
Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott kicked out of Liberal Party caucus -- Global News

World News Briefs -- April 3, 2019

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 12:40 PM PDT

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May, and the leader of opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn attend an Armistice remembrance service at St Margaret's Church, in London, Britain November 6, 2018. John Stillwell/Pool via REUTERS

Reuters: UK PM May, Labour's Corbyn to meet at 1330 GMT seeking Brexit compromise: spokesman

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn at 1330 GMT on Wednesday, her spokesman said, adding that further talks could probably be arranged if necessary.

The two are meeting to discuss a way forward on Brexit. May's spokesman said she would need to tell the EU of any new plan on leaving the European Union promptly, ahead of a summit in Brussels on April 10.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

US-backed fighters clash with ISIS militants in eastern Syria.

Red Cross: Hundreds of unaccompanied children flood Syria camp.

Bridge between rivals? Iraq PM to visit Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi King Salman visits Bahrain.

Opposition urges Erdogan's cooperation over Istanbul vote.

Turkey election board: Eight Istanbul districts to recount votes.

Palestinian attempts West Bank stabbing, shot dead by Israeli: officials.

ASIA

US-China trade war is the 'biggest threat' to Asian economies as growth forecasts slashed.

China set to appoint new ambassador to Japan, as Xi Jinping prepares for June visit.

Former Malaysia PM pleads 'not guilty' in 1MDB corruption trial. Najib Razak, former Malaysian PM, pleads not guilty as 1MBD trial begins.

Japan solidifies defenses in southern island chain with string of new bases.


South Korea to discuss sanctions-violating ship with U.S., U.N..

South Korea to open area near DMZ to visitors.

Polls close in Solomon Islands but results may take weeks to come out.

Facebook removes 'fake' accounts linked to Pakistani military. Facebook deletes accounts linked to India's Congress party, Pakistan military.

AFRICA

Algeria: Joyous scenes of celebration after Bouteflika resigns.

With the president gone, Algerian officials plot next steps.

Eastern Libyan forces ordered to move west to fight militants.

ICC investigates massacre in central Mali.

S Sudan president, opposition to meet at Vatican 'retreat'.

Mozambicans line up for cholera vaccines to fight outbreak.

Egypt province bans disposable plastics at restaurants, stores.

EUROPE

Theresa May to seek Brexit extension from EU to chase compromise with Labour party. Brexit: Theresa May to meet Jeremy Corbyn to tackle deadlock.

EU's Juncker: no more short Brexit delays unless leave deal approved by April 12.

Exclusive: U.S. senators want stiff sanctions to deter Russia election meddling.

Germany, France to launch multilateralism alliance.

Key US ally extends reach into eastern Mediterranean waters.

EU takes legal action against Poland to protect judges.

British soldiers use picture of Jeremy Corbyn as target practice in Afghanistan.

Julian Assange has 'repeatedly violated' asylum terms, Ecuador's president says.

AMERICAS

Trump pulls back from border closure threats, saying Mexico is cooperating.

US Senators press Perry on nuclear work with Saudi Arabia.

American senators want stiff sanctions on key industries to discourage Russia from election meddling.

Venezuela: Pro-Maduro lawmakers strip Juan Guaido of parliamentary immunity.

Venezuelans storm bridge to Colombia.

Chicago elects Lori Lightfoot as first female black mayor.

Canada: ex-cabinet members expelled from Liberal party amid scandal.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

US targets AQAP 8 times in past 3 months.

Islamic State, without evidence, claims killing of Canadian in Burkina Faso.

Germany approves stripping dual national terrorist fighters of citizenship.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Ethiopian Airlines crash: Boeing software 'engaged repeatedly'.

Twitter blocks French government with its own fake news law.

1MDB: Superyacht linked to financial scandal sold for $126m.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 3, 2019

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 06:14 AM PDT

Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Reuters: NATO meeting to focus on Russia, as U.S. cautions Turkey over missile purchases

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey remains an important NATO ally and partner to the United States despite concerns over its plans to buy missile defense systems from Russia, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday, a day before the start of a NATO meeting in Washington.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to preview the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, said the gathering would discuss all elements of the military threat posed by Russia, including in the Black Sea, as well as the Afghan peace process and members' budget contributions to the alliance.

The official said the NATO allies would seek to agree on a package of measures to bolster NATO's military presence in the Black Sea, which has become a flashpoint with Moscow over its seizure of Ukrainian ships last year.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 3, 2019

NATO to Kick Off Ministerial Marking 70th Anniversary With Russia High on Agenda -- Sputnik

NATO approves spending at US forces support site in Poland, eyes expanded presence in Black Sea -- Stars and Stripes

3 Ways Europe Is Looking at a Fraying NATO -- Defense One

What's the secret of Nato's long life? It's not just a military pact -- Peter Ricketts, The Guardian

China Threat Rises to NATO's Agenda -- The Wall Street Journal

Dutch security agency warns against using 'undesirable' Chinese, Russian technology, citing hacking risk -- SCMP

US Military Refocuses on Pacific to Counter Chinese Ambitions -- WSJ

Missile-tracking aircraft arrives on Okinawa amid fears N. Korea may lift testing moratorium -- Stars and Stripes

Defense chief: US, S. Korea 'building capability up' with military exercises, not scaling back -- Stars and Stripes

Pentagon refuses Boeing tanker deliveries over quality issues -- France 24

Air Force Gearing Up for Next A-10 Re-Winging Contract -- DoD Buzz

Air Force secretary warns: 'We are too small for what the nation is asking us to do' -- Stars and Stripes

Navy's Plans for Unmanned 'Ghost Fleet' Remain Shrouded in Secrecy -- Military.com

Naval teams narrow factors in physiological episodes on jets -- UPI

NIST's Ron Ross on the state of cyber: 'We literally are hemorrhaging critical information' -- Fifth Domain

The U.S. Military Is Hiring Hackers to Kill Small Drones -- Futurism

From 75th Ranger Regiment to the Pentagon, Gen. Clarke now helms SOCOM -- Army Times

CIA sued for censoring ex-agent books -- AFP

For a million U.S. men, failing to register for the draft has serious, long-term consequences -- USA Today

Boeing awarded $250M for JDAM guidance kits for U.S., allies -- UPI

Shanahan: Turkey will drop purchase of Russian missile system amid F-35 pressure -- The Hill

Turkey's marriage of F-35 and S-400 'absolutely unsustainable,' says EUCOM nominee -- Defense News

Pentagon holds out hope of salvaging military sales to Turkey -- Al-Monitor

F-35s for Turkey on hold as U.S. approves sales for Australia, Norway -- UPI

US and Philippines said to be in talks on rocket system to deter Beijing's 'militarisation' in South China Sea -- SCMP

Japan Intercepts Chinese Military Aircraft Flying Over East China Sea -- Sputnik

How one pilot's death created the modern Chinese military -- Inkstone

US approves anti-submarine helicopter sale to India -- AFP

Indian Army, Air Force, Navy Reportedly Ready to Strike Pakistan AGAIN -- Sputnik

St. Petersburg Military School Explosion Was an Attack, Media Reports -- Moscow Times

Why a Russian surveillance plane is being allowed to photograph US military sites -- Task & Purpose/New York Daily News

Behind the Scenes of Russia's Military Detachment to Venezuela -- Sergey Sukhankin, Eurasia Daily Monitor

New York Times Reporter: The Current Crisis In Venezuela Is 'Almost Unimagnable'

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 05:43 AM PDT

A demonstrator takes part in a protest against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, March 31. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

NPR: An 'Almost Unimaginable' Crisis In Venezuela

Venezuelans have been suffering one calamity after the next, but in recent weeks, much of Venezuela has had to go long stretches without electricity.

New York Times journalist Nicholas Casey was in Maracaibo, Venezuela, in March when the country was hit by a six-day blackout, considered at the time the worst in Venezuela's history. He says people initially assumed that the outage had been planned and that power would be restored after a few hours. But as hours stretched into days, the country fell into chaos.

"By the fourth day of the power outage, that was when you started to hear shots getting fired in the street," Casey says. "People were beginning to loot, and the store owners were coming out to defend their stores."

As Andes bureau chief for the Times, Casey has been covering the deepening economic and political chaos in Venezuela. He says the current crisis in the country is "almost unimaginable."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: These two paragraphs from the above post sum up why the current migrant crisis in Latin America and Venezuela's part in it is becoming very dangerous to everyone ....

.... On one end, these countries are trying to pressure [President] Maduro now to step down, because they know that this migrant crisis is going to get even worse the more politically unstable the country gets. Countries like Colombia understand that Venezuela used to be a country that took their immigrants, especially during the darkest days of the paramilitaries and the guerrilla fighting, but at the same time, they understand they can't take every Venezuelan that comes.

And not only that, because of this crisis that's getting worse and worse, because of lack of medicine mainly, people are coming into these countries with diseases that should be controlled in Venezuela — diseases like diphtheria, malaria, tuberculosis have made a huge comeback in Venezuela. So if you're a neighboring country like Brazil or Colombia or a country like Ecuador or Peru, who are farther away but are also taking immigrants, this is a very scary situation that's right on your doorstep.

China Has 120 Soldiers In Venezuela (Updated)

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 05:34 AM PDT


Zero Hedge: China Sends Over 120 Troops To Venezuela In Defiance Of US Warnings

It doesn't appear last Friday's strong warning from national security adviser John Bolton for countries "external to the Western Hemisphere" to keep their militaries out of Venezuela had the intended effect. Bolton's and other White House statements saying "Russia has to get out" came following Russian Air Force planes landing in Caracas with about 100 troops, which the Kremlin said were there as "specialists" servicing existing defense equipment contracts.

And now according to Al-Masdar News, citing defense analyst photographs and local reports, "more than 120 soldiers from the Chinese People's Liberation Army arrived at Venezuela's Margarita Island to deliver humanitarian and military supplies to the government forces."

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Chinese state media is still focusing much of the blame for the mess that Venezuela is currently in on the U.S. and on the opposition .... Is there a way out of Venezuela's multiple crisis? (Jiang Shixue, China.org.cn).

Photos Of The First Of The Two Future Air Force One Aircraft Have Been Posted

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 05:28 AM PDT

Rendering of what the VC-25Bs will look like once modified. Boeing

Warzone/The Drive: Check Out The Future Air Force One 747 As It Leaves California To Begin Modification In Texas

The first of two 747-8is marked to become the next Air Force One aircraft has been flown to Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio to begin conversion.

In a follow-up piece to our recent article on the ballooning costs of the Air Force One replacement program, we have exclusive photos of the first of the two 747-8i airframes slated to be converted into new Air Force One aircraft—designated VC-25Bs—taking to the air for the first time since being stored in Victorville, California. In our previous piece, we noted that there was action around this aircraft, indicating that a flight may be near.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: She looks sleek painted all white.

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 02:46 AM PDT

World News, World News Updates, World News Headlines, Latest World News, Current Affairs


Sorry, Travelers. The Thai Capital Bangkok Has Called off One of Its Biggest Annual Parties

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 02:32 AM PDT

Bangkok’s famed Khaosan Road—which draws huge numbers of tourists during the annual Songkran celebrations—might be a little more subdued this year, with the area canceling the usual festivities to allow for preparations for the King’s coronation, Reuters reports.

Songkran, Thailand’s new year, is celebrated from Apr. 13 to 15 with what is known as the world’s biggest water fight. Traditionally, revelers splash water over each other to confer blessings and symbolize a fresh start, the custom being a welcome respite from the heat during the hottest month of the year.

In the tourist mecca of Khaosan Road, businesses normally provide vats of water and an assortment of water guns and receptacles for the annual celebrations, but with the coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn set for next month, the world-famous party has been called off.

“We are located right in the middle of areas involved, so if we organize the usual Songkran festival, it could be chaotic,” Piyabutr Jiwaramonaikun, chairman of the Khaosan Road Business Association, told Reuters.

In preparation for the coronation, authorities have been busy hurrying refurbishments near and along Khaosan Road, including repainting buildings and rebuilding pavements.

“There will be fewer people this year for Songkran, but the coronation is a major event for the Thai people and we all must make sacrifices,” Piyabutr said.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn was set to become Thailand’s new monarch following the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016. The elaborate three-day coronation will begin on May 4 and is expected to cost about $31.5 million.

Most People Would Be Delighted With 10 Days Off. Except in Japan

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 02:12 AM PDT

The Japanese government is giving the country an extra-long holiday to commemorate the coronation of the country’s new emperor, but the move has drawn mixed reactions with the country’s famously hardworking citizens fretting over everything from the potentially negative effects on business to a lack of activities with which to occupy their out-of-school children.

A poll in the Asahi newspaper, cited by the Guardian, found that 45% of respondents “felt unhappy” about the long vacation, compared to 35% who said they “felt happy.”

Last year, Japanese lawmakers approved a bill to designate April 30, May 1 and May 2 as national holidays to mark the accession of Crown Prince Naruhito.

Since April 29, Showa Day, is already a public holiday, and May 3 to 6 is the country’s traditional “Golden Week” holiday period—spanning Constitution memorial Day, the so-called Citizen’s Holiday and Children’s Day—the new holidays mean that Japan’s workers are in for a 10-day break, inclusive of a weekend.

But the extended vacation time has many in the financial sector worried about possible market disruption and the increased volatility of stocks and currency that may result. One trader told Reuters that it was “horrifying” that companies will not be able to trade for six business days.

Meanwhile, contract workers, who are paid by the hour or day, say they fear the resultant loss in income. Parents are also anxious that they won’t be able to keep their children occupied, with day-care centers and nurseries shut during the break.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, however. The Guardian reports that amid these concerns, the travel industry is seeing a significant increase in bookings for overseas trips, signaling that some Japanese, at least, are keen to take advantage of the holiday.

Crown Prince Naruhito will take the throne on May 1, succeeding Emperor Akihito and ushering in a new imperial era known as the Reiwa era.

The Suspect in the New Zealand Mosque Massacre Will Face 89 Charges of Murder and Attempted Murder

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 01:00 AM PDT

(WELLINGTON, New Zealand) — The man accused of carrying out the Christchurch mosque attacks will face 50 murder charges and 39 attempted murder charges when he makes his second court appearance, New Zealand police said Thursday.

Police had earlier filed a single, representative murder charge against 28-year-old Australian Brenton Harrison Tarrant. He is due to appear via video link during a brief hearing on Friday, and won’t be required to enter a plea.

Fifty people died in the March 15 attacks on two mosques and another 50 were injured.

Police said in a brief statement that they were considering filing more charges against Tarrant but couldn’t comment further as the case was before the court.

Tarrant’s first appearance was on the day after the attacks in the Christchurch District Court. His case has now been moved to the High Court due to the seriousness of the charges. Tarrant has reportedly been moved to a high-security prison in Auckland, which is why he’ll appear via video link.

During the scheduled court hearing, media photographs won’t be allowed and reporting on the proceedings will be severely restricted under New Zealand law. The intent of the law is to avoid the possibility the reporting and images would taint the views of potential jurors before they hear evidence in court.

Judge Cameron Mander said in a note that the brief hearing will mainly be about the accused gunman’s legal representation.

Tarrant earlier dismissed lawyer Richard Peters, who was assigned to represent him during his district court appearance. Peters said Tarrant told him that he wants to represent himself. Many worry that Tarrant will try to use his trial as a soapbox to push his white supremacist views.

The judge said he had received applications from 25 media organizations to take film, photographs or audio recordings of Friday’s hearing but had denied all of them. He said reporters could remain throughout and take notes, although would be restricted in what they could report.

He said media could still use pixelated images of Tarrant which the district court judge had allowed. The pixilation obscured his face.

Retired law professor Bill Hodge said the idea behind obscuring his image was that the prosecution might need a witness to be sure he saw the gunman at the mosque rather than recognizing him from media stories.

Hodge said New Zealand and Australia were trying to preserve the ancient common-law approach to a fair trial, but that it seemed quaint in an era where people could easily find more information or images on the internet.

New Zealand’s Department of Corrections said in an email they wouldn’t answer questions such as where Tarrant was being held due to operational security reasons. They said that despite some restrictions, he was being managed in accordance with New Zealand and international laws regarding the treatment of prisoners.

“At this time, he has no access to television, radio or newspapers and no approved visitors,” the department said.

Kim Jong Un Just Visited His Father’s Birthplace. That Could Be a Sign That He’s Up to Something

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:39 AM PDT

Kim Jong Un has visited his father’s birthplace, something he traditionally does before making big decisions, the Korea Times reported on Thursday.

The North Korean leader traveled to Samjiyon County, in the northern part of the country bordering China, according to the Times. Kim’s father, Kim Jong Il, is said to have been born in the county, which is near Mount Paektu, the highest point on the Korean Peninsula.

The younger dictator visited the area before major developments in recent years, leading some to wonder if a major development may be coming.

His visit in November 2013 came about a month before the execution of his uncle and apparent political rival Jang Song Thaek. He paid another visit in late 2014, just a few months before announcing his intention to hold a summit with South Korea.

He also visited after his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore, and before his third summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, says the Times.

Read More: Meet Howard X, the Dictator Doppelgänger From Hong Kong

Kim has pushed for development of Samjiyon County, and he made his latest visit under the guise of an inspection “to learn about how the construction is now underway,” the north’s Korean Central News Agency reportedly said.

The latest trip comes before the pariah state holds the first session of its Supreme People’s Assembly on Apr. 11, where Kim is expected to announce his domestic and foreign policy plans and appoint several new officials.

Kim said in mid-March that he was considering ending nuclear talks with the U.S. and resuming nuclear and missile testing. The remarks came just a few weeks after Trump and Kim’s second second summit in Hanoi ended abruptly without an agreement.

Japan Says the Name of Its New Imperial Era Means ‘Beautiful Harmony’ Not ‘Command’

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 09:43 PM PDT

Japan’s Foreign Ministry says that Reiwa, the name of the country’s new imperial era, means “beautiful harmony” and not “command” or “order” as many have suggested.

“We felt the need to let the world know that nobody (in the government) thinks like that,” Hiroatsu Satake, a foreign ministry official, told the Japan Times after a controversy broke out over the name announced earlier this week.

Social media users were quick to point out that while the second character could be translated as “peace,” the first, rei, had the opposite connotation, suggesting strict command or control.

Militarism is a sensitive topic in Japan, which passed reforms in 2015 to expand the role of its defense forces despite vehement protests inside and outside the legislature.

“If you look up [rei] in dictionaries, I believe a meaning like this does show up, but it has multiple other meanings too,” Satake told the Times, referring to the lesser known interpretation of rei as “good” or “beautiful.”

The names of imperial eras, called gengo, are widely used in Japan and feature on currency and official documents.

The country’s chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said earlier that the name Reiwa was inspired by the 7th century poetry collection Manyoshu, where rei appears in the word reigetsu—an auspicious month—in a poem that describes an early spring breeze.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe elaborated on the name in a statement: “In this auspicious month of early spring, the weather is fine and the wind gentle.”

The Reiwa era will begin on May 1, when Crown Prince Naruhito takes the throne and Emperor Akihito steps down, marking the end of his 30-year Heisei era.

In India’s Upcoming Elections, Bollywood Wages a Battle for Hearts and Minds

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 08:55 PM PDT

In a recently released trailer for PM Narendra Modi, a biopic of the Indian prime minister, actor Vivek Oberoi, playing the Indian leader, stares angrily into the camera and declares: “I am a warning Pakistan: if you dare raise your hand against us again, we will chop it off.”

That would be inflammatory at the best of times, but this comes just weeks after tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors escalated to alarming levels, following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on Feb. 14 that killed 40 Indian military personnel. It was purportedly carried out by the same Pakistan-based terrorist outfit responsible for a 2016 attack on an Indian Army brigade that killed 17.

The 2016 attack (and a subsequent retaliatory operation by India) was the subject of its own Bollywood release on Jan. 11, Uri: The Surgical Strike, which also featured a fictionalized portrayal of Modi. Such films, coming so soon before India’s general election begins on Apr. 11, have drawn fire from opposition politicians, who say they are little more than propaganda. While PM Narendra Modi, which releases on Apr. 5, has no reported financial ties to Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Oberoi is a staunch Modi supporter, and BJP leaders also attended promotional events for the film.

“They are doing hagiographical portrayals of real-life characters without looking at the subtler nuances of politics,” Namrata Joshi, a film critic with Indian newspaper The Hindu, tells TIME.

Uri, the highest grossing Bollywood film so far in 2019, certainly sparked a wave of jingoism across the country. “How’s the josh?”—a popular exhortation from the film (josh means passion or zeal)—went viral on social media and has been uttered by Modi and other senior ministers at public events. References to the film were also made in the wake of the Kashmir attack, when the cinematic image of Modi as a strong patriarch, able to take on India’s enemies, found resonance among the many who called for stern action against Pakistan.

There have been films attacking Modi’s political enemies as well. The Accidental Prime Minister, released on the same day as Uri, was a damning depiction of the 2004 to 2014 tenure of India’s former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh of the Indian National Congress. It also took a dig at Modi’s primary political rival, current Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who was portrayed as confused and lacking confidence. Unsurprisingly, the film was enthusiastically talked-up by the BJP.

Experts say such films can play a role in changing public perception among India’s large numbers of illiterate adults, who are voracious consumers of television and movies.

Not to be outdone, supporters of opposition leader Gandhi will be flocking to his biopic, My Name is RaGa, which is expected to release sometime in April. The trailer shows the fictionalized Gandhi invoking the memories of his father and grandmother, both former prime ministers and both assassinated, calling them martyrs who gave their lives for the country.

“Bollywood is not just a form of entertainment but also a parallel form of information which serves as a form of visual literacy for people from the lower and lower-middle class,” Rajinder Dudrah, professor of cultural studies at Birmingham University in the U.K., tells TIME.

The movie industry plays such a central role in popular Indian culture that several prominent actors have even found a place in temples, where they are literally idolized and worshiped. Many actors have also parlayed their on-screen reputations into successful, real-life political careers. Some call this a form of exploitation.

“It is all about working the optics and colonizing the minds of the audience,” Shubhra Gupta, a film critic with The Indian Express, tells TIME. “A narrative is being built clearly, smartly and very insidiously.”

Brexit Prompts First Tie Vote in Britain’s House of Commons Since 1993

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 11:05 AM PDT

(LONDON) — A Brexit-related vote in Britain’s House of Commons has ended in a tie, the first time that has happened in a quarter-century.

In an illustration of politicians’ deadlock over Britain’s exit from the European Union, Wednesday’s vote ended in a 310-310 draw.

Under Parliament’s rules, the speaker of the House has tie-breaking power. Speaker John Bercow cast his vote with the noes. He said that was in keeping with the principle that “it is not for the chair to create a majority that otherwise doesn’t exist.”

The result means lawmakers have rejected the idea of holding a third day of voting on alternative Brexit options Monday.

Bercow says the last time a vote in the Commons ended in a tie was in 1993.

Polish Priest Apologizes After Publicly Burning Harry Potter Books

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 09:10 AM PDT

(WARSAW, Poland) — A priest in northern Poland who led a public burning of books that included titles from the “Harry Potter” series and other items parishioners wanted destroyed has apologized, saying the ritual was not intended to condemn specific authors, religions or social groups.

The Rev. Rafal Jarosiewicz called the burning of objects thought to be connected to magic and the occult, and deemed by their owners to be an evil force, “unfortunate.” He published the apology late Tuesday on the Facebook page of a foundation he founded.

Jarosiewicz and other priests have drawn criticism for burning books, Buddhist figurines, an African mask, and other items Sunday outside a Catholic church in the city of Gdansk. They said they encouraged parishioners to bring in things that disturbed them so the priests could do away with bad influences.

Jarosiewicz was fined by city guards. An anti-smog group also contacted prosecutors about the illegal burning of waste in an open fire.

Images from the burning at the Parish of Our Lady Mother of the Church and St. Catherine of Sweden were posted on the SMS z Nieba (SMS from Heaven) foundation, which uses unconventional means to carry out religious work across Poland.

In the pictures, flames are consuming an African wooden mask, a small Buddhist figure, figurines of elephants and books on personality, magic and from J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series. Some Catholic faithful and priests think the “Harry Potter” books promote sorcery.

The book-burning attracted attention as Poland’s influential Catholic Church is grappling with revelations about the scale of child sex abuse allegedly committed by pedophile priests.

Last month, the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference, the Episcopal Conference of Poland, said it had recorded cases of 382 clergymen who have abused 625 minors since 1990.

Prosecutors in the eastern town of Zamosc said Wednesday they plan to send an indictment to the regional court charging a priest in his 30s who is accused of recording video of girls and women while they were in public changing rooms and toilets.

Prosecutor Artur Szykula told The Associated Press the priest admitted wrongdoing.

The priest was caught in August in Croatia while recording a girl in a changing room. That case is to be heard by a court in Split, Croatia, Szykula said.

Theresa May Meets With Opposition Party Leader in Attempt to End Brexit Impasse

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 08:18 AM PDT

(LONDON) — Britain’s Brexit drama went into overtime Wednesday as Prime Minister Theresa May and the country’s main opposition sought a compromise deal to prevent an abrupt British departure from the European Union at the end of next week.

In an about-face that left pro-Brexit members of May’s Conservative Party howling with outrage, May sought to forge an agreement with left-wing Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn after failing three times to win Parliament’s backing for her Brexit deal.

May also said she would ask the EU for a further delay to Britain’s departure date — postponed once already — to avert a chaotic and economically damaging no-deal Brexit on April 12.

“The country needs a solution, the country deserves a solution, and that’s what I’m working to find,” May told lawmakers before meeting with Corbyn for about two hours.

Afterward, both the government and Labour called the meeting “constructive” and said their teams would hold more in-depth talks Thursday.

May’s office said both sides had shown “flexibility and a commitment to bring the current Brexit uncertainty to a close.”

Corbyn, more muted, said “the meeting was useful but inconclusive.”

“There hasn’t been as much change as I expected,” he said.

May’s change of direction left her caught between angry Conservatives who accuse her of throwing away Brexit, and Labour opponents mistrustful of her sudden change of heart.

Labour lawmaker Paul Sweeney said May’s outreach to his party “shows the desperation that she’s in.” He said May wanted Labour “to bail her out of a position she’s dug herself in.”

Pro-Brexit Conservatives, meanwhile, expressed outrage. Two junior ministers quit, and other lawmakers angrily accused May of putting the socialist Corbyn in the Brexit driver’s seat.

Her cross-party talks — after almost three years of seeking to push through her own version of a Brexit divorce deal — came amid EU warnings that a damaging withdrawal without a plan was growing more likely by the day.

After lawmakers three times rejected an agreement struck between the bloc and May late last year, the leaders of the EU’s 27 remaining countries postponed the original March 29 Brexit date and gave the U.K. until April 12 approve the divorce deal or come up with a new one.

So far the House of Commons has failed to find a majority for any alternative plan.

“A no deal on 12 April at midnight looks more and more likely,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday, adding that would bring disruption for EU citizens and businesses, but much worse economic damage for Britain.

EU Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said a “no-deal” Brexit would mean long lines at borders and paperwork headaches for customs checks on the 11,000 vehicles entering and leaving Britain each day.

“I prefer strict controls at the price of a few lines of trucks to a health crisis or illegal trafficking,” he said. “The security of Europeans will be our top priority.”

May’s pivot toward Labour points Britain toward a softer Brexit than the one she has championed since British voters decided in June 2016 to leave the EU. Labour wants the U.K. to remain in the EU’s customs union — a trading area that sets common tariffs on goods coming into the bloc while allowing free trade in goods moving between member states.

May has always ruled that out, saying it would limit Britain’s ability to forge an independent trade policy.

May’s decision to negotiate with Corbyn is risky for both the Conservatives and Labour, and could widen divisions over Brexit that run through both parties.

Labour is formally committed to enacting the voters’ decision to leave the EU, but many of the party’s lawmakers want a new referendum that could keep Britain in the bloc. They will be angry if the party actively helps bring about the U.K.’s departure.

Meanwhile, May’s move infuriated pro-Brexit Conservatives who say Britain must make a clean break with the EU in order to take control of its laws and trade policy.

Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Brexit “is becoming soft to the point of disintegration.” Ex-Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said he was “absolutely appalled” by May’s talks with Corbyn.

Junior Wales Minister Nigel Adams quit his post, criticizing May for seeking a deal with “a Marxist who has never once in his political life out British interests first” — a reference to the left-wing Corbyn.

He was followed by junior Brexit minister Chris Heaton-Harris, who said in his resignation letter that the government “should have honored the result of the 2016 referendum” and left the EU on March 29.

Meanwhile, pro-EU lawmakers were not banking on talks between May and Corbyn succeeding.

They sought a legal lock to ensure May could not go back on her promise to seek a delay to Brexit rather than let Britain tumble out of the bloc.

A bill being debated Wednesday would compel May to seek to extend the Brexit process beyond April 12 in order to prevent a no-deal departure. Its backers hope to push the bill through into law before May attends an April 10 summit in Brussels where EU leaders expect to hear details of Britain’s new Brexit plan.

EU leaders, weary of the whole Brexit circus, gave a cautious welcome to May’s attempt at rapprochement.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would work “until the last hour” to secure an orderly Brexit, but stressed that “these solutions have to be reached above all in Britain itself.”

Britain’s televised political melodrama over Brexit — with its weeks of passionate debates, narrow votes and seemingly endless crises — has left EU leaders exasperated, but also fascinated.

The EU’s Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt, joked that “the sessions in the House of Commons have become more popular than the matches in the Premier League.”

“The trouble is that it is always a draw in the House of Commons,” he said.

Ethiopian Airlines Pilots Followed Protocol During Boeing 737 MAX Crash: Source

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 07:16 AM PDT

(Bloomberg) — Pilots on the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed last month followed protocol set by planemaker Boeing Co. to manually disable an automated anti-stall system as they tried to save the Boeing Co. 737 Max jet, a person familiar with the situation said.

The Manuevering Characteristics Augmentation System turned itself on numerous times during the short flight, the person said. MCAS, which is programmed to push down a plane’s nose to help prevent aerodynamic stalls in some situations, is a focus of concern by regulators and lawmakers after 346 people died in crashes of Boeing’s newest version of the 737 flown by Ethiopian and Lion Air less than five months apart.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the pilots on the deadly flight initially followed the emergency procedures laid out by Boeing, cutting power to electric motors driven by the automated system. The newspaper said pilots turned electric power back on after cranking a manual wheel that turned the same movable surfaces on the plane’s tail that MCAs had affected.

A Boeing representative in Singapore said she wasn’t able to comment, adding that the accident is under investigation and questions should be directed to the investigators in charge. An Ethiopian transport ministry spokesman didn’t respond to requests for comment.

A preliminary report into the Ethiopian Airlines crash is nearing release but the exact timing is uncertain. The two disasters have rocked the credibility of Boeing as well as U.S. regulators who approved the new plane. Regulators around the world grounded the 737 Max, Boeing’s fastest-selling plane ever, before the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority followed suit.

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 02:14 AM PDT

World News Updates, World News, Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs, World News Updates


Missing boy mystery SOLVED? Teenager tells police he’s lad who vanished seven years ago

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 01:19 AM PDT



A FOURTEEN-year-old boy has been found wandering the streets in Cincinnati, Ohio, and he claims he is the missing Timmothy Pitzen who vanished seven years ago.

Hugh Masekela: Who was 'father of South African jazz' celebrated in today's Google Doodle?

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 01:02 AM PDT



GOOGLE is honouring Hugh Masekela today with a doodle of him on its search bar. But who is Hugh Masekela and why does Google have a doodle of him?

EU facing election CRISIS: Farage to give EU massive HEADACHE over Brexit delay

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:40 AM PDT



THE European Union faces a potentially defining month in May as the bloc holds parliamentary elections overshadowed by a lengthy Brexit delay, rampant eurosceptics and a clash over its most senior job.

Garden of Eden FOUND? How archaeologist discovered ‘true location’ after Jerusalem find

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:58 AM PDT



THE Garden of Eden's location may have finally been found thanks to a discovery by an archaeologist in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, a documentary claimed.

Conor McGregor vs Khabib: Angry UFC pros condemn feud - ‘Integrity? Respect? HONOUR!’

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 09:57 PM PDT



FURIOUS mixed martial arts fighters have hit out at warring stars of the sport Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmangomedov as their feud continued to erupt on Twitter.

Conor McGregor and Khabib row: UFC boss Dana White reacts with FURY - 'unacceptable'

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 09:43 PM PDT



CONOR MCGREGOR's Twitter exchange with Khabib Nurmagomedov has forced UFC chairman Dana White to release a statement calling for the pair to end their feud.

New Zealand terror: Australian accused of Christchurch massacre to face 50 murder charges

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 08:54 PM PDT



THE man accused of gunning down and killing 50 Muslim worshippers in two attacks on mosques in Christchurch will face dozens of murder charges as he appears in court on Friday.

South China Sea: US warship spotted with HUGE number of F-35 fighter jets as tensions boil

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 08:21 PM PDT



SOUTH China Sea tensions surged after a US Navy warship was spotted carrying twice the amount of fighter jets than usual.

REVEALED: What the public really think of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner according to poll

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 08:01 PM PDT



IVANKA TRUMP and her husband Jared Kushner have been branded "negative" and "creepy" respectively, according to a new poll.

US issues warning to Turkey over Syria invasion amid Middle East tensions - ‘DEVASTATING’

Posted: 03 Apr 2019 07:08 PM PDT



MIKE POMPEO issued a stark warning to Turkey against any military in Syria after meeting the country's foreign minister.

Telangana challenge: With 185 candidates in fray, Election Commission in race against time for EVMs

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Telangana challenge: With 185 candidates in fray, Election Commission in race against time for EVMs
The EC has made it clear that there would no postponement and pointed out that it would set a new record in the country for using the largest number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Source: TFE

Now, services slowdown too; sector output growth at six-month low in Mar: PMI

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Now, services slowdown too; sector output growth at six-month low in Mar: PMI
The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Services Business Activity Index fell to 52 in March from 52.5 in February, indicating the slowest expansion since last September.

Source: TFE

China outlines fresh tax cuts to lift economy

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

China outlines fresh tax cuts to lift economy
China has unveiled tens of billions of dollars worth of tax and fee cuts as part of a drive to kickstart the stuttering economy, extending pledges worth USD 300 billion announced last month.

Source: TFE

PDP leader’s nephew joins Hizbul Mujahideen, had left home 20 days ago

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

PDP leader's nephew joins Hizbul Mujahideen, had left home 20 days ago
The development comes two months after Baramulla in North Kashmir was declared 'militant-free' by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in January 2019 post the killing of three militants in the district.

Source: TFE

Donald Trump slams India for 100% tariffs on US products; says it is among highest taxing nations

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Donald Trump slams India for 100% tariffs on US products; says it is among highest taxing nations
Early this year, at a White House event to announce his support for reciprocal tax, Trump had said he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent

Source: TFE

Trade war: US sets 2025 target for China to fulfill trade pledges

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Trade war: US sets 2025 target for China to fulfill trade pledges
The goal over the next few days is to strike an agreement on the core issues so President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping can hold a ceremony to sign a deal. Trump plans to meet Liu at the White House Thursday.

Source: TFE

Will get a chowkidar from Nepal, need a Prime Minister: Ajit Singh

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Will get a chowkidar from Nepal, need a Prime Minister: Ajit Singh
Ajit Singh's party RLD is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in an alliance with the BSP and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh. As per the seat-sharing agreement, the RLD is contesting from three seats.

Source: TFE

RBI Monetary Policy LIVE: Growth on mind, inflation takes backseat as MPC slashes repo rate again

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

RBI Monetary Policy LIVE: Growth on mind, inflation takes backseat as MPC slashes repo rate again
This is the second straight repo rate cut by RBI. Notably, 'growth' has featured again in the Monetary Policy Review statement as one of the objectives behind the policy decision.

Source: TFE

Haven’t given up our demands: Bimal Gurung on BJP, TMC dismissing Gorkhaland as poll issue

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Haven't given up our demands: Bimal Gurung on BJP, TMC dismissing Gorkhaland as poll issue
Gorkha Janamukti Morcha leader Bimal Gurung, who is currently in hiding, has asserted that the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state is "still alive" in the Darjeeling Hills and that he continues to be the president of the party.

Source: TFE

RBI Monetary Policy meet: Second repo rate cut in a row coming today

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

RBI Monetary Policy meet: Second repo rate cut in a row coming today
With inflation below the RBI's 4 per cent medium-term target, the six-member MPC headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das will probably reduce the repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 6 per cent on Thursday.

Source: TFE

Mukesh Ambani’s Rs 700 crore AI bet: Reliance Jio buys chatbot startup Haptik; check cool things it can do

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Mukesh Ambani's Rs 700 crore AI bet: Reliance Jio buys chatbot startup Haptik; check cool things it can do
In a bid to consolidate its position further in the digital space, billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio has announced that it will pick up about 87% stake in AI Chatbot startup Haptik. We take a closer look.

Source: TFE

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad visit, tribals says chasing away elephants more important than welcoming Congress president

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi's Wayanad visit, tribals says chasing away elephants more important than welcoming Congress president
To take on Gandhi, while LDF has fielded CPI candidate P P Suneer from the seat, Thushar Vellapally of the BDJS is the NDA candidate.

Source: TFE

IPL 2019 MI vs CSK: Last seven months weren’t easy, says Hardik Pandya after match-winning performance

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

IPL 2019 MI vs CSK: Last seven months weren't easy, says Hardik Pandya after match-winning performance
IPL 2019 MI vs CSK: Hardik Pandya smashed an eight-ball 25 and then picked up three wickets against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings.

Source: TFE

Rupee 25 paise down to 68.66 against dollar ahead of RBI policy outcome

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Rupee 25 paise down to 68.66 against dollar ahead of RBI policy outcome
At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee opened on a weak note at 68.56 then fell further to 68.66 against the US dollar, showing a decline of 25 paise over its previous closing.

Source: TFE

Rupee slips 25 paise to 68.66 vs USD in early trade ahead of RBI policy outcome

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

Rupee slips 25 paise to 68.66 vs USD in early trade ahead of RBI policy outcome
The rupee depreciated by 25 paise to 68.66 against the US dollar in early trade Thursday ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's policy decision and foreign fund outflows.

Source: TFE

How Delhi Police played a prank on April Fool’s Day to nab wanted ATM thief

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:06 AM PDT

How Delhi Police played a prank on April Fool's Day to nab wanted ATM thief
Acting on specific information, cops dressed up as villagers to appear like members of another Mewati gang to nab a wanted ATM thief from Uttam Nagar on April 1.

Source: TFE

Rs 1.80 crore cash seized from BJP candidate's son, ex-MLA in Arunachal Pradesh

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

Rs 1.80 crore cash seized from BJP candidate's son, ex-MLA in Arunachal Pradesh
The money was seized from two vehicles parked at a government guest house in East Siang district's Pasighat town.

Source: DI

With Rs 1.21 cr, BJP tops political advertisers chart on Google; Congress ranked 6th

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

With Rs 1.21 cr, BJP tops political advertisers chart on Google; Congress ranked 6th
According to Google's Indian Transparency Report, released on Thursday, political parties and their affiliates have spent Rs 3.76 crore on advertisements since February 19, 2019.

Source: DI

West Bengal: Day after PM Modi's rally, body of 42-year-old man found hanging in BJP booth office in Siliguri

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

West Bengal: Day after PM Modi's rally, body of 42-year-old man found hanging in BJP booth office in Siliguri
The deceased has been identified as Nitya Mandal who worked as a labourer.

Source: DI

Gorkhaland demand alive in hills, remains an election issue in Darjeeling LS: Bimal Gurung

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

Gorkhaland demand alive in hills, remains an election issue in Darjeeling LS: Bimal Gurung
Gurung's assertion comes in the face of claims by main political parties in the region - the BJP and the TMC - that the statehood demand is not a political issue in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Source: DI

Lok Sabha polls: BJP names candidates to take on Sonia, Mulayam and Akhilesh

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

Lok Sabha polls: BJP names candidates to take on Sonia, Mulayam and Akhilesh
BJP has fielded local strongman Dinesh Pratap Singh against Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli.

Source: DI

UP CM Yogi Adityanath gets EC showcause notice for 'Modiji ki sena' remark

Posted: 04 Apr 2019 12:05 AM PDT

UP CM Yogi Adityanath gets EC showcause notice for 'Modiji ki sena' remark
The Election Commission is learnt to have issued a showcause notice to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his 'Modi ji ki sena' remark made during a poll rally at Ghaziabad earlier this week.

Source: DI

0 comments :

Post a Comment