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Fresh news

Visa lottery winners feel cheated by Trump's visa ban
Noha, an Egyptian engineer, should feel lucky after winning a visa lottery that randomly selects people from a pool of more than 14 million applications for about 55,000 green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States. The State Department says no exceptions are made for those who do not yet have one in hand.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:48:21 GMT

US tries to seize Iranian gas heading toward Venezuela
U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking to seize four tankers sailing toward Venezuela with gasoline supplied by Iran, the latest attempt to disrupt ever-closer trade ties between the two heavily sanctioned anti-American allies. The civil-forfeiture complaint filed late Wednesday in the District of Columbia federal court alleges that the sale was arranged by a businessman, Mahmoud Madanipour, with ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. “The profits from these activities support the IRGC’s full range of nefarious activities, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, support for terrorism, and a variety of human rights abuses, at home and abroad,” prosecutor Zia Faruqui alleges in the complaint.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:46:15 GMT

Iran agrees to compensate families of victims on downed plane, says Swedish official
A Ukrainian Boeing 737 was struck by two missiles after take-off from Tehran. Iran initially denied shooting down the plane.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:41:00 GMT

Iran agrees to compensate families of victims on downed plane, says Swedish official
Sweden said Thursday that Iran has agreed to compensate the families of victims who were killed when a Ukrainian airliner was shot down by Iranian forces outside Tehran in January. Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde said the agreement had been clinched following negotiations between Iran and the countries with citizens among the victims. "We have signed an agreement of mutual understanding that we will now negotiate with Iran about amends, compensation to the victims' next of kin," Linde told the Swedish news agency TT.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:41:00 GMT

How to manage plant pests and diseases in your victory garden
Home gardening is having a boom year across the U.S. Whether they’re growing their own food in response to pandemic shortages or just looking for a diversion, numerous aspiring gardeners have constructed their first raised beds, and seeds are flying off suppliers’ shelves. Now that gardens are largely planted, much of the work for the next several months revolves around keeping them healthy.Contrary to the Biblical adage, we do not necessarily reap what we sow. As researchers specializing in plant pathology and entomology, we have devoted our careers to understanding and managing plant pests and pathogens. We are also gardeners with varying levels of experience and have seen firsthand the damage these insects and disease-causing agents can inflict.Plant health is essential for seeing your garden succeed all the way to harvest. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health to help bring needed attention to pests and diseases that threaten global food production. Thousands of pests and pathogens are known to target commercial crops, but a few usual suspects are routinely responsible for havoc in gardens across the U.S. Although each organism’s preferences vary, a few common tactics can help you detect them and protect your plants. Start with preventionJust as preventive steps like maintaining a balanced diet help keep humans healthy, home growers can take many actions to help their gardens thrive.One key step is assessing soil fertility – the ability of soil to sustain plant growth – which can vary widely depending on your location and soil type. Low soil fertility limits food production and predisposes plants to disease and pests. University extension soil testing labs can help evaluate the quality of garden soil and identify nutrient deficiencies and acidic soils, often at no charge.Suppressing weeds, either through mulching or weeding by hand each week, increases air flow and reduces humidity around garden plants, making it harder for pests and pathogens to thrive. Weed control ensures that nutrients are available for the plants you want to grow.Proper spacing between plants is also important. Crowding can contribute to disease and pest outbreaks, so check and follow recommendations on seed packs or online as you add and move plants throughout the season. You can always cull plants after they come up to help with spacing. In small gardens, fewer plants that are properly supported can produce a bigger harvest than many overcrowded plants. [You’re smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversation’s authors and editors. You can get our highlights each weekend.]And then there’s the weather. Frost, hail, drought and flooding all pose unique risks to plants. Inconsistent rainfall can kill thirsty plants more quickly than infertile soils. Both too little and too much water will stress plants and can make them more vulnerable to severe pest and pathogen outbreaks.A general rule of thumb is to follow a consistent daily watering regimen – preferably first thing in the morning – and to avoid over-watering, which can encourage root pathogens in soil. Diagnosing problemsCommon plant pathogens include viruses, bacteria, nematodes, oomycetes and fungi. All of these microorganisms, especially at an early stage of infection, are too small to see. But when they proliferate, they cause changes in plants that we can recognize. Unlike insects, which move around on six legs or on wings through the air, pathogens can move unseen and unchecked from leaf to leaf on the wind, through the soil or in droplets of water. Some microbes have even formed intimate relationships with insects and use them as vehicles to move from plant to plant, which makes these pathogens even more challenging to manage. Unfortunately, by the time some pathogens make their presence known, the damage is already done.We recently conducted a Twitter poll of gardeners nationwide to find out which culprits plagued their gardens. People named aphids, squash vine borers, squash bugs and flea beetles as the most problematic insect pests. Their most troublesome pathogens included powdery mildew, tomato bacterial wilt and cucurbit downy mildew. To manage such perennial challenges, the first step is to spend time closely looking at your plants. Do you notice any insects consistently hanging around, or molds colonizing leaves or other plant parts? How about symptoms such as blight, stunting, or leaves that are yellowing, browning or wilting? There are countless resources online for keen-eyed and curious gardeners looking to identify and manage pests and diseases. Try uploading a photo to the iNaturalist app or a Facebook gardeners group that can offer a community-sourced ID. Plant disease clinics in your state will also diagnose plant damage from diseases and pests for free or at low cost.Once you’ve identified a problem serious enough to intervene, the land grant extension system can provide solutions. Extension programs at land grant schools like West Virginia University and Penn State University offer critical information on agriculture and management of pests and diseases in multiple languages for commercial and home growers. Their resources include information on safe and proper use of pesticides as part of integrated pest management strategies. This approach employs pesticides in a targeted way along with non-chemical control methods and cultural practices, such as choosing native plants. Our professional societies, including the American Phytopathological Society, also offer a compendium series to help users diagnose and treat pests and diseases.Those who are serious about learning and sharing their experience with others may want to consider Master Gardener programs, which train and certify community members on the latest evidence-based gardening techniques, tailored to their growing area. Master Gardeners pay it forward by training new Master Gardeners and answering questions for any gardener.Plant pests are a daily reminder that gardens do not exist in a vacuum, and gardeners shouldn’t struggle alone either. Joining the gardening community takes attentiveness and time, but we believe the investment required to become an active member of your local gardening community is well worth it. With experience, the nervous tightrope act of keeping pests at bay and food on the table becomes a delicate dance that can help us appreciate where our food comes from – and ultimately, our place in the global ecosystem.This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts.Read more: * The impulse to garden in hard times has deep roots * City compost programs turn garbage into ‘black gold’ that boosts food security and social justiceMatt Kasson receives funding from USDA and The Ohrstrom Foundation. Carolee Bull receives funding from the USDA and from the mushroom industry, and matching funds from seed companies for her research projects. Brian Lovett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:27:39 GMT

Putin's power play paves the way for 16 more years — but not without challenges
The coronavirus pandemic and Russia’s stagnating economy are among the challenges facing President Vladimir Putin after a controversial national referendum that paved the way for him to stay in power until 2036, experts have warned. Putin thanked Russian voters for their “support and trust” Thursday after election officials confirmed almost 78 percent of the voters backed the constitutional amendments, one of which will see presidential term limits reset, allowing Putin to run for the job again in 2024 and in 2030 if he so chooses. The Russian leader nonetheless “faces a number of challenges, some of which are pretty fundamental,” Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, told NBC News.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:18:51 GMT

New mass grave unearthed in Iraq's north from brutal IS rule

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:17:13 GMT

Sweden: Iran to compensate Ukraine plane crash victims
Iran has agreed to compensate the families’ of the foreign victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane that was shot down by Iranian forces outside Tehran in January, Sweden’s foreign minister said on Thursday. “We have signed an agreement of mutual understanding that we will now negotiate together with Iran about amends, compensation to the victims’ next of kin,” Foreign Minister Ann Linde told Swedish news agency TT. Iran had denied for days its involvement in the plane crash but then announced that its military had mistakenly and unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian jetliner, a Boeing 737 operated by Ukrainian International Airlines.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:14:31 GMT

Robert E. Lee statue becomes epicenter of protest movement
Just a little over a month ago, the area around Richmond's iconic statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was as quiet and sedate as the statue itself. The giant concrete pedestal of the statue is now covered by colorful graffiti, with many of the hand-painted messages denouncing police and demanding an end to systemic racism and inequality. Clashes between police and protesters gathered near the statue have become a regular occurrence.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:55:38 GMT

Malawi country profile
Provides overview, key facts and events, timelines and leader profiles along with current news about Malawi

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:33:33 GMT

Family of Palestinian slain by police sees probe dragging on
The family of a Palestinian man with autism who was fatally shot by Israeli police said on Thursday that it took a month for authorities to confirm the existence of security-camera footage of the shooting. The existence of the footage had been in question throughout an investigation that the family says has been painfully slow. Rights groups say Israel has a poor record of investigating and prosecuting police violence against Palestinians.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:23:00 GMT

INSIGHT-Coronavirus and sanctions hit Iran’s support of proxies in Iraq

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:15:39 GMT

Mauritius country profile
Provides an overview of Mauritius, including key events and facts about this ethnically diverse Indian Ocean island nation

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:09:30 GMT

Not so random acts: Science finds that being kind pays off
Acts of kindness may not be that random after all. Science says being kind pays off. Kindness “is as bred in our bones as our anger or our lust or our grief or as our desire for revenge,” said University of California San Diego psychologist Michael McCullough, author of the forthcoming book “Kindness of Strangers.”

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:08:20 GMT

E-waste levels surge 20 percent in 5 years: UN
Humans discarded more than 50 million tonnes of electronic waste last year -- an increase of 20 percent in just five years -- making tech refuse the world's fastest growing waste problem, the United Nations said Thursday. In its annual report on e-waste -- tossed away smartphones, computers, white goods and electronic car parts -- the UN said that materials worth more than billion (50 billion euros) were being wasted every year. In 2019 only 17 percent of the year's 53 million tonnes of e-waste was recycled, with the rest ending up in scrapheaps or landfill.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:07:21 GMT

Merkel says EU must agree on recovery fund, finances in summer

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:05:47 GMT

Next six months will be crucial for EU, Commission president says

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:58:42 GMT

Putin triumphant as critics slam vote extending his rule
President Vladimir Putin thanked Russians on Thursday for voting in favour of controversial amendments to the constitution that could extend his grip on power, as the opposition and Western leaders voiced criticism over suspected poll violations. Russia's Central Elections Commission announced early Thursday that nearly 78 percent of voters had cast their ballot in favour of the changes to the constitution that could see Putin, 67, remain in power until 2036. "Thank you very much for your support and trust," Putin said in televised remarks during which he also warned that modern Russia was still in the process of being formed.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:24:25 GMT

Hospital Stretchers Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025)
The global hospital stretchers market is expected to witness a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. The primary driving factors for the growth of the market are technological advancements in hospital stretchers coupled with the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and hospitalization. According to World Population Ageing - the United Nations, the global population aged more than 60 and above were estimated 962 million in 2017 and it is more than twice compared to 1980. The rapid increasing older population around the world is increasing the demand for more number of hospital and hospital equipment further increasing the demand for hospital stretchers. Increasing investment in infrastructure in healthcare systems by the government and healthcare providers in developing and developed countries anticipated to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Moreover, technological advancements and the advent of specialized stretchers for better healthcare is expected to boost the market growth. However, the high cost of specialized stretchers and increasing demand for home healthcare is expected to impede the market growth.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05917989/?utm_source=PRN Key Market TrendsBariatric Stretchers to Grow at Significant Rate- Bariatric stretchers are used in the transportation of patients in difficult areas. These stretchers have wider frames, oversized wheels, winch attachments and pull and push handles for safe transportation. These type of stretchers are used mostly for the transportation of obese patients.- Increasing prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases leading to hospitalization is increasing the demand for bariatric stretchers. According to the World Health Organization's 2016 report, approximately 13% of the world's population can be characterized as obese. Moreover, predictions state that these numbers are likely to increase exponentially in the near future.- Motorized stretchers are projected to have ample growth rate owing to the increasing investment in hospital infrastructure and advancements in motorized stretchers to improve patient care in hospitals.- Moreover, the growing number of hospitals and healthcare providers around the world due to the increasing disease burden is anticipated to boost the overall market growth over the forecast period.North America is Expected to have Significant Market ShareNorth America region is anticipated to have significant market share owing to well established healthcare infrastructure, a growing number of obese people and high investments in hospital infrastructure. The increasing prevalence of the chronic disease, favourable healthcare policies in the region are fueling the regional growth. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at notable growth rate owing to developing healthcare infrastructure couple with a growing prevalence of chronic diseases in the region. There is a significant gap in underdeveloped and developing countries of the region where market players are interested in expanding to gain the market advantage.Competitive LandscapeGlobal hospital stretchers market is moderately fragmented and competitive with local and international players. Market players are focusing on product innovations, new product launches and regional expansions to increase their market share. The key market players operating in the market include Stryker Corporation, Hill Rom Holdings, Gendron Inc., Invacare Corporation and Medline Industries Inc. among others.Reasons to Purchase this report:- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format- 3 months of analyst supportRead the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05917989/?utm_source=PRN About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:20:00 GMT

Hachalu Hundessa: Ethiopia singer buried amid ethnic unrest
Popular musician Hachalu Hundessa is buried as troops are deployed in the capital to quell tensions.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:16:49 GMT

Study: World's pile of electronic waste grows ever higher
The world's mountain of discarded flat-screen TVs, cellphones and other electronic goods grew to a record high last year, according to an annual report released Thursday. The U.N.-backed study estimated the amount of e-waste that piled up globally in 2019 at 53.6 metric tonnes (59.1 tons) — almost 2 million metric tons more than the previous year.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:10:42 GMT

Michel Barnier blames UK's lack of respect as Brexit talks break up early
Michel Barnier accused British trade negotiators of a lack of respect after Brexit talks ended a day early on Thursday amid "serious divergences" between the UK and the EU. Mr Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, blamed British intransigence and a refusal to engage in negotiations for the lack of progress in this week's round of talks, which had been meant to close on Friday. The EU and UK are divided over fishing rights, the future role of the European Court of Justice, Brussels' demands for "level playing field" guarantees and the governance of the future relationship treaty. "We want a deal but not at any price," said Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, during a press conference with Angela Merkel. The German Chancellor, whose country holds the presidency of the EU, warned the bloc needed to be prepared for a no deal exit. "Our goal was to get negotiations successfully and quickly on a trajectory to reach an agreement," Mr Barnier said. "However, after four days of discussions, serious divergences remain." David Frost, the UK's chief negotiator, said: "The negotiations have been comprehensive and useful. But they have also underlined the significant differences that still remain between us on a number of important issues." Mr Barnier said the EU had "listened carefully" to Boris Johnson during his meeting with three EU presidents earlier this month. The Prime Minister said there could be no obligation on the UK to follow EU law, or for the status quo on fisheries or a role for the EU's top court after the end of the transition period on December 31.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:51:07 GMT

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell arrested
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested by the FBI on Thursday on charges she helped procure underage sex partners for financier Jeffrey Epstein. An indictment made public Thursday said Maxwell, who lived for years with Epstein and was his frequent travel companion on trips around the world, facilitated Epstein’s crimes by "helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse " girls as young as 14. Epstein, 66, killed himself in a federal detention center in New York last summer while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:43:04 GMT

Justices keep hold on secret Russia investigation material
The Supreme Court is denying Congress access to secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation through the November election. The justices agreed on Thursday to hear the Trump administration’s appeal of a lower court order for the material to be turned over to the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Arguments themselves might not even take place before Americans decide whether to give President Donald Trump a second term.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:42:16 GMT

Rights activists say Danes unaware of racism in their nation
Rights activists on Thursday accused Danish officials of being unable to recognize racism after authorities said the killing of a biracial man by two white men was not racially motivated. A biracial man was killed last month on a Danish Baltic Sea island.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:56:46 GMT

UK says significant differences remain on Brexit free trade deal

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:18:27 GMT

Korea’s Endless State of War: How Does It End?
Unless U.S. leaders relinquish their quixotic quest for a nonnuclear North Korea and settle on more achievable objectives—such as limits on the size of a DPRK nuclear arsenal and on the number and range of ballistic missiles—there is almost no hope to overcome the ongoing impasse in negotiations.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:18:00 GMT

Afghan Contractor Handed Out Russian Cash to Kill Americans, Officials Say
KABUL, Afghanistan -- He was a lowly drug smuggler, neighbors and relatives say, then ventured into contracting, seeking a slice of the billions of dollars the U.S.-led coalition was funneling into construction projects in Afghanistan.But he really began to show off his wealth in recent years, after establishing a base in Russia, though how he earned those riches remained mysterious. On his regular trips home to northern Afghanistan, he drove the latest model cars, protected by bodyguards, and his house was recently upgraded to a four-story villa.Now Rahmatullah Azizi stands as a central piece of a puzzle rocking Washington, named in U.S. intelligence reports and confirmed by Afghan officials as a key middleman who for years handed out money from a Russian military intelligence unit to reward Taliban-linked fighters for targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan, according to American and Afghan officials.As security agencies connected the dots of the bounty scheme and narrowed in on him, they carried out sweeping raids to arrest dozens of his relatives and associates about six months ago but discovered that Azizi had sneaked out of Afghanistan and was likely back in Russia. What they did find in one of his homes, in Kabul, was about half a million dollars in cash.American and Afghan officials for years have maintained that Russia was running clandestine operations to undermine the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and aid the Taliban.But U.S. officials only recently concluded that a Russian spy agency was paying bounties for killing coalition troops, including Americans, which the Kremlin and the Taliban have denied.According to officials briefed on the matter, U.S. intelligence officials believe the program is run by Unit 29155, an arm of the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU that has carried out assassinations and other operations overseas.That a conduit for the payments would be someone like Azizi -- tied to the U.S. reconstruction effort, enmeshed in the regional netherworld but not prominent enough to attract outside attention -- speaks to the depth of Russia's reach into the increasingly complicated Afghan battlefield, exploiting a nexus of crime and terror to strike blows with years of deniability.The public revelation last week of that conclusion has touched off a political firestorm in Washington. White House officials said at first that President Donald Trump was never briefed on the matter, but it emerged that the intelligence assessment was included in a written briefing to the president in late February, if not earlier.As Democratic and Republican officials have expressed alarm at the news, and the administration's lack of action in response, the White House has insisted that the information was uncertain.Details of Azizi's role in the bounty scheme were confirmed through a dozen interviews that included U.S. and Afghan officials aware of the intelligence and the raids that led to it; his neighbors and friends; and business associates of the middle men arrested on suspicion of involvement. All spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid retaliation.U.S. intelligence reports named Azizi as a key middleman between the GRU and militants linked to the Taliban who carried out the attacks. He was among those who collected the cash in Russia, which intelligence files described as multiple payments of "hundreds of thousands of dollars." Those files were among the materials provided to Congress this week.Through a layered and complex Hawala system -- an informal way to transfer money -- he delivered it to Afghanistan for the missions, the files say. The transfers were often sliced into smaller amounts that routed through several regional countries before arriving in Afghanistan, associates of the arrested businessmen said.Afghan officials said prizes of as much as 0,000 per killed soldier were offered for American and coalition targets.Just how the money was dispersed to militants carrying out attacks for the Taliban, and at what level the coordination occurred, remains unclear. But officials say the network had grown increasingly ambitious and was in communication with more senior levels in Taliban military ranks to discuss potential targets.About six months ago, Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, raided the offices of several Hawala businessmen both in Kabul, the capital, and in Kunduz, in the north, who were believed to be associated with the bounty scheme, making more than a dozen arrests."The target of the operation was Rahmat, who was going back-and-forth to Russia for a long time and said he worked there, but no one knew what he did," said Safiullah Amiry, deputy head of Kunduz provincial council, referring to Azizi. But by the time the raid took place, "Rahmat had fled.""From what I heard from security officials, the money had come from Russia through Rahmat," he added.Russia was initially seen as cooperating with U.S. efforts after the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, as its interests in defeating al-Qaida, an international Islamic terror group, aligned with those of the United States.But in recent years, as the two powers clashed elsewhere, the Kremlin grew wary of the prolonged U.S. presence and moved closer to the Taliban, hedging its bets on who would take power in a post-American Afghanistan.The Russians also saw an opportunity for long-awaited payback for the Soviet humiliation in Afghanistan in the 1980s, when the Red Army withdrew after being unable to defeat a U.S.-backed insurgency.Russia has walked a fine balance in recent years, eager to bloody the American nose but wary of Afghanistan collapsing into a chaos that could spill over its borders. Publicly, Russia has admitted only to information-sharing with the Taliban in fighting the Islamic State in Afghanistan, a common foe.The U.S. conclusion in 2019 that the Russians were sending bounty money to the Taliban came at a delicate time in the conflict, just as the United States was deep into negotiations with the insurgents over a deal to withdraw the remaining American troops from the country.Some of the attacks believed to be part of the bounty scheme were carried out around the time the Trump administration was actively reaching out to Russia for cooperation on those peace talks. Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy leading the talks, repeatedly met with Russian officials to build consensus around the U.S. endgame.The Afghan battlefield is saturated with smaller terrorist groups in addition to the Taliban, who are still responsible for the majority of the violence. Criminal networks, profiteers and terror training experts also freelance their services -- often to several groups at the same time.Azizi, who neighbors and relatives said is in his 40s, thrived in that convoluted, murky environment.A friend who has known him since his early days in Kunduz, as well as later in Russia, said he had started off with smuggling small shipments of drugs into Iran in his 20s, but that venture was not very successful. He had returned to northern Afghanistan, and somehow won contracts from the U.S.-led coalition forces to build stretches of a couple roads in Kunduz, before making his way to Russia.None of those interviewed who know Azizi were surprised when his associates were raided about six months ago and one of his brothers taken into custody with the half-million dollars in cash. As one of his friends put it, he had gone from "not even having a blanket" to having multiple houses, fancy cars, and security escorts.This article originally appeared in The New York Times.(C) 2020 The New York Times Company

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:11:47 GMT

Slotkin, Former Intelligence Briefer, Presses White House on Russia Reports
WASHINGTON -- From the moment President Donald Trump publicly denied knowledge of intelligence that suggested that Russia had offered bounties for killing American troops in Afghanistan, something seemed off to Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich.Slotkin, a former White House national security aide and intelligence briefer whose tasks included ensuring that previous presidents were made aware of such potentially momentous reports, began calling around to some of her former colleagues from the George W. Bush administration. Check me on this, she said. What would we have done?The answer was clear, Slotkin said in an interview. They would have alerted superiors to make sure the president learned of the assessment."If I had been at the National Security Council under either Bush or Obama, and this had come in, I would have slapped a cover note on top of it, sent it up the chain to the national security adviser and said, 'Sir, I want to flag this,'" Slotkin said. "'There's some conflicting views. But it's important -- I think we should flag it for the president ahead of his calls.'"The emergence of the disturbing reports and Trump's responses -- a combination of denial, claims of ignorance, and attacks on leakers and the news media -- have raised broader questions about how the president and his White House handle intelligence matters. And based on her personal experience, Slotkin has taken a lead role in demanding answers.Slotkin, 43, is a first-term member of the House, where she is one of a tight-knit circle of moderate female lawmakers with deep experience on national security and was part of a small group of Democrats who went to the White House this week to be briefed about the Russian bounties.More than a decade ago she was a young analyst at the CIA, where Slotkin described her role as being a "human sifter" of the most important intelligence information filtering in about Iraq.After her team's daily 6:15 a.m. briefing, she would comb through new intelligence and foreign media reports and State Department cables to see what needed further examination and what needed to reach Bush in the memo she wrote every night. At times during her intelligence career, she would personally provide briefings to Bush and other senior administration officials, alongside other senior intelligence officials.So for Slotkin, the White House's explanation for Trump's ignorance of the intelligence -- that it was too uncertain to share with the president -- made no sense."When a piece of information like this comes in that, allegedly, the Russians are paying a bounty for the deaths of American soldiers, and I hear that his senior staff doesn't take that information to him -- even though he's on the phone with Putin five times -- it just, for me, fits into a bigger narrative about this president," Slotkin said."It's deeply concerning to me," she added.Since arriving in Washington last year, Slotkin, who served in Iraq as a CIA analyst and in President Barack Obama's Defense Department before running for Congress in 2018, has drawn heavily on her national security experience. She resisted the push to impeach Trump until an intelligence whistleblower came forward to reveal that the president had tried to enlist a foreign power, Ukraine, to investigate his political rivals in a way that could affect a future election. During the inquiry that followed, Slotkin later told The New York Times, she identified personally with the national security officials who came forward to testify, drawing attacks from Trump.Now she is reliving her own government experience once again as one of a large number of lawmakers in both parties who are demanding more information from the administration about its handling of the Russian intelligence."It's been surprising how much I've toggled between my old life and my current life," Slotkin said in an interview. "It sometimes pulls me in different directions."This week, after all, was finally supposed to be infrastructure week in the House, a few months before her first attempt to win reelection in a district that Trump won by 7 points. Slotkin had spent last week preparing to celebrate the pipeline-safety and water-quality projects she fought to include in the House's sweeping, trillion-dollar infrastructure plan that passed Wednesday.But on Friday, as The Times reported that the administration had intelligence that indicated that Russia secretly offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill American and allied troops, Slotkin found herself drawn back into her former life. She has spent hours explaining to colleagues the granular procedure of filtering intelligence information, and she pressured White House officials to explain what would have been unthinkable in a different administration -- that the president could have been unaware of such an explosive assessment.Democratic leaders have capitalized on Slotkin's expertise, along with that of Reps. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, a former CIA operations officer, and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, a former Navy helicopter pilot, putting them out front as they raise questions about the intelligence and Trump's handling of it. The three freshmen were chosen to accompany senior Democrats to a classified briefing at the White House on Tuesday.Afterward, Rep. Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the majority leader, made a point of singling out their expertise, noting at a news conference that "all of them have experience or particular responsibilities in the intel and national security sphere.""We can ask questions about the way things might be written or the way information might be caveated or what's not being said," Spanberger said. "It's sort of a natural mode to go into and say, 'I hear you talking about one element of this larger discussion, but I'm going to need more information.'"For Slotkin, the visit was her first return to the White House for a briefing as a member of Congress."New carpets," Slotkin observed afterward, adding that she recognized some personnel in the Situation Room. "New ways to secure your phone."But like her colleagues, she walked away with unanswered questions about how the intelligence was conveyed to the president and frustrated at the absence of the intelligence officials she knew would have been responsible for corroborating and conveying the reports.Since the briefing, Slotkin has convened some of her colleagues to outline the typical trajectory for intelligence once it reaches the United States, as well as the significance of the escalation between the two countries.Slotkin first gravitated toward national security work after the Sept. 11 attacks, eager to help prevent another assault on American security. The CIA recruited her as a Middle East analyst, and she ultimately served three tours in Iraq.In 2007, she moved to the National Security Council, where she specialized on Iraq under both Bush and Obama. During the Obama administration, she moved to the Pentagon, where she eventually became acting assistant secretary of defense. There, she managed diplomatic and defense relationships in Europe and the Middle East, directly confronting Russian military officials after Russian jets struck Syria in 2015 and negotiating directly with top Russian generals over the airspace in Syria.In an interview, she recalled flying to Moscow and having intelligence exchanges before Russia invaded Ukraine, all while knowing they would not always be truthful."I don't believe that the president's policy reflects the very complicated relationship with the Russians," she said.Asked about the possibility that Trump had been informed of the intelligence about Russian bounties, which intelligence officials have said was included in his intelligence briefings as early as this February, Slotkin paused."I can only go by what he says and then what his senior staff says," she said. "And to be honest, I don't like thinking about the fact that he may have been aware of this.""I don't want to think about a commander in chief who doesn't have the back of U.S. forces," she added, reflecting on her husband, a retired Army colonel, and her stepdaughter, an active-duty Army officer. "But if he knew, and just didn't care, it might have been worse."This article originally appeared in The New York Times.(C) 2020 The New York Times Company

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:08:40 GMT

Kremlin hails vote allowing Putin to extend his rule a triumph as critics cry foul

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:03:33 GMT

Wide shift in opinion on police, race rare in US polling
It's rare for public opinion on social issues to change sharply and swiftly. About half of American adults believe police violence against the public is a “very” or “extremely” serious problem, according to a poll conducted earlier this month by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Only about a third said the same as recently as last September, as well as in July 2015, just a few months after Freddie Gray, a Black man, died in police custody in Baltimore.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 12:00:03 GMT

Why the Korean War Could End, or a Second Korean War Could Begin
The Korean War could come to an end formally, legally, with a peace treaty which would replace the seventy-year-old armistice, or it could end, for all practical purposes, with the end to hostile relations between North and South Korea (ROK) and between North Korea (DPRK) and the United States, with no party having any real concern that war would break out again. It could end one way and not the other, or it could end both de facto and de jure, but I do not think it will end in any sense within the next five years. Indeed, in practical terms, what has passed for peace for decades could be replaced by war at any time.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:51:00 GMT

Khayelitsha: Cape Town police suspended for evicting naked man in South Africa
Their actions in a township were branded degrading and inhumane by South Africa's housing minister.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:19:50 GMT

Former Libya envoy accuses Security Council of 'hypocrisy'

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:10:02 GMT

Russia voted to pass a law that claims to limit presidential power, but a cynical loophole means Putin can rule until 2036
President Vladimir Putin, who is set to end his final term in 2024, would now be allowed to run again right away and could rule until he is 83.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:05:03 GMT

Kremlin hails 'triumph' in vote extending Putin's rule
The Kremlin on Thursday hailed as a "triumph" overwhelming backing in a national vote on constitutional reforms to extend President Vladimir Putin's rule. The Central Elections Commission announced that 77.92 percent of voters had backed the reforms with a turnout of 67.97 percent after all votes had been counted. The Kremlin "definitely considers this as a triumph," presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, describing the vote as a "referendum on trust" in the Russian president.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:03:35 GMT

Raffles, ballot-stuffing and brute force: How Putin guaranteed victory in referendum to rule for life
Voting at a playground and out of the boot of a car, over the last week the Kremlin has employed myriad ways to hold a nationwide vote allowing Vladimir Putin to stay in power in 2036. Mr Putin, who has ruled Russia for 20 years, would have been forced to step down when his current term in office ends in 2024. However, constitutional changes that he floated earlier this year re-set the clock on term limits for the sitting president. Voting on the amendments is not covered by Russia’s strict, if not always enforceable election laws, so the Kremlin came up with new, lax rules. Worried about delaying the vote, election authorities allowed the voting to be held in the space of a week and in outdoor settings. Social media was flooded with photos and videos of election officials, all in full hospital-style PPE, leisurely handing out the ballots at playgrounds, on tree stumps, next to a drinking party on a bench and even out of the boot of a car. So many pictures of people using tree stumps were posted that they became a meme.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 11:02:16 GMT

Kremlin hails 'triumph' as Russians clear way for Putin to rule until 2036
Russian President Vladimir Putin secured his political future on Wednesday after a wide majority of voters supported a controversial national referendum that paved the way for the former KGB agent to stay in power until 2036. The referendum proposed more than 200 constitutional amendments, one of which will see presidential term limits reset, allowing Putin to run for the job again in 2024 and in 2030 if he chooses. Official results published by the Kremlin on Thursday, after 100 percent of ballots had been counted, showed that nearly 78 percent of voters had approved constitutional changes allowing Putin to run for two more six-year terms after his current one ends in 2024.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 10:51:24 GMT

Kremlin hails 'triumph' as Russians clear way for Putin to rule until 2036
A referendum's result gives Putin the opportunity to be Russia’s longest-serving ruler since Peter the Great.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 10:51:24 GMT

UK businesses warn Britain could be heading for Brexit 'disaster' as fears grow of border check chaos from day one
UK business groups fear that Britain is heading for Brexit disaster with doubts growing that new border checks will be ready in time.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 10:06:35 GMT

Vladimir Putin wins 'by landslide' to stay in power at least until 2036
The Kremlin has overwhelmingly won Wednesday’s vote on constitutional changes that would let Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, stay in power for 16 more years. Russia’s Central Election Commission on Thursday morning unveiled a full preliminary count of the vote, showing a staggering 78 per cent backing the constitutional amendments. The turnout was reported at 65 percent. The overwhelming support for essentially allowing Mr Putin, 67, to rule for life stands in sharp contrast with recent opinion polls. Approval ratings for Mr Putin, who has ruled Russia for 20 years, have been declining for years before hitting an all-time low of 59 percent in April, according to the Levada Centre pollster, compared to nearly 80 percent in 2018 when he won re-election. Polling on constitutional amendments indicated the Russian people would be less enthusiastic about handing him a mandate to rule until he is 83 than the crushing victory suggests. Mr Putin on Thursday thanked Russians in a televised address for "people's trust" and spoke about the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, saying that a new Russia still needs "domestic stability and time to strengthen our country and its institutions." The vote, which included over 200 amendments including vague pledges to improve health care, was not bound by Russian election laws. Independent observers claim the Kremlin has been given a free hand in vote-rigging as a result.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:46:06 GMT

What is Boris Johnson’s ‘New Deal’ – and how does it compare with Franklin D Roosevelt’s?
This was first published in The Telegraph's Refresher newsletter. For more facts and explanation behind the week’s biggest political stories, sign up to the Refresher here – straight to your inbox every Wednesday afternoon for free. What's the story? Britain can no longer continue to be “prisoners” of the coronavirus, the Prime Minister insisted, announcing his “positively Rooseveltian” economic recovery package. Boris Johnson vowed to spend £5 billion on a programme of accelerated capital spending on hospitals, roads, rail, prisons, courts, schools and high streets to help the country bounce back from the ravages of coronavirus. He said: “It sounds like a New Deal. All I can say is that if so, then that is how it is meant to sound and to be, because that is what the times demand. “A Government that is powerful and determined and that puts its arms around people at a time of crisis. It’s time not just for a New Deal but for a fair deal of the British people.” The Prime Minister pledged £1.5 billion for hospital maintenance, £100 million ring-fenced for 29 projects to improve the road network, and over £1 billion to fund the rebuilding of schools. But how does the package stack up against that of the 32nd President of the United States? As a share of the economy, Mr Johnson's spending plan is 200 times less ambitious than the original New Deal. President Roosevelt’s stimulus package, which supported America through the Great Depression, is estimated by economists to have represented 40 per cent of pre-crash economic output. Mr Johnson’s plan amounts to just 0.2 per cent of our GDP. The figure is also dwarfed by the stimulus packages pledged by other world leaders. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel recently announced a €130 billion stimulus package, which accounts for nearly four per cent of the country’s GDP. Still, Mr Johnson thought his £5 billion spending package substantial enough to warrant the clarification that he is “not a communist”. He admitted his plan may sound like “a prodigious amount of Government intervention” but insisted he wanted to “create the conditions” for free market enterprise. The Prime Minister perhaps struck a cautious tone because he walks a tightrope on the issue of spending, with many of his backbenchers naturally more supportive of tax cuts to stimulate the economy. But he is also aware of the promise he made to “red wall” voters he won over in last year’s general election. Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University, summed up the dilemma. “A ‘Rooseveltian New Deal’ strategy would go down fairly well with a large proportion of the electorate, and even with the Conservative electorate,” he said. “The problem he has is that this is not what most of his MPs joined the Conservative Party to do.” Looking back In the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, President Roosevelt launched one of the largest, most expensive US government programmes ever. During his election campaign the Democratic nominee had promised: “A New Deal for the American people." It focused on what historians refer to as the "3 Rs": relief for the unemployed and poor, recovery of the economy back to normal levels, and reform of the financial system to prevent another depression. First, President Roosevelt sought to tackle the huge levels of unemployment, which reached 24.9 per cent in 1933. He established the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps to dispense emergency and short-term governmental aid, and to provide temporary jobs and youth work in the national forests. The Prime Minister announced something markedly similar in his own ‘fair deal’ – a Conservative Rangers scheme to help support those left unemployed by the virus recession. Among the most best known of President Roosevelt’s measures was the Public Works Administration, designed to reduce unemployment and increase purchasing power through the construction of highways and public buildings. The later stages of the New Deal established the basis for the US social security system and improved workers' rights. In the 80 years since the Great Depression was formally declared over in June of 1938, historians and economists have continued to debate the true merits of the New Deal. Some have argued that it was ultimately the Second World War which finally lowered unemployment and increased GDP as a result of America's weapons production. However the reforms certainly encouraged the beginning of the labour movement in the United States, which fostered wage growth and sustained the purchasing power of millions of Americans. Perhaps most importantly, it also restored faith in democracy at a time when many believed the only options left were between communism and fascism. Anything else I need to know? Leicester is back in lockdown, virus cases are still far from flatlining and huge swathes of the economy still have no date for which they can reopen. So why now? The Government’s fight against coronavirus is far from over, however it undoubtedly suits Mr Johnson to change the narrative. While his deep admiration for Winston Churchill is clear, his libertarian instincts mean he is not a natural wartime Prime Minister. Mr Johnson is at his best when he is able to strike a positive note. Indeed, yesterday he proclaimed he was a “glass half-full” politician. By grasping the reins and setting the course to recovery, he finds himself on far more comfortable footing. Recent polling, showing Sir Keir Starmer’s steadily creeping up, is likely to have had an impact in the decision making. An Opinium poll last week showed that the Labour leader had overtaken Mr Johnson as the British public’s preferred choice for Prime Minister, with 37 per cent to 35 per cent preferring Sir Keir for the top job. The Government understands that keeping the Labour voters they won over in 2019 is of vital importance. It’s perhaps why some ministers have begun describing the Government’s approach as “Blue Labour”, taking a “Blair-lite” approach with a Conservative brand. The Refresher take While Mr Johnson’s package in no way matches the scope or scale of Mr Roosevelt’s “New Deal”, it is a far cry from traditional Conservative economic policies. But it’s Mr Johnson’s key voters that look set to be hit hardest by coronavirus. Research from the Centre for Progressive Policy found that the recession triggered by the crisis will see an average fall of 12 per cent in economic output across the “red wall”. And the Conservative Party is currently more popular among the nation’s lowest earners than it is with the highest. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) think tank noted that 45 per cent of the poorest Britons voted for Boris Johnson in 2019, while just 30.6 per cent on low salaries backed Labour. When Mr Johnson won the general election in December he told such supporters he understood they may have "lent us your vote". He knows that if he does not repay them then the Government’s 80-seat majority could erode very quickly.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:37:15 GMT

Chinese Communist Party celebrates 99th anniversary by praising coronavirus success
The Chinese Communist Party celebrated its 99th anniversary on Wednesday by saying its success in containing Covid-19 proved its superiority and that of the country's socialist system.People's Daily, the party's official mouthpiece, said in an editorial: "This great struggle has fully demonstrated the clear political excellence of the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and our socialist system."Under the resolute leadership of the party central with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, China has fought a sound people's war ... the Chinese people united together to fight the pandemic, made heavy sacrifices, and achieved great strategic results."The disease, which first emerged in Wuhan in December, has now infected over 10 million people and killed more than 500,000 worldwide.Separately, Xi, the general secretary of the Communist Party, wrote to volunteers at Shanghai Fudan University urging them to help fulfil the party's mission.He was referring to the "two centenary goals" " turning China into a "comprehensively well-off society" by the end of this year and a "powerful socialist country" by 2050.Xi also presided over a study session with Politburo members on Tuesday emphasising the importance of the party's organisational work and learning from history.Founded on July 1, 1921, the Chinese Communist Party now has 91.9 million members " making it one of the biggest political parties in the world.Xi Jinping urged members to stay true to the party's mission. Photo: Xinhua alt=Xi Jinping urged members to stay true to the party's mission. Photo: Xinhua"The CCP is probably the only political party in the world now that still combines Marxist doctrine and Leninist-style organisation," said Zheng Yongnian, professor of the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore. "That's the key to explaining its power to get things done."Zheng also said that Xi's emphasis on delivering the centenary goals was because "the legitimacy of the CCP rule lies in these missions".He continued "It is what the party has promised the Chinese people, and it is the party's responsibility to deliver. That is very different from the West where parties can take turns to rule."Xi's call on party members to stay true to the party's principles came at a time when China and the US have clashed over a wide range of issues from security to trade and Hong Kong.Tian Feilong, an associate professor at Beihang University's Law School in Beijing, said Communist Party leaders were convinced that the continued spread of Covid-19 in the US and Washington's strained relationship with its allies meant that now was "perhaps the weakest moment of US global influence"."This gives Beijing the confidence to live with the pain [caused by threatened US sanctions on officials], focus on its own priorities and it will prevail in the end," Tian said.A Beijing-based political analyst who requested anonymity agreed that pressure from the US would only stiffen Chinese leaders' resolve."Some people who have liberal views may complain about the loss of [personal] freedom, but the success in containing Covid-19 has boosted the Communist Party's confidence and garnered greater people's support for the party," he said."Beijing has made great efforts to study the collapse of the Soviet Union and the key lesson is that besides foreign interference, the union fell apart because the Soviet Communist Party had abandoned its own beliefs."So Xi's call on Chinese Communist Party members to stand firm on their beliefs, strengthen the party's organisation and learn from history should be understood in that light."This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:30:00 GMT

Border tensions remain even as Chinese and Indian commanders continue negotiations
China says that its border troops' communication with India is making progress to ease their tensions, and that they will continue to talk out a solution to end the current stand-off.Major General Liu Lin, commander of China's South Xinjiang military region, and Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, commander of India's Leh-based 14 Corps, met in Chushul, Ladakh, on Tuesday for the third time in a month, and made some "positive progress" on taking effective measures to disengage and reduce tension on the border, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said."We hope the Indian side will implement the agreed consensus with practical actions, continue keeping close communications through military and diplomatic channels, and jointly promote a de-escalation of the situation on the border," said Zhao.Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the Communist Party's People's Daily, reported that China and India agreed that border troops would disengage in "different batches".Activists shout slogans against Chinese President Xi Jinping during a protest in Jammu, India on Wednesday, a response to a border clash with China where 20 Indian soldiers died last month. Photo: AP alt=Activists shout slogans against Chinese President Xi Jinping during a protest in Jammu, India on Wednesday, a response to a border clash with China where 20 Indian soldiers died last month. Photo: APCiting an unnamed source on the Chinese border force, the report said that frank and in-depth discussions on Tuesday had led both sides to agree to take strong measures to alleviate tension.But Indian media reported that during the 12-hour marathon negotiations, the two sides had difficulties on how to "define the details of disengagement".At their last meeting on June 22, they agreed to disengage from friction points along the disputed border. That meeting was held a week after the deadliest skirmish in decades between the two nations in Galwan Valley on June 15; in all, 20 Indian soldiers were killed.Troops from the two neighbours first engaged in clashes in early May over the patrols along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between Indian-administered Ladahk and Chinese-administered Aksai Chin. Tensions rose in the next two months, and extended into brawls at multiple locations along the 3,400km (2,100-mile) border.The two generals had their first meeting on June 6 and reached an agreement to disengage, but the implementation was disrupted by the Galwan Valley incident.For all their discussion, experts said, the negotiation between the frontline commanders does not seem to be producing any concrete result soon.The confrontation this time may well break the record of the Doklam stand-off in 2017, in which Chinese and Indian soldiers confronted each other for 73 days, from June to August, on the Doklam Plateau bordering Bhutan.The stalemate this time could well last until the Himalayan climate no longer allows it to continue, according to Lin Minwang, deputy director of Fudan University's Centre for South Asian Studies."There is no way to de-escalate right away, also no way to step back," he said. "The only thing possible for both sides to do is keep a posture for negotiation."A lack of trust and the gap in each other's understanding of the issue means the talks will be prolonged and the confrontation will drag on, said Sun Shihai, a researcher on China's relations with South Asia at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.India has brought in troop reinforcements and air force sorties to back up its front line, and has urgently bought weapons from Russia. China has also strengthened positions near the LAC as shown on satellite images and increased deployments and exercises on the Tibetan Plateau."In an optimistic scenario, they will continue the current deadlock for some time; in a more pessimistic scenario, there are still possibilities of another fight," said Sun.At least on the political and diplomatic levels, he said, the two sides seem to have agreed that the incident must be solved through peaceful means. But it remains for the military commanders on the ground to settle the issue."Maybe they will have to meet repeatedly for many more times, but it's better they wrestle with words than fight with stones," he said.This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2020 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2020. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:30:00 GMT

Report: Detainees at high virus risk in crowded Yemen jail

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:19:01 GMT

After vote extending his rule, Putin risks era of 'stagnation'
President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to envisage the country they wanted to leave behind for their children and grandchildren during a historic vote this week to extend his rule. It was just such an era of stagnation -- the infamous "period zastoya" between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s mainly under Leonid Brezhnev -- that precipitated the end of the Soviet Union and threw Russia into chaos for years. The president's cohort "strongly mistrusts" free and fair elections as a way to decide who may one day rule after Putin, he says.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:16:59 GMT

Photo of toddler sitting on slain grandpa angers Kashmiris
A photo of a toddler sitting on the chest of of his dead grandfather has outraged residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir after the victim’s family accused government forces of shooting the 65-year-old man during a clash with rebels in the disputed region. Suhail Ahmed, the victim's son, said on Thursday that his father, Bashir Ahmed Khan, was “dragged out of his car and shot in cold blood” in front of his 3-year-old grandson during a gunbattle Wednesday between Indian troops and rebels in northwestern Sopore town. Police said the man was killed when rebels fighting against Indian rule shot at paramilitary soldiers from a mosque attic in Sopore.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 09:16:27 GMT

Does wearing a mask pose any health risks?
Babies and toddlers should not wear masks because they could suffocate. The same goes for anyone who has trouble removing a mask without help. Others can wear masks without risking their health, according to experts, despite false rumors to the contrary.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:31:35 GMT

Russian opposition denounces vote extending Putin's rule
A vote that cleared the way for President Vladimir Putin to rule Russia until 2036 was denounced Thursday by his political opponents as a “Pyrrhic victory” that will only further erode his support and legitimacy. “We need internal stability and time for the reinforcing of the country, of all of its institutions,” the 67-year-old Putin said in a televised statement. According to election officials, nearly 78% of voters approved the constitutional amendments in seven days of balloting that concluded Wednesday.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:30:57 GMT

Netanyahu Will Miss Trump, But Can Live With Biden
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Predictions are notoriously slippery, especially where U.S. elections are concerned. But there’s at least a strong possibility that after four years of a beautiful partnership Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could soon be facing life without Donald Trump.While many of the U.S.’s other allies might find that a cause for relief, for Bibi the reaction is likely to be more complicated. Trump has lavished priceless gifts on Bibi -- the Golan Heights, a U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem and a permission to wage covert war against Iran. Trump tore up the Iran nuclear deal at Netanyahu’s urging and adopted Netanyahu’s design for a Palestinian mini-state in the West Bank. He even named the plan after himself.In the last three Israeli electoral campaigns, Trump worked hard to keep Bibi in office. Now it is Trump who is running for re-election. The president fully expects Bibi to reciprocate.But loyalty and gratitude are not among Bibi’s virtues. Recent polls show Trump losing by a large margin. The often more reliable Vegas odds make him a three-to-two underdog. Israeli diplomats in Washington report talking with increasingly demoralized Republicans and excited Democrats.Yes, the odds were against Trump in 2016, too. But this time they are based less on his personality than on his failed performance in office. Trump has botched the corona crisis. His economic boom has melted down into the highest unemployment rates since the Great Depression and a dramatic drop in GDP. He has responded to mass protests with bellicose law-and-order threats that have alienated even normally apolitical senior military officers. There is a hysterical tone his recent political ads; he no longer looks like a winner.A Biden victory would end the Bibi-Trump honeymoon, but it would not necessarily be a disaster for Netanyahu. Biden is a lifetime Zionist with a long senatorial record of support for Israel. During the nasty spat between Bibi and Obama over the Iran nuclear pact, the vice president managed to avoid a breach with Netanyahu, whom he has called a “great, great friend.” In that tense period, Bibi placed an emotional condolence call to Biden after the death of his son, Beau. Together they recalled their many moments during a “20-year friendship.”Biden is not only a friend, he is a centrist in a party whose progressive wing is not supportive of Israel. As president, he would not threaten military aid, as Democrat Bernie Sanders recently has. It is unlikely that he would reverse Trump’s recognition of Israel’s Golan annexation or return the U.S. embassy to Tel Aviv. There would be disagreement over how to deal with Iran and with the Palestinian issue, but it probably wouldn’t be disagreeable.No matter how weak Trump looks going into November, Bibi will not publicly break up with him before the election. Trump would see it as a betrayal and certainly seek to take revenge. Even in defeat, he would still have large number of supporters and Twitter follows. Most of them like Bibi. The last thing he wants is to be labelled a traitor or an ingrate by his offended ex-partner. If there is to be a separation, Netanyahu wants to keep it amicable.This will require some finesse. In the past, Trump has made televised campaign ads for Netanyahu, hosted him at high-profile Oval office meetings on the eve of elections and timed announcements of U.S. support to coincide with Bibi’s political needs.Bibi will not happily reciprocate. He will likely invoke the principle of strict neutrality in foreign elections, a principle every Israeli prime minister since Golda Meir has violated. He will use the Covid-19 crisis as an excuse for not paying a visit to the White House, and for discouraging a presidential trip to Jerusalem. In his communications with Republican evangelical Zionist leaders and American Jews, Bibi will decline to echo Trump’s charge, when it comes to Israel, Biden is the second coming of Obama.If Biden wins, Bibi will have three main goals: 1) to win substantial new economic support from Washington during what looks to be a serious Israeli recession; 2) the adoption by the new administration of his view that Iran is the implacable enemy of both Israel and the US; and 3) preservation of the Trump Peace Plan.He could get the first; there is still a lot of bipartisan support for Israel in Congress. He likely won’t get the second; appeasing Iran is a pillar of even moderate Democratic foreign policy. As for the third, it will require some rebranding. Trump’s Deal of the Century would likely be renamed a “realistic two-state solution” or something close. This is not far-fetched. Even the Palestinian leadership, which on Monday announced its willingness to reopen talks with Israel after six years, seems to be coming to that conclusion. Add a few new wrinkles and a new administration could call it “The Biden Plan.” It might even work.Netanyahu still wants Trump to win. That is like having himself in the White House. Breaking up is hard to do. But, in the words of a song Trump has often played at his rallies, “You can’t always get what you want.” But, if you play your cards right, you can get what you need.This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.Zev Chafets is a journalist and author of 14 books. He was a senior aide to Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and the founding managing editor of the Jerusalem Report Magazine.For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com/opinionSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2020 Bloomberg L.P.

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 07:30:22 GMT

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