LONDON — British and European leaders insisted on Monday they could still reach a Brexit deal despite the latest failed round of divorce talks, but the EU warned a no-deal scenario was "more likely than ever before". British Prime Minister Theresa May admitted there was still "disagreement" over how to keep open Britain’s land border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland, although she said a deal was still "achievable". "We’ll just have to keep negotiating", said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, while French President Emmanuel Macron said he believed "we can make progress". But EU President Donald Tusk said in a letter to members of the European Council that while he encouraged all involved to "remain hopeful and determined... at the same time, responsible as we are, we must prepare the EU for a no-deal scenario, which is more likely than ever before". The leaders were speaking two days before heading to Brussels for a summit that has been billed as the … [Read more...] about EU says still time for Brexit deal as failure looms
Political impasse
British PM hits back at EU over Brexit plan
British Prime Minister Theresa May insisted her plan for a UK-EU free trade area just for goods was "the only proposal on the table". AFP/Christof STACHE In a defiant statement from Downing Street, May blamed Brussels for the "impasse" just weeks ahead of a deadline to seal a deal - and six months before Britain leaves the EU in March. "Throughout this process, I have treated the EU with nothing but respect. The UK expects the same," the prime minister said. May was speaking after returning from an EU summit in Salzburg Thursday, where her fellow leaders lined up to condemn her proposals for post-Brexit trading ties and the Irish border. It was a setback characterised by the British media as a "humiliation", just days before a meeting of May's Conservative party, where eurosceptics are ramping up the pressure on their leader to be tough. Standing at a podium with two British flags behind her, May said: "At this late stage in the negotiations, it is not acceptable to simply reject … [Read more...] about British PM hits back at EU over Brexit plan
Two Trump lieutenants found guilty, president implicated
Donald Trump stood accused of conspiring to commit campaign finance fraud and two of his closest aides faced jail time Tuesday, after court proceedings delivered a legal and political one-two punch to his embattled presidency. In a drama that played out simultaneously across two U.S. cities, a court found one former aide guilty of eight charges -- and the other pleaded guilty to another eight -- stemming from the federal investigation into the 2016 presidential election. In New York, Trump's longtime fixer, the attorney Michael Cohen, admitted to charges that included making illegal campaign contributions. Cohen detailed how he made pre-election hush payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Both claim to have had affairs with Trump. But in a sensational twist, Cohen also pointed to the president -- or "individual 1" as a co-conspirator -- alleging that he acted "in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office" in making those … [Read more...] about Two Trump lieutenants found guilty, president implicated
Ozil quits German national side citing racism over Turkish heritage
Ozil quits German national side citing racism over Turkish heritageThe Saigon Times Daily Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with Arsenal's soccer player Mesut Ozil in London, Britain May 13, 2018 - PHOTO: REUTERS BERLIN (REUTERS) - German soccer star Mesut Ozil said on Sunday he would no longer play for the national team because he faced "racism and disrespect" because of his Turkish roots. His impassioned statement is one of the strongest issued by a player in recent years on the subject of racism and met with mixed reactions. It comes amid a political debate in Germany about an influx of 1.6 million migrants since mid-2014 that has seen a rise of the far right at the expense of traditional parties. Ozil, 29, was a key member of Germany's World Cup-winning side in 2014 and has been voted by fans as the team's player of the year five times since 2011. But the creative midfielder faced a barrage of criticism at home for having his photograph taken with Turkish President … [Read more...] about Ozil quits German national side citing racism over Turkish heritage
European stocks recover as German political tensions ease
European stock markets recovered on Tuesday (Jul 3) as political worries eased in Germany, but shares in Swiss miner Glencore saw a meltdown on news of a US legal probe over its global activities. European stocks recover as German political tensions ease, Photo AFP The US bellwether crude oil contract WTI fell thanks to Saudi Arabia's announcement that it would boost production to rebalance the market but only after, earlier in the session, the WTI oil price had surged above US$75 for the first time in more than three years amid supply issues surrounding Iran and Libya. Europe's benchmark indices were up by between half a per cent and one per cent at the close, while US stocks showed more modest gains approaching midday on Wall Street. "European markets are in rebound mode ... as an apparent resolution to the German political impasse has helped dispel much of the trade war anxiety that was evident throughout Asia," noted Joshua Mahony, market analyst at IG trading group. … [Read more...] about European stocks recover as German political tensions ease
Timor Leste’s citizens cast votes in general election
A woman in Timor-Leste casts her vote at a polling station during the election in Dili on May 12 (Photo: EPA-EFE) Hanoi (VNA) – Voters in Timor Leste went to the polls on May 12 to cast their ballots in the second general election in less than one year of the Southeast Asian nation. Some 784,000 people have registered to vote across 13 municipalities and voters turned out early to cast their ballot. The voting stations opened at 7.00 (local time) and was to close at 15:00 the same day. Results of the election will be announced next week. Experts have showed concern about security of the election as clashes occurred during election campaigns between supporters of the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, better known as Fretilin, and those of the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT). The Fretilin won the last election held in July 2017 by a narrow margin, forcing it to join with a smaller party to form a minority government. The country had … [Read more...] about Timor Leste’s citizens cast votes in general election
France’s Macron pushes back at ‘America First’ agenda
France's President Emmanuel Macron addresses a joint meeting of Congress inside the House chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP) The French leader's feisty speech to lawmakers was a dramatic twist near the end of a three-day visit that had showcased his warm personal relationship with Trump, despite the gulf between their visions of world affairs. The two presidents had literally embraced each other, repeatedly talking up their much-vaunted friendship during the trip, but in his speech to Congress Macron rigorously pushed back against Trump's trade, climate and non-proliferation policies. "We can build the 21st century world order based on a new breed of multilateralism, based on a more effective, accountable, and result oriented multilateralism," Macron said, defending the rules-based world order. Trump has threatened to tear up international trade deals, scorns the United Nations, accuses US allies of not pulling their weight, walked away from Paris climate … [Read more...] about France’s Macron pushes back at ‘America First’ agenda
Trump backs improved background checks on gun buys
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled support Monday for improving background gun checks amid mounting pressure for reform in the wake of the Florida school shooting, as the accused gunman appeared in court. Nikolas Cruz, charged with killing 17 people, sat silently with his head bowed during a procedural hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in what is expected to be a lengthy and emotional prosecution. Wednesday's rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in nearby Parkland, Florida has ignited protests by students who survived the onslaught and renewed calls for changes in U.S. gun laws. Cruz, 19, was able to legally buy an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle despite numerous red flags that nonetheless failed to prompt action by state and federal agencies. The White House indicated that Trump is receptive to a bipartisan proposal that would require more prompt reporting to a national database of offenses that would bar an individual from buying a firearm. "While discussions are … [Read more...] about Trump backs improved background checks on gun buys
US Congress gridlocked as budget, immigration deadlines loom
Trump vowed during his State of the Union address last week to "extend an open hand" to both parties in pursuing an immigration deal that shields 1.8 million undocumented migrants from deportation.But his proposal has been savaged by opposition Democrats, and Trump’s "open hand" soon wagged an accusatory finger."They Resist, Blame, Complain and Obstruct - and do nothing" to break the immigration stalemate, Trump tweeted a few days after his January 30 speech.Congress has also been haggling over spending caps for domestic programmes and the military as they seek to finalize a budget for the remainder of 2018.But Republican leaders have acknowledged they will not meet a Thursday deadline for a spending bill, and will have to pass yet another stopgap measure this week -- with help from Democrats -- to avoid a government shutdown.House Speaker Paul Ryan said that while both sides were "making progress" on a budget agreement, a temporary spending bill was necessary to keep … [Read more...] about US Congress gridlocked as budget, immigration deadlines loom
Senators race to end US government shutdown before work week begins
The decision on whether to move forward was in the hands of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Democratic counterpart, Senator Chuck Schumer, although uncertainty remained over how President Donald Trump would respond to any deal. "We need to have a substantive answer, and the only person who can lead us to that is President Trump. This is his shutdown." Republican and Democratic senators raced on Sunday to try to break an impasse and hammer out a deal that would end a two-day-old U.S. government shutdown before the start of the work week. In a flurry of negotiations, the two parties' leaders in the Senate huddled behind closed doors following discussions by a bipartisan group of moderate lawmakers who said they made progress toward a compromise to reopen federal agencies before Monday morning. While there were no signs of an immediate breakthrough, an emerging agreement appeared to involve ending the deadlock in return for a promise by majority Republicans … [Read more...] about Senators race to end US government shutdown before work week begins