Monday, March 4, 2019

US & China near trade deal to reduce tariffs

The US and China are close to agreeing a trade deal that would see a
rollback on billions of dollars of tariffs.

It comes ahead of an expected summit between the leaders of the two
countries later this month.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

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Relations between China and Canada deteriorate

China has accused two Canadian men of spying and stealing national secrets.

They were detained in December after a Huawei executive was arrested
in Canada and could be extradited to the United States.

Meng Wanzhou is accused of breaching U.S. sanctions on Iran but is now
suing the Canadian government.

North America correspondent William Denselow reports.

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THE PRODIGY'S KEITH FLINT DIES

Keith Flint of British band The Prodigy has died.

He was 49.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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US reinstates the diplomatic status of the EU representation

The European Union has regained its diplomatic status with the US after Washington downgraded the EU representation last year.

It marked a low point in transatlantic relations and angered Democrats in the US.

Our Europe correspondent Jack Parrock reports.

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Merkel successor criticized for transgender joke

Angela Merkel's successor as head of Germany's Christian Democratic party is facing heavy criticism for making a joke deemed offensive to transgender people.

She made fun of bathrooms for third genders during a Carnival celebration in the south of the country.

Ira Spitzer reports from Berlin.

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India's air force insists it hit terrorist camps in airstrikes on Pakistan

The chief of India's air force insists that it hit terrorist camps in Pakistan during its air strikes last week, despite Pakistan saying that India hit an open area.

Tensions have escalated between India and Pakistan since an attack in Kashmir killed more than 40 Indian troops last month. 

Our India correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports.

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'BREXIT FUND' FOR UK TOWNS AHEAD OF VOTE

The UK government's launching a $2bn fund for less prosperous towns after Brexit.

The cash is being aimed at towns in areas that voted for Britain to leave the European Union.

Critics say the government is trying to bribe some opposition Labour MPs to vote for its Brexit deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May says there will be a 'meaningful vote' on her deal in the House of Commons by 12th March.

UK Communities Secretary James Brokenshire says the funding is not a Brexit bribe.

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Sergei Skripal's niece says he is dead, on anniversary of infamous attack

Victoria Skripal, the niece of the poisoned double agent Sergei Skripal, says she believes her uncle is dead - exactly a year to the day since the attack. The former Russian agent, who defected to the UK, was poisoned using a chemical nerve agent, which the UK said was part of a state-sponsored attack by Russia. But as Dan Ashby reports, Russia still continues to accuse the UK of playing games.

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S. Korea, U.S. launch new, smaller spring war games

South Korea and the U.S. have launched annual spring military exercises. But the latest drills have been scaled down significantly in an attempt to prolong talks with North Korea on denuclearization.


Bruce Harrison reports from Seoul.


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The spring war games were once among the largest in the world.


Tens of thousands of U.S. troops and hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took part.


But the new versions are expected to be much smaller… and less threatening to North Korea.


Seoul and Washington have been toning down and even suspending drills as they attempt to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.


The announcement about the spring drills comes after Trump and leader Kim Jong-un met for a second time in Hanoi, but failed to reach a deal on denuclearization.


Despite that outcome, the U.S. has spoken for months about scaling back the war games… which Trump has criticized as too expensive.


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Senior Democrat Launches Major Probe of Donald Trump

A Senior Democrat in the US House of Representatives is initiating a major investigation into Donald Trump, his administration and his associates.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, who has the power to initiate the impeachment process, says he wants to gather facts to determine if that would be justified.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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Tornado Claims Multiple Casualties

At least 14 people have been killed after a tornado struck the U.S. state of Georgia...and that death toll is expected to rise.

The hardest-hit areas were in the communities of Beauregard and Smiths Station in the southwest of the state.

The tornado ripped through homes, knocking down trees and powerlines. 

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris says rescue crews are working through the night to help those impacted.

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Militia Attacks in DRC Undermine Ebola Response

An armed group in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has shot dead five civilians and a soldier, adding to concerns about worsening security in the Ebola-hit area.

The attack took place close to Goma City, close to the borders with Uganda and Rwanda.

The medical aid group MSF has suspended its work after militia attacked two Ebola treatment centers last week.

Christian Lindmeier, a spokesperson for the UN's World Health Organization says they are trying to minimize the impacts...

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Guiado Plans Return to Venezuela

Venezuelan Juan Guaido says he's returning to Venezuela to attend protest marches.

But the man who's challenging the rule of President Nicholas Maduro may be arrested if he returns.

Guaido is being supported by the United States in asserting that his status as interim President of the country. 

Ambassador John Bolton, President Trump's National Security Advisor has warned on Twitter that " Any threats or acts against his safe return will be met with a strong and significant response from the United States and the international community."

Speaking on the CNN program "State of the Union" Bolton says he's seeking international support.

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US Democrats Begin Major Trump Document Trawl

The US House Judiciary Committee is requesting documents from more than 60 individuals and entities linked to Donald Trump, his administration and his business empire.

The committee is looking at obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power.

Donald Trump has taken to Twitter, calling such efforts 'Presidential harassment by "crazed Democrats". 

The Democrat Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee is Jerrold Nadler explained the purpose to ABC's 'This Week'...

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Friday, March 1, 2019

Trump says Cohen book will reveal lies

US President Donald Trump is calling on lawmakers to seize the
manuscript of his former lawyer Michael Cohen saying it will show
Cohen lied to Congress.

Trump said the book would make lawmakers' heads "spin" as it
contradicts his public testimony from earlier this week.

Nick Harper reports from New York.

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US House to Investigate Granting of Security Clearance to Jared Kushner

The U.S. House of Representatives is investigating the process that led to the granting of a top secret security clearance to the President's son-in-law.

It follows media reports that Donald Trump ordered the clearance for Jared Kushner despite his being rejected through the normal process.

From Washington, Daniel Ryntjes reports...

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Pakistan releases Indian fighter pilot

Pakistan has released an Indian pilot captured after it shot down an Indian fighter plane over Kashmir. 

Hundreds of Indians gathered at the India-Pakistan border to welcome the pilot. This follows days of tensions escalating between the two countries. 

Our India correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports.

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Warmbier's parents criticise Trump

The parents of Otto Warmbier, the American student who died after being detained in North Korea, said Kim Jong-Un is responsible for their son's death. 

Their statement comes a day after President Trump said he took Kim "at his word" when he said he was not responsible.

From Washington, Harry Horton reports.

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President Trump downplays North Korea talk breakdown

U.S. President Donald Trump says relations with North Korea are very
good despite a breakdown in talks with the country's leader.

A summit in Vietnam came to an abrupt halt this week with both sides
offering differing versions of each side's demands.

U.S. correspondent William Denselow reports.

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US offers up to $1 million for information about Hamza bin Laden


The US government is offering up to $1 million for information about one of Osama bin Laden's sons, Hamza bin Laden.

Officials say he is becoming a key figure in his father's Islamist militant group, al-Qaeda

Our Washington correspondent Giles Gibson has more:

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