Top Stories Today – August 17, 2019
Top Stories Today – August 17, 2019
Signs of recession worry Trump ahead of 2020
Trump is growing increasingly worried the economy won’t look so good come Election Day. The financial markets signaled the possibility of a US recession this week, sending a jolt of anxiety to investors, companies and consumers. That’s on top of concerns over Trump’s plans to impose punishing tariffs on goods from China and word from the United Kingdom and Germany that their economies are shrinking.
Though a pre-election recession here is far from certain, a downturn would be a devastating blow to the president, who has made a strong economy his central argument for a second term. Trump advisers fear a weakened economy would hurt him with moderate Republican and independent voters who have been willing to give him a pass on some his incendiary policies and rhetoric. And White House economic advisers see few options for reversing course should the economy start to slip.
Trump has taken to blaming others for the recession fears, mostly the Federal Reserve, which he is pushing for further interest rate cuts. Yet much of the uncertainty in the markets stems from his own escalation of a trade war with China, as well as weakened economies in key countries around the world. The Associated Press
US to extends Huawei’s reprieve supply curbs
The US Commerce Department is expected to extend a reprieve given to Huawei Technologies that permits the Chinese firm to buy supplies from US companies so that it can service existing customers, two sources familiar with the situation said. The “temporary general license” will be extended for Huawei for 90 days, the sources said.
Commerce initially allowed Huawei to purchase some American-made goods in May shortly after blacklisting the company in a move aimed at minimizing disruption for its customers, many of which operate networks in rural America. Reuters
Hong Kongers stage more anti-government protests
Thousands of Hong Kongers including many teachers took part in more anti-government rallies on Saturday, braving thunderstorms to march past shops shuttered due to growing concern that police could adopt tougher tactics to drive activists from the streets.
Following an escalation in violence over the past few days, the rallies this weekend are a key test of whether the protest movement can retain the broad support that it has appeared to enjoy. The peaceful turnout suggested it may, though the protests turned more confrontational by nightfall. The protests began as opposition to a now-suspended extradition bill but have since grown to include broader demands. Reuters
Sudan army and civilians seal landmark deal
Sudan’s ruling military council and civilian opposition alliance have signed a landmark power-sharing deal. The agreement ushers in a new governing council, including both civilians and generals, to pave the way towards elections and civilian rule. Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagolo – widely regarded as Sudan’s most powerful man – has pledged to abide by its terms.
Pro-democracy protests and repression gripped Sudan after long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April. The prime ministers of Ethiopia and Egypt and the South Sudanese president are among regional leaders attending Saturday’s signing ceremony in Khartoum. BBC
US issues warrant to seize Iranian oil tanker
he US justice department has issued a warrant to seize a detained Iranian oil tanker, a day after a judge in Gibraltar ordered it to be released. The Grace 1 supertanker, which is carrying 2.1m barrels of oil, was detained on 4 July on suspicion of illegally transporting oil to Syria.
A last-minute legal attempt by the US to keep the tanker detained was rejected by Gibraltar on Thursday. Iran previously called the detention of Grace 1 an “illegal interception”. BBC
Epstein autopsy shows suicide
The New York City medical examiner said on Friday that Jeffrey Epstein’s death in a federal jail cell was a suicide, confirming he had hanged himself. Epstein’s death had set off a wave of unfounded conspiracy theories, as people speculated online, without evidence, that he might have been killed to keep him from providing information to prosecutors about others in his social circle, including President Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew of Britain.
But the chief medical examiner in New York City, Dr. Barbara Sampson, ruled out foul play. She released a terse statement saying that, after an autopsy and a “careful review of all investigative information,” she had determined the cause of Mr. Epstein’s death was “hanging” and the manner was “suicide.” Three of Mr. Epstein’s lawyers, Martin G. Weinberg, Reid Weingarten and Michael Miller, challenged the findings and vowed to conduct their own investigation. The New York Times
India easing Kashmir crackdown
Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have begun restoring landline phone services after a nearly two-week security crackdown and news blackout, following a decision to revoke the special status of the Muslim-majority region earlier this month. Administrator Shahid Choudhary said restrictions were being lifted in most areas and government offices would open on Saturday.
According to a local police chief who spoke to the AFP news agency on Saturday, 17 out of approximately 100 telephone exchanges were restored in the restive Kashmir Valley. Dilbag Singh, police chief in Jammu and Kashmir state which encompasses the valley, said mobile internet had also been restored to five areas of the region of Jammu. Aljazeera
Tlaib declines Israel’s offer to visit West Bank
Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri announced Friday that Israel had decided to let Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) enter the country after all, allowing her “a humanitarian visit to her 90-year-old grandmother” in the West Bank, but Tlaib declined the offer, tweeting that “visiting … under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in.”
On Thursday, Israel said Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) would not be allowed to enter Israel for a scheduled visit after President Trump tweeted that allowing them to come would “show great weakness.” Democrats quickly condemned the decision, as did the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. Tlaib had applied for a humanitarian request and promised not to promote Israel boycotts during her visit. Reuters, The Associated Press via The Week