WORLD NEWS February 21, 2019 5 Three MPs Abandon PM Pakistan Tensions Mar

Saudi Prince’s Visit to India GENEVA (Reuters) - At least 600 French May Over ‘Dismal Failure’ “yellow vest” protesters gathered in Britain was plunging further into Geneva outside United Nations European political turmoil as its MPs struggle headquarters Wednesday to denounce alleged French police brutality against the to agree a divorce deal just five movement. The UN Human Rights Council weeks before it is due to leave the opens its main four-week annual session bloc on March 29. in the Swiss city on Monday. The protests The political impasse risks the started in November over fuel taxes and the country crashing out without an high cost of living and morphed into a more agreement, with the rising uncertainty general revolt against President Emmanuel Macron and a government they see as out blamed for a string of car-makers and of touch. Nicolas Mollier, an organizer, said other businesses recently announcing the protesters hoped to bring their case to the job cuts and reduced investment in attention of a U.N. official. “France must be Britain. held accountable,” he told Reuters Television. May said she was “saddened” by “Today, there are victims who have lost an the resignations and thanked the MPs eye, victims who have had their hands blown away or their feet.” “Yellow vest” actions for their “dedicated service to our Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, gives a bear hug to have at times been marred by violence, and party over many years”. Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman as President Ram Nath according to a survey published last week by She noted Britain’s membership Kovind watches during the Saudi leader’s ceremonial reception at pollster Elabe, 56 percent of French people of the EU has been “a source of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on Feb. 20, 2019. want the weekly protests to end. British Conservative Party MPs , and Sarah disagreement both in our party and *** Wollaston attend a news conference in , Britain February 20, 2019. our country for a long time” but NEW DELHI (AFP) - Saudi Arabia’s Washington threw its weight behind India ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on the MPs’ move would not stop her Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman Tuesday, pressing Pakistan to punish those Wednesday that people who spent their lives arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, with behind the Kashmir attack. denouncing the Catholic Church were friends LONDON (AFP Three MPs “re-defined” their party and was delivering on the referendum result. ) - his business mission under threat of being Before the attack, the agenda for the crown of the devil, as survivors of sexual abuse quit the governing Conservative “undoing all the efforts to modernize “Under my leadership, the overshadowed by soaring tensions between prince’s visit had been dominated by oil and by clergymen accused him of snubbing an Party over on Wednesday, it”. Conservative Party will always offer India and Pakistan. other key investment decisions. invitation to meet them. Speaking on the eve joining a mounting rebellion in “The final straw for us has been this the decent, moderate and patriotic The crown prince, who wants to persuade Saudi Arabia currently supplies about 20 of a conference he has convened to guide parliament this week against the government’s disastrous handling politics that the people of this country the world’s fastest growing major economy percent of India’s crude oil and wants to senior bishops on how to tackle widespread two major parties that is shaking of Brexit,” they added, in stinging deserve,” she added. to consume more Saudi oil, was greeted at definitively push aside arch-rival Iran as a abuse that has decimated the Church’s credibility, Frances said its mistakes should be the system in British politics. criticism of May’s leadership, The shake-up of seats mean May’s the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, source. who gave his traditional bear hug for honored Iran at one stage last year overtook Saudi corrected. But those accusers who did nothing Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and noting they could “no longer act as centre-right Conservatives alone are but criticize the Church were “friends, cousins guests. Arabia among India’s suppliers but U.S. said they planned bystanders” to her EU exit strategy. now six votes short of a majority and relatives of the devil,” he told worshippers The prince arrived from a two-day stay in to sit in parliament alongside eight “Following the EU referendum of in parliament’s lower House of sanctions since have severely hit the Islamic at the Vatican. Gathered outside the Vatican, Pakistan as it clashed with its giant neighbor Republic’s oil business. former Labor MPs who, also citing 2016, no genuine effort was made Commons. a group of abuse survivors said they were over responsibility for a suicide attack in Kabir Taneja, associate fellow with disappointed that the pontiff had declined their opposition to Brexit, have to build a cross-party, let alone a In their resignation statement, the Kashmir last Thursday that left at least 40 Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi- national consensus to deliver Brexit.” their invitation to meet them. “We believed resigned from the main opposition three former Conservative MPs, members of Indian security forces dead. based think tank, said India would aim to use that this morning’s meeting would be with the party since Monday to form the new The resignations posed a fresh and who have voted against multiple The attack was claimed by Pakistan-based these closer economic ties to push for Saudi Pope, with a cross-section of survivors from Independent Group. embarrassing headache for the prime elements of the government’s Brexit group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and has Arabia’s “unconditional support” regarding around the world,” one, Englishman Peter The trio of Conservatives, who minister as she prepared to travel to legislation, blamed their decision on sparked calls in India for a firm response. Pakistan. Saunders, told Reuters TV. “It would seem support Britain remaining in the Brussels later Wednesday for crucial May’s “dismal failure” to stand up to The latest showdown between the nuclear- The crown prince is on a three-country that the Pope, once again, is giving the two , said in a joint talks with European Commission the “hard line” European Research armed neighbors, which is causing mounting Asian tour as the kingdom seeks to recover its fingers to survivors and to child protection everywhere,” he said, using an English resignation letter to Prime Minister President Jean-Claude Juncker. Group (ERG) of Brexiteers in her international concern, was expected to figure reputation after last year’s murder of journalist prominently in Prince Mohamed’s talks with Jamal Khashoggi. expression for a crude gesture. that Brexit had It also reinforced the view that own party. Modi on Wednesday. Prince Mohammed was to leave India late *** Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday and is expected to spend two days BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States offered Tuesday to investigate the attack if in China. should respect China’s right to develop and President Duterte Vows Harsher Anti-Drug War India provided proof of its involvement -- but Analysts have said the tour is part of a pivot become prosperous, the Chinese government’s said his country would retaliate if attacked. to rising Asia as a growing oil market and a top diplomat told a visiting U.S. delegation, summary killings resulting from India rebuffed Khan’s comments and called retort to the West where the crown prince reiterating that the country’s doors to the weak intelligence. in turn for “credible and visible action” to rein has faced harsh criticism over the Khashoggi outside world would open wider. The world’s Duterte said the drugs problem in militants. affair. two largest economies began their latest round of trade talks this week to resolve a bitter dispute was a national security issue. in which each has levied tariffs on imports from “I will not allow my country to the other. The United States has accused China end up a failed state because of of unfair trade practices, including forced drugs,” he said in a speech. North Korea Shuffles Nuclear technology transfers, charges it has denied. He did not elaborate on how he Respect and cooperation are the correct choice would intensify a campaign that for both countries, something the international Team Ahead of U.S. Talks community hopes to see, State Councillor Wang had already seen more than 5,000 Yi told the delegation of U.S. business leaders people killed by police since he and former officials in Beijing on Tuesday. took office. “Just like the United States, China also has the Human rights groups say many right to development, and the Chinese people of those deaths were executions of also have the right to have a good life,” the people suspected of selling or using foreign ministry paraphrased Wang as saying, in a statement issued on Wednesday. “The U.S. drugs, which police deny, insisting side should recognize that China’s development the killings were in self-defense. is in the world’s interest, as well as the United Critics, including the Catholic States’. Only by seeing China’s development as Church, say the campaign has an opportunity for the United States can this overwhelmingly targeted the urban help resolve certain problems, including trade poor and left drug kingpins largely and economic ones,” Wang said. President Rodrigo Duterte speaks at Davao International airport in untouched. *** LONDON (AFP) - A British teenager who Davao City in southern Philippines, September 8, 2018. Asked by reporters later if the joined the Daesh group in Syria in 2015 said crackdown would be bloodier, Wednesday she was shocked by a government MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine community. Duterte said: “I think so.” decision to revoke her citizenship. Shamima President Rodrigo Duterte Duterte won the presidency by a A poll last week showed that about Kim Hyok Chol (R), North Korea’s interlocutor leading negotiations Begum, who now wants to return home after warned on Wednesday that wide margin in 2016 on promises two thirds of Filipinos believed giving birth in a refugee camp in Syria last with the United States, is pictured upon arrival at Beijing’s his signature anti-narcotics of eradicating drugs and crime, there were fewer drug users in their weekend, said the order was “unjust”. “I am a bit shocked,” she told ITV News after learning campaign will be even harsher and recent opinion polls indicate community now than last year. international airport on his way to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, in in the future, signaling no let- broad support for him and for the Beijing, China in this photo taken by Kyodo February 19, 2019. of the move which was announced in a letter Most respondents said it was vital Tuesday from Britain’s interior ministry to up in a bloody crackdown that crackdown, despite widespread for police to arrest suspects alive her mother in London. “It’s a bit upsetting has alarmed the international allegations of police cover-ups and SEOUL (Reuters) - Veteran North to the sensitivity of the issue. and believed police agreed. “Kim Hyok Chol is a career diplomat too, and frustrating. I feel like it’s a bit unjust on Korean diplomats are being sidelined me and my son.” Begum’s fate has stirred from nuclear talks ahead of a second but he apparently has passed a loyalty test to controversy since she and two friends fled her summit with the United States as recent become the point man in the negotiations.” east London home to join the terror network defections and allegations of spying The promotion of Kim Hyok Chol, believed four years ago when she was aged just 15. UN Reports Mass Rape, Killings in South Sudan undermine the trust of leader Kim Jong to be in his late 40s, was partly influenced The case highlights a dilemma facing many Un, South Korean officials and experts by the 2016 defection of Thae Yong Ho, a European countries, divided over whether to GENEVA (Reuters) - UN being held for years and tortured homes, killing civilians and raping say. former deputy ambassador to Britain, and the allow Takfiris and Daesh sympathizers home investigators have identified in secret, vermin-ridden detention women and girls,” Clapham said. Kim has purged and replaced many top recent disappearance of Jo Song Gil, a senior to face prosecution or barring them over perpetrators of pervasive rape and centers, children being run down by More than 5,000 refugees had diplomats and officials who served his father diplomat in Italy, the official said. security concerns as the so-called “caliphate” crumbles. killings and torture in secret safe tanks, rape of girls as young as seven, reached neighboring Democratic and grandfather with new, younger advisors Adding to Kim Jong Un’s mistrust in houses in South Sudan, and believe and babies being drowned, starved or Republic of Congo and up to 20,000 as he gears up to meet U.S. President Donald veteran diplomats, Han Song Ryol, who *** WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A winter storm oil revenues have driven much of smashed against trees. people were expected to be displaced Trump in Vietnam next week. was vice foreign minister in charge of U.S. the violence in its civil war, a report In some stricken areas, 65 percent by the latest fighting, he said. swept across much of the U.S. Midwest and Among the most significant changes, Kim relations until early last year, has been purged East Coast on Wednesday, hampering air travel said on Wednesday. of females and 36 percent of males The report cited a close connection has appointed little-known Kim Hyok Chol on charges of spying for the United States, may have been sexually abused, between oil and the conflict. A law and prompting officials to close federal offices The UN Commission on Human to spearhead working-level talks with U.S. two sources with knowledge of the situation in Washington and several large public school Rights in South Sudan recommended according to the report. ensuring that South Sudan’s oil- nuclear envoy Stephen Biegun. told Reuters. systems. The National Weather Service warned further investigation of evidence that Although South Sudan’s main producing regions and communities A former ambassador to Spain who was Han was one of the best known and highly the storm could make travel very difficult, proceeds from South Sudan’s oil- warring parties signed a peace deal received two and three percent of its expelled in 2017 after North Korean nuclear respected North Korean diplomats in the with snow, sleet and freezing rain potentially based economy had been channeled in September, widespread violence, oil revenue respectively had triggered and missile tests, Kim Hyok Chol has been United States, having for years manned causing downed branches and power outages. to government forces and militias especially rape, has continued. a redrawing of provincial boundaries working at the State Affairs Commission, the so-called “New York channel,” a key The storm reached from northern Minnesota down through Missouri and east into the Mid- linked to reported war crimes. A member of the three-person and ethnic conflict. a top governing body chaired by the young diplomatic conduit between Pyongyang and The Commission said the commission, Andrew Clapham, said The Human Rights Council should Atlantic region and could bring as much as 6 leader, a South Korean official said. Washington, before returning home in 2013. inches (15 cm) of snow along with sleet and army, national security, military it was outraged by reports of further get to the bottom of the sums He replaced Vice Foreign Minister Choe But Han has been out of the public eye for fighting between government forces involved and where the money was freezing rain, the National Weather Service intelligence, rebel forces and Son Hui, who led negotiations in the run up the past year, with state media last mentioning said in an advisory. The storm forced the affiliated armed groups had and the rebel National Salvation going, he told reporters, noting that to the first Trump-Kim summit in Singapore him in February 2018. closing of federal agencies in Washington as committed serious human rights Front, which was not part of the peace health and education spending was in June. South Korea’s Unification Ministry well as schools in Philadelphia, Baltimore and breaches, and it had drawn up a agreement, in the Yei River area. “minuscule”. “It’s a big boys’ game and many diplomats removed his name in its annual ‘Who’s Who’ Washington. Hundreds of flights were delayed confidential list of suspects including “There are thousands of civilians South Sudan is one of the world’s are being neglected, as they face fierce inter- in North Korea directory, released last month. or canceled in and out of major airports army and opposition commanders, who have been forcibly displaced worst humanitarian crises. This year agency rivalry and questions about their A diplomatic source in Seoul told Reuters, in Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago, according to Flightaware.com. Airports told two state governors and a county following a scorched-earth policy in the United Nations needs $1.5 billion ideological faithfulness given their experience citing North Korean officials, Han was commissioner. which the parties to the conflict are for live-saving aid for its population passengers on social media to check their in richer, capitalist nations,” the South Korean purged last year after being accused of spying airlines for delays and cancellations. Its 212-page report detailed people attacking the villages, torching the and $2.7 billion for its refugees. official said, asking to remain anonymous due for the United States and pocketing funds.