Síntesis informativa diaria - 19 de agosto 2019
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Seized Iranian Tanker Leaves Gibraltar Despite U.S. Pressure
An Iranian oil tanker held for six weeks after being impounded left Gibraltar on Sunday, after the authorities in the British territory rejected a request from American officials to turn the vessel over to them, the latest development in an episode that has contributed to raised tensions between Iran and the West.
A marine traffic monitoring website showed the tanker, the Grace 1, leaving Gibraltar’s waters shortly after 11 p.m. local time, with a destination of Kalamata, a port city in southern Greece, a move that has raised hopes that Iran will now release a British-flagged ship.
The Iranian vessel is expected to arrive in Greece on Sunday, according to the tracker. News organizations in Iran and Gibraltar confirmed that the ship had left Gibraltar, and Iran issued a warning soon afterward that any attempt by the United States to detain the tanker would have consequences.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/18/world/europe/iran-tanker.html
With Troop Buildup, China Sends a Stark Warning to Hong Kong
SHENZHEN, China — The Shenzhen Bay Sports Center rises along the shore with the green hills of Hong Kong visible across the water. It normally bustles with a variety of youth sports programs and dance, art and language academies, including one that advertises a “Hong Kong Style Education.”
In recent days, however, it has become a staging ground for olive-green military transports and armored personnel carriers that arrived on Aug. 11 and disgorged hundreds of security officers from the People’s Armed Police, a Chinese paramilitary force, who are loudly running through daily exercises and drills.
By massing the troops within view of Hong Kong, the semiautonomous territory convulsed by protests, China’s Communist Party is delivering a strong warning that the use of force remains an option for Beijing. It is also a stark reminder that military power remains a bedrock of the party’s legitimacy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/world/asia/hong-kong-china-troops.html
Egyptian Sought in F.B.I. Qaeda Query Says He Has Nothing to Hide
An Egyptian who has been living and working in Brazil as a furniture mover says he long ago got an inkling that he was on the American security establishment’s radar.
A few years ago, while he was living in Istanbul, a friend told the man, Mohamed Ahmed El Sayed Ahmed Ibrahim, that American officials wanted to meet with him, he said. They wanted to learn, he was told, about the diaspora of Egyptians who sought refuge in Turkey after the crackdown on Egypt’s Islamist movement in 2013.
“I didn’t have interest in speaking to them,” Mr. Ibrahim said in a telephone interview on Saturday from São Paulo, the teeming financial hub where he says he is happily married and in the furniture moving business.
Mr. Ibrahim said he had thought little of the American request until last week. That is when the F.B.I. disseminated a bulletin with his name and photograph alleging that he is an operative of Al Qaeda who has plotted attacks against American interests.
The notice said Mr. Ibrahim, who has lived in Brazil for a year and a half, should be considered armed and dangerous and said the bureau wanted to question him.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/18/world/americas/brazil-fbi-al-qaeda.html
One Minute It Was an Afghan Wedding. The Next, a Funeral for 63.
KABUL, Afghanistan — One minute, it was a wedding — nearly a thousand guests packed under one roof, a thin partition segregating them by gender. Men shimmied to a live band, women spun to a D.J. Their invitation cards read: We celebrate “with a world of hope and desire.”
The next minute, a suicide bomber walked into the men’s section of the Kabul hall and turned it into carnage. Dozens were dead, on the dance floor and around their tables. The band perished on the stage. The women were left broken, wailing, and searching.
Even by the standards of Afghanistan, where dozens are killed every day in a long war that seems out of control, the attack Saturday night was a shock. And not just because one bomber could end at least 63 lives, wound nearly 200, and scar hundreds of others for life.
It also was because of the choice of target and the timing, just as American negotiators are finalizing a deal with Taliban insurgents to extricate United States forces from Afghanistan after 18 years.
The Islamic State asserted responsibility on Sunday for the blast and identified the bomber in such a way as to suggest he was from neighboring Pakistan, underscoring just some of the complexities in the conflict that the Americans will be leaving behind.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/18/world/asia/kabul-wedding-bomb-isis.html?module=inline
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THE GUARDIAN
'I don't see a recession': Trump and advisers reject talk of economic disaster
In a 30-minute appearance before reporters in New Jersey, the president appeared impervious to danger. The characteristically freewheeling exchange covered his positions on trade, the economy, gun control and international relations.
“I don’t see a recession,” Trump said, preparing to fly to Washington. “We’re doing tremendously well. Our consumers are tremendously rich. They’re loaded up with money. Walmart is through the roof. We’re not going to have a recession – the world is in a recession right now.”
Plunging peso, grinding poverty: Argentina hears echoes of 2001 crisis
Following a sustained reduction in poverty during Kirchner’s years in office, from 2007 to 2015, some 2 million people have fallen below the breadline since Macri took office, statistics from Argentina’s Catholic University show, jumping from 29% to 35% of the population.
World’s nations gather to tackle wildlife extinction crisis
Extraordinary creatures being driven to extinction by the exotic pet trade, from glass frogs to star tortoises, may win extra protection from the 183-country conference. It may even see an extinct animal, the woolly mammoth, get safeguards, on the grounds that illegal elephant ivory is sometimes laundered by being labelled as antique mammoth tusks.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/frog-tortoises-cites-wildlife-summit
'A second Trump': Bolsonaro's offensive rhetoric adds to Brazil's discomfort
Eight months into Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right tenure, there is growing discomfort over the president’s inability – or refusal – to mind his mouth, and the impact this is having on Brazil’s place in the world.
“The president has become a risk for the country,” the broadsheet O Globo pronounced this week in an editorial lamenting how Bolsonaro’s “verbal incontinence” was costing Brazil international friends.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/19/bolsonaro-offensive-rhetoric-brazil
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XINHUA
China urges U.S. to immediately stop arms sales plan to Taiwan
BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday urged the United States to immediately stop its planned arms sales to Taiwan and cease military contact with Taiwan, saying otherwise, the U.S. side will have to bear all the consequences.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the comments in response to U.S. planned sales of F-16V fighter jets worth 8 billion U.S. dollars to Taiwan, reiterating that the move severely violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. Joint Communiques, especially the August 17 Communique.
China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as it seriously interferes in China's internal affairs and undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, Geng said.
The spokesperson said the Taiwan question concerns China's sovereignty, territorial integrity and core interests. And China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and security is firm.
"China will take necessary steps to safeguard its interests according to any developments with this issue," he said.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/19/c_138321266.htm
Iran says considers next step to reduce nuke commitments if interests not secured
TEHRAN, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that Iran is planning a next step to reduce its nuclear commitments in case parties to the 2015 nuclear deal fail to live up to their obligations to secure Iran's interests subject to the accord.
"Up to now, consultations on the implementation of the European commitments have failed," Mousavi was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.
"Efforts are underway, of course. (French President Emmanuel) Macron is making efforts," he said, adding that Iran is waiting for the possible outcome of diplomatic efforts before its deadline for the Europeans ends.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/19/c_138321252.htm
Tough measures adopted in Western countries to contain, deter violence in demonstrations
BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- In some Western countries, tough and comprehensive measures are adopted to contain and deter violence in demonstrations, with goals ranging from seeking an early control of the situation to avoiding violence through precautionary legislation.
In September 2011, anti-riot squads, riot cars, snipers, mounted police were recruited from eight towns to help New York City deal with the Occupy Wall Street movement. Stun batons, taser guns and other devices were used by police to control the situation amid protests, media reports said, and nearly 1,000 people were arrested in two weeks.
Regardless, demands should be expressed in a peaceful fashion, and when demonstrations become radical, police usually choose first to disperse the crowd, noted Li Mingcheng, a retired officer from Los Angeles County, California, speaking from his own experience.
Li said that in dispersing demonstrators, U.S. mounted police usually use water cannons, shields, and smoke bombs among other means. If they fail to put the situation under control, state and federal governments would seek intervention by National Guards.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/19/c_138321253.htm
Turkey says military convoy attacked in Syria, 3 killed
ANKARA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Up to three civilians were killed and 12 others injured on Monday in an airstrike carried out on a Turkish military convoy, which was on its way to an observation point in Idlib province of Syria, Turkey's Ministry of Defense said.
"The operations carried out by the regime, which violated the existing consensus and agreements with the Russian Federation in Idlib region, have caused great harm to the civilian or innocent people ... despite all warnings made to the authorities of the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a written statement.
The statement noted that the Turkish convoy was part of the deployment of troops to the region to secure the observation point there, keep the supply routes open and prevent further loss of civilians in the region.
Russia was informed of the move in advance, it added.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/19/c_138321316.htm
Second-hand warship donated by South Korea arrives in Philippines
MANILA, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- A second-hand warship donated to the Philippine Navy (PN) by South Korea has arrived in the Philippines.
Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Bacordo said on Monday that the BRP Conrado Yap (Patrol Ship 39) docked at the Manila South Harbor early on Sunday.
South Korea formally handed over to the Philippines the Pohang-class corvette to the Philippine Navy on Aug. 5 in Changwon City, South Korea.
Renamed BRP Conrado Yap (Patrol Ship 39), the ship was the former South Korean Pohang-class corvette Chungju, which served in the South Korean Navy from 1987 to 2016.
Bacordo said the ship is "the most powerful surface combat" ship of the PN today, adding the newly-acquired ship is equipped with "anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare capabilities."
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-08/19/c_138321311.htm
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ALJAZEERA
Iranian oil tanker departs Gibraltar after US request rebuffed
Oil tanker at centre of major diplomatic dispute departs Gibraltar after court rejects US request to extend detention.
According to monitoring website Marine Traffic, the supertanker lifted anchor on Sunday evening before 23:00 GMT. The tracking site showed the vessel moving east into the Mediterranean and listed Kalamata in Greece as the destination.
The ship, now renamed Adrian Darya 1, was previously known as Grace 1. It has a cargo of at least $130m worth of light crude oil.
Gibraltar's government said on Sunday it could not comply with the US request because of European law.
"The Central Authority's inability to seek the Orders requested is a result of the operation of European Union law and the differences in the sanctions regimes applicable to Iran in the EU and the US," the government said in a statement.
Trump: US peace plan likely to be released after Israel election
US president says he will wait until the September 17 elections before releasing the peace plan.
Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, is said to be the main architect of a proposed $50bn economic plan for Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon.
Palestinian leaders said the gathering avoided a political settlement based on a two-state solution, describing it as an attempt by the US administration and some of its allies in the region to "liquidate" the Palestinian cause.
Trump has taken an unapologetically pro-Israel line during his presidency, with moves including his controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in late 2017.
All you need to know about the clash between Kenyatta and Ruto
There is a growing divide between President Kenyatta and Deputy Ruto, highlighted by a recent corruption scandal.
Macharia Gaitho
The divide between them grew after July 22, with the arrest of Cabinet Secretary to the National Treasury Henry Rotich, who was accused of corruption.
On August 9, the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) task-force concluded public hearings on proposals for key constitutional amendments.
It will soon present its report and recommendations to Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The Ruto camp has never hidden its distrust for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), an outcome of the March 2018 peace pact between the president and Odinga - his long-time opposition foe. The initiative was symbolised by the famous public handshake between the two men - a moment now simply referred to as "The Handshake".
Ruto's supporters fear that the rapprochement signals Kenyatta's plan to renege on a power-sharing and succession pact, under which he would back Ruto for president at the 2022 elections after serving two terms.
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/clash-kenyatta-ruto-190815111239221.html
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AL MAYADEEN
Trump ideó enviar barcos de guerra a las costas de Venezuela, revela el portal digital Axios
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, pretendía desplegar buques de la Marina a lo largo de la costa venezolana para evitar la entrada y salida de bienes al país bolivariano, reveló el portal digital de noticias estadounidense Axios, el presidente de Estados Unidos.
Asimismo, aseguró haber consultado a cinco miembros actuales y anteriores de la Administración de Donald Trump quienes escucharon directamente al mandatario republicano discutir la idea o que fueron informados sobre los comentarios privados de este.
Los funcionarios consultados sostuvieron que, a su entender, el Pentágono no se ha tomado en serio este planteamiento, en parte porque los altos cargos militares creen que no es una idea práctica y tampoco tiene base legal.
Asimismo, el Pentágono no consideró nada factible la idea presidencial pues, según describe Axios, su puesta en marcha absorbería los recursos de una Marina que ya realiza acciones contra China e Irán.
Líder de Hamas afirma estar listo para intercambio de prisioneros con el régimen israelí
En 2017, Hamas anunció que mantenía cautivos a cuatro soldados israelíes, pero no indicó si estaban vivos o muertos, aunque Tel Aviv señaló que dos ya estaban muertos.
EE.UU. bombardeó campamento de Al-Saqr para presionar al gobierno iraquí, según Movimiento Al-Nujaba
Estados Unidos es responsable del ataque al campamento de Al-Saqr y ejercen presiones sobre el gobierno iraquí, incluido intentos de violar la soberanía, advirtió Firas al-Yasir, miembro del Buró político del Movimiento Al-Nujaba, organización de resistencia en la nación árabe que lucha contra Daesh.
Al-Yasir también se refirió al aumento en el número de tropas estadounidenses en Irak durante los últimos dos meses, y llamó al gobierno y a la Cámara de Representantes a promulgar una ley que permita evacuar a las fuerzas extranjeras del territorio nacional.
