Category Archives: Current Affairs

commentary and opinion on current affairs issue

Trump Administration Appeal Hearing on Halting Visa Restrictions

North America Editor Kate Burrows-Jones explains in detail the Administration (Department of Justice case ) and the counter argument put by the Washington State Attorney.

In an emergency motion, arguments were heard last night by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals whether to uphold or turn a lower court decision by Seattle Federal District Court Judge (Justice) James Robart which had previously placed a restraining order against President Donald J. Trump’s Executive order banning travel from seven countries. The court ruling is not expected today. Judges ( justices) Clifton, Canby and Friedland presided by telephone and were Live-streamed to the public in a conference call with the Government’s Special Counsel for the Department of Justice, August Flentje, and the plaintiff, Noah Purcell, Solicitor General for the State of Washington in the case of State of Washington and State of Minnesota v. Trump.

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Trump Overturned by ‘9th Circus’

Kate Burrows-Jones, North America Editor

The system works, but it doesn’t. We have seen how an executive order can be successfully challenged by the courts, which is a victory for democracy, except……Unfortunately, the San Francisco 9th Circuit, also know as the 9th Circus, is stacked with activist judges and has an extraordinary 67% rate of reversal. The president put in play an ill-conceived order, which he did not sell well to the public. The press didn’t read the order and jumped on the ‘Muslim ban’ bandwagon. The courts appear to have overturned it less on merit, than on politics. We the American people lose. What happens if we are faced with a real emergency? Has a precedent now been set that the Executive can’t impose a ban on certain immigrant and refugee groups. The most recent one is similar to a more isolated one President Barack Obama put in place to reaction to gaps in security screening brought to his attention by the FBI?

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New American Sanctions on Iran for Testing Ballistic Missile

Kate Burrows-Jones, Worldmedia North America Editor

The United States Treasury Department today leveled  a New Set of Sanctions against Iran in response to to the Islamic Republic’s new medium-range ballistic missile testing. The American Administration says there is no impact on the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA.

 

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The White Paper & the Political Migraine Stopping Labour Head-Girl from Voting

Westminster- Adel Darwish 

HM government  published an official policy document setting out its Brexit plans; known as “ The White Paper” which  opposition MPs and the remainers have been urging The Prime Minister to do. 

The White Paper, a 77 page document in dark grey rectangle on the front page, lays out the government’s 12 “principles” , previously spelt out by Mrs May in her Lancaster House Speech last month,  including migration control and “taking control of our own laws”.

The paper presented by David Davis MP, The Secretary responsible for leaving the European Union who said the country’s “best days are still to come”, outside the EU.

The Opposition labour party Labour criticised the White papeer as “says nothing” and had been produced too late for “meaningful” scrutiny.

The White Paper, officially known as “ The Uniteds Kingom’s Exit from, and new partnership with, the European Union White Paper”  sets out the themes of the government’s objectives  to reach by negotiations with the EU.

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NO TEA FOR TRUMP? MPS DEBATE BANNING THE PRESIDENT. AGAIN.

Kate Burrows-Jones , North America Editor

A petition signed by over one million, among whom 800,000 are British, will require MPs to discuss whether US President Donald Trump should be banned from a state visit.  Any petition presented to parliament with over 100,000 signatures is automatically debated by MPs. The anti-Trump petition will be debated on Thursday, February 20th at Westminster Hall not in  the main Commons Chamber. The MPs will also debate another petition, signed by half a million people and put up on Monday night, welcoming Mr Trump to the UK.  The outcome of the debate only carries moral weight but has no effect on Government policy. A Sky News poll said 49% of Britons believe Trump should stay home.

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THE LADY AND THE TRUMP: THE FIRST DATE

by Kate Burrows-Jones; World Media North America Editor

As first dates go, the first formal get-together between British Prime Minister Theresa May and newly elected US President Donald Trump wasn’t bad. But if Ms. May is to turn this into Thatcher-Reagan redux, and partner with Mr. Trump to produce the legacy-defining accomplishments for her premiership that she seeks, she may need a little dating advice.

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The Hysteria on US “ Muslim Ban” What are the Facts?

By Kate Burrows-Jones, World Media North America Editor

President Trump Executive order is but sharpening existing laws set by his predecessor President Obama restricting entry to nationals of seven nations. ( below also include links to the full text of the order and related subjects)

Fake news indeed. There is no Executive order banning Muslims. President Donald Trump’s, perhaps ill-founded, ill-fated 90 day ban is based on President Barack Obama’s restrictions on Seven nations. Nobody cared when he did it, so was it a Muslim ban then? The law was written to address security concerns after the Paris Attacks, passing with overwhelming agreement. Voting was bipartisan, it passed the House 407-19.  What Trump did was apply a sharp force, a halt on movement, and cruelly with no notice to let people prepare. Let the people decide if it is wrong, but to call it “Muslim” in nature, is also wrong without reading the full executive order.

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The Lady And The Trump

Kate Burrows-Jones, North America Editor .

 

Distinguished as the first world leader to make an official visit to the new   American president, Prime Minister Theresa May stood out as something else,    an articulate and persuasive, Twenty First Century Iron Lady. She reminded her Republican audience of the best of Britain and America’s grand mutual historic past through world war and cold war, “It is the relationship between us that has defined the modern world.” She touched down on the common ground of British conservatism and Republican ideals of liberty, representative government, the dignity of work, the principle of nationhood, fiscal responsibility.

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Command Papers: What is a White paper?, MPs Demand One On Article 50

Although most Members of parliament MPs who ( I’d say 90%) asking for a government white paper are a die-hard remainers/remoaners who’s aim is to delay and frustrate plans to trigger Article 50  hoping for a second referendum a handful are genuine in holding gov to account. But parties are standing in different position on the issue, only one Tory MP  is with remain for example on triggering the article by end of March as the Prime Minister stated.

In reaction to the Supreme Court Ruling which went against the government, the latter is preparing a bill before parliament within days as secretary of State for Leaving the European Union David Dvis MP told the commons yesterday in a heated debate that helped flush out those who want reverse the result of the EU referendum.

During today’s Prime Minster’s questions the leaders of the opposition and one Tory backbenchers repeated the demand for a White paper. The white paper will be more or less the PM Lancaster House announced plan. This speech, unlike a ministerial statement, or a green/white paper, didn’t give MPs the chance to have a debate,  the kind of ” dancing on a pinhead” pedantically structured arguments, duel of wits on the floor of the house etc. A white-paper will give this self-indulging chance. For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the different types of command papers, read the details below on the difference between Green and White paper:
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Britain First as Trump Trades-in Trading Partners

By Kate Burrows-Jones North America Editor

British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with President Donald Trump in the US on Friday. Trade is set to be at the top of their agenda, as his spokesman, Sean Spicer, said in a press briefing on Monday, adding that the American leader was looking forward to a positive and warm meeting.  “We always had a close and special relationship, but we can also be closer,” the White House Press Secretary told reporters.  The Prime Minister will be the first world leader to meet with the US President indicating a resounding reinforcement of the special bond between the US and UK. The Prime Minister is expected to talk about free trade and NATO.

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