Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Ohio special election on knife edge as Republicans fight to keep control - Guardian
Ohio special election on knife edge as Republicans fight to keep control
Troy Balderson takes on Democrat Danny O’Connor in polarising race over healthcare, immigration and Trump
Ben Jacobs in Zanesville, Ohio
@Bencjacobs
Tue 7 Aug 2018 18.00 AEST Last modified on Tue 7 Aug 2018 18.01 AEST
Ohio’s Twelfth Congressional District is a traditionally Republican area that has only elected a Democrat once since the Roosevelt Administration and it is a tossup in Tuesday’s special election.
The race, which is a dead heat in public polling, pits Republican Troy Balderson, a state senator from the rural eastern edge of the district, against Democrat Danny O’Connor, who is an elected official in Franklin County, which is the largest county in the state. The special election was prompted by the resignation of longtime incumbent Republican Pat Tiberi to take a private sector job.
The district centers on the prosperous, traditionally conservative suburbs of Columbus, the home base of Governor John Kasich. It was one of the few parts of Ohio to swing towards Hillary Clinton in 2016 as many well-educated Republican voters looked askance at Trump.
Democrats look for balancing act to win key Ohio district from Republicans
Read more
Balderson ended the race in an unusual manner: standing on a flatbed truck and speaking to a crowd in his parochial hometown of Zanesville, he cast aspersions on much of the rest of the district. “My opponent is from Franklin County and Franklin County has been challenging for us,” Balderson told the crowd. “We don’t want somebody from Franklin County representing us.”
Franklin County makes up roughly a third of the district.
In addition, when talking about his primary win, he described it in geographic terms. “We beat Franklin County. We beat Delaware County.”
Delaware County is the second largest county in the district and is considered the swing county in Tuesday.
The event was not advertised to the national media, which was deliberate. Balderson bragged “we were trying to keep the national media out of it because the national media doesn’t always understand what it’s like to be in the 12th congressional district so they come in here for a week or so, kind of see and get a pulse of what the communities are doing and they leave.”
Balderson’s aversion to talking to national outlets has been so pronounced that he only did his first interview with Fox News on Sunday, 48 hours before polls closed with a reporter who happened to be in the state.
In contrast, at an event in a crowded campaign office on Monday afternoon, O’Connor hailed the grassroots volunteers who would be knocking on doors from him.
After an introduction from actress Kathryn Hahn, the Democrat gave a familiar stump speech about being “part of a grassroots movement that is going to change the way politics work” and pledged he would “fight to protect to access to health care and fight against cuts to earned benefits to social security”.
Democratic congressional candidate Danny O’Connor helps two young girls skip rope during a campaign stop on 5 August in Mansfield, Ohio.
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Democratic congressional candidate Danny O’Connor helps two young girls skip rope during a campaign stop on 5 August in Mansfield, Ohio. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images
O’Connor, an affable 31-year-old who invariably campaigned in shorts, seemed perpetually open to everyone – media, voters or passersby. The Democrat positioned himself as a moderate who tried to appeal to the voters who long backed Kasich. He insisted that he would not support Nancy Pelosi for speaker and focused his campaign on his support for social security and Medicare.
Despite O’Connor’s insistence that he would not support Pelosi, Republicans have long used the unpopular Democratic leader as an attack line. This was helped when O’Connor, after being repeatedly pressed in television interview, said that he would vote for “whoever the Democratic Party puts forward”.
This served as additional ammunition for the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the outside superPAC that has carried much of the burden for Balderson, who has been a weak fundraiser and run what Republican observers have considered a lackluster campaign. CLF has spent over $2.7m on television advertising alone in the race and has knocked over 500,000 doors in the district
In a statement, Courtney Alexander, the group’s press secretary, said: “Danny O’Connor has spent the entire campaign lying about his support for Nancy Pelosi and her extreme, liberal agenda. The only thing O’Connor has proven to Ohioans is that he’ll do or say anything to get elected. Ohio families deserve a leader like Troy Balderson who will put Ohio families first, not Nancy Pelosi.”
‘It’s pretty lonely out here’: why John Kasich is willing to criticize Trump
Read more
While Pelosi has proved a flashpoint in the district, so has President Donald Trump.
Balderson initially raised eyebrows when he could not name a single area of disagreement with Trump. The statement caused the traditionally conservative Columbus Dispatch to endorse O’Connor and kept Kasich, the popular never-Trump governor, on the sidelines.
Kasich eventually endorsed Balderson after the Republican came out against Trump’s trade policy and the practice of family separation at the border. However, the relationship became awkward again on Sunday. A day after Trump appeared at a rally in the district for Balderson, Kasich said in an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that Trump had not been invited to campaign. The Balderson campaign has yet to address that claim.
However, the Republican enthused about his experience with Trump on Monday. He seemed giddy to recount “on Saturday, I had the opportunity to stand with, not only the President of the United States, but Donald J. Trump.” Balderson added: “I kept pinching myself.”
A win in the district for Democrats would be a major boost in their efforts to take the House in November. Republicans are clinging to a 23-seat majority and the fact that they are on the defense in such a traditionally conservative seat is an bad omen, even if Balderson pulls out a victory. As Kasich said in his interview Sunday, the tight race “really doesn’t bode well for the Republican Party because this should be -- shouldn’t even be contested.”
Is Winnie-the-Pooh Unwelcome in China? Christopher Robin Blocked From World's 2nd Biggest Film Market - TIME
Is Winnie-the-Pooh Unwelcome in China? Christopher Robin Blocked From World's 2nd Biggest Film Market
By ELI MEIXLER August 6, 2018
A representative of Walt Disney has confirmed that Christopher Robin, the new live-action Winnie-the-Pooh film, has been denied a release in China, the Associated Press reports.
No reason was given for blocking the release of the film from China, the world’s second largest film market.
The film, which grossed $25 million over its opening weekend, stars Ewan McGregor as an adult Christopher Robin, reunited with childhood friends Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Cathleen Taff, Disney’s head of distribution, confirmed the embargo, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, to the AP.
Financial Times
✔
@FT
A bear, however hard he tries, Falls foul of Chinese censors' eyes http://on.ft.com/2tYUlPd
6:32 AM - Jul 17, 2017
While it’s unclear exactly why the film will not be shown in China, the honey-seeking bear has become a frequent target of Chinese censors and a favorite meme of Chinese social media users, who joke the character bears resemblance to President Xi Jinping.
In June, Chinese authorities blocked access to HBO after an episode of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight broadcast a segment criticizing China’s censorship regime, also likenimg Xi to the portly bear.
By ELI MEIXLER August 6, 2018
A representative of Walt Disney has confirmed that Christopher Robin, the new live-action Winnie-the-Pooh film, has been denied a release in China, the Associated Press reports.
No reason was given for blocking the release of the film from China, the world’s second largest film market.
The film, which grossed $25 million over its opening weekend, stars Ewan McGregor as an adult Christopher Robin, reunited with childhood friends Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and the rest of the gang from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Cathleen Taff, Disney’s head of distribution, confirmed the embargo, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, to the AP.
Financial Times
✔
@FT
A bear, however hard he tries, Falls foul of Chinese censors' eyes http://on.ft.com/2tYUlPd
6:32 AM - Jul 17, 2017
While it’s unclear exactly why the film will not be shown in China, the honey-seeking bear has become a frequent target of Chinese censors and a favorite meme of Chinese social media users, who joke the character bears resemblance to President Xi Jinping.
In June, Chinese authorities blocked access to HBO after an episode of John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight broadcast a segment criticizing China’s censorship regime, also likenimg Xi to the portly bear.
Trump foe Rosie O'Donnell predicts big November turnout: 'People have just really had enough' - CNN
Trump foe Rosie O'Donnell predicts big November turnout: 'People have just really had enough'
By Eli Watkins, CNN
Updated 0204 GMT (1004 HKT) August 7, 2018
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Roseanne Barr: My character voted for Trump
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks calls political climate 'hellacious'
Oprah reacts to Trump calling her 'insecure'
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Actress Stacey Dash attends the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for FOX)
'Clueless' star drops congressional bid
Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. North Korea is expecting another visit by former NBA bad boy Rodman on Tuesday in what would be his first to the country since President Donald Trump took office. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Rodman takes some credit for Warmbier release
Tina Fey shares a laugh with Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show" on March 3.
Tina Fey mocks Trump at fundraiser
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Rosie O'Donnell: Trump is loathed in America
lebron james escuela lakers ohio eeuu deportes pkg cnnee_00011517.jpg
First lady praises LeBron James
lebron james 2
LeBron James: Trump is dividing us
Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pranks politicians
Kim Kardashian meeting with Trump officials
Originally from Chicago's South Side, Chance the Rapper's latest album, "Acid Rap," earned him Spin Magazine's "rapper of the year" distinction for 2013.
Chance the Rapper rejects Trump 'thank you'
"Law & Order" star Sam Waterston is in a new video calling for people to protest the potential firing of Rod Rosenstein
'Law & Order' star: Don't fire Rosenstein
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Six things you may not know about Cynthia Nixon
Former Disney star joins the White House
Roseanne Barr: My character voted for Trump
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks calls political climate 'hellacious'
Oprah reacts to Trump calling her 'insecure'
'Clueless' star drops congressional bid
Rodman takes some credit for Warmbier release
Tina Fey shares a laugh with Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show" on March 3.
Tina Fey mocks Trump at fundraiser
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Rosie O'Donnell: Trump is loathed in America
lebron james escuela lakers ohio eeuu deportes pkg cnnee_00011517.jpg
First lady praises LeBron James
lebron james 2
LeBron James: Trump is dividing us
Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pranks politicians
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, SPECIAL RATES APPLY) Kim Kardashian-West speaks at The Girls' Lounge dinner, giving visibility to women at Advertising Week 2016, at Pier 60 on September 27, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The Girls' Lounge)
Kim Kardashian meeting with Trump officials
Originally from Chicago's South Side, Chance the Rapper's latest album, "Acid Rap," earned him Spin Magazine's "rapper of the year" distinction for 2013.
Chance the Rapper rejects Trump 'thank you'
"Law & Order" star Sam Waterston is in a new video calling for people to protest the potential firing of Rod Rosenstein
'Law & Order' star: Don't fire Rosenstein
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Six things you may not know about Cynthia Nixon
Washington (CNN)Rosie O'Donnell, a longtime foe of President Donald Trump, said on Monday that "most of America" agreed with her that Trump should be out of office, and she predicted success for her side in November.
"I think that on Election Day, we are going to show up in a huge way, in a way that we haven't ever seen before in the United States, and people have just really had enough," O'Donnell said on CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time."
She added, "I believe that Trump is loathed in America, that people are embarrassed and ashamed of who he is."
Earlier on Monday, O'Donnell had gone to a protest in front of the White House to voice her opposition.
"All we have to do is encourage people to show up, to protest, to use their voice, to save democracy," O'Donnell told Chris Cuomo. "We've got just a couple months till November, and till then we have to fight with everything we got."
In the interview, O'Donnell also claimed the 2016 election had been "rigged" by Russia at Trump's request, although there is no public evidence to substantiate that, and the US intelligence community did not conclude that the Russian efforts in 2016 included changing any vote counts.
O'Donnell's and Trump's disdain for each other predates his presidential run, and it has continued since he took office. O'Donnell protested Trump outside the White House just weeks into his tenure, and after he fired FBI Director James Comey last year Trump quoted a tweet from O'Donnell calling for Comey's firing in December 2016, adding, "We finally agree on something Rosie."
Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
We finally agree on something Rosie.
ROSIE
✔
@Rosie
Replying to @pricklyeater @brianefallon
- FIRE COMEY
5:55 AM - May 12, 2017
By Eli Watkins, CNN
Updated 0204 GMT (1004 HKT) August 7, 2018
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Roseanne Barr: My character voted for Trump
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks calls political climate 'hellacious'
Oprah reacts to Trump calling her 'insecure'
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 25: Actress Stacey Dash attends the FOX, 20th Century FOX Television, FX Networks and National Geographic Channel's 2014 Emmy Award Nominee Celebration at Vibiana on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for FOX)
'Clueless' star drops congressional bid
Former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, June 13, 2017. North Korea is expecting another visit by former NBA bad boy Rodman on Tuesday in what would be his first to the country since President Donald Trump took office. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Rodman takes some credit for Warmbier release
Tina Fey shares a laugh with Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show" on March 3.
Tina Fey mocks Trump at fundraiser
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Rosie O'Donnell: Trump is loathed in America
lebron james escuela lakers ohio eeuu deportes pkg cnnee_00011517.jpg
First lady praises LeBron James
lebron james 2
LeBron James: Trump is dividing us
Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pranks politicians
Kim Kardashian meeting with Trump officials
Originally from Chicago's South Side, Chance the Rapper's latest album, "Acid Rap," earned him Spin Magazine's "rapper of the year" distinction for 2013.
Chance the Rapper rejects Trump 'thank you'
"Law & Order" star Sam Waterston is in a new video calling for people to protest the potential firing of Rod Rosenstein
'Law & Order' star: Don't fire Rosenstein
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Six things you may not know about Cynthia Nixon
Former Disney star joins the White House
Roseanne Barr: My character voted for Trump
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks calls political climate 'hellacious'
Oprah reacts to Trump calling her 'insecure'
'Clueless' star drops congressional bid
Rodman takes some credit for Warmbier release
Tina Fey shares a laugh with Jimmy Fallon on "The Tonight Show" on March 3.
Tina Fey mocks Trump at fundraiser
rosie o'donnell trump feud activism sot cpt vpx_00001305
Rosie O'Donnell: Trump is loathed in America
lebron james escuela lakers ohio eeuu deportes pkg cnnee_00011517.jpg
First lady praises LeBron James
lebron james 2
LeBron James: Trump is dividing us
Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen pranks politicians
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS, SPECIAL RATES APPLY) Kim Kardashian-West speaks at The Girls' Lounge dinner, giving visibility to women at Advertising Week 2016, at Pier 60 on September 27, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The Girls' Lounge)
Kim Kardashian meeting with Trump officials
Originally from Chicago's South Side, Chance the Rapper's latest album, "Acid Rap," earned him Spin Magazine's "rapper of the year" distinction for 2013.
Chance the Rapper rejects Trump 'thank you'
"Law & Order" star Sam Waterston is in a new video calling for people to protest the potential firing of Rod Rosenstein
'Law & Order' star: Don't fire Rosenstein
Former Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon speaks to people at the Bethesda Healing Center in Brooklyn, New York on March 20, 2018 at her first event since announcing that shes running for governor of New York.
Cynthia Nixon, the US actress who shot to fame as workaholic lawyer Miranda on "Sex and the City," jumped into the race for New York governor March 19, 2018, unveiling a progressive platform championing economic equality and eschewing big business.The 51-year-old declared her candidacy with a two-minute campaign video posted on Twitter that showed her at home with her wife and children, riding the subway, taking one of her children to school and speaking at liberal political causes.
Six things you may not know about Cynthia Nixon
Washington (CNN)Rosie O'Donnell, a longtime foe of President Donald Trump, said on Monday that "most of America" agreed with her that Trump should be out of office, and she predicted success for her side in November.
"I think that on Election Day, we are going to show up in a huge way, in a way that we haven't ever seen before in the United States, and people have just really had enough," O'Donnell said on CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time."
She added, "I believe that Trump is loathed in America, that people are embarrassed and ashamed of who he is."
Earlier on Monday, O'Donnell had gone to a protest in front of the White House to voice her opposition.
"All we have to do is encourage people to show up, to protest, to use their voice, to save democracy," O'Donnell told Chris Cuomo. "We've got just a couple months till November, and till then we have to fight with everything we got."
In the interview, O'Donnell also claimed the 2016 election had been "rigged" by Russia at Trump's request, although there is no public evidence to substantiate that, and the US intelligence community did not conclude that the Russian efforts in 2016 included changing any vote counts.
O'Donnell's and Trump's disdain for each other predates his presidential run, and it has continued since he took office. O'Donnell protested Trump outside the White House just weeks into his tenure, and after he fired FBI Director James Comey last year Trump quoted a tweet from O'Donnell calling for Comey's firing in December 2016, adding, "We finally agree on something Rosie."
Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
We finally agree on something Rosie.
ROSIE
✔
@Rosie
Replying to @pricklyeater @brianefallon
- FIRE COMEY
5:55 AM - May 12, 2017
Saudi Arabia suspends Toronto flights in row with Canada - BBC News
Saudi Arabia suspends Toronto flights in row with Canada
6 August 2018
Samar Badawi - a prominent human rights campaigner whose brother is serving a 10-year sentence - was arrested last week
Saudi Arabia's state airline has suspended its direct flights to Toronto after Canada called for the release of detained activists for civil society and women's rights.
The Middle Eastern country has also frozen all trade and expelled Canada's ambassador over the "interference".
Canada has responded by saying it "will continue to advocate for human rights".
Those held include the Saudi-American human rights campaigner Samar Badawi, sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was "deeply concerned" by the diplomat's expulsion, but added: "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression around the world.
"We will never hesitate to promote these values and we believe that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy."
Saudi Arabia widens crackdown on women's rights activists
Have executions doubled in Saudi Arabia?
Who is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed?
Her Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir, had earlier tweeted that Canada's position was based on "misleading information", adding that anyone arrested was "subject to Saudi laws that guarantee their rights".
The leading Saudi women's rights campaigner Manal al-Sharif thanked Canada for "speaking up" and asked when other Western powers would do the same.
Manal al-Sharif
✔
@manal_alsharif
Thank you, Canada for speaking up. When are we going to hear from the US, the UK, and the EU about these arrests? #HumanRights #ReleaseSaudiDetainees #Saudi #Canada
Foreign Policy CAN
✔
@CanadaFP
Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists.
6:12 PM - Aug 6, 2018
In what appeared to be a further sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries, a verified Twitter account, which is reportedly linked to Saudi authorities, shared an image of a plane flying towards Toronto's famed CN Tower.
The image was overlaid with text, including a quote which read "he who with what doesn't concern him finds what doesn't please him".
Skip Twitter post by @AlexInAir
View image on TwitterView image on Twitter
Alex Macheras
✔
@AlexInAir
More very concerning rhetoric emerging from #SaudiArabia, once again involving aviation.
In Saudi’s latest rift, now with #Canada — an account connected to the Saudi Royal Court has published images with text of an @AirCanada Boeing 767 descending towards CN Tower in Toronto 😳
11:50 PM - Aug 6, 2018
People on social media have been quick to point out the similarities between the image and images of 9/11.
The account has since been deleted, but cached versions of the tweet are circulating online.
Who is being held?
Last Tuesday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 15 human rights defenders and women's rights activists critical of the Saudi government had been arrested or detained arbitrarily since 15 May.
Eight of them are believed to have been released pending "procedural reviews", but the whereabouts of several others are unknown.
Several of those detained have been accused of serious crimes, including "suspicious contact with foreign parties", and could face up to 20 years in prison.
Human rights groups reported that Ms Badawi was also detained last week, along with fellow women's rights campaigner Nassima al-Sadah.
Ms Badawi was given the US International Women of Courage Award in 2012 and is known for challenging Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system.
Her brother Raif was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam" online back in 2014, while his wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen.
What did Canada say?
Chrystia Freeland called for the release of Samar Badawi and her brother Raif
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote on Twitter on Thursday that she was "very alarmed" to learn that Ms Badawi had been detained.
The next day, the Canadian foreign ministry called for the activist's "immediate release".
Foreign Policy CAN
✔
@CanadaFP
Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists.
12:10 AM - Aug 4, 2018
How did Saudi Arabia react?
The Saudi foreign ministry statement expressed "disbelief [at] this negative unfounded comment which was not based [on] any accurate or true information".
It insisted the activists were being detained lawfully and that the Canadian statements represented "blatant interference in the kingdom's domestic affairs".
Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦
✔
@KSAmofaEN
Replying to @KSAmofaEN
#Statement | Using the phrase (immediately release) in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between States.
8:59 AM - Aug 6, 2018
The ministry recalled its ambassador to Canada for consultations and declared the Canadian ambassador persona non grata, giving him 24 hours to leave.
Saudi Arabia would also "put on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action", it said. Trade between the two countries was worth $3bn (£2.3bn) in 2016.
All scholarships enabling Saudi students to study in Canada were also suspended, while students already in the country will be relocated.
It is unclear how many people this will affect. The Vancouver Sun said in 2015 that about 5,000 new students arrive from Saudi Arabia each year.
6 August 2018
Samar Badawi - a prominent human rights campaigner whose brother is serving a 10-year sentence - was arrested last week
Saudi Arabia's state airline has suspended its direct flights to Toronto after Canada called for the release of detained activists for civil society and women's rights.
The Middle Eastern country has also frozen all trade and expelled Canada's ambassador over the "interference".
Canada has responded by saying it "will continue to advocate for human rights".
Those held include the Saudi-American human rights campaigner Samar Badawi, sister of jailed blogger Raif Badawi.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said she was "deeply concerned" by the diplomat's expulsion, but added: "Canada will always stand up for the protection of human rights, including women's rights and freedom of expression around the world.
"We will never hesitate to promote these values and we believe that this dialogue is critical to international diplomacy."
Saudi Arabia widens crackdown on women's rights activists
Have executions doubled in Saudi Arabia?
Who is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed?
Her Saudi counterpart, Adel al-Jubeir, had earlier tweeted that Canada's position was based on "misleading information", adding that anyone arrested was "subject to Saudi laws that guarantee their rights".
The leading Saudi women's rights campaigner Manal al-Sharif thanked Canada for "speaking up" and asked when other Western powers would do the same.
Manal al-Sharif
✔
@manal_alsharif
Thank you, Canada for speaking up. When are we going to hear from the US, the UK, and the EU about these arrests? #HumanRights #ReleaseSaudiDetainees #Saudi #Canada
Foreign Policy CAN
✔
@CanadaFP
Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists.
6:12 PM - Aug 6, 2018
In what appeared to be a further sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries, a verified Twitter account, which is reportedly linked to Saudi authorities, shared an image of a plane flying towards Toronto's famed CN Tower.
The image was overlaid with text, including a quote which read "he who with what doesn't concern him finds what doesn't please him".
Skip Twitter post by @AlexInAir
View image on TwitterView image on Twitter
Alex Macheras
✔
@AlexInAir
More very concerning rhetoric emerging from #SaudiArabia, once again involving aviation.
In Saudi’s latest rift, now with #Canada — an account connected to the Saudi Royal Court has published images with text of an @AirCanada Boeing 767 descending towards CN Tower in Toronto 😳
11:50 PM - Aug 6, 2018
People on social media have been quick to point out the similarities between the image and images of 9/11.
The account has since been deleted, but cached versions of the tweet are circulating online.
Who is being held?
Last Tuesday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 15 human rights defenders and women's rights activists critical of the Saudi government had been arrested or detained arbitrarily since 15 May.
Eight of them are believed to have been released pending "procedural reviews", but the whereabouts of several others are unknown.
Several of those detained have been accused of serious crimes, including "suspicious contact with foreign parties", and could face up to 20 years in prison.
Human rights groups reported that Ms Badawi was also detained last week, along with fellow women's rights campaigner Nassima al-Sadah.
Ms Badawi was given the US International Women of Courage Award in 2012 and is known for challenging Saudi Arabia's male guardianship system.
Her brother Raif was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam" online back in 2014, while his wife, Ensaf Haidar, lives in Canada and recently became a Canadian citizen.
What did Canada say?
Chrystia Freeland called for the release of Samar Badawi and her brother Raif
Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland wrote on Twitter on Thursday that she was "very alarmed" to learn that Ms Badawi had been detained.
The next day, the Canadian foreign ministry called for the activist's "immediate release".
Foreign Policy CAN
✔
@CanadaFP
Canada is gravely concerned about additional arrests of civil society and women’s rights activists in #SaudiArabia, including Samar Badawi. We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists.
12:10 AM - Aug 4, 2018
How did Saudi Arabia react?
The Saudi foreign ministry statement expressed "disbelief [at] this negative unfounded comment which was not based [on] any accurate or true information".
It insisted the activists were being detained lawfully and that the Canadian statements represented "blatant interference in the kingdom's domestic affairs".
Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦
✔
@KSAmofaEN
Replying to @KSAmofaEN
#Statement | Using the phrase (immediately release) in the Canadian statement is very unfortunate, reprehensible, and unacceptable in relations between States.
8:59 AM - Aug 6, 2018
The ministry recalled its ambassador to Canada for consultations and declared the Canadian ambassador persona non grata, giving him 24 hours to leave.
Saudi Arabia would also "put on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action", it said. Trade between the two countries was worth $3bn (£2.3bn) in 2016.
All scholarships enabling Saudi students to study in Canada were also suspended, while students already in the country will be relocated.
It is unclear how many people this will affect. The Vancouver Sun said in 2015 that about 5,000 new students arrive from Saudi Arabia each year.
an sanctions: Rouhani condemns US 'psychological warfare' - BBC News
August 7, 2018.
Iran sanctions: Rouhani condemns US 'psychological warfare'
What is the Iran nuclear deal?
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hit out at the United States over its reinstatement of economic sanctions.
He described the measures, which came into effect overnight, as "psychological warfare" which aimed to "sow division among Iranians".
The sanctions take aim at various sectors, with further punitive action planned against Iran's oil trade.
The European Union has spoken out against the measures, vowing to protect firms doing "legitimate business".
It follows the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, earlier this year.
The deal, negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama, saw Iran limit its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
US President Donald Trump says the deal is "one-sided" and he believes renewed economic pressure will force Iran to agree to a new deal and end its "malign" activities.
What are the sanctions?
Mr Trump signed an executive order which brought sanctions back into place at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT) on Tuesday. They target:
The purchase or acquisition of US banknotes by Iran's government
Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals
Graphite, aluminium, steel, coal and software used in industrial processes
Transactions related to the Iranian rial currency
Activities relating to Iran's issuance of sovereign debt
Iran's automotive sector
A second phase is planned to come back into effect on 5 November which will have implications for Iran's energy and shipping sectors, petroleum trading and transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran.
Why is the US implementing them?
The imposing of sanctions follows Mr Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal earlier this year.
Mr Trump had long spoken out against the agreement, labelling it "disastrous" and the "worst deal I've ever seen".
Iran nuclear deal: Key details
The impact of Iran sanctions - in charts
Only the US has withdrawn, with other signatories remaining committed to the original agreement.
Mr Trump says Iran faces a choice to "either change its threatening, destabilising behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation".
"I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism," Mr Trump said on Monday.
What has the reaction been?
Mr Rouhani said the US government had "turned their back on diplomacy" with the action.
Mr Rouhani rebuked Mr Trump's strategy, saying "negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense"
"They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation." Mr Rouhani said. "Negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense. We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... but talks need honesty,"
He also accused the Trump administration of using Iran as domestic political leverage ahead of November's midterm elections in the United States.
The foreign ministers of Germany, the UK and France released a statement on Monday that said the nuclear deal remained "crucial" to global security.
They also unveiled a "blocking statute" which is intended to protect European firms doing business with Iran despite the new US sanctions.
Alistair Burt, the UK's minister of state for the Middle East, told the BBC: "If a company fears legal action taken against it and enforcement action taken against it by an entity in response to American sanctions, then that company can be protected as far as EU legislation is concerned."
However, German car and lorry maker Daimler, a major firm which announced a joint venture in Iran last year, confirmed this week that it has now ceased activities in the country.
The US had previously rejected calls to offer exemptions, with Mr Trump vowing "severe consequences" against firms and individuals who continued to trade with Iran.
An anonymous senior US official said that the administration was "not particularly concerned" by EU protection efforts.
How will Iran's economy be affected?
Iran has seen unrest since last December over a poorly-performing economy.
Rising food prices, unemployment and even poor water supplies have led to protests in a number of cities.
Demonstrations in Tehran in June were said to be the capital's biggest since 2012.
Media captionTehran saw large-scale economic protests in June
How much they are tied to the new US sanctions policy is hard to determine, but one definite link is the effect on Iran's currency. It has lost around half of its value since Mr Trump announced the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Iran is easing its foreign exchange rules to try to bolster the rial, and the currency's fall has been stabilised this month.
Iranians have been hoarding gold as a safeguard, pushing it to a record high in Tehran.
The sanctions may bite hardest in November, when the US blocks Iranian oil sales.
This could halt about half of Iran's exports of some two million barrels a day, although Iran may look to China and Russia to keep its industry afloat.
The International Monetary Fund said in March that Iran's net official reserves could decline this year to $97.8bn, which would finance about 13 months of imports. And analysts at BMI Research say Iran's economy could contract by 4.3% in 2019.
However, Barbara Slavin, of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, told the Wall Street Journal that when sanctions hit hard, it often means ordinary people become "totally dependent" on their government and so sanctions do not tend to topple regimes.
Iran sanctions: Rouhani condemns US 'psychological warfare'
What is the Iran nuclear deal?
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has hit out at the United States over its reinstatement of economic sanctions.
He described the measures, which came into effect overnight, as "psychological warfare" which aimed to "sow division among Iranians".
The sanctions take aim at various sectors, with further punitive action planned against Iran's oil trade.
The European Union has spoken out against the measures, vowing to protect firms doing "legitimate business".
It follows the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, earlier this year.
The deal, negotiated during the presidency of Barack Obama, saw Iran limit its controversial nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
US President Donald Trump says the deal is "one-sided" and he believes renewed economic pressure will force Iran to agree to a new deal and end its "malign" activities.
What are the sanctions?
Mr Trump signed an executive order which brought sanctions back into place at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT) on Tuesday. They target:
The purchase or acquisition of US banknotes by Iran's government
Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals
Graphite, aluminium, steel, coal and software used in industrial processes
Transactions related to the Iranian rial currency
Activities relating to Iran's issuance of sovereign debt
Iran's automotive sector
A second phase is planned to come back into effect on 5 November which will have implications for Iran's energy and shipping sectors, petroleum trading and transactions by foreign financial institutions with the Central Bank of Iran.
Why is the US implementing them?
The imposing of sanctions follows Mr Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal earlier this year.
Mr Trump had long spoken out against the agreement, labelling it "disastrous" and the "worst deal I've ever seen".
Iran nuclear deal: Key details
The impact of Iran sanctions - in charts
Only the US has withdrawn, with other signatories remaining committed to the original agreement.
Mr Trump says Iran faces a choice to "either change its threatening, destabilising behaviour and reintegrate with the global economy, or continue down a path of economic isolation".
"I remain open to reaching a more comprehensive deal that addresses the full range of the regime's malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism," Mr Trump said on Monday.
What has the reaction been?
Mr Rouhani said the US government had "turned their back on diplomacy" with the action.
Mr Rouhani rebuked Mr Trump's strategy, saying "negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense"
"They want to launch psychological warfare against the Iranian nation." Mr Rouhani said. "Negotiations with sanctions doesn't make sense. We are always in favour of diplomacy and talks... but talks need honesty,"
He also accused the Trump administration of using Iran as domestic political leverage ahead of November's midterm elections in the United States.
The foreign ministers of Germany, the UK and France released a statement on Monday that said the nuclear deal remained "crucial" to global security.
They also unveiled a "blocking statute" which is intended to protect European firms doing business with Iran despite the new US sanctions.
Alistair Burt, the UK's minister of state for the Middle East, told the BBC: "If a company fears legal action taken against it and enforcement action taken against it by an entity in response to American sanctions, then that company can be protected as far as EU legislation is concerned."
However, German car and lorry maker Daimler, a major firm which announced a joint venture in Iran last year, confirmed this week that it has now ceased activities in the country.
The US had previously rejected calls to offer exemptions, with Mr Trump vowing "severe consequences" against firms and individuals who continued to trade with Iran.
An anonymous senior US official said that the administration was "not particularly concerned" by EU protection efforts.
How will Iran's economy be affected?
Iran has seen unrest since last December over a poorly-performing economy.
Rising food prices, unemployment and even poor water supplies have led to protests in a number of cities.
Demonstrations in Tehran in June were said to be the capital's biggest since 2012.
Media captionTehran saw large-scale economic protests in June
How much they are tied to the new US sanctions policy is hard to determine, but one definite link is the effect on Iran's currency. It has lost around half of its value since Mr Trump announced the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal.
Iran is easing its foreign exchange rules to try to bolster the rial, and the currency's fall has been stabilised this month.
Iranians have been hoarding gold as a safeguard, pushing it to a record high in Tehran.
The sanctions may bite hardest in November, when the US blocks Iranian oil sales.
This could halt about half of Iran's exports of some two million barrels a day, although Iran may look to China and Russia to keep its industry afloat.
The International Monetary Fund said in March that Iran's net official reserves could decline this year to $97.8bn, which would finance about 13 months of imports. And analysts at BMI Research say Iran's economy could contract by 4.3% in 2019.
However, Barbara Slavin, of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, told the Wall Street Journal that when sanctions hit hard, it often means ordinary people become "totally dependent" on their government and so sanctions do not tend to topple regimes.
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