SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 / 1:01 PM / UPDATED 13 HOURS AGO
Trump administration takes aim at International Criminal Court, PLO
Steve Hollan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Monday threatened tough action against the International Criminal Court should it try to prosecute Americans for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and said the PLO’s office in Washington would be closed for seeking to punish Israel through the court.
“The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court,” national security adviser John Bolton told the Federalist Society, a conservative group, in his first major address since joining President Donald Trump’s White House in April.
The U.S. response could include sanctions against ICC judges should such prosecutions proceed, Bolton warned.
He added that the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington was being ordered closed out of concern about Palestinian attempts to prompt an ICC investigation of Israel.
Bolton said he did not believe the closure of the PLO office in Washington would shut the door on a long-delayed Arab-Israeli peace plan that Trump senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner has been developing for months.
He said the plan continued to be refined with an eye toward eventually proposing it.
The Palestinians said they were undeterred from going to the ICC. They deemed the planned PLO mission closure a new pressure tactic by a Trump administration that has slashed funding to a U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees and to hospitals in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians want as capital of a future state.
“We reiterate that the rights of the Palestinian people are not for sale, that we will not succumb to U.S. threats and bullying,” Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said in a statement.
“Accordingly, we continue to call upon the International Criminal Court to open its immediate investigation into Israeli crimes.”
Israel welcomed the Trump administration’s move and accused the Palestinians of seeing the court as a way of sidestepping U.S.-sponsored bilateral talks. Those contacts stalled in 2014.
“The Palestinians’ resort to the ICC and refusal to negotiate with Israel and the United States is not the way to advance peace, and it is good that the United States is taking a clear stand on this matter,” said an Israeli official who requested anonymity.
‘WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH ICC’
Bolton said the Trump administration “will fight back” if the ICC proceeds with opening an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by U.S. service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan.
“The ICC prosecutor has requested to investigate these Americans for alleged detainee abuse, and perhaps more - an utterly unfounded, unjustifiable investigation,” he said.
If such an inquiry goes ahead, the Trump administration will consider banning judges and prosecutors from entering the United States, put sanctions on any funds they have in the U.S. financial system and prosecute them in American courts, Bolton said.
“We will not cooperate with the ICC. We will provide no assistance to the ICC. We will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us,” he said.
In addition, the United States may negotiate more binding, bilateral agreements to prohibit nations from surrendering Americans to The Hague-based court, Bolton said.
The court’s aim is to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
The United States did not ratify the Rome treaty that established the ICC in 2002, with Republican President George W. Bush opposed to the court. Bush’s Democratic successor, Barack Obama, took some steps to cooperate with it.
Palestinians have reacted with dismay to the U.S. funding cuts, warning that they could lead to more poverty and anger - among factors stoking their decades of conflict with Israel.
Trump ordered last week that $25 million earmarked for the care of Palestinians in East Jerusalem be directed elsewhere.
“This decision will create serious cash-flow problems at the hospitals and will necessarily create delays in life-saving and other urgent treatments,” Walid Nammour, head of the network of six hospitals affected, told reporters on Monday. “Overall, the decision puts the health of 5 million Palestinians at risk.”
Reporting by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem; Editing by William Maclean and Peter Cooney
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
No, Plastic Straws Are Not The Worst Ocean Contaminant, Cigarette Butts Are - Forbes
Sept. 11, 2018.
No, Plastic Straws Are Not The Worst Ocean Contaminant, Cigarette Butts Are
Trevor Nace
While we have all heard the recent push to eliminate plastic straws from popular use, the cigarette butt has largely lost in the shuffle despite being the biggest ocean contaminant.
Plastic waste, especially in our world's oceans has increasingly become a widespread issue. Several international companies, including Starbucks, McDonald's, hotel chains Marriott and Hyatt, and the city of Seattle have all set plans in place to ban plastic straw use.
According to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project, 5.5 trillion cigarettes are consumed every year, with 90% of them containing a plastic-based cigarette filter. Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, an artificial fiber that takes decades to break down. NBC News reports that two-thirds of those filters are dumped, many of which make their way to oceans and beaches.
Cigarette filters were deployed in the mid-1900s as a marketing campaign by tobacco companies to lessen the growing concern over cigarette smoke hazards. However, they've been shown to be solely marketing tools, not causing a reduction in toxic chemicals from tobacco tar. Filtered cigarettes are no safer than unfiltered cigarettes. While the implementation of filters worked as a marketing campaign, they introduced a tremendous amount of waste with no added health benefits.
In this Aug. 2, 2011 photo, a French tourist put out a cigarette in an ashtray at La Ciotat beach near Marseille, southern France. A small town in Provence has found an unusual way to attract more vacationing families to its sun-drenched white sand beach: ban smoking from one stretch of its Mediterranean seafront, eliminating the cigarette butts dropped by careless smokers that find their way into children's' sand castles or worse, mouths. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
With no added health benefit, popular opinion has been growing that tobacco companies should remove filters from their cigarettes and in doing so remove trillions of cigarette butts from ending up in oceans and landfills.
Civic Nation BRANDVOICE
Five Things Collegewise And Reach Higher Want You To Know
One of the largest continual beach cleanups, sponsored by the Ocean Conservatory, has been collecting trash yearly on beaches since 1986. In that time, cigarette butts were by far the most collected trash item on beaches.
Cigarette Butts: 2.4 million
Food Wrappers: 1.7 million
Plastic Bottles: 1.6 million
Plastic Bottle Caps: 1.0 million
Plastic Grocery Bags: 0.8 million
While cigarette butts are clearly a large issue when it comes to plastic waste, there remain large hurdles as to who holds the responsibility to eliminate the waste.
Should tobacco companies remove the ineffective filters similar to Starbucks opting to remove plastic straws? Should cigarette smokers the target of litter campaigns and taxed more heavily per pack as they are the ones improperly disposing of cigarette butts? Or should local cities and governments implement bans on cigarette buts similar to Seattle banning plastic straws? As of now, it's unclear who or what will take responsibility to reduce cigarette butt waste.
I am a geologist passionate about sharing Earth's intricacies with you. I received my PhD from Duke University where I studied the geology and climate of the Amazon. I am the founder of Science Trends, a leading source of science news and analysis on everything from climate ... MORE
Trevor Nace is a PhD geologist, founder of Science Trends, Forbes contributor, and explorer. Follow his journey @trevornace.
No, Plastic Straws Are Not The Worst Ocean Contaminant, Cigarette Butts Are
Trevor Nace
While we have all heard the recent push to eliminate plastic straws from popular use, the cigarette butt has largely lost in the shuffle despite being the biggest ocean contaminant.
Plastic waste, especially in our world's oceans has increasingly become a widespread issue. Several international companies, including Starbucks, McDonald's, hotel chains Marriott and Hyatt, and the city of Seattle have all set plans in place to ban plastic straw use.
According to the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project, 5.5 trillion cigarettes are consumed every year, with 90% of them containing a plastic-based cigarette filter. Cigarette filters are made from cellulose acetate, an artificial fiber that takes decades to break down. NBC News reports that two-thirds of those filters are dumped, many of which make their way to oceans and beaches.
Cigarette filters were deployed in the mid-1900s as a marketing campaign by tobacco companies to lessen the growing concern over cigarette smoke hazards. However, they've been shown to be solely marketing tools, not causing a reduction in toxic chemicals from tobacco tar. Filtered cigarettes are no safer than unfiltered cigarettes. While the implementation of filters worked as a marketing campaign, they introduced a tremendous amount of waste with no added health benefits.
In this Aug. 2, 2011 photo, a French tourist put out a cigarette in an ashtray at La Ciotat beach near Marseille, southern France. A small town in Provence has found an unusual way to attract more vacationing families to its sun-drenched white sand beach: ban smoking from one stretch of its Mediterranean seafront, eliminating the cigarette butts dropped by careless smokers that find their way into children's' sand castles or worse, mouths. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)
With no added health benefit, popular opinion has been growing that tobacco companies should remove filters from their cigarettes and in doing so remove trillions of cigarette butts from ending up in oceans and landfills.
Civic Nation BRANDVOICE
Five Things Collegewise And Reach Higher Want You To Know
One of the largest continual beach cleanups, sponsored by the Ocean Conservatory, has been collecting trash yearly on beaches since 1986. In that time, cigarette butts were by far the most collected trash item on beaches.
Cigarette Butts: 2.4 million
Food Wrappers: 1.7 million
Plastic Bottles: 1.6 million
Plastic Bottle Caps: 1.0 million
Plastic Grocery Bags: 0.8 million
While cigarette butts are clearly a large issue when it comes to plastic waste, there remain large hurdles as to who holds the responsibility to eliminate the waste.
Should tobacco companies remove the ineffective filters similar to Starbucks opting to remove plastic straws? Should cigarette smokers the target of litter campaigns and taxed more heavily per pack as they are the ones improperly disposing of cigarette butts? Or should local cities and governments implement bans on cigarette buts similar to Seattle banning plastic straws? As of now, it's unclear who or what will take responsibility to reduce cigarette butt waste.
I am a geologist passionate about sharing Earth's intricacies with you. I received my PhD from Duke University where I studied the geology and climate of the Amazon. I am the founder of Science Trends, a leading source of science news and analysis on everything from climate ... MORE
Trevor Nace is a PhD geologist, founder of Science Trends, Forbes contributor, and explorer. Follow his journey @trevornace.
UN rights chief urges Egypt to overturn mass death sentences - Al Jazeera
UN rights chief urges Egypt to overturn mass death sentences
Michele Bachelet said sentences handed to detainees were a result of an 'unfair trial'.
9 Sept 2018
Michelle Bachelet has urged Egypt's appeals court to overturn mass death sentences
US decision to shut PLO office 'denies Palestinians as people'
today
HRW report: Chinese government violates Xinjiang Muslims' rights
today
Will death sentences deter Sisi's opponents in Egypt?
yesterday
France exhibition shines spotlight on civilians in war zones
yesterday
The UN's human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, has asked Egypt to overturn mass death sentences handed down to members of the opposition, including senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
On Saturday, an Egyptian court delivered death sentences to 75 people over their participation in a 2013 sit-in protest at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters.
Those present were protesting a military coup a month earlier, which overthrew Egypt's first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi - a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
If carried out, the sentences "would represent a gross and irreversible miscarriage of justice", Bachelet said, further describing the trials as "unfair".
Defendants were denied the right to individual lawyers and to present evidence, while "the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to prove individual guilt", she added in a statement.
Brotherhood leaders Essam el-Erian and Mohamed Beltagi were sentenced to death, while Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood's spiritual leader, was handed a life sentence.
In total 46 people were handed life sentences, while 612 others received prison terms ranging from five to 15 years after a mass trial in Cairo.
Among those convicted of a jail term was photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan. He was handed a five-year sentence but should walk free for time served.
The journalist has been imprisoned since he was picked up by security forces in August 2013 while covering the killings in Cairo.
Al Jazeera's journalist Abdullah Elshamy was also sentenced to 15 years in absentia.
In a statement on Saturday, Al Jazeera condemned his sentencing as "a continuation of the Egyptian authorities' efforts to silence Al Jazeera and its journalists and to deter and intimidate the Network from covering developments in Egypt".
Amnesty International condemned the mass sentences as a "disgrace".
Michele Bachelet said sentences handed to detainees were a result of an 'unfair trial'.
9 Sept 2018
Michelle Bachelet has urged Egypt's appeals court to overturn mass death sentences
US decision to shut PLO office 'denies Palestinians as people'
today
HRW report: Chinese government violates Xinjiang Muslims' rights
today
Will death sentences deter Sisi's opponents in Egypt?
yesterday
France exhibition shines spotlight on civilians in war zones
yesterday
The UN's human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, has asked Egypt to overturn mass death sentences handed down to members of the opposition, including senior members of the Muslim Brotherhood.
On Saturday, an Egyptian court delivered death sentences to 75 people over their participation in a 2013 sit-in protest at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square in Cairo that ended with security forces killing hundreds of protesters.
Those present were protesting a military coup a month earlier, which overthrew Egypt's first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi - a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
If carried out, the sentences "would represent a gross and irreversible miscarriage of justice", Bachelet said, further describing the trials as "unfair".
Defendants were denied the right to individual lawyers and to present evidence, while "the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to prove individual guilt", she added in a statement.
Brotherhood leaders Essam el-Erian and Mohamed Beltagi were sentenced to death, while Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood's spiritual leader, was handed a life sentence.
In total 46 people were handed life sentences, while 612 others received prison terms ranging from five to 15 years after a mass trial in Cairo.
Among those convicted of a jail term was photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan. He was handed a five-year sentence but should walk free for time served.
The journalist has been imprisoned since he was picked up by security forces in August 2013 while covering the killings in Cairo.
Al Jazeera's journalist Abdullah Elshamy was also sentenced to 15 years in absentia.
In a statement on Saturday, Al Jazeera condemned his sentencing as "a continuation of the Egyptian authorities' efforts to silence Al Jazeera and its journalists and to deter and intimidate the Network from covering developments in Egypt".
Amnesty International condemned the mass sentences as a "disgrace".
Russia launches biggest war games since Cold War - BBC News
Sept. 11, 2018.
Russia launches biggest war games since Cold War
Russia has intensified combat drills for its armed forces - despite the expense
Russia has launched its biggest military exercise since the Cold War, involving about 300,000 service personnel, in eastern Siberia.
China is sending 3,200 troops to take part in "Vostok-2018", with many Chinese armoured vehicles and aircraft. Mongolia is also sending some units.
The last Russian exercise of similar scale was in 1981, during the Cold War, but Vostok-2018 involves more troops.
The week-long manoeuvres come at a time of heightened Nato-Russia tensions.
As the exercises began, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a forum in the eastern city of Vladivostok and told him "we have a trusting relationship in the sphere of politics, security and defence".
Relations between Russia and Nato - a 29-member defence alliance dominated by the US - have worsened since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
What is Nato?
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the drills were justified given "aggressive and unfriendly" attitudes towards Russia.
What will happen in the drills?
Tuesday and Wednesday will see planning and preparation while actual operations will start on Thursday and last five days, the head of the Russian general staff, Gen Valery Gerasimov, was quoted as saying.
The Russian defence ministry says 36,000 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and armoured infantry vehicles will take part in Vostok-2018, from 11 to 17 September, along with more than 1,000 aircraft. Vostok is Russian for east.
The exercise will be spread across five army training grounds, four airbases and areas in the Sea of Japan, Bering Straits and Sea of Okhotsk. Up to 80 naval vessels will take part, from two Russian fleets.
The drills will not be near the disputed Kuril islands north of Japan, Russia says.
The ministry's TV channel Zvezda says three brigades of Russian paratroops will play a key role, during drills at the Tsugol military range, near Russia's borders with China and Mongolia.
A key aim is to practise the rapid deployment of thousands of troops, as well as aircraft and vehicles, from western Russia to eastern regions, across thousands of miles, TV Zvezda reports. That involves in-flight refuelling of fighter jets.
The scale of Vostok-2018 is equivalent to the forces deployed in one of the big World War Two battles.
A smaller-scale Russia-Belarus exercise was held last year.
Why is this happening now?
President Vladimir Putin has made military modernisation, including new nuclear missiles, a priority.
Russia's armed forces are reckoned to have about one million personnel in total.
A Russian senator and reserve colonel, Frants Klintsevich, said "it suited the West that our units and headquarters lacked combat skills and co-ordination, but times have changed; now we have a different attitude to combat readiness".
Read more on Russia's military:
Russia's military role in Syria grows
Russia's new military - should Nato worry?
Russia launches huge war games with Belarus
Why is China involved?
The Chinese defence ministry spoke of deepening military co-operation and enhancing both sides ability to jointly respond to "various security threats", without specifying those threats.
Mongolia has not given details of its involvement.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu says Islamist extremism in Central Asia is a major threat to Russian security.
Chinese and Russian naval infantry trained together in Russia's far east last year
China has imposed heavy security and censorship in the mainly Muslim Xinjiang region.
Xinjiang has seen intermittent violence - followed by crackdowns - for years. China accuses Islamist militants and separatists of orchestrating the trouble.
China denies holding one million Uighurs
China's 'globalised' military power
In recent years Russia and China have deepened military co-operation and during these drills they will have a joint field headquarters.
It contrasts with the Cold War years when the USSR and China were rivals for global communist leadership and clashed on their far eastern border.
What has Nato said?
Spokesman Dylan White said Nato was briefed on Vostok-2018 in May and would monitor it.
He said "all nations have the right to exercise their armed forces, but it is essential that this is done in a transparent and predictable manner".
"Vostok demonstrates Russia's focus on exercising large-scale conflict. It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time: a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its defence budget and its military presence."
Why is Russia-Nato tension high?
It has been increasing since Russia intervened in Ukraine in 2014, backing pro-Russian separatist rebels.
Nato responded by deploying extra forces in eastern Europe, sending 4,000 troops to the Baltic region.
Russia says the Nato build-up is unjustified and provocative. It says the Ukrainian revolution of 2013-2014 was a coup masterminded by the West.
Russian diplomats were expelled from Nato countries after the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a nerve agent in southern England in March. The UK blamed Russian military intelligence - the GRU - for the attack; Moscow denied involvement.
Russia launches biggest war games since Cold War
Russia has intensified combat drills for its armed forces - despite the expense
Russia has launched its biggest military exercise since the Cold War, involving about 300,000 service personnel, in eastern Siberia.
China is sending 3,200 troops to take part in "Vostok-2018", with many Chinese armoured vehicles and aircraft. Mongolia is also sending some units.
The last Russian exercise of similar scale was in 1981, during the Cold War, but Vostok-2018 involves more troops.
The week-long manoeuvres come at a time of heightened Nato-Russia tensions.
As the exercises began, Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at a forum in the eastern city of Vladivostok and told him "we have a trusting relationship in the sphere of politics, security and defence".
Relations between Russia and Nato - a 29-member defence alliance dominated by the US - have worsened since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
What is Nato?
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the drills were justified given "aggressive and unfriendly" attitudes towards Russia.
What will happen in the drills?
Tuesday and Wednesday will see planning and preparation while actual operations will start on Thursday and last five days, the head of the Russian general staff, Gen Valery Gerasimov, was quoted as saying.
The Russian defence ministry says 36,000 tanks, armoured personnel carriers and armoured infantry vehicles will take part in Vostok-2018, from 11 to 17 September, along with more than 1,000 aircraft. Vostok is Russian for east.
The exercise will be spread across five army training grounds, four airbases and areas in the Sea of Japan, Bering Straits and Sea of Okhotsk. Up to 80 naval vessels will take part, from two Russian fleets.
The drills will not be near the disputed Kuril islands north of Japan, Russia says.
The ministry's TV channel Zvezda says three brigades of Russian paratroops will play a key role, during drills at the Tsugol military range, near Russia's borders with China and Mongolia.
A key aim is to practise the rapid deployment of thousands of troops, as well as aircraft and vehicles, from western Russia to eastern regions, across thousands of miles, TV Zvezda reports. That involves in-flight refuelling of fighter jets.
The scale of Vostok-2018 is equivalent to the forces deployed in one of the big World War Two battles.
A smaller-scale Russia-Belarus exercise was held last year.
Why is this happening now?
President Vladimir Putin has made military modernisation, including new nuclear missiles, a priority.
Russia's armed forces are reckoned to have about one million personnel in total.
A Russian senator and reserve colonel, Frants Klintsevich, said "it suited the West that our units and headquarters lacked combat skills and co-ordination, but times have changed; now we have a different attitude to combat readiness".
Read more on Russia's military:
Russia's military role in Syria grows
Russia's new military - should Nato worry?
Russia launches huge war games with Belarus
Why is China involved?
The Chinese defence ministry spoke of deepening military co-operation and enhancing both sides ability to jointly respond to "various security threats", without specifying those threats.
Mongolia has not given details of its involvement.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu says Islamist extremism in Central Asia is a major threat to Russian security.
Chinese and Russian naval infantry trained together in Russia's far east last year
China has imposed heavy security and censorship in the mainly Muslim Xinjiang region.
Xinjiang has seen intermittent violence - followed by crackdowns - for years. China accuses Islamist militants and separatists of orchestrating the trouble.
China denies holding one million Uighurs
China's 'globalised' military power
In recent years Russia and China have deepened military co-operation and during these drills they will have a joint field headquarters.
It contrasts with the Cold War years when the USSR and China were rivals for global communist leadership and clashed on their far eastern border.
What has Nato said?
Spokesman Dylan White said Nato was briefed on Vostok-2018 in May and would monitor it.
He said "all nations have the right to exercise their armed forces, but it is essential that this is done in a transparent and predictable manner".
"Vostok demonstrates Russia's focus on exercising large-scale conflict. It fits into a pattern we have seen over some time: a more assertive Russia, significantly increasing its defence budget and its military presence."
Why is Russia-Nato tension high?
It has been increasing since Russia intervened in Ukraine in 2014, backing pro-Russian separatist rebels.
Nato responded by deploying extra forces in eastern Europe, sending 4,000 troops to the Baltic region.
Russia says the Nato build-up is unjustified and provocative. It says the Ukrainian revolution of 2013-2014 was a coup masterminded by the West.
Russian diplomats were expelled from Nato countries after the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, with a nerve agent in southern England in March. The UK blamed Russian military intelligence - the GRU - for the attack; Moscow denied involvement.
Fan Bingbing: Vanished Chinese star 'not socially responsible' - BBC News
Fan Bingbing: Vanished Chinese star 'not socially responsible'
By Kerry Allen
BBC Monitoring
11 September 2018
Fan Bingbing, who got a 0% score in the report, has not been seen in public since 1 July
Chinese film star Fan Bingbing has been ranked last in a report judging A-list celebrities on how "socially responsible" they are, fuelling further speculation about the whereabouts of the actress, who has not been seen in public for more than two months.
The 2017-2018 China Film and Television Star Social Responsibility Report, carried widely by state media outlets, ranks Chinese celebrities according to three criteria: professional work, charitable actions and personal integrity.
It praises celebrities who have become "relatively strong role models", but also highlights cases where it says they have had a "negative" social impact.
But what is most notable is its 0% rating for Fan Bingbing, one of China's biggest stars, who hasn't been seen in public since 1 July when she visited a children's hospital.
The report was authored by academics at Beijing Normal University.
Who is Fan Bingbing?
She is known internationally as a singer and model, as well as for her appearance in the X-Men film franchise.
Her name has been linked to a government probe involving celebrities using "yin-yang contracts" - a practice where one contract sets out an actor's real earnings, and another details a lower figure, with the latter submitted to the tax authorities.
'Disappearance' of top Chinese actress Fan Bingbing concerns fans
Inside China's online celebrity 'incubator'
China's online celebrity economy
China caps film stars' pay over 'money worship and tax evasion'
Although Fan Bingbing's studio denies any wrongdoing, online users are speculating that the reason she scored 0% is a result of the widely-circulated allegations, which state media have said have had a negative impact on society.
There is no word on what has happened to Fan. However there is speculation she has been arrested.
Most recently, state-run Chinese publication Securities Daily published a report which said she had been placed "under control, and would "accept the legal decision".
But the story was pulled down a few hours later.
How does the report rank stars?
The authors said they studied the behaviour of 100 Chinese singers, actors, and public figures - based in China and abroad - to assess the extent of their social responsibility.
They did not specify exactly how they arrived at the results in the test, but said that their findings were based on "research and web-scraping".
Image copyrightVISUAL CHINA GROUP
Image caption
The three members of boyband TFBoys passed the 'socially responsible' test
Only nine celebrities were deemed to be socially responsible enough, however, with a pass requiring a score of more than 60%.The report stressed that celebrities had to do more to promote "positive energy" and hinted that they needed to be more aware of behaviour and actions that might have a "negative social impact".
"We wanted to have a more thorough evaluation of celebrities," Zhang Hongzhong, who led the project, told English-language news website Sixth Tone.
He said that many celebrities were in danger of being simply branded "little fresh meats" - an internet buzzword used to describe good looking young men - and that their activism and philanthropy work was often overlooked.
So who passed?
Top of the list is actor Xu Zheng (78%), who appeared in the highly acclaimed film Dying to Survive. The film was based on a true story about a Chinese man smuggling cheap Indian drugs into the mainland to help cancer sufferers.
The Chinese government wants actors like Wu Zheng in 'Dying to Survive' to inspire young people
Two and three in the list are members of the hugely popular boy band TFBoys, in recognition of their philanthropic work. Another member comes fifth.
Actor Yang Yang (61.%), who ranks ninth, is highlighted because he set up a charity to help educate underprivileged children in remote mountainous regions.
How did people react?
State media are highlighting the report as a significant document, and outlets are praising the higher-ranked celebrities.
Social media users meanwhile - who have been long been fascinated by celebrity rankings - are weighing in on what the document might mean for their favourite celebrities, particularly Fan Bingbing.
Many users of the Sina Weibo microblog have voiced their surprise and concern that she has ranked so low, given there is no evidence of her being involved in any misconduct.
Actor Jackie Chan recently donated 50,000 copies of his autobiography to the China Disabled Persons' Federation
"Fan Bingbing has been working on a public welfare project," one user said. Another added that for her to get zero was "not right; she does a lot of public welfare."
"When the Tianjin fire broke out, Fan Bingbing donated one million yuan ($145,655; £112,565) to the Tianjin Fire Brigade. Has all the good she's done before just been erased?" one asked.
Actress gets China talking about periods
Putin lookalike becomes a Chinese celebrity
The bad ratings given to other celebrities has caused annoyance as well. One user, for instance, pointed out that actor Jackie Chan and Tibetan singer Han Hong, who rank 42nd and 59th, are well-known philanthropists.
Why does this report matter?
Chinese celebrities have long understood that taking a path of "virtue" is key to maintaining mainland audiences, and that it's extremely difficult to bounce back after being linked to scandal.
The country's media has also long stressed that celebrities need to spread "positive energy" among young audiences; in other words, to be upbeat and promote healthy moral values.
So they have lauded celebrities who have, for example, openly condemned tobacco or drug use.
But celebrities who voice opinions in line with government rhetoric gain even higher praise, for example if they promote the importance of young audiences referring to the self-ruling island of Taiwan as a "Chinese region" rather than a "country".
This latest emphasis on social responsibility, which media and fans alike are taking as a new mark of power, could now put more pressure on them to do just that.
By Kerry Allen
BBC Monitoring
11 September 2018
Fan Bingbing, who got a 0% score in the report, has not been seen in public since 1 July
Chinese film star Fan Bingbing has been ranked last in a report judging A-list celebrities on how "socially responsible" they are, fuelling further speculation about the whereabouts of the actress, who has not been seen in public for more than two months.
The 2017-2018 China Film and Television Star Social Responsibility Report, carried widely by state media outlets, ranks Chinese celebrities according to three criteria: professional work, charitable actions and personal integrity.
It praises celebrities who have become "relatively strong role models", but also highlights cases where it says they have had a "negative" social impact.
But what is most notable is its 0% rating for Fan Bingbing, one of China's biggest stars, who hasn't been seen in public since 1 July when she visited a children's hospital.
The report was authored by academics at Beijing Normal University.
Who is Fan Bingbing?
She is known internationally as a singer and model, as well as for her appearance in the X-Men film franchise.
Her name has been linked to a government probe involving celebrities using "yin-yang contracts" - a practice where one contract sets out an actor's real earnings, and another details a lower figure, with the latter submitted to the tax authorities.
'Disappearance' of top Chinese actress Fan Bingbing concerns fans
Inside China's online celebrity 'incubator'
China's online celebrity economy
China caps film stars' pay over 'money worship and tax evasion'
Although Fan Bingbing's studio denies any wrongdoing, online users are speculating that the reason she scored 0% is a result of the widely-circulated allegations, which state media have said have had a negative impact on society.
There is no word on what has happened to Fan. However there is speculation she has been arrested.
Most recently, state-run Chinese publication Securities Daily published a report which said she had been placed "under control, and would "accept the legal decision".
But the story was pulled down a few hours later.
How does the report rank stars?
The authors said they studied the behaviour of 100 Chinese singers, actors, and public figures - based in China and abroad - to assess the extent of their social responsibility.
They did not specify exactly how they arrived at the results in the test, but said that their findings were based on "research and web-scraping".
Image copyrightVISUAL CHINA GROUP
Image caption
The three members of boyband TFBoys passed the 'socially responsible' test
Only nine celebrities were deemed to be socially responsible enough, however, with a pass requiring a score of more than 60%.The report stressed that celebrities had to do more to promote "positive energy" and hinted that they needed to be more aware of behaviour and actions that might have a "negative social impact".
"We wanted to have a more thorough evaluation of celebrities," Zhang Hongzhong, who led the project, told English-language news website Sixth Tone.
He said that many celebrities were in danger of being simply branded "little fresh meats" - an internet buzzword used to describe good looking young men - and that their activism and philanthropy work was often overlooked.
So who passed?
Top of the list is actor Xu Zheng (78%), who appeared in the highly acclaimed film Dying to Survive. The film was based on a true story about a Chinese man smuggling cheap Indian drugs into the mainland to help cancer sufferers.
The Chinese government wants actors like Wu Zheng in 'Dying to Survive' to inspire young people
Two and three in the list are members of the hugely popular boy band TFBoys, in recognition of their philanthropic work. Another member comes fifth.
Actor Yang Yang (61.%), who ranks ninth, is highlighted because he set up a charity to help educate underprivileged children in remote mountainous regions.
How did people react?
State media are highlighting the report as a significant document, and outlets are praising the higher-ranked celebrities.
Social media users meanwhile - who have been long been fascinated by celebrity rankings - are weighing in on what the document might mean for their favourite celebrities, particularly Fan Bingbing.
Many users of the Sina Weibo microblog have voiced their surprise and concern that she has ranked so low, given there is no evidence of her being involved in any misconduct.
Actor Jackie Chan recently donated 50,000 copies of his autobiography to the China Disabled Persons' Federation
"Fan Bingbing has been working on a public welfare project," one user said. Another added that for her to get zero was "not right; she does a lot of public welfare."
"When the Tianjin fire broke out, Fan Bingbing donated one million yuan ($145,655; £112,565) to the Tianjin Fire Brigade. Has all the good she's done before just been erased?" one asked.
Actress gets China talking about periods
Putin lookalike becomes a Chinese celebrity
The bad ratings given to other celebrities has caused annoyance as well. One user, for instance, pointed out that actor Jackie Chan and Tibetan singer Han Hong, who rank 42nd and 59th, are well-known philanthropists.
Why does this report matter?
Chinese celebrities have long understood that taking a path of "virtue" is key to maintaining mainland audiences, and that it's extremely difficult to bounce back after being linked to scandal.
The country's media has also long stressed that celebrities need to spread "positive energy" among young audiences; in other words, to be upbeat and promote healthy moral values.
So they have lauded celebrities who have, for example, openly condemned tobacco or drug use.
But celebrities who voice opinions in line with government rhetoric gain even higher praise, for example if they promote the importance of young audiences referring to the self-ruling island of Taiwan as a "Chinese region" rather than a "country".
This latest emphasis on social responsibility, which media and fans alike are taking as a new mark of power, could now put more pressure on them to do just that.
Trump receives 'warm' letter from Kim about new summit - BBC News
Sept. 11, 2018.
Trump receives 'warm' letter from Kim about new summit
Time for a sequel to this summer's blockbuster summit?
North Korea's Kim Jong-un has written to US President Donald Trump asking for a follow-up to their historic summit, the White House says.
The US says it is already looking at scheduling a new meeting.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the "very warm" letter showed Pyongyang's "continued commitment to focus on denuclearisation".
Negotiations on the topic appeared to have stalled after the two leaders' historic summit in Singapore in June.
"The primary purpose of the letter was to request and look to schedule another meeting with the president, which we are open to and are already in the process of co-ordinating that," Ms Sanders said.
She gave no indication of when a second meeting between the two leaders could potentially take place.
North Korea's dazzling propaganda show
Six months' training for 10 minutes on parade
'I marched in a North Korean parade'
Media captionThe anniversary parade showed off North Korea's military strength
South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed the news, saying that "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is an issue that should fundamentally be resolved between the US and North Korea through negotiation",
Mr Moon had been crucial in brokering the Singapore summit in June and is himself scheduled to meet with Mr Kim in Pyongyang next week for a third round of face-to-face talks.
The BBC's Laura Bicker in Seoul says Mr Moon sees himself as a mediator between the two sides and has called on them both to make bold steps.
Pyongyang's letter comes a day after Yukiya Amano, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, warned that North Korea's ongoing nuclear activities violated UN Security Council resolutions.
International inspectors are banned from North Korea, but Mr Amano said they were ready to return if a political agreement could be reached.
'Very warm, very positive'
Ms Sanders also praised North Korea's military parade last weekend, saying that it "for once was not about their nuclear arsenal". She attributed that to the "tremendous success" of Mr Trump's policies.
While North Korea did roll out soldiers, tanks and other weaponry, the parade did not display any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at the parade marking its 70th anniversary, reports say.
A display of ICBMs - which can reach the US mainland, potentially carrying a nuclear warhead - would have been seen as provocative.
Thousands of troops marched in the parade
Mr Trump himself thanked the North Korean leader via Twitter, saying the parade was "a big and very positive statement from North Korea".
"Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will both prove everyone wrong!"
Did Trump and Kim really achieve anything in Singapore?
What were the results of the Trump-Kim summit?
Why did Trump mention N Korea's beaches?
Trump Kim summit: Win-win or a Kim win?
At their June summit in Singapore, the two leaders signed an agreement to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
But it did not include a timeline, details or any mechanisms to verify the process.
High-level talks and visits have continued, but the most recent scheduled trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was called off at the last minute.
Both sides have also blamed each other for stalling negotiations while insisting that they were committed to the process.
Trump receives 'warm' letter from Kim about new summit
Time for a sequel to this summer's blockbuster summit?
North Korea's Kim Jong-un has written to US President Donald Trump asking for a follow-up to their historic summit, the White House says.
The US says it is already looking at scheduling a new meeting.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the "very warm" letter showed Pyongyang's "continued commitment to focus on denuclearisation".
Negotiations on the topic appeared to have stalled after the two leaders' historic summit in Singapore in June.
"The primary purpose of the letter was to request and look to schedule another meeting with the president, which we are open to and are already in the process of co-ordinating that," Ms Sanders said.
She gave no indication of when a second meeting between the two leaders could potentially take place.
North Korea's dazzling propaganda show
Six months' training for 10 minutes on parade
'I marched in a North Korean parade'
Media captionThe anniversary parade showed off North Korea's military strength
South Korean President Moon Jae-in welcomed the news, saying that "complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula is an issue that should fundamentally be resolved between the US and North Korea through negotiation",
Mr Moon had been crucial in brokering the Singapore summit in June and is himself scheduled to meet with Mr Kim in Pyongyang next week for a third round of face-to-face talks.
The BBC's Laura Bicker in Seoul says Mr Moon sees himself as a mediator between the two sides and has called on them both to make bold steps.
Pyongyang's letter comes a day after Yukiya Amano, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog, warned that North Korea's ongoing nuclear activities violated UN Security Council resolutions.
International inspectors are banned from North Korea, but Mr Amano said they were ready to return if a political agreement could be reached.
'Very warm, very positive'
Ms Sanders also praised North Korea's military parade last weekend, saying that it "for once was not about their nuclear arsenal". She attributed that to the "tremendous success" of Mr Trump's policies.
While North Korea did roll out soldiers, tanks and other weaponry, the parade did not display any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at the parade marking its 70th anniversary, reports say.
A display of ICBMs - which can reach the US mainland, potentially carrying a nuclear warhead - would have been seen as provocative.
Thousands of troops marched in the parade
Mr Trump himself thanked the North Korean leader via Twitter, saying the parade was "a big and very positive statement from North Korea".
"Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will both prove everyone wrong!"
Did Trump and Kim really achieve anything in Singapore?
What were the results of the Trump-Kim summit?
Why did Trump mention N Korea's beaches?
Trump Kim summit: Win-win or a Kim win?
At their June summit in Singapore, the two leaders signed an agreement to work towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.
But it did not include a timeline, details or any mechanisms to verify the process.
High-level talks and visits have continued, but the most recent scheduled trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was called off at the last minute.
Both sides have also blamed each other for stalling negotiations while insisting that they were committed to the process.
Monday, September 10, 2018
The US cannot possibly direct all its protectionist firepower towards Beijing - Financial Times
Sept. 10, 2018.
Donald Trump’s China pivot
The US cannot possibly direct all its protectionist firepower towards Beijing
China's president Xi Jinping, left, and US president Donald Trump in Beijing last year © AFP
James Politi in Washington
Hello to all readers of the FT’s Free Trade. I’m James Politi and I have taken over as World Trade Editor based in Washington — after four years as Rome Bureau Chief, covering the rise of populism in the heart of Europe.
It’s a daunting and fascinating time to be covering trade, as the Trump administration rewrites the rules of global commerce and clashes with America’s main commercial partners. One of my jobs will be to shepherd the Free Trade newsletter — writing columns and bringing in writers from around the FT network to offer their perspective and insights outside the DC bubble, or “Crazytown”, as Bob Woodward’s new book describes the place.
I am very keen for any feedback about the newsletter, for better or for worse. I would also love to get your tips or commentary on any aspect of international trade policy — and please send me any interesting research you may be working on. Email me at james.politi@ft.com. And if you’re in DC, let’s grab a coffee. Thanks for being loyal FT readers.
As US president Donald Trump prepared to enter the heat of battle in his trade war with China — with the imposition of a planned new round of tariffs on $200bn worth of imports — Larry Kudlow, his chief economic adviser, went on CNBC to offer a soothing message to investors.
A deal to overhaul Nafta was close to being completed, and a detente with the EU was solidly under way. The fights with America’s traditional allies would be on the backburner, and they could forge a “trade coalition of the willing” to confront Beijing.
“[The] EU would rather do business with the US than it would with China. I think the same is true with Japan. I think the same is true with Mexico,” Mr Kudlow said. “I think the Chinese, you know, may find themselves more isolated if they don’t come into the global process . . . and begin to say yes to the asks of President Trump.”
The notion that the Trump administration can successfully perform a “pivot to China” on trade policy, directing all of its protectionist firepower towards its giant trading partner and strategic rival across the Pacific Ocean, is tantalising in Washington but questionable in practice. There is still no guarantee that a Nafta deal can be successfully completed in the coming weeks, with Canadian and US officials still at odds on issues ranging from agriculture to dispute settlement, and Mr Trump launching angry tweets at Ottawa earlier this month.
Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, heads to Brussels on Monday to try to build on the July truce between Mr Trump and Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission. But among EU officials there are still deep misgivings about US intentions on trade, and fears that Washington could at any point revert to threatening new national security-based tariffs on cars, on top of those introduced on steel and aluminium this year.
EU and Japanese officials did meet American trade negotiators at the end of August to begin discussing common ways to tackle Chinese unfair practices, and there is a clear common interest there. But there is little confidence that Mr Trump will be able to stick to any easing of trade hostilities with his closest allies, let alone forge a united front that draws broader support at the World Trade Organization, and truly have an impact on Chinese policymakers.
The doubts are fuelled not just by concerns about Mr Trump’s erratic style and frequent U-turns, but also the fact that trade hardliners have gained the upper hand in the administration’s internal battles over commercial policy. For Mr Lighthizer, as well as Peter Navarro, the chief trade hawk in the White House, the goal is not only to disentangle the US from its Chinese supply chains, and to shift production back home, but to do the same with the rest of America’s traditional trading partners as well.
Moreover, the top US trade officials are disdainful of any supranational bodies that might constrain US sovereignty — from WTO rules and dispute settlement panels, to arbitration tribunals used by companies to challenge unfair government policies when they invest abroad.
Then there is the matter of Mr Trump’s own views on trade. Revelations in Fear, a book by veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, will not be of much comfort, suggesting Mr Trump’s protectionist instincts may be even stronger than previously thought, preventing him from making commercial peace with traditional allies. One anecdote noted that Mr Trump scribbled “TRADE IS BAD” as he worked on a speech on the way back from the G20 meeting in Hamburg last year. In another, Gary Cohn, his former top economic adviser, is said to have snatched a draft notification of America’s intention to withdraw from a trade deal with South Korea off Mr Trump’s desk, successfully preventing the president from moving ahead with the plan.
But even for a US administration — and a president — enamoured with unilateralism, single-handedly taking on China is a very risky endeavour.
Chart of the day
After Mr Trump threatened China with a further $267bn in tariffs on top of the $50bn already implemented and $200bn under consideration, the Geneva-based Trade News Centre has shown how profoundly the third round would affect US consumers, and just before Christmas.
Hiccups — or more — on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as both Malaysia and Pakistan are questioning major projects.
China is seeking to enlist Wall Street leaders to sway Mr Trump into easing up on the tariffs.
India is taking a tougher line on open data flows.
Two very useful trade podcasts from inside the Beltway — both of which focused on Nafta in their latest episodes. One is by Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch of the Center for Strategic and International Studies — the other is by Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Soumaya Keynes of The Economist.
The Wall Street Journal looks at the US-China race for primacy in 5G. Last week Cisco warned that the US could lose if it placed tariffs on imported networking equipment.
Donald Trump’s China pivot
The US cannot possibly direct all its protectionist firepower towards Beijing
China's president Xi Jinping, left, and US president Donald Trump in Beijing last year © AFP
James Politi in Washington
Hello to all readers of the FT’s Free Trade. I’m James Politi and I have taken over as World Trade Editor based in Washington — after four years as Rome Bureau Chief, covering the rise of populism in the heart of Europe.
It’s a daunting and fascinating time to be covering trade, as the Trump administration rewrites the rules of global commerce and clashes with America’s main commercial partners. One of my jobs will be to shepherd the Free Trade newsletter — writing columns and bringing in writers from around the FT network to offer their perspective and insights outside the DC bubble, or “Crazytown”, as Bob Woodward’s new book describes the place.
I am very keen for any feedback about the newsletter, for better or for worse. I would also love to get your tips or commentary on any aspect of international trade policy — and please send me any interesting research you may be working on. Email me at james.politi@ft.com. And if you’re in DC, let’s grab a coffee. Thanks for being loyal FT readers.
As US president Donald Trump prepared to enter the heat of battle in his trade war with China — with the imposition of a planned new round of tariffs on $200bn worth of imports — Larry Kudlow, his chief economic adviser, went on CNBC to offer a soothing message to investors.
A deal to overhaul Nafta was close to being completed, and a detente with the EU was solidly under way. The fights with America’s traditional allies would be on the backburner, and they could forge a “trade coalition of the willing” to confront Beijing.
“[The] EU would rather do business with the US than it would with China. I think the same is true with Japan. I think the same is true with Mexico,” Mr Kudlow said. “I think the Chinese, you know, may find themselves more isolated if they don’t come into the global process . . . and begin to say yes to the asks of President Trump.”
The notion that the Trump administration can successfully perform a “pivot to China” on trade policy, directing all of its protectionist firepower towards its giant trading partner and strategic rival across the Pacific Ocean, is tantalising in Washington but questionable in practice. There is still no guarantee that a Nafta deal can be successfully completed in the coming weeks, with Canadian and US officials still at odds on issues ranging from agriculture to dispute settlement, and Mr Trump launching angry tweets at Ottawa earlier this month.
Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, heads to Brussels on Monday to try to build on the July truce between Mr Trump and Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission. But among EU officials there are still deep misgivings about US intentions on trade, and fears that Washington could at any point revert to threatening new national security-based tariffs on cars, on top of those introduced on steel and aluminium this year.
EU and Japanese officials did meet American trade negotiators at the end of August to begin discussing common ways to tackle Chinese unfair practices, and there is a clear common interest there. But there is little confidence that Mr Trump will be able to stick to any easing of trade hostilities with his closest allies, let alone forge a united front that draws broader support at the World Trade Organization, and truly have an impact on Chinese policymakers.
The doubts are fuelled not just by concerns about Mr Trump’s erratic style and frequent U-turns, but also the fact that trade hardliners have gained the upper hand in the administration’s internal battles over commercial policy. For Mr Lighthizer, as well as Peter Navarro, the chief trade hawk in the White House, the goal is not only to disentangle the US from its Chinese supply chains, and to shift production back home, but to do the same with the rest of America’s traditional trading partners as well.
Moreover, the top US trade officials are disdainful of any supranational bodies that might constrain US sovereignty — from WTO rules and dispute settlement panels, to arbitration tribunals used by companies to challenge unfair government policies when they invest abroad.
Then there is the matter of Mr Trump’s own views on trade. Revelations in Fear, a book by veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, will not be of much comfort, suggesting Mr Trump’s protectionist instincts may be even stronger than previously thought, preventing him from making commercial peace with traditional allies. One anecdote noted that Mr Trump scribbled “TRADE IS BAD” as he worked on a speech on the way back from the G20 meeting in Hamburg last year. In another, Gary Cohn, his former top economic adviser, is said to have snatched a draft notification of America’s intention to withdraw from a trade deal with South Korea off Mr Trump’s desk, successfully preventing the president from moving ahead with the plan.
But even for a US administration — and a president — enamoured with unilateralism, single-handedly taking on China is a very risky endeavour.
Chart of the day
After Mr Trump threatened China with a further $267bn in tariffs on top of the $50bn already implemented and $200bn under consideration, the Geneva-based Trade News Centre has shown how profoundly the third round would affect US consumers, and just before Christmas.
Hiccups — or more — on China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as both Malaysia and Pakistan are questioning major projects.
China is seeking to enlist Wall Street leaders to sway Mr Trump into easing up on the tariffs.
India is taking a tougher line on open data flows.
Two very useful trade podcasts from inside the Beltway — both of which focused on Nafta in their latest episodes. One is by Scott Miller and Bill Reinsch of the Center for Strategic and International Studies — the other is by Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Soumaya Keynes of The Economist.
The Wall Street Journal looks at the US-China race for primacy in 5G. Last week Cisco warned that the US could lose if it placed tariffs on imported networking equipment.
John Lewis Christmas advert: Elton John reportedly paid £5m to star in 2018 edition - Independent
Sept. 10, 2018.
John Lewis Christmas advert: Elton John reportedly paid £5m to star in 2018 edition
The report claims that the singer's track 'Your Song' will soundtrack the advert
Jack Shepherd
@JackJShepherd
The Independent Culture
Sir Elton John has reportedly been paid £5 million to appear in this year's John Lewis Christmas advert.
Sources close to the production told The Mail on Sunday that Elton's fee makes up half of the advert's budget (£10 million).
The report claims that the singer's track "Your Song" will soundtrack the advert while Elton himself will appear onscreen playing the piano.
A source close to the set allegedly told the paper that the advert will chart the course of Elton's life.
"It’s a tear-jerker but also very sweet, and follows Elton from a child, through his teenage years, into how he is today," they told the publication.
"It is all very, very charming and the exciting crescendo at the end will be Elton playing his famous piano."
They added: "John Lewis wanted to win the battle of the Christmas adverts this year and it has cost them a significant sum to do it, but they think having Elton on board will guarantee its popularity and blow Marks & Spencer out of the water."
Filming is said to have taken place over four days at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire.
Elton John announces UK dates of farewell tour
Ellie Goulding's cover version of 'Your Song' was previously used on the 2010 John Lewis advert, the song managing to reach number two in the charts.
A spokesperson for John Lewis said of the report: "We are lucky enough to enjoy lots of speculation around our TV ads, much of which is wildly inaccurate, and our one rule is to never comment on any aspect simply because we want to keep the magic."
The department store often employs lesser known artists to perform covers of popular songs. These have previously included Gabrielle Aplin, Lily Allen, Tom Odell, Aurora, Vaults, Elbow, and Slow Moving Millie.
Elton began his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour yesterday (8 September) and recently announced a stretch of UK dates.
Representatives for Elton have been contacted by The Independent.
John Lewis Christmas advert: Elton John reportedly paid £5m to star in 2018 edition
The report claims that the singer's track 'Your Song' will soundtrack the advert
Jack Shepherd
@JackJShepherd
The Independent Culture
Sir Elton John has reportedly been paid £5 million to appear in this year's John Lewis Christmas advert.
Sources close to the production told The Mail on Sunday that Elton's fee makes up half of the advert's budget (£10 million).
The report claims that the singer's track "Your Song" will soundtrack the advert while Elton himself will appear onscreen playing the piano.
A source close to the set allegedly told the paper that the advert will chart the course of Elton's life.
"It’s a tear-jerker but also very sweet, and follows Elton from a child, through his teenage years, into how he is today," they told the publication.
"It is all very, very charming and the exciting crescendo at the end will be Elton playing his famous piano."
They added: "John Lewis wanted to win the battle of the Christmas adverts this year and it has cost them a significant sum to do it, but they think having Elton on board will guarantee its popularity and blow Marks & Spencer out of the water."
Filming is said to have taken place over four days at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire.
Elton John announces UK dates of farewell tour
Ellie Goulding's cover version of 'Your Song' was previously used on the 2010 John Lewis advert, the song managing to reach number two in the charts.
A spokesperson for John Lewis said of the report: "We are lucky enough to enjoy lots of speculation around our TV ads, much of which is wildly inaccurate, and our one rule is to never comment on any aspect simply because we want to keep the magic."
The department store often employs lesser known artists to perform covers of popular songs. These have previously included Gabrielle Aplin, Lily Allen, Tom Odell, Aurora, Vaults, Elbow, and Slow Moving Millie.
Elton began his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour yesterday (8 September) and recently announced a stretch of UK dates.
Representatives for Elton have been contacted by The Independent.
9/11 attack: New York City subway station reopens after 17 years - BBC News
9/11 attack: New York City subway station reopens after 17 years
9 September 2018
The first train arrives at the reopened station after 17 years
A New York City subway station has reopened for the first time since it was destroyed 17 years ago in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack.
Cortlandt Street on the 1 line was buried under debris when the two World Trade Center towers collapsed after hijackers crashed planes into them.
On Saturday, people were welcomed into the newly renamed WTC Cortlandt station as the first train rolled in at midday.
Nearly 3,000 people died and thousands more were injured in the 2001 attack.
9/11 victim identified 16 years on
Remains returned to 'Ground Zero'
9/11 memories from the wreckage
"WTC Cortlandt is more than a new subway station," said New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman Joe Lhota in a statement.
The MTA only began to build the new station - which cost $181.8 million - in 2015
"It is symbolic of New Yorkers' resolve in restoring and substantially improving the entire World Trade Center site."
The new fully accessible station, which cost $181.8 million (£140.7 million) according to the New York Times, required an entirely new ceiling to be built and 365 metres (1,200 ft) of track to be replaced.
It now boasts state-of-the-art technology, like a new air ventilation system to keep the platform cool, and fewer columns to help with passenger flow.
Its walls are adorned with a white marble mosaic, spelling out text from the US Declaration of Independence and the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
9 September 2018
The first train arrives at the reopened station after 17 years
A New York City subway station has reopened for the first time since it was destroyed 17 years ago in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attack.
Cortlandt Street on the 1 line was buried under debris when the two World Trade Center towers collapsed after hijackers crashed planes into them.
On Saturday, people were welcomed into the newly renamed WTC Cortlandt station as the first train rolled in at midday.
Nearly 3,000 people died and thousands more were injured in the 2001 attack.
9/11 victim identified 16 years on
Remains returned to 'Ground Zero'
9/11 memories from the wreckage
"WTC Cortlandt is more than a new subway station," said New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman Joe Lhota in a statement.
The MTA only began to build the new station - which cost $181.8 million - in 2015
"It is symbolic of New Yorkers' resolve in restoring and substantially improving the entire World Trade Center site."
The new fully accessible station, which cost $181.8 million (£140.7 million) according to the New York Times, required an entirely new ceiling to be built and 365 metres (1,200 ft) of track to be replaced.
It now boasts state-of-the-art technology, like a new air ventilation system to keep the platform cool, and fewer columns to help with passenger flow.
Its walls are adorned with a white marble mosaic, spelling out text from the US Declaration of Independence and the 1948 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pence says he's willing to sit for an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller - CBS News
CBS NEWS September 9, 2018, 9:00 AM
Pence says he's willing to sit for an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller
Vice President Mike Pence says he would be willing to sit down with special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of investigators as part of their ongoing probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In an interview with "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan at the vice president's residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory on Saturday, Pence said that he's "fully cooperated" with Mueller's team over the past year and would be "more than willing to continue to provide any and all support" to aid the investigation.
He said Mueller has not requested an interview.
"We've provided any and all information, and we'll continue to do that," he said, adding that he would consult with his outside legal team if Mueller requests a meeting.
Pence denies discussing invoking 25th Amendment
Pence maintained that President Trump has "strongly affirmed our commitment to the rule of law," despite his public attacks against Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from Mueller's investigation,
"This president has reflected that throughout the policies of this administration. But look, he's always going to be transparent about how he feels about things. And, as I said, there's longstanding Department of Justice guidelines that have to do with making sure that actions are not taken that inadvertently impact the electoral process," Pence added. "But all of that being said, I really do believe the president's candor is one of the reasons why the American people appreciate him."
After a lengthy back and forth with Mueller's office about an interview with the president, Mr. Trump's legal team has agreed to written questions about only after it reviews them. The team is not willing to commit to anything beyond that at the moment.
While Mueller has agreed to accept written answers from Mr. Trump, investigators have reserved the right to seek answers to questions related to obstruction of justice in a deposition. But Mr. Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani told CBS News that "no commitment" has been given about whether Mr. Trump would answer any questions about obstruction. "Let's see how the first round goes," Giuliani said.
It's unclear if Mr. Trump himself has endorsed the plan of action, as the president has said publicly he would like to answer questions under oath and has lambasted Mueller as "disgraced" and "looking for trouble" in the ongoing probe.
Pence says he's willing to sit for an interview with special counsel Robert Mueller
Vice President Mike Pence says he would be willing to sit down with special counsel Robert Mueller and his team of investigators as part of their ongoing probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In an interview with "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan at the vice president's residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory on Saturday, Pence said that he's "fully cooperated" with Mueller's team over the past year and would be "more than willing to continue to provide any and all support" to aid the investigation.
He said Mueller has not requested an interview.
"We've provided any and all information, and we'll continue to do that," he said, adding that he would consult with his outside legal team if Mueller requests a meeting.
Pence denies discussing invoking 25th Amendment
Pence maintained that President Trump has "strongly affirmed our commitment to the rule of law," despite his public attacks against Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his decision to recuse himself from Mueller's investigation,
"This president has reflected that throughout the policies of this administration. But look, he's always going to be transparent about how he feels about things. And, as I said, there's longstanding Department of Justice guidelines that have to do with making sure that actions are not taken that inadvertently impact the electoral process," Pence added. "But all of that being said, I really do believe the president's candor is one of the reasons why the American people appreciate him."
After a lengthy back and forth with Mueller's office about an interview with the president, Mr. Trump's legal team has agreed to written questions about only after it reviews them. The team is not willing to commit to anything beyond that at the moment.
While Mueller has agreed to accept written answers from Mr. Trump, investigators have reserved the right to seek answers to questions related to obstruction of justice in a deposition. But Mr. Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani told CBS News that "no commitment" has been given about whether Mr. Trump would answer any questions about obstruction. "Let's see how the first round goes," Giuliani said.
It's unclear if Mr. Trump himself has endorsed the plan of action, as the president has said publicly he would like to answer questions under oath and has lambasted Mueller as "disgraced" and "looking for trouble" in the ongoing probe.
May wraps 'suicide vest' around UK over Brexit, says Johnson - CNBC News ( source : Reuters )
Sept. 10, 2018.
May wraps 'suicide vest' around UK over Brexit, says Johnson
Johnson pressed his attack on May's so-called Chequers plan to leave the EU, calling it "a humiliation" that opens "ourselves to perpetual political blackmail".
"We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution — and handed the detonator to (EU chief negotiator) Michel Barnier," Johnson wrote.
Alan Duncan, a minister at the Foreign Office, said Johnson's comments marked "one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics".
Conservative MP Boris Johnson speaks as he visits Bristol on May 14, 2016 in Bristol, England.
Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal wraps "a suicide vest around the British constitution" and hands the detonator to the European Union, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in comments that drew strong criticism.
In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson pressed his attack on May's so-called Chequers plan to leave the EU, calling it "a humiliation" that opens "ourselves to perpetual political blackmail".
May is under fire from all sides of the divisive Brexit debate, with Johnson, favorite to succeed her, leading a push by euroskeptic MPs for the government to "chuck Chequers" and pursue a clean break with the bloc.
But so far, May has signaled she will not drop her blueprint for Britain's future ties with the bloc after Brexit — the biggest shift in the country's foreign and trade policy for almost half a century.
"We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution — and handed the detonator to (EU chief negotiator) Michel Barnier," Johnson wrote.
His words — particularly the reference to a suicide vest — drew condemnation from fellow members of the governing Conservative Party.
Alan Duncan, a minister at the Foreign Office, said Johnson's comments marked "one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics".
"For Boris to say that the PM's view is like that of a suicide bomber is too much," he said on Twitter. "I'm sorry, but this is the political end of Boris Johnson. If it isn't now, I will make sure it is later."
Cricket - England v India - Fifth Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - September 8, 2018 Boris Johnson in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
'Not news'
Johnson resigned as foreign secretary over the Chequers plan, named after May's country residence where the government agreed proposals to maintain close trade ties with the EU in July, and has attacked it as making Britain "a vassal state".
The prime minister's plans have also been criticised by EU supporters for offering the "worst of all worlds".
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said her organization would back a second vote on Brexit if May failed to win a deal that supported workers.
But two ministers batted away Johnson's appeal for Britain to drop Chequers and negotiate a Canada-style trade deal instead, saying such an agreement would not solve the problem of a new border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
"It is not news that he has a difference of opinion with the prime minister and that's why he left government," Home Secretary Sajid Javid told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. "I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences."
Housing minister James Brokenshire urged Conservatives to move forward with the Chequers plan, which May has failed so far to win backing from her party, Britain's parliament and also EU negotiators.
Many of Johnson's supporters hope his increasingly vocal criticism of May signals that he will launch a leadership bid while other Conservatives suggest his Mail article was solely to distract attention away from his marital difficulties.
On Friday, Johnson said he had separated from his wife Marina Wheeler and that the couple would divorce.
May wraps 'suicide vest' around UK over Brexit, says Johnson
Johnson pressed his attack on May's so-called Chequers plan to leave the EU, calling it "a humiliation" that opens "ourselves to perpetual political blackmail".
"We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution — and handed the detonator to (EU chief negotiator) Michel Barnier," Johnson wrote.
Alan Duncan, a minister at the Foreign Office, said Johnson's comments marked "one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics".
Conservative MP Boris Johnson speaks as he visits Bristol on May 14, 2016 in Bristol, England.
Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal wraps "a suicide vest around the British constitution" and hands the detonator to the European Union, former foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in comments that drew strong criticism.
In an article in the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Johnson pressed his attack on May's so-called Chequers plan to leave the EU, calling it "a humiliation" that opens "ourselves to perpetual political blackmail".
May is under fire from all sides of the divisive Brexit debate, with Johnson, favorite to succeed her, leading a push by euroskeptic MPs for the government to "chuck Chequers" and pursue a clean break with the bloc.
But so far, May has signaled she will not drop her blueprint for Britain's future ties with the bloc after Brexit — the biggest shift in the country's foreign and trade policy for almost half a century.
"We have wrapped a suicide vest around the British constitution — and handed the detonator to (EU chief negotiator) Michel Barnier," Johnson wrote.
His words — particularly the reference to a suicide vest — drew condemnation from fellow members of the governing Conservative Party.
Alan Duncan, a minister at the Foreign Office, said Johnson's comments marked "one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics".
"For Boris to say that the PM's view is like that of a suicide bomber is too much," he said on Twitter. "I'm sorry, but this is the political end of Boris Johnson. If it isn't now, I will make sure it is later."
Cricket - England v India - Fifth Test - Kia Oval, London, Britain - September 8, 2018 Boris Johnson in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
'Not news'
Johnson resigned as foreign secretary over the Chequers plan, named after May's country residence where the government agreed proposals to maintain close trade ties with the EU in July, and has attacked it as making Britain "a vassal state".
The prime minister's plans have also been criticised by EU supporters for offering the "worst of all worlds".
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said her organization would back a second vote on Brexit if May failed to win a deal that supported workers.
But two ministers batted away Johnson's appeal for Britain to drop Chequers and negotiate a Canada-style trade deal instead, saying such an agreement would not solve the problem of a new border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland.
"It is not news that he has a difference of opinion with the prime minister and that's why he left government," Home Secretary Sajid Javid told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. "I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences."
Housing minister James Brokenshire urged Conservatives to move forward with the Chequers plan, which May has failed so far to win backing from her party, Britain's parliament and also EU negotiators.
Many of Johnson's supporters hope his increasingly vocal criticism of May signals that he will launch a leadership bid while other Conservatives suggest his Mail article was solely to distract attention away from his marital difficulties.
On Friday, Johnson said he had separated from his wife Marina Wheeler and that the couple would divorce.
Huge gold-encrusted rocks unearthed in Australia - BBC News
Sept. 10, 2018.
Huge gold-encrusted rocks unearthed in Australia
More than 2,400 ounces of gold were found in the largest rock, RNC Minerals says
Miners in Western Australia say they have discovered two huge gold-encrusted rocks that are each estimated to be worth millions of dollars.
The largest specimen, weighing 95kg (210lb), was found to contain more than 2,400 ounces of gold, Canadian miner RNC Minerals said.
The company said it had extracted gold worth about C$15m (£9m; $11m) from a mine near Kalgoorlie last week.
One mining engineer described the finds as "exceedingly rare".
"People do still record finding nuggets in the goldfields, but typically they are less than several ounces," said Prof Sam Spearing, director of the Western Australia School of Mines at Curtin University.
The mining company valued the largest rock at about C$4m. It said the second-largest - a 63kg specimen with an estimated 1,600 ounces of gold - was worth C$2.6m.
Giant gold nugget found in Scots river
How much gold is there in the world?
The rocks were otherwise made of quartz, the company said.
Miners in Australia often extract as little as 2g of gold per tonne of rock, Prof Spearing told the BBC. RNC Minerals said it had extracted 2,200g per tonne.
"Very, very seldom do we see results on that level. This is an exceedingly rare find and very exciting," Prof Spearing said.
He said that gold particles were often too small to be visible to the human eye.
Concentrations of gold seen in the Beta Hunt mine
The Beta Hunt mine had primarily been running as a nickel operation until last week's discovery.
The company had targeted the gold vein, located 500m (1,600ft) underground, after finding traces of gold closer to the surface in June.
RNC Minerals chief executive Mark Selby said the largest rocks would go to auction as collector items.
Huge gold-encrusted rocks unearthed in Australia
More than 2,400 ounces of gold were found in the largest rock, RNC Minerals says
Miners in Western Australia say they have discovered two huge gold-encrusted rocks that are each estimated to be worth millions of dollars.
The largest specimen, weighing 95kg (210lb), was found to contain more than 2,400 ounces of gold, Canadian miner RNC Minerals said.
The company said it had extracted gold worth about C$15m (£9m; $11m) from a mine near Kalgoorlie last week.
One mining engineer described the finds as "exceedingly rare".
"People do still record finding nuggets in the goldfields, but typically they are less than several ounces," said Prof Sam Spearing, director of the Western Australia School of Mines at Curtin University.
The mining company valued the largest rock at about C$4m. It said the second-largest - a 63kg specimen with an estimated 1,600 ounces of gold - was worth C$2.6m.
Giant gold nugget found in Scots river
How much gold is there in the world?
The rocks were otherwise made of quartz, the company said.
Miners in Australia often extract as little as 2g of gold per tonne of rock, Prof Spearing told the BBC. RNC Minerals said it had extracted 2,200g per tonne.
"Very, very seldom do we see results on that level. This is an exceedingly rare find and very exciting," Prof Spearing said.
He said that gold particles were often too small to be visible to the human eye.
Concentrations of gold seen in the Beta Hunt mine
The Beta Hunt mine had primarily been running as a nickel operation until last week's discovery.
The company had targeted the gold vein, located 500m (1,600ft) underground, after finding traces of gold closer to the surface in June.
RNC Minerals chief executive Mark Selby said the largest rocks would go to auction as collector items.
Swedish election: Main blocs neck and neck as nationalists gain - BBC News
Sept.10, 2018.
Swedish election: Main blocs neck and neck as nationalists gain
Social Democrat supporters in Stockholm. Their party finished first again, but its vote fell
The Swedish general election has left the two main political blocs almost tied, with the anti-immigration party making gains on its previous results.
With nearly all ballots counted, the governing centre-left coalition is marginally ahead of its centre-right Alliance rivals, with around 40% each.
The nationalist Sweden Democrats (SD) have won about 18% of the vote, up from 12.9% in the previous election.
A protracted battle to form a working coalition now looks certain.
Is Europe seeing a nationalist surge?
Both of the main blocs have refused to govern with the SD, although its leader said he was prepared to talk with all other parties.
"We will increase our seats in parliament and we will gain huge influence over what happens in Sweden during the coming weeks, months and years," Jimmie Akesson told a party rally.
He had hoped to gain the support of one in five, or even one in four, Swedes, which some polls had also predicted. However, the results were closer to one in six.
Other European countries have seen support rise for anti-immigration parties in recent years. Earlier this year, Italy installed a new coalition government run by the anti-establishment Five Star and the right-wing League. In 2017 the far-right Alternative for Germany won 12.6% of votes, and The Danish People's Party won 21% in 2015.
Who stands with whom?
Sweden has become accustomed to coalition governments and no one was expecting an outright winning party in this election.
The current coalition, headed by outgoing PM Stefan Lofven, is made up of his Social Democrats and the Green Party, and is supported in parliament by the Left Party.
On the other side, the centre-right Alliance is made up of four parties: the Moderates, the Centre, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats. It was formed in 2004 to counter decades of dominance by the Social Democrats.
The main party in the Alliance is the centre-right Moderates and they have proposed Ulf Kristersson as their candidate for PM.
What happens now?
Sweden uses a system of proportional representation, under which each party is allocated a number of seats in each constituency that is broadly in line with its share of the vote.
With 99% of votes counted, neither of the leading alliances has reached the threshold of 175 seats, which is needed to govern.
Mr Lofven's bloc holds 144 seats and the Alliance holds one less.
Overseas votes have not yet been counted and so final results are not expected until Wednesday.
Lengthy negotiations will follow to attempt to form a workable government. One option could be for one of the parties to switch alliances.
PM Stefan Lofven saw his party get its worst results in years
At a party rally on Sunday night, Mr Lofven refused to quit. "We have two weeks left until parliament opens. I will work on calmly, as prime minister, respecting voters and the Swedish electoral system," he said.
Who are the Sweden Democrats?
The SD was linked for years to neo-Nazis and other far-right groups, only entering parliament in 2010.
It has been working to rebrand itself, changing its logo from a flaming torch (similar to the one used by the UK far-right National Front) to a blue-and-yellow daisy, the colours of the Swedish flag.
Jimmie Akesson said the SD now had "huge influence"
Traditionally appealing to working-class men, it wants to attract more women and higher-income voters.
Mr Akesson says there is zero tolerance towards racism in the party and several members have been expelled.
However, the party has still been embroiled in various racism scandals.
One municipal candidate shared a song on Facebook with the lyrics "Swedes are white and the country is ours", according to a report in tabloid Aftonbladet.
What were the key issues?
Sweden's economy is booming but many voters are concerned that housing, healthcare and welfare services have come under pressure from a wave of immigration during the 2015 migrant crisis.
The campaign has been dominated by immigration issues
That year Sweden took in a record 163,000 asylum seekers - the highest such intake in the EU, per head of population.
Sweden's traditional parties have since hardened their tone to reflect concerns about integration.
Many voters are also concerned about violence. The SD links a rise in shootings to increased immigration, although official figures show no correlation.
Is Malmo the 'rape capital' of Europe?
The SD also wants to leave the European Union and has proposed a "Swexit" referendum. However, the centrist parties all oppose such a vote, so it is unlikely to go ahead.
Aside from immigration, climate change is an issue many Swedes care about - particularly after a long, hot summer and severe forest fires.
During the heatwave, around 25,000 hectares of forest burned in wildfires. Support for the Green party, which had been struggling after various internal scandals, has crept up across the country.
Swedish election: Main blocs neck and neck as nationalists gain
Social Democrat supporters in Stockholm. Their party finished first again, but its vote fell
The Swedish general election has left the two main political blocs almost tied, with the anti-immigration party making gains on its previous results.
With nearly all ballots counted, the governing centre-left coalition is marginally ahead of its centre-right Alliance rivals, with around 40% each.
The nationalist Sweden Democrats (SD) have won about 18% of the vote, up from 12.9% in the previous election.
A protracted battle to form a working coalition now looks certain.
Is Europe seeing a nationalist surge?
Both of the main blocs have refused to govern with the SD, although its leader said he was prepared to talk with all other parties.
"We will increase our seats in parliament and we will gain huge influence over what happens in Sweden during the coming weeks, months and years," Jimmie Akesson told a party rally.
He had hoped to gain the support of one in five, or even one in four, Swedes, which some polls had also predicted. However, the results were closer to one in six.
Other European countries have seen support rise for anti-immigration parties in recent years. Earlier this year, Italy installed a new coalition government run by the anti-establishment Five Star and the right-wing League. In 2017 the far-right Alternative for Germany won 12.6% of votes, and The Danish People's Party won 21% in 2015.
Who stands with whom?
Sweden has become accustomed to coalition governments and no one was expecting an outright winning party in this election.
The current coalition, headed by outgoing PM Stefan Lofven, is made up of his Social Democrats and the Green Party, and is supported in parliament by the Left Party.
On the other side, the centre-right Alliance is made up of four parties: the Moderates, the Centre, the Liberals and the Christian Democrats. It was formed in 2004 to counter decades of dominance by the Social Democrats.
The main party in the Alliance is the centre-right Moderates and they have proposed Ulf Kristersson as their candidate for PM.
What happens now?
Sweden uses a system of proportional representation, under which each party is allocated a number of seats in each constituency that is broadly in line with its share of the vote.
With 99% of votes counted, neither of the leading alliances has reached the threshold of 175 seats, which is needed to govern.
Mr Lofven's bloc holds 144 seats and the Alliance holds one less.
Overseas votes have not yet been counted and so final results are not expected until Wednesday.
Lengthy negotiations will follow to attempt to form a workable government. One option could be for one of the parties to switch alliances.
PM Stefan Lofven saw his party get its worst results in years
At a party rally on Sunday night, Mr Lofven refused to quit. "We have two weeks left until parliament opens. I will work on calmly, as prime minister, respecting voters and the Swedish electoral system," he said.
Who are the Sweden Democrats?
The SD was linked for years to neo-Nazis and other far-right groups, only entering parliament in 2010.
It has been working to rebrand itself, changing its logo from a flaming torch (similar to the one used by the UK far-right National Front) to a blue-and-yellow daisy, the colours of the Swedish flag.
Jimmie Akesson said the SD now had "huge influence"
Traditionally appealing to working-class men, it wants to attract more women and higher-income voters.
Mr Akesson says there is zero tolerance towards racism in the party and several members have been expelled.
However, the party has still been embroiled in various racism scandals.
One municipal candidate shared a song on Facebook with the lyrics "Swedes are white and the country is ours", according to a report in tabloid Aftonbladet.
What were the key issues?
Sweden's economy is booming but many voters are concerned that housing, healthcare and welfare services have come under pressure from a wave of immigration during the 2015 migrant crisis.
The campaign has been dominated by immigration issues
That year Sweden took in a record 163,000 asylum seekers - the highest such intake in the EU, per head of population.
Sweden's traditional parties have since hardened their tone to reflect concerns about integration.
Many voters are also concerned about violence. The SD links a rise in shootings to increased immigration, although official figures show no correlation.
Is Malmo the 'rape capital' of Europe?
The SD also wants to leave the European Union and has proposed a "Swexit" referendum. However, the centrist parties all oppose such a vote, so it is unlikely to go ahead.
Aside from immigration, climate change is an issue many Swedes care about - particularly after a long, hot summer and severe forest fires.
During the heatwave, around 25,000 hectares of forest burned in wildfires. Support for the Green party, which had been struggling after various internal scandals, has crept up across the country.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Bob Woodward: "People better wake up to what's going on" in the Oval Office - CBS News
September 9, 2018, 9:51 AM
Bob Woodward: "People better wake up to what's going on" in the Oval Office
Watergate journalist Bob Woodward made headlines once again this past week, with his new book about the Trump White House, entitled "Fear." This morning, in his first TV interview, Woodward paints a picture for our David Martin of an administration in disarray:
"You look at the operation of this White House and you have to say, 'Let's hope to God we don't have a crisis,'" said Bob Woodward.
For the Washington Post reporter, that is the bottom line to all the jaw-dropping chaos and discord described in his new book, "Fear: Trump in the White House" (published by Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS).
"People who work for him are worried ... that he will sign things or give orders that threaten the national security or the financial security of the country, or of the world," Woodward said.
Aides like then-Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohn and White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter literally stole documents off the president's desk in the Oval Office, such as a letter terminating a trade agreement with South Korea, so that, Woodward explained, Mr. Trump could not sign them: "Because they realized that this would endanger the country."
Martin asked, "How'd they get away with that?"
"[Trump] doesn't remember. If it's not on his desk, if it's not immediately available for action, it goes away."
Unelected officials like Cohn and Porter intentionally thwarting the actions of the elected president – the exact reverse of what a White House staff is supposed to do.
Going back to Richard Nixon and Watergate, this is the ninth White House Woodward has covered. "In the eight others," he said, "I never heard of people on the staff in the White House engaging in that kind of extreme action."
In Woodward's telling, President Trump does not see America as the indispensable nation; he sees it as an international sucker taken advantage of by allies and trading partners. He complained his advisors "don't know anything about business. All they want to is protect everybody … that we pay for."
According to Woodward, the president is obsessed by the fact that the U.S. pays $3.5 billion a year to station troops in South Korea as a first line of defense against the North. "I don't know why they're there," he said at one meeting. "Let's bring them all home." At another meeting, Secretary of Defense James Mattis starkly why the U.S. has 28,000 troops in Korea: "We're doing this in order to prevent World War III."
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea." - President Trump at the United Nation, Sept. 19, 2017
The standoff with North Korea has been eased, for the moment, by the Singapore Summit, which brought together two leaders who had been trading nuclear threats and schoolyard insults.
Trump: "'Rocket Man' is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime."
The president later made that "Little Rocket Man" on Twitter, which he told Rob Porter "may be my best ever." When Porter asked if it might provoke Kim, according to Woodward, the president replied, "It's leader versus leader, man versus man, me versus Kim."
The most dangerous moment of the standoff, Woodward says, came when the president went to work on another tweet: "He drafts a tweet saying 'We are going to pull out dependents from South Korea ... Family members of the 28,000 people there.'"
That tweet was never sent, because of a back channel message from North Korea that it would regard a pullout of dependents as a sign the U.S. was preparing to attack. "At that moment there was a sense of profound alarm in the Pentagon leadership that, 'My God, one tweet and we have reliable information that the North Koreans are going to read this as an attack is imminent,'" Woodward said.
The president surrounded himself with generals – active duty and retired – all of whom had served in Afghanistan. But before he decided on a new Afghan strategy, he insisted on meeting with enlisted men who had served there as well. In a meeting the next day, he lashed out at the generals: "I don't care about you guys," he said to Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford, and then-National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. "'The soldiers on the ground could run things much better than you,' he says to Mattis and Dunford, and there is a 25-minute dressing down of the generals and senior officials," said Woodward.
In a recent tweet, the president acknowledged: "I'm tough as hell on people and if I weren't nothing would get done."
When he didn't like a trade deal Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had negotiated with China, the president lit into him at a White House meeting: "It's a terrible deal. We got screwed. ... You're past your prime. You're not a good negotiator anymore. ... you've lost it. I don't trust you."
When Economic Adviser Gary Cohn was upset over the president's reluctance to condemn white supremacists for the violence in Charlottesville he went into the Oval Office to resign. According to Woodward, "Trump said, 'You can't resign. I need you to do tax reform. If you leave, this is treason.' And Trump talked him out of resigning."
Afterwards, Chief of Staff John Kelly, who had been in the room, pulled Cohn aside: "Cohn wrote this down, quote from General Kelly: 'If that was me I would have taken that resignation letter and shoved it up his *** six different times.'"
bob-woodward-interviewed-by-david-martin-620.jpg
Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward, interviewed by CBS News' David Martin. CBS NEWS
The president has been bracing for Woodward's book since last month when the two lamented – or at least pretended to lament – that they had not talked.
Woodward recorded the phone conversation, with the president's permission:
Trump: "It's really too bad because nobody told me about it, and I would've loved to have spoken to you. You know I'm very open to you. I think you've always been fair."
Woodward: "It's a tough look at the world and your administration and you."
Trump: "Right. Well, I assume that means it's going to be a negative book. ... That's all right. Some are good and some are bad. Sounds like this is going to be a bad one."
Last week, when the contents of "Fear" began to leak ahead of its scheduled publication, the president said it was worse than bad. "The book is a work of fiction," Mr. Trump argued. "If you look back at Woodward's past, he had the same problem with other presidents. He likes to get publicity, sell some books."
Martin said, "He's added 'fake books' to his complaints about 'fake news.' Are you ready for a tweetstorm directed at you?"
"I've been there before," Woodward replied.
In the 1970s Woodward's stories (written with Carl Bernstein) on Richard Nixon and Watergate were repeatedly denounced (Press Secretary Ron Ziegler said, "We respect the free press, I respect the free press; I don't respect the type of journalism, the shabby journalism that is being practiced by the Washington Post"), until the White House was forced to apologize.
Working on this book, Woodward says he went back to the days of his youth when he and Bernstein made late-night visits to the homes of potential sources.
Woodward recalled, "In one case I called somebody at 11 o'clock at night and said I'd like to talk. 'Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll get to it.' And I said, 'Well, how about now?' And he said, 'Now? It's 11 at night!' And I said, 'I'm four minutes away.' 'Okay, come on over for a while.'"
He doesn't identify his sources, but most readers will conclude he talked to both Gary Cohn and Rob Porter, along with several other White House officials who quit or were fired.
Martin said, "The criticism would be, 'You've talked to the people who have an axe to grind against the president.'"
"Well, that's just not true," he replied. "Look, I talked to dozens and dozens of people, and have notes and documentation on lots of things."
Woodward quotes harsh criticism of the president from some of his closest advisers. Chief of Staff Kelly called his boss an "idiot." Secretary of Defense Mattis said the commander-in-chief acted like, and had the understanding of, "a fifth- or sixth-grader." Both men have denied saying such things.
And the president continues to denounce the book at every turn. At a rally Friday night Mr. Trump said, "These guys that write books and they put phony quotes out all over the – totally phony quotes. I mean, totally, like, fraudulent books. They're, like, fraudulent books!"
Martin asked, "He says the quotes are just not the way he speaks and the quotes are fabricated. What do you say to that?"
Woodward said, "He's wrong, and my reporting is meticulous and careful."
In a second interview with CBS' "Sunday Morning," Woodward said he had multiple sources for every claim in the book: "Multiple interviews with key witnesses. One person I interviewed nine times, and the transcripts of those conversations are 700 or 800 pages."
"700-800 pages for one person?"
"Yes, sir."
"How many people did you interview?"
"Over a hundred. I would say that maybe half of those are key people."
The theme of Woodward's book – that aides fear what the president might do if allowed to follow his impulses – received an unusual confirmation last week, when The New York Times published an anonymous article written by a person described as "a senior official in the Trump administration." "I work for the president, but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations," he or she wrote.
When asked if he knows the author's identity, Woodward said, "I have no idea who it is. It's very important, who it is. It's very important whether this is somebody who witnessed and participated. And quite frankly, if there was a person in the White House or the administration who wanted to tell me what's in that op-ed piece, I would say, 'Okay, name me who was there. What is the specific incident?' As you know, from having read my book, the dates and times and participants [are documented]."
He said that without that detail on the op-ed author's story, "I wouldn't have used it."
"Too vague?" asked Martin.
"Well, too vague, and does not meet the standards of trying to describe specific incidents. Specific incidents are the building blocks of journalism, as you well know."
"Fear: Trump in the White House" is Woodward's 19th book, and he says reporting it took him deeper inside a working White House than he's ever been before.
"This one was in the belly of the beast," he said.
Martin asked, "And what did you conclude about the beast?"
"That people better wake up to what's going on."
Bob Woodward: "People better wake up to what's going on" in the Oval Office
Watergate journalist Bob Woodward made headlines once again this past week, with his new book about the Trump White House, entitled "Fear." This morning, in his first TV interview, Woodward paints a picture for our David Martin of an administration in disarray:
"You look at the operation of this White House and you have to say, 'Let's hope to God we don't have a crisis,'" said Bob Woodward.
For the Washington Post reporter, that is the bottom line to all the jaw-dropping chaos and discord described in his new book, "Fear: Trump in the White House" (published by Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS).
"People who work for him are worried ... that he will sign things or give orders that threaten the national security or the financial security of the country, or of the world," Woodward said.
Aides like then-Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohn and White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter literally stole documents off the president's desk in the Oval Office, such as a letter terminating a trade agreement with South Korea, so that, Woodward explained, Mr. Trump could not sign them: "Because they realized that this would endanger the country."
Martin asked, "How'd they get away with that?"
"[Trump] doesn't remember. If it's not on his desk, if it's not immediately available for action, it goes away."
Unelected officials like Cohn and Porter intentionally thwarting the actions of the elected president – the exact reverse of what a White House staff is supposed to do.
Going back to Richard Nixon and Watergate, this is the ninth White House Woodward has covered. "In the eight others," he said, "I never heard of people on the staff in the White House engaging in that kind of extreme action."
In Woodward's telling, President Trump does not see America as the indispensable nation; he sees it as an international sucker taken advantage of by allies and trading partners. He complained his advisors "don't know anything about business. All they want to is protect everybody … that we pay for."
According to Woodward, the president is obsessed by the fact that the U.S. pays $3.5 billion a year to station troops in South Korea as a first line of defense against the North. "I don't know why they're there," he said at one meeting. "Let's bring them all home." At another meeting, Secretary of Defense James Mattis starkly why the U.S. has 28,000 troops in Korea: "We're doing this in order to prevent World War III."
"The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea." - President Trump at the United Nation, Sept. 19, 2017
The standoff with North Korea has been eased, for the moment, by the Singapore Summit, which brought together two leaders who had been trading nuclear threats and schoolyard insults.
Trump: "'Rocket Man' is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime."
The president later made that "Little Rocket Man" on Twitter, which he told Rob Porter "may be my best ever." When Porter asked if it might provoke Kim, according to Woodward, the president replied, "It's leader versus leader, man versus man, me versus Kim."
The most dangerous moment of the standoff, Woodward says, came when the president went to work on another tweet: "He drafts a tweet saying 'We are going to pull out dependents from South Korea ... Family members of the 28,000 people there.'"
That tweet was never sent, because of a back channel message from North Korea that it would regard a pullout of dependents as a sign the U.S. was preparing to attack. "At that moment there was a sense of profound alarm in the Pentagon leadership that, 'My God, one tweet and we have reliable information that the North Koreans are going to read this as an attack is imminent,'" Woodward said.
The president surrounded himself with generals – active duty and retired – all of whom had served in Afghanistan. But before he decided on a new Afghan strategy, he insisted on meeting with enlisted men who had served there as well. In a meeting the next day, he lashed out at the generals: "I don't care about you guys," he said to Mattis, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford, and then-National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. "'The soldiers on the ground could run things much better than you,' he says to Mattis and Dunford, and there is a 25-minute dressing down of the generals and senior officials," said Woodward.
In a recent tweet, the president acknowledged: "I'm tough as hell on people and if I weren't nothing would get done."
When he didn't like a trade deal Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had negotiated with China, the president lit into him at a White House meeting: "It's a terrible deal. We got screwed. ... You're past your prime. You're not a good negotiator anymore. ... you've lost it. I don't trust you."
When Economic Adviser Gary Cohn was upset over the president's reluctance to condemn white supremacists for the violence in Charlottesville he went into the Oval Office to resign. According to Woodward, "Trump said, 'You can't resign. I need you to do tax reform. If you leave, this is treason.' And Trump talked him out of resigning."
Afterwards, Chief of Staff John Kelly, who had been in the room, pulled Cohn aside: "Cohn wrote this down, quote from General Kelly: 'If that was me I would have taken that resignation letter and shoved it up his *** six different times.'"
bob-woodward-interviewed-by-david-martin-620.jpg
Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward, interviewed by CBS News' David Martin. CBS NEWS
The president has been bracing for Woodward's book since last month when the two lamented – or at least pretended to lament – that they had not talked.
Woodward recorded the phone conversation, with the president's permission:
Trump: "It's really too bad because nobody told me about it, and I would've loved to have spoken to you. You know I'm very open to you. I think you've always been fair."
Woodward: "It's a tough look at the world and your administration and you."
Trump: "Right. Well, I assume that means it's going to be a negative book. ... That's all right. Some are good and some are bad. Sounds like this is going to be a bad one."
Last week, when the contents of "Fear" began to leak ahead of its scheduled publication, the president said it was worse than bad. "The book is a work of fiction," Mr. Trump argued. "If you look back at Woodward's past, he had the same problem with other presidents. He likes to get publicity, sell some books."
Martin said, "He's added 'fake books' to his complaints about 'fake news.' Are you ready for a tweetstorm directed at you?"
"I've been there before," Woodward replied.
In the 1970s Woodward's stories (written with Carl Bernstein) on Richard Nixon and Watergate were repeatedly denounced (Press Secretary Ron Ziegler said, "We respect the free press, I respect the free press; I don't respect the type of journalism, the shabby journalism that is being practiced by the Washington Post"), until the White House was forced to apologize.
Working on this book, Woodward says he went back to the days of his youth when he and Bernstein made late-night visits to the homes of potential sources.
Woodward recalled, "In one case I called somebody at 11 o'clock at night and said I'd like to talk. 'Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll get to it.' And I said, 'Well, how about now?' And he said, 'Now? It's 11 at night!' And I said, 'I'm four minutes away.' 'Okay, come on over for a while.'"
He doesn't identify his sources, but most readers will conclude he talked to both Gary Cohn and Rob Porter, along with several other White House officials who quit or were fired.
Martin said, "The criticism would be, 'You've talked to the people who have an axe to grind against the president.'"
"Well, that's just not true," he replied. "Look, I talked to dozens and dozens of people, and have notes and documentation on lots of things."
Woodward quotes harsh criticism of the president from some of his closest advisers. Chief of Staff Kelly called his boss an "idiot." Secretary of Defense Mattis said the commander-in-chief acted like, and had the understanding of, "a fifth- or sixth-grader." Both men have denied saying such things.
And the president continues to denounce the book at every turn. At a rally Friday night Mr. Trump said, "These guys that write books and they put phony quotes out all over the – totally phony quotes. I mean, totally, like, fraudulent books. They're, like, fraudulent books!"
Martin asked, "He says the quotes are just not the way he speaks and the quotes are fabricated. What do you say to that?"
Woodward said, "He's wrong, and my reporting is meticulous and careful."
In a second interview with CBS' "Sunday Morning," Woodward said he had multiple sources for every claim in the book: "Multiple interviews with key witnesses. One person I interviewed nine times, and the transcripts of those conversations are 700 or 800 pages."
"700-800 pages for one person?"
"Yes, sir."
"How many people did you interview?"
"Over a hundred. I would say that maybe half of those are key people."
The theme of Woodward's book – that aides fear what the president might do if allowed to follow his impulses – received an unusual confirmation last week, when The New York Times published an anonymous article written by a person described as "a senior official in the Trump administration." "I work for the president, but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations," he or she wrote.
When asked if he knows the author's identity, Woodward said, "I have no idea who it is. It's very important, who it is. It's very important whether this is somebody who witnessed and participated. And quite frankly, if there was a person in the White House or the administration who wanted to tell me what's in that op-ed piece, I would say, 'Okay, name me who was there. What is the specific incident?' As you know, from having read my book, the dates and times and participants [are documented]."
He said that without that detail on the op-ed author's story, "I wouldn't have used it."
"Too vague?" asked Martin.
"Well, too vague, and does not meet the standards of trying to describe specific incidents. Specific incidents are the building blocks of journalism, as you well know."
"Fear: Trump in the White House" is Woodward's 19th book, and he says reporting it took him deeper inside a working White House than he's ever been before.
"This one was in the belly of the beast," he said.
Martin asked, "And what did you conclude about the beast?"
"That people better wake up to what's going on."
Trump cuts $25 million in aid for Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals - Reuters
SEPTEMBER 9, 2018 / 2:39 AM / UPDATED 19 HOURS AGO
Trump cuts $25 million in aid for Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered that $25 million earmarked for the care of Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals be directed elsewhere as part of a review of aid, a State Department official said on Saturday.
Trump called for a review of U.S. assistance to the Palestinians earlier this year to ensure that the funds were being spent in accordance with national interests and were providing value to taxpayers.
“As a result of that review, at the direction of the President, we will be redirecting approximately $25 million originally planned for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network,” the State Department official said. “Those funds will go to high-priority projects elsewhere.”
The aid cut is the latest in a number of actions by the Trump administration that have alienated the Palestinians, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
That move reversed longtime U.S. policy and led Palestinian leadership to boycott Washington peace efforts led by Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law.
Last month, the Trump administration said it would redirect $200 million in Palestinian economic support funds for programs in the West Bank and Gaza.
And at the end of August, the Trump administration halted all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a decision that further heightened tensions with the Palestinian leadership.
Palestinian refugees have reacted with dismay to the funding cuts, warning they would lead to more poverty, anger and instability in the Middle East.
A statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the latest aid cut was part of a U.S. attempt “to liquidate the Palestinian cause” and said it would threaten the lives of thousands of Palestinians and the livelihoods of thousands of hospital employees.
“This dangerous and unjustified American escalation has crossed all red lines and is considered a direct aggression against the Palestinian people,” it said.
At the gates of two of the East Jerusalem hospitals affected, medical staff were aware of the decision but refused to comment.
One of the centers, Al Makassed Islamic Charitable Society Hospital, said in statement the U.S. aid cuts come as the “hospital is going through a suffocating crisis as a result of the lack of flow of financial aid, and the piling up of debts and funds held back by the Palestinian government”.
It said it had received 45 million shekels ($12.5 million) of the U.S. money to treat patients from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. In the statement hospital CEO Dr. Bassam Abu Libdeh “questioned the justification behind mixing political issues with medical and humanitarian issues.”
The last round of U.S.-brokered Palestinian-Israeli peace talks collapsed in 2014.
Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Maayan Lubell and Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem; editing by Paul Simao and Jason Neely
Trump cuts $25 million in aid for Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered that $25 million earmarked for the care of Palestinians in East Jerusalem hospitals be directed elsewhere as part of a review of aid, a State Department official said on Saturday.
Trump called for a review of U.S. assistance to the Palestinians earlier this year to ensure that the funds were being spent in accordance with national interests and were providing value to taxpayers.
“As a result of that review, at the direction of the President, we will be redirecting approximately $25 million originally planned for the East Jerusalem Hospital Network,” the State Department official said. “Those funds will go to high-priority projects elsewhere.”
The aid cut is the latest in a number of actions by the Trump administration that have alienated the Palestinians, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.
That move reversed longtime U.S. policy and led Palestinian leadership to boycott Washington peace efforts led by Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law.
Last month, the Trump administration said it would redirect $200 million in Palestinian economic support funds for programs in the West Bank and Gaza.
And at the end of August, the Trump administration halted all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), a decision that further heightened tensions with the Palestinian leadership.
Palestinian refugees have reacted with dismay to the funding cuts, warning they would lead to more poverty, anger and instability in the Middle East.
A statement from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the latest aid cut was part of a U.S. attempt “to liquidate the Palestinian cause” and said it would threaten the lives of thousands of Palestinians and the livelihoods of thousands of hospital employees.
“This dangerous and unjustified American escalation has crossed all red lines and is considered a direct aggression against the Palestinian people,” it said.
At the gates of two of the East Jerusalem hospitals affected, medical staff were aware of the decision but refused to comment.
One of the centers, Al Makassed Islamic Charitable Society Hospital, said in statement the U.S. aid cuts come as the “hospital is going through a suffocating crisis as a result of the lack of flow of financial aid, and the piling up of debts and funds held back by the Palestinian government”.
It said it had received 45 million shekels ($12.5 million) of the U.S. money to treat patients from the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. In the statement hospital CEO Dr. Bassam Abu Libdeh “questioned the justification behind mixing political issues with medical and humanitarian issues.”
The last round of U.S.-brokered Palestinian-Israeli peace talks collapsed in 2014.
Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta in Ramallah and Maayan Lubell and Stephen Farrell in Jerusalem; editing by Paul Simao and Jason Neely
Trump Falsely Claims He’s Saving Medicare and Social Security, Which He Says Democrats Are ‘Killing’ - New York Times
Trump Falsely Claims He’s Saving Medicare and Social Security, Which He Says Democrats Are ‘Killing’
President Trump has accused Democrats of trying to “raid,” “rob” or “hurt” Medicare and Social Security, while suggesting he has made both programs “stronger.” Neither claim is true.
Linda Qiu
By Linda Qiu
Sept. 7, 2018
WHAT WAS SAID
“They're going to hurt your Social Security so badly, and they're killing you on Medicare. Just remember that. I'm going to protect your Social Security. We're going to take care of your Social Security. We’re going to take care of your Social Security. Matt Rosendale is going to make sure we’re not touching your Social Security and your Medicare is only going one way. That’s stronger. They’re going to end up taking it away from you, and you won’t even know what happened.”
— President Trump, at a campaign rally on Thursday in Montana for Mr. Rosendale, the Republican state auditor who is running for Senate.
“The Democrats will destroy Social Security. We’re saving Medicare. The Democrats want to destroy Medicare. If you look at what they’re doing, they’re going to destroy Medicare. And we will save it. We will keep it going. We’re making it stronger. We’re making Social Security stronger.”
— Mr. Trump, in remarks on Wednesday with the emir of Kuwait
THE FACTS
False.
The president is wrong on both claims: that Democrats plan to deplete Medicare and Social Security and that the two society safety nets are “stronger” under his administration.
First, not only has Mr. Trump failed to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, the financial outlook for both trusts has largely worsened. That’s at least partly the result of Mr. Trump’s tax law that is collecting fewer taxes from Americans and, in turn, investing less money into each program.
In June, the government projected that Medicare funds would be depleted by 2026, three years earlier than estimated in 2017. The report noted that less money will flow into the fund because of low wages and lower taxes.
The 2017 tax law also repealed the individual mandate that was required under the Affordable Care Act. That has led to Medicare needing to pay hospitals more money to reimburse costs of health care for a growing number of uninsured people.
Another government report, also released in June, projected that the Social Security’s fund for old-age benefits will run out in 2034. That is one year earlier than estimated in 2017, though the fund has enough money to pay for reduced Social Security benefits for 75 years.
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According to that report, the fund for retirees will suffer reduced income because of both the tax law and the Trump administration’s move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (The Social Security’s disability fund, however, gained three years of solvency.)
Second, there is no evidence that Democrats are proposing to cut Social Security, and Mr. Trump is distorting their positions on Medicare.
In its 2016 platform, the Democratic Party vowed to protect and expand Social Security. Legislation introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate has proposed to increase benefits — not “raid,” “destroy” or “hurt” the fund, as Mr. Trump claimed.
The conservative American Enterprise Institute criticized the Democratic proposal for imposing higher taxes, but also noted that it would “make a big dent” in the fund’s deficit.
Mr. Trump — echoed by other Republicans — has also argued that “Medicare for all” proposals, championed by left-leaning Democrats, would “rob seniors of their Medicare benefits.”
That would happen if the expansion would be funded solely by existing funds. However, the Democratic proposals call for new taxes to pay for expanded Medicare coverage and benefits.
Nothing in “Medicare for all” bills in the Senate or the House would reduce benefits or cut dollars from the program; in fact, current beneficiaries would receive more coverage for lower costs. For example, under legislation from Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, “Medicare for all” would also cover dental and vision care and hearing aids.
To be sure, it is reasonable to argue that “Medicare for all” would be too costly, or would reduce payments to doctors and hospitals.
“But the claim that it would damage Medicare is nonsense,” said Jonathan Oberlander, a professor of health policy and expert on Medicare at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Ironically, Republicans are using this line of attack against ‘Medicare for all’ for the same reason that Democrats are framing their health reform vision as building on Medicare — Medicare is popular,” Mr. Oberlander said.
A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee called Mr. Trump’s statements “absurd” and accused the president of trying to cut Social Security and Medicare. The White House did not respond to requests for evidence for Mr. Trump’s claims.
Source: 2018 Annual Report from Social Security Trustees, 2018 Annual Report from Medicare Trustees, American Enterprise Institute, Daniel Wessel of the Democratic National Committee, Andrew Briggs of the American Enterprise Institute, Jonathan Oberlander, Gerald Friedman
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Linda Qiu is a fact-check reporter, based in Washington. She came to the Times in 2017 from the fact-checking service PolitiFact. @ylindaqiu
President Trump has accused Democrats of trying to “raid,” “rob” or “hurt” Medicare and Social Security, while suggesting he has made both programs “stronger.” Neither claim is true.
Linda Qiu
By Linda Qiu
Sept. 7, 2018
WHAT WAS SAID
“They're going to hurt your Social Security so badly, and they're killing you on Medicare. Just remember that. I'm going to protect your Social Security. We're going to take care of your Social Security. We’re going to take care of your Social Security. Matt Rosendale is going to make sure we’re not touching your Social Security and your Medicare is only going one way. That’s stronger. They’re going to end up taking it away from you, and you won’t even know what happened.”
— President Trump, at a campaign rally on Thursday in Montana for Mr. Rosendale, the Republican state auditor who is running for Senate.
“The Democrats will destroy Social Security. We’re saving Medicare. The Democrats want to destroy Medicare. If you look at what they’re doing, they’re going to destroy Medicare. And we will save it. We will keep it going. We’re making it stronger. We’re making Social Security stronger.”
— Mr. Trump, in remarks on Wednesday with the emir of Kuwait
THE FACTS
False.
The president is wrong on both claims: that Democrats plan to deplete Medicare and Social Security and that the two society safety nets are “stronger” under his administration.
First, not only has Mr. Trump failed to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, the financial outlook for both trusts has largely worsened. That’s at least partly the result of Mr. Trump’s tax law that is collecting fewer taxes from Americans and, in turn, investing less money into each program.
In June, the government projected that Medicare funds would be depleted by 2026, three years earlier than estimated in 2017. The report noted that less money will flow into the fund because of low wages and lower taxes.
The 2017 tax law also repealed the individual mandate that was required under the Affordable Care Act. That has led to Medicare needing to pay hospitals more money to reimburse costs of health care for a growing number of uninsured people.
Another government report, also released in June, projected that the Social Security’s fund for old-age benefits will run out in 2034. That is one year earlier than estimated in 2017, though the fund has enough money to pay for reduced Social Security benefits for 75 years.
You have 1 free article remaining.
Subscribe to The Times
According to that report, the fund for retirees will suffer reduced income because of both the tax law and the Trump administration’s move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (The Social Security’s disability fund, however, gained three years of solvency.)
Second, there is no evidence that Democrats are proposing to cut Social Security, and Mr. Trump is distorting their positions on Medicare.
In its 2016 platform, the Democratic Party vowed to protect and expand Social Security. Legislation introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate has proposed to increase benefits — not “raid,” “destroy” or “hurt” the fund, as Mr. Trump claimed.
The conservative American Enterprise Institute criticized the Democratic proposal for imposing higher taxes, but also noted that it would “make a big dent” in the fund’s deficit.
Mr. Trump — echoed by other Republicans — has also argued that “Medicare for all” proposals, championed by left-leaning Democrats, would “rob seniors of their Medicare benefits.”
That would happen if the expansion would be funded solely by existing funds. However, the Democratic proposals call for new taxes to pay for expanded Medicare coverage and benefits.
Nothing in “Medicare for all” bills in the Senate or the House would reduce benefits or cut dollars from the program; in fact, current beneficiaries would receive more coverage for lower costs. For example, under legislation from Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, “Medicare for all” would also cover dental and vision care and hearing aids.
To be sure, it is reasonable to argue that “Medicare for all” would be too costly, or would reduce payments to doctors and hospitals.
“But the claim that it would damage Medicare is nonsense,” said Jonathan Oberlander, a professor of health policy and expert on Medicare at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“Ironically, Republicans are using this line of attack against ‘Medicare for all’ for the same reason that Democrats are framing their health reform vision as building on Medicare — Medicare is popular,” Mr. Oberlander said.
A spokesman for the Democratic National Committee called Mr. Trump’s statements “absurd” and accused the president of trying to cut Social Security and Medicare. The White House did not respond to requests for evidence for Mr. Trump’s claims.
Source: 2018 Annual Report from Social Security Trustees, 2018 Annual Report from Medicare Trustees, American Enterprise Institute, Daniel Wessel of the Democratic National Committee, Andrew Briggs of the American Enterprise Institute, Jonathan Oberlander, Gerald Friedman
Sign Up for the Morning Briefing
Get what you need to know to start your day in the United States, Canada and the Americas, delivered to your inbox.
Linda Qiu is a fact-check reporter, based in Washington. She came to the Times in 2017 from the fact-checking service PolitiFact. @ylindaqiu
President Trump Says Apple Can Avoid Tariff Consequences by Opening U.S. Plants - TIME
President Trump Says Apple Can Avoid Tariff Consequences by Opening U.S. Plants
Posted: 08 Sep 2018 12:34 PM PDT
President Donald Trump concedes that some Apple Inc. products may become more expensive if his administration imposes “massive” additional tariffs on Chinese-made goods, but he says the tech company can fix the problem by moving production to the U.S.
“Start building new plants now. Exciting!” Trump said Saturday in a tweet aimed at the Cupertino, California-based company.
This week, Apple said that a proposed new round of $200 billion in additional tariffs on Chinese imports would raise prices on some of its products, including the Apple Watch and the Mac mini.
The company is highly exposed to a trade war between the U.S. and China. It makes many of its products for the U.S. market in China, and it also sells gadgets including the iPhone in China, making them a potential target for Chinese retaliation against the Trump tariffs.
Trump tweeted Saturday that “Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China — but there is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive,” if the company made its products in the U.S. instead of China.
Apple prices may increase because of the massive Tariffs we may be imposing on China – but there is an easy solution where there would be ZERO tax, and indeed a tax incentive. Make your products in the United States instead of China. Start building new plants now. Exciting! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 8, 2018
Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has not announced plans to move manufacturing from China to the U.S.
In its letter this week to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Apple said that “because all tariffs ultimately show up as a tax on US consumers, they will increase the cost of Apple products that our customers have come to rely on in their daily lives.”
The company said tariffs would hit “a wide range of Apple products,” including computers, watches, adapters, chargers and tools used in its U.S. manufacturing, repair and data centers. Apple said the tariffs would raise the cost of its U.S. operations and put it at a disadvantage to foreign rivals.
The White House has accused China of stealing U.S. intellectual property and forcing American companies to share their technology with Chinese companies. The tariffs would pressure China to stop that behavior, the administration has said. Apple said “it is difficult to see” how tariffs would advance the government’s goal.
The presidential tweet is the latest salvo in a dispute between the Trump administration and companies that fear tariffs will hurt their business.
The Trump administration has imposed tariffs of $50 billion on imports from China, mostly equipment and material used by manufacturers. CEO Tim Cook said in July that those measures had no effect on Apple. The company is concerned, however, about the Trump administration’s proposal to add 25 percent duties on another $200 billion in Chinese goods, including a wider assortment of consumer-related items.
Javid warning to Russian spy poisoning suspects - BBC News
Sept. 9, 2018.
Javid warning to Russian spy poisoning suspects
Sajid Javid says the suspects will "probably never" leave Russia
The two suspects in the Salisbury nerve agent attack will be caught and prosecuted if they ever step out of Russia, the home secretary has warned.
Sajid Javid, however, did acknowledge "the reality is we will probably never see them in the UK".
He told the BBC the pair, thought to be from Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, were acting on orders from the "highest level" in Moscow.
Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in March.
The suspects are understood to have travelled to the UK from Moscow on 2 March on Russian passports, under the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov.
Two days later, police say they sprayed the nerve agent, Novichok, on the front door of Mr Skripal's home in the Wiltshire city of Salisbury, before travelling home to Russia later that day.
The attack left Mr Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter hospitalised for weeks.
Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr show, Mr Javid called it a "sickening and despicable" attack.
It was "unequivocally, crystal clear this was the act of the Russian state - two Russian nationals sent to Britain with the sole purpose of carrying out a reckless assassination attempt," he said.
"f they ever step out of the Russian Federation, Britain and its allies will get them and we will bring them to prosecution," Mr Javid added.
Last week, the UK secured the support of the US, France, Germany and Canada at a UN Security Council meeting, at which they agreed with the UK's assessment that Russia's government "almost certainly" approved the poisoning.
Russia dismissed the UK's evidence as "lies" and accused it of "disgusting anti-Russian hysteria".
Prosecutors cannot apply to Russia for the men to be extradited because Russia does not have extradition agreements with the UK.
However, a European Arrest Warrant has been obtained, should they travel to the EU.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) believes there is enough evidence to provide a "realistic prospect of conviction".
The home secretary says the suspects will "probably" never return to the UK
Russian spy poisoning: What we know so far
Could suspects be returned to the UK?
Mr Javid said the GRU operated on a "very short leash from the Kremlin".
He described it as a "very well-disciplined organisation" which would "only act with orders from the highest level of the Russian government".
Mr Javid stopped short of naming President Vladimir Putin as being behind the orders but said "we all know what's at the top of the Russian government".
He went on to say that the UK had "considerable powers" to respond to Russia.
"We will bring all those powers, both overt and covert, to bear on Russia and what it represents today."
Javid warning to Russian spy poisoning suspects
Sajid Javid says the suspects will "probably never" leave Russia
The two suspects in the Salisbury nerve agent attack will be caught and prosecuted if they ever step out of Russia, the home secretary has warned.
Sajid Javid, however, did acknowledge "the reality is we will probably never see them in the UK".
He told the BBC the pair, thought to be from Russia's military intelligence service, the GRU, were acting on orders from the "highest level" in Moscow.
Ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned in March.
The suspects are understood to have travelled to the UK from Moscow on 2 March on Russian passports, under the aliases Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov.
Two days later, police say they sprayed the nerve agent, Novichok, on the front door of Mr Skripal's home in the Wiltshire city of Salisbury, before travelling home to Russia later that day.
The attack left Mr Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter hospitalised for weeks.
Speaking on BBC One's Andrew Marr show, Mr Javid called it a "sickening and despicable" attack.
It was "unequivocally, crystal clear this was the act of the Russian state - two Russian nationals sent to Britain with the sole purpose of carrying out a reckless assassination attempt," he said.
"f they ever step out of the Russian Federation, Britain and its allies will get them and we will bring them to prosecution," Mr Javid added.
Last week, the UK secured the support of the US, France, Germany and Canada at a UN Security Council meeting, at which they agreed with the UK's assessment that Russia's government "almost certainly" approved the poisoning.
Russia dismissed the UK's evidence as "lies" and accused it of "disgusting anti-Russian hysteria".
Prosecutors cannot apply to Russia for the men to be extradited because Russia does not have extradition agreements with the UK.
However, a European Arrest Warrant has been obtained, should they travel to the EU.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) believes there is enough evidence to provide a "realistic prospect of conviction".
The home secretary says the suspects will "probably" never return to the UK
Russian spy poisoning: What we know so far
Could suspects be returned to the UK?
Mr Javid said the GRU operated on a "very short leash from the Kremlin".
He described it as a "very well-disciplined organisation" which would "only act with orders from the highest level of the Russian government".
Mr Javid stopped short of naming President Vladimir Putin as being behind the orders but said "we all know what's at the top of the Russian government".
He went on to say that the UK had "considerable powers" to respond to Russia.
"We will bring all those powers, both overt and covert, to bear on Russia and what it represents today."
North Korea holds parade without ballistic missiles, reports say - BBC News
Sept. 9, 2018.
North Korea holds parade without ballistic missiles, reports say
The anniversary parade showed off North Korea's military strength
North Korea did not display any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at a military parade to mark its 70th anniversary, reports say.
It is also unclear whether leader Kim Jong-un made a speech at the event.
The parade is being scrutinised for clues about North Korea's weapons arsenal and professed commitment to denuclearisation.
Some analysts had predicted that Mr Kim would tone down the display after his summit with US President Donald Trump.
A large display of ICBMs - which can reach the US mainland, potentially carrying a nuclear warhead - would have been seen as provocative.
Kim Jong-un's faith in Trump 'unchanged'
Korean reunions: Families divided by war meet in North
Why North Korea is in no hurry to please the US
N Korea 'making missiles' despite US thaw
In June Mr Kim and Mr Trump signed a vague agreement to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but it did not include a timeline, details or mechanisms to verify the process.
Kim Jong-un (c) appeared alongside visiting Chinese politican Li Zhanshu
High-level talks and visits have continued but the most recent scheduled trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was called off last minute and both sides have blamed each other for the stalling negotiations while insisting they're committed to the progress.
The BBC's Seoul Correspondent Laura Bicker said any show of ICBMs could have put future discussions and any deal to declare an end to the Korean war at risk.
Participants waved flowers as they passed Mr Kim
North Korea was also due to hold its first mass games in five years. The Arirang Mass Games are an elaborate propaganda spectacle with enormous co-ordinated displays.
This year's games, which tell a symbolic story of North Korea's history, are titled The Glorious Country.
Analysis of satellite images from the past two weeks suggest this year's games, which will continue throughout September, are going to be very big.
Jets drew out the number 70 in the sky, to mark the country's 70th anniversary
Past games have featured gigantic stadiums filled with performers, synchronised gymnasts and co-ordinated dance displays.
The colourful displays are likely to be striking but the UN has in the past said that children are forced to take part, or to help in the build-up.
North Korea holds parade without ballistic missiles, reports say
The anniversary parade showed off North Korea's military strength
North Korea did not display any intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at a military parade to mark its 70th anniversary, reports say.
It is also unclear whether leader Kim Jong-un made a speech at the event.
The parade is being scrutinised for clues about North Korea's weapons arsenal and professed commitment to denuclearisation.
Some analysts had predicted that Mr Kim would tone down the display after his summit with US President Donald Trump.
A large display of ICBMs - which can reach the US mainland, potentially carrying a nuclear warhead - would have been seen as provocative.
Kim Jong-un's faith in Trump 'unchanged'
Korean reunions: Families divided by war meet in North
Why North Korea is in no hurry to please the US
N Korea 'making missiles' despite US thaw
In June Mr Kim and Mr Trump signed a vague agreement to work towards denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula but it did not include a timeline, details or mechanisms to verify the process.
Kim Jong-un (c) appeared alongside visiting Chinese politican Li Zhanshu
High-level talks and visits have continued but the most recent scheduled trip by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was called off last minute and both sides have blamed each other for the stalling negotiations while insisting they're committed to the progress.
The BBC's Seoul Correspondent Laura Bicker said any show of ICBMs could have put future discussions and any deal to declare an end to the Korean war at risk.
Participants waved flowers as they passed Mr Kim
North Korea was also due to hold its first mass games in five years. The Arirang Mass Games are an elaborate propaganda spectacle with enormous co-ordinated displays.
This year's games, which tell a symbolic story of North Korea's history, are titled The Glorious Country.
Analysis of satellite images from the past two weeks suggest this year's games, which will continue throughout September, are going to be very big.
Jets drew out the number 70 in the sky, to mark the country's 70th anniversary
Past games have featured gigantic stadiums filled with performers, synchronised gymnasts and co-ordinated dance displays.
The colourful displays are likely to be striking but the UN has in the past said that children are forced to take part, or to help in the build-up.
Swedish election: Vote begins amid anti-immigration surge - BBC News
Sept. 9, 2018.
Swedish election: Vote begins amid anti-immigration surge
"Either we stay with a decent democracy or we choose another path," the PM said.
The people of Sweden are voting in a general election - where an anti-immigration party is vying to make large gains.
The nationalist Sweden Democrats (SD), which polls suggest have 20% support, are tipped for second place.
Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called the SD a "racist" party as he cast his ballot in Stockholm.
The SD - which has its roots in neo-Nazism - has rebranded itself and says it is inclusive.
Neither the governing Social Democrats nor the main centre-right party, the Moderates, is likely to win a majority.
Immigration has been a central issue of the campaign. The SD doubled its seats in the 2014 election and it is predicted to double them again in this election.
Sweden Democrats tap into immigration fears
Have online bots affected the campaign?
More than a quarter of Sweden's voters were still undecided in the final week of campaigning, according to national polling company Sifo.
"I'm still hesitating between the Moderates and SD. SD is quite close to the Moderates but they're a little more clear in what they want. They're more direct," Elias, an 18-year-old voting in his first election, told AFP news agency.
Immigration and asylum have been major issues in the campaign
On Saturday, SD leader Jimmie Akesson countered that Sweden had been "an extreme country in many ways, not least when it comes to immigration" and that his plan to take in fewer migrants would be regarded as "normal politics in the rest of Europe".
Other European countries have also seen a surge in support for anti-immigration parties in recent years. The Danish People's Party won 21% in 2015, and the far-right Alternative for Germany won 12.6% in 2017.
Who are the Sweden Democrats?
The SD was linked for years to neo-Nazis and other far-right groups, only entering parliament in 2010.
It has been working to rebrand itself, changing its logo from a flaming torch (similar to the one used by the UK far-right National Front) to a blue-and-yellow daisy, the colours of the Swedish flag.
Jimmie Akesson of the Sweden Democrats after Friday's heated party-leader debate
Traditionally appealing to working-class men, it wants to attract more women and higher-income voters.
Mr Akesson, who became leader in 2005, says there is zero tolerance towards racism in the party and several members have been expelled.
However, the party has still been embroiled in various racism scandals.
One municipal candidate shared a song on Facebook with the lyrics "Swedes are white and the country is ours", according to a report in tabloid Aftonbladet.
Last year, some of its ex-members went on to found the far-right Alternative for Sweden (AfS).
What are the key issues?
Sweden's economy is booming but many voters are concerned that housing, healthcare and welfare services have come under pressure from a wave of immigration during the 2015 migrant crisis.
That year Sweden took in a record 163,000 asylum seekers - the highest such intake in the EU, per head of population.
Sweden's traditional parties have since hardened their tone to reflect concerns about integration.
Many voters are also concerned about violence. The SD links a rise in shootings to increased immigration, although official figures show no correlation.
Is Malmo the 'rape capital' of Europe?
The SD also wants to leave the European Union and has proposed a "Swexit" referendum. However, the powerful centrist parties all oppose such a vote, so it is unlikely to go ahead.
Aside from immigration, climate change is an issue many Swedes care about - particularly after a long, hot summer and severe forest fires.
During the heatwave, around 25,000 hectares of forest burned in wildfires and many farmers were forced to destroy livestock after their pasture land dried up.
Swedish teen's sit-in climate protest
Support for the Green party, which had been struggling after various internal scandals, has crept up across the country.
The Left party is making gains too, from the environmentally concerned and from centre-left voters dissatisfied with the mainstream parties' approach to migration.
Who could be in charge?
Prime Minister Lofven currently heads a minority, centre-left coalition government made up of his Social Democrats and the Green Party.
In recent years there has been a fall in support for the Social Democrats and the largest traditional opposition party, the Moderates.
However, polls suggest that the Social Democrats are narrowly ahead of other parties and may be in a position to lead another minority government.
Both the Social Democrats and the Moderates have said they will not enter a coalition with the SD, however well they perform.
Swedish election: Vote begins amid anti-immigration surge
"Either we stay with a decent democracy or we choose another path," the PM said.
The people of Sweden are voting in a general election - where an anti-immigration party is vying to make large gains.
The nationalist Sweden Democrats (SD), which polls suggest have 20% support, are tipped for second place.
Prime Minister Stefan Lofven called the SD a "racist" party as he cast his ballot in Stockholm.
The SD - which has its roots in neo-Nazism - has rebranded itself and says it is inclusive.
Neither the governing Social Democrats nor the main centre-right party, the Moderates, is likely to win a majority.
Immigration has been a central issue of the campaign. The SD doubled its seats in the 2014 election and it is predicted to double them again in this election.
Sweden Democrats tap into immigration fears
Have online bots affected the campaign?
More than a quarter of Sweden's voters were still undecided in the final week of campaigning, according to national polling company Sifo.
"I'm still hesitating between the Moderates and SD. SD is quite close to the Moderates but they're a little more clear in what they want. They're more direct," Elias, an 18-year-old voting in his first election, told AFP news agency.
Immigration and asylum have been major issues in the campaign
On Saturday, SD leader Jimmie Akesson countered that Sweden had been "an extreme country in many ways, not least when it comes to immigration" and that his plan to take in fewer migrants would be regarded as "normal politics in the rest of Europe".
Other European countries have also seen a surge in support for anti-immigration parties in recent years. The Danish People's Party won 21% in 2015, and the far-right Alternative for Germany won 12.6% in 2017.
Who are the Sweden Democrats?
The SD was linked for years to neo-Nazis and other far-right groups, only entering parliament in 2010.
It has been working to rebrand itself, changing its logo from a flaming torch (similar to the one used by the UK far-right National Front) to a blue-and-yellow daisy, the colours of the Swedish flag.
Jimmie Akesson of the Sweden Democrats after Friday's heated party-leader debate
Traditionally appealing to working-class men, it wants to attract more women and higher-income voters.
Mr Akesson, who became leader in 2005, says there is zero tolerance towards racism in the party and several members have been expelled.
However, the party has still been embroiled in various racism scandals.
One municipal candidate shared a song on Facebook with the lyrics "Swedes are white and the country is ours", according to a report in tabloid Aftonbladet.
Last year, some of its ex-members went on to found the far-right Alternative for Sweden (AfS).
What are the key issues?
Sweden's economy is booming but many voters are concerned that housing, healthcare and welfare services have come under pressure from a wave of immigration during the 2015 migrant crisis.
That year Sweden took in a record 163,000 asylum seekers - the highest such intake in the EU, per head of population.
Sweden's traditional parties have since hardened their tone to reflect concerns about integration.
Many voters are also concerned about violence. The SD links a rise in shootings to increased immigration, although official figures show no correlation.
Is Malmo the 'rape capital' of Europe?
The SD also wants to leave the European Union and has proposed a "Swexit" referendum. However, the powerful centrist parties all oppose such a vote, so it is unlikely to go ahead.
Aside from immigration, climate change is an issue many Swedes care about - particularly after a long, hot summer and severe forest fires.
During the heatwave, around 25,000 hectares of forest burned in wildfires and many farmers were forced to destroy livestock after their pasture land dried up.
Swedish teen's sit-in climate protest
Support for the Green party, which had been struggling after various internal scandals, has crept up across the country.
The Left party is making gains too, from the environmentally concerned and from centre-left voters dissatisfied with the mainstream parties' approach to migration.
Who could be in charge?
Prime Minister Lofven currently heads a minority, centre-left coalition government made up of his Social Democrats and the Green Party.
In recent years there has been a fall in support for the Social Democrats and the largest traditional opposition party, the Moderates.
However, polls suggest that the Social Democrats are narrowly ahead of other parties and may be in a position to lead another minority government.
Both the Social Democrats and the Moderates have said they will not enter a coalition with the SD, however well they perform.
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