Communist Party congress begins in Beijing +++ Kenyan official flees to US ahead of election

18. November 2017, 02:00

Communist Party congress begins in Beijing

China's biggest political event, the Communist Party congress, has begun in Beijing under tight security. President Xi Jinping told more than 2,000 delegates that China should take centre stage in the world, and work to build a great power. The summit takes place once every five years - and determines who rules China and the country's direction for the next term. Xi, who became the leader in 2012, is expected to remain as party chief. Analyst Isaac Stone Fish assesses his record over the last five years: "I think he's done an excellent job of consolidating power, as far as we can tell, to himself and of making the country wealthier, more assertive, but also a more repressive place."

Kenyan official flees to US ahead of election

A senior member of the Kenyan electoral commission has resigned, saying the country cannot hold credible elections next week. Roselyn Akombe criticised the integrity of the electoral body, and said it was under "political siege". Speaking from New York, she said that she had feared for her safety in Kenya: "Given the fact that there have been threats to my life, and my own staff - our own staff - was murdered brutally, nine days to the previous election... So, I didn't feel safe at all, I did not feel that I could be able to say the sort of things that I'm able to say and still be safe in the country."

Trump’s latest travel ban order blocked

A US judge has largely blocked the latest version of President Trump's travel ban, hours before it was due to come into force. The ban, announced last month, targets travellers from Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad, and North Korea - as well as some Venezuelan officials. The judge said the ban broke US immigration law. The Justice Department said it would appeal.

Merkel starts coalition talks

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is starting coalition negotiations today, following last month's elections - that reduced her share of the vote and ushered the far-right into parliament. Merkel's Christian Democrat party will hold talks with the pro-business and liberal Free Democrats. She's also expected to meet the left-leaning Greens.

Portuguese minister resigns after deadly fires

Portugal's Interior Minister has resigned, after more than 100 people died in wildfires in the space of four months. Constanca Urbano de Sousa said she no longer felt able to continue in her post, either politically or personally. Portugal's president has called on parliament to decide whether the government should remain in office, following what he said were grave failings in handling the fires.

EU Commission to announce counter terror measures

The European Commission is due to announce a wide-ranging package of counter terrorism measures later today, following recent attacks in Europe. The EU Security Commissioner, Julian King, said the police agency Europol has a list of 8,000 Islamist fighters who could potentially return from Syria and Iraq - and that cooperation between the EU and the UK would have to continue after Brexit.

The Weather

Mainly sunny and mild, with some cloud in Upper and Lower Austria. Highs ranging between 13 and 23 degrees.

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