And a sugar plantation in uganda that environmentalists say threatens the protective rain forest and hundreds of its animal species. Cypresses governments suspending a controversial citizenship for Investment Program after an undercover investigation by aljazeera the countrys attorney general has also announced an investigation into possible criminal offenses following the revelations exposed to high ranking officials expressing a willingness to aides can fix it criminals to tain e. U. Citizenship in august ill just innocent vesta gets of unit release the cyprus papers which revealed serious flaws in the citizen by Investment Program are Investigative ReporterDavid Harrison is in the casea with more. Weve had 3 announcements want the abolition of the Investment Program under which people could buy passports if they paid a certain amount of money in which our investigation revealed evidence of that was being abused the 2nd one was the president of the pollen to meet is this who was one of the people implicated in the scheme in our investigation hes announced to be stepping down until an investigation launched by the government is complete hell step down from next week under 13 months in a sign of the 3rd announcement is that Christakis Giovanni an m. P. Dont position m. P. An owner of the giovanni Property Group who was also exposed in our in our documentary is someone who is willing to help a criminal by a passport hes resigned as an m. P. Under resigned all his party rolls what they say they said it was the current scheme is being abolished now that of course doesnt mean that there may have been it may not be reborn in another fall that we have to see a wait and see what we do know is that they do have some previous in the cypriot government of weakening and tweaking the treatment tweaking the scheme make it stronger tougher to get the regulations only to soften them later so that is really one for the future obviously well be watching that very closely as well as people who have been venting their fury on social media at the corruption that we exposed. By the Senate Confirmation hearings are underway for a new u. S. Supreme courts justice sirrah place the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg bringing you live pictures now from the hearing on capitol hill republicans are rushing to get amy cooney baratz confirmed the heads of the president ial election which takes place just 3 weeks from that its a move that is being heavily criticized by democrats this is senator Chuck Grassley questioning me right now lets take a quick listen. To judge as heartless. And on a mission to scrap the Health Care Law frankly thats absurd not only is judge bear a mother of 7 gerri children preexisting medical challenges of her own no one on this committee or anyone has any right to suggest that she doesnt care about access to health care or protection for the vulnerable now getting back to the technical concerns about roberts. Affordable care act opinion for well that gives you a flavor of that hearing that is ongoing and will continue for several hours earlier judge barrett was questioned by Dianne Feinstein whos the most senior democrats in the Senates Judiciary Committee as she was questions on the issue of abortion heres what they had to say its a contentious issue which is a no one reason why it would be comforting to you to have an answer but i cant express views on cases or precommit to approaching a case any particular way well that makes it difficult for me and i think for other women also on this committee because this is a very important case and it affects a lot of people millions and millions of women and you could be a very important vote. Well lets go live now to alan fischer hes on capitol hill and has been following that hearing as its ongoing allan that exchange between her and feinstein and judge barretts was certainly one of the things we were looking out for the touched on the the flashpoint issues that you mentioned Abortion Health care and so warren but it was really the abortion question thats proof and quite critical and a macone baratz really declined. To give an opinion on how she feels about these matters and how she would act as a justice on the Supreme Courts. So i think she you can see her tactics and this is going to be repeated over the next 10 or so hours as each senator gets the 30 minutes of questioning she is going to take these controversial issues and soon look i could be dealing with these if im confirmed to the court and i dont want to fly to anyone what we im thinking because then they might change their argument to try and fit in with that she says that shell hear the cases on the merits and she will decide as far as the law is concerned she said earlier that she was an originalist that means that she looks at the constitution and she tries to interpret the law with the words that were written and not put harsh spend on the words that were written or not try to think what would they mean in these circumstances and saw were seeing what amy is going to do shes going to say look these are cases all these important potentially controversial touchstone cases such as Campaign Finance obamacare the Affordable Healthcare Act abortion gun rights all of these things even self. Same sex marriage all of these things have to be discussed on their merits because when they go to the Supreme Court theyre brought up on a narrow issue and were going to see that all week after the election which is why the democrats are. So concerned when there was a case called texas versus california a case backed by Donald Trumps administration that challenges to the Affordable Health care act and the provision of preexisting conditions and whether or not Insurance Companies have to keep recognizing them and she said she cant discuss that because there is a possibility that she will be hearing a case. In the court and also given that shes also an appeal course just judge it would be wrong of heart to do that so thats going to be her tactic through the hearing as you heard from Dianne Feinstein is going to frustrate democrats but its going to delay republicans and its really i guess the only answer that she can she can deliver without stepping in to say the boundaries well given all of this given the how she said at one point im not a legal pundit so i cant give my opinions on these things what exactly are these hearings sets its a term and then because the concerns that people are raising are concerns about how they think shes going to rule and how that will impact the law of the land as it stands so if shes going to keep hiding behind this defense of i cant tell you how im thinking until i see the case what exactly are either side hoping to get out of these hearings. Well you see in hiding it is perhaps one fear because she is following the judicial rules theres a rule 35 that essentially suggests that if youre honest you cant comment about cases that are on their way to the court and thats exactly what is happening here particularly with the Affordable Healthcare Act when it comes to questions like abortion or same sex marriage there are no pending cases so she cant give a view on how she would rule because she doesnt know the parameters of the case that would be brought in front of the Supreme Court we know that the republicans are pushing ahead with this they believe that the nomination will come out of committee that will happen on thursday what follows then of course is confirmation by the fool senate that republicans are hoping that they can solidify the conservative majority on the Supreme Court that would give them if he is confirmed that would give the conservatives a 63. 00 majority on the court and that leads the republicans to believe that some things that would be challenged in court are more likely to be approved by justices who share their views or d would certainly be of a conservative bent as for the democrats what theyre trying to do is essentially fight the election through the Supreme Court to try to put the Affordable Health care act front and center with the American People they know that the majority of people in the United States are concerned about health care they also know if you look at the polls that they dont think donald trump has a plan to help them they are worried about preexisting conditions theyre worried about their premiums going up and is donald trump over the last 4 years and said he has a plan that will be better coverage and more premiums and hasnt yet delivered that plan even though hes had a number of opportunities to do so the democrats want to make sure that people are talking about that as they go to the polls i think privately no one said this to me but i think privately the democrats understand they dont have the votes to block this. The inequality but it is almost inevitably going to be confirmed to the Supreme Court but what theyre hoping to do is make a nothing of an impact that people will go to the polls and vote on things Like Health Care and issues that are being raised here if he can continue to say these things are at risk from the Supreme Court that has a conservative bent not just for the next election cycle but for a generation ok alan fischer there at capitol hill listening in to those hearings thank you very much in seeds and speaking of that election some 10000000 americans have already cast their ballots in early voting thats according to the u. S. Elections projects over the university of florida in the state of georgia there were long lines some people waiting for hours there are also reports of some technical issues including glitches that slowed down voting at one sites in atlanta. Meanwhile u. S. President donald trump has been backaches with the crate see fire on an Election Campaign interrupted spying his covert 19 diagnosis trump address supporters in the battleground state of florida with its wearing a mask a decision his democratic rival joe biden described as reckless and gallacher reports from miami. After a dramatic 2 weeks that seen President Donald Trump contract covert 19 and to the Walter Reed Medical Center and make an apparent speedy recovery hes now back on the campaign trail his 1st stop Central Florida where thousands gather to walk and then back following the example of the president many in the crowd didnt wear masks and social distancing was nonexistent as Florida Governor rod dissenters ended the rally he gave high fives to the crowd before touching his face President Trump told supporters hes never felt better i went through it now they say im im you know i can feel i feel so powerful ill walk in i was i walked in there are kids everywhere. Are just the guys in the beautiful women and everybody yes you have big factors any thoughts of the president might change his tone after contract in the virus were quickly dispelled despite rising cases in many states and flu season fast approaching the president says his approach was right all along the cure cannot be worse but if you dont feel good about it if you want to stay stay relaxed stay but if you want to get out there get out. In Ohio Democratic candidate and former Vice President joe biden talked to auto workers touting his experience in tackling the economic woes faced by many he placed the blame for the covert 1000 death count now in excess of 210 fans and squarely with the president they do want to panic the American People thats why i said nothing we dont panic america doesnt panic but trapped panic. His reckless personal conduct sent his diagnosis has been unconscionable longer donald trump as president and more recklessly seems to get. In the coming days President Trump will travel to pennsylvania iowa and North Carolina all important states in novembers election for President Trump supporters this was a triumphant return after a worrying few days for critics yet another example of the president flouting basic medical guidelines joe biden is leading in the polls here in florida a state trump must win joe biden will be here on tuesday as the election draws ever closer and he gallacher aljazeera Miami Florida and california a criminal investigation is underway after an authorized ballot boxes began popping up around the states we cant independently verify these images of course are being called fake drop boxes but people online been spotting them near churches and gun shops in the version of the same the some official boxes for the Republican Party has admitted to placing them in the sands of these fresno and Orange County california is secretary of state says the boxes are illegal but the party is refusing to remove them. Well scott look at this is a cofounder of america unfiltered thats a News Analysis on american politics and Foreign Policy and he thinks because of these unauthorized boxes that theres a real risk peoples votes may not be counted. The sort of thing Donald Trumps been talking about without any evidence is that democrats supposedly have been doing this for years in fact the reality is theres been less than 1200. 00 fraudulent ballots in 40 years across all elections the republicans who have put out that false charge are actually in danger of carrying out mail fraud ballot fraud because lets be very clear here these boxes according to the california 2nd biggest state in the California Attorney general are not authorized they are not allowed under california provision for collection of ballots and it doesnt mean that ballots might not be delivered properly to the true election authorities the general thing that you hear from republicans such as donald trump is to try to suppress voting decide look dont bother voting with mail in balloting because its a fraudulent process and then if trump loses the election on november 3rd try to take legal action to say well mail in ballot he is not legitimate what you have here in california however is that they would like republicans in the state to win office they have local contest to win so not only do they say well we need bailing palettes for our people but they risk what is possible fraud to collect ballots and possibly not distribute them fairly and its not just happen in california because donald trump who said on the one hand dont allow mail in balloting well guess what he told floridians go out and cast your ballot ballots as soon as possible from a. Still to come on aljazeera Opposition LeaderAnwar Ibrahim pushes his case for becoming the new Prime Minister relation. It has been cold enough in northern chance to see the fish because snow of the season on that frontal system there and in contrast in the sciences to warm enough for a Tropical Storm to be blue this is not the 1st of course and well see another one yet thats affecting the far south of china and theres a Gale Force Warning up for hong kong between the 2 large area still quite warm platt is positive right noble and there are still a few showers to come of what he saw ground in the eastern side of honshu so most of the action is in the South China Sea and thats the current named storm interacting with hard than say was throw off strong winds and rain for Southern China is heading towards vietnam already very flooded places a bit further north in the main flooded area which is roughly speaking through here down towards cambodia but will do nothing to improve things and then theres something developing in the central philippines that might well follow suit currently not named to forecast to follow in a similar direction before that for you. This course fairly wet at the moment all with answer in tunisia with the exception probably of java and all places to the east there have been some heavy showers in jakarta recently did in this week for the most part its quite dry. But. Global community we are our biggest conversation elbow. Grease is the response that looks like the part of the debate you can jump into the conversation right away when no topic is off the tape. We are not afraid of anyone taking power we just call it what he lives in the world uses 3 talking richer and the poor getting poorer its not kill the story the system its just to look at the system and adapt it to the modern world this street on out is the era. In. The. Form. This is out 0 a reminder of the top stories this hour the cyprus government says suspending a controversial citizenship for Investment Program after an undercover investigation by al jazeera it exposed high ranking officials expressing a willingness to aid convicted criminals to obtain e. U. Citizenship. The 2nd day of the confirmation hearing for a need u. S. Supreme Court Justice is underway in washington democrats are trying to delay the republican push to get any county ballots confirmed before election day in 3 weeks. And u. S. President donald trump is back with the crowds trying to fire up a campaign interrupted by his call that 19 infection trump took to the stage without a mask to rally supporters in florida thats after the white house stops or can fire a missile test of negative. Malaysias Opposition LeaderAnwar Ibrahim has spoken to the king as he again tries to form a new governments and where says the hadst the Parliamentary Support see replace Prime Minister who he had seen since last month or his deal to charge in march but only with a razor thin majority. I would appear to the good of millicents to exercise. Patience wisdom. And to allow. The king to digest decide based all. The speed of the constitution and the discretion of his highness. Why and we must also remember that Prime Minister who did see his last. Majority. And therefore. Would be appropriate for him to. Resign. Florence louis is in kuala lumpur with the latest. The Opposition Leader on my brain says that during his meeting with the king he presented the monarch with documents including statutory declarations and. Statements by Party Leaders to show that hes got the support of more than 120 members of parliament 112 is needed for a simple majority now and its not clear though that on or has been able to convince the king that he does indeed have support of the majority in parliament shortly after our last press conference the palace issued a statement to say that yes indeed the meeting took place and yes im well told the king that he has the support of the majority in parliament but i dont want to not give a king the king a list of the names of members of parliament who he says support him which would strengthen his claim now and the Prime Ministers party as all show has also issued a statement to say that on one has once again failed to prove his claim so this is the 1st hurdle for anwar its not clear that he has been successful then there is a 2nd hurdle the king has the discretion to dissolve parliament which would trigger snap elections if hes advised to do so by the sitting Prime Minister yassin now its not clear that this will go down well with malaysians considering that the country is now going through a 3rd wave of corona of the noble coronavirus and this has in part been blamed on state elections held in sa prostate now if and what is unsuccessful there is still another option for him he could propose a motion of no confidence when parliament sits again in november but whether or not that motion of no confidence is accepted is another matter. China has votes or responds if the u. S. Goes ahead with plans arms sales to taiwan the u. S. Has been encouraging taiwan to modernize its military to resist threats from china the latest on sale includes rocket launchers missiles and advanced sensors for fighter jets china regards taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out using force to retake the islands. Both armenia and azerbaijan are accusing each other of violating a cease fire that came into force on saturday is there a ministry of defense as their soldiers have been attacked by Armenian Forces along the line of contacts armenia says a version has launched what it called a massive attack along the entire length of the front line both sides accuse each other of killing civilians in the flare up over the disputed nagornokarabakh region that began last month. Iran staley death toll from the corona virus is again reached one of its highest levels and is the beginning of the pandemic at least 254 people have died in just the past 24 hours authorities 7 pows strict new measures to try and control the outbreak but as dorsetshire by reports from to her on not all rain ians are respects in the rules. This is batman hospital its one of the 118 hospitals here in the capital which has been turned exclusively into a facility which deals with covert 1000 patients there are over 500000 people in iran who have been infected so far and over 29000 people have died 4500 people are currently in Critical Condition across 31 provinces which have all been declared red zones by the Health Ministry now in the capital tehran which is one of the hardest hit provinces the Health Officials have said that as of last friday the hospitals will no longer be receiving any nonemergency patients and that they will set up field hospitals if the cases of patients continue to increase as they have of the past few weeks meanwhile ordinary iranians who are living under crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States are desperately trying to make ends meet in very difficult circumstances past the month before the issue is the impact on businesses and peoples incomes but Big Companies are under a lot of pressure and so are employees also considering the current inflation and daily increase in prices of everything our dinner table is consistently shrinking the situation is very bad and corona is making it worse find him up with almost a habit i used to work in a travel agency but i lost my job in april ive been sitting at home with no income its been difficult but although doing this feller income has been cut by half and our expenses have gone up by a loss we already had many problems with corona its become even more when seller is reducing costs go up naturally al buying power goes down god knows how itll. And. On saturday president has and ronnie finally announced new guidelines masks are now mandatory across the capital at all times people will be fined a small amount if they are caught without one but not everyone is abiding by the rules Health Officials have asked the best see thats the paramilitary volunteer force of the revolutionary guards to help enforce the new rules but as officials announced a 2nd week of closures here in the capital its becoming increasingly difficult to expect people to say home when they receive no Financial Assistance from the government you countries are coordinating Coronavirus Travel restrictions theyve agreed not to see restrict people from traveling between socalled green states countries will be assigned traffic lights colors based on their latest testing numbers up until my they feel making their old bulls creating a complicated patchwork of regulations nigerias president is promising Extensive Police reforms after more than a week of protests against Police Brutality the decision came shortly after a video emerged showing dozens of protesters running for cover shots ran knights in lagos at least 2 protesters and a Police Officer have died during the rallies the governments hands despondent in the Tourist Police corps accused of extrajudicial killings and torture. Environmentalists and ugandans say a protected rain forest is being destroyed to make way for a sugar plantation the big oma Forest Reserve is home to hundreds of species of animals including danger chimpanzees malcolm webb has this report. The potomac tropical rain forest preserve in western uganda is home to hundreds of species of trees some of them rare and many animals like bees. About 500 endangered chimpanzees live here to. Environmentalist say the forest is being destroyed to make way for sugar plantation. Constantino tesser in runs a large for tourists who come to see the wildlife he says some of the Forests Protection has been removed by a regular Court Rulings hes campaigned against it it is a very uncommon and probably no way of the world but we can see a government telling us that you know writing and then going to go to this is a 3rd. And thats why people have come to invest and following the that but that there are sort of sousas to exist without an explanation. The campaigners say part of the forest has been given to a Company Called holly my sugar sugar says if using only privately owned grassland next to the forests Sustainable Development and came into production can quit that we dont have. To use sugar cane. Or ugandans contribute to the tax base of this nation where. Maintaining a passage that is i mean i think the only crime we get commuting now is that we im neighbors to come 1st the activists say the site is guarded by you can under special forces and that suggests powerful politicians are involved because of what i think you should. Give it. To. The government should be. Destroyed. The activist also say hoya sugars owners are hidden and its records have been removed from the public registry so you dont its not like knowledge investors who are these investors i dont have that off my back and such. Chicken might get a rope and the. Villages living around the forest have already cut down some trees to make space to grow sugarcane they hope to sell to the company the environmentalists say if nothing is done the rest of the forest will eventually suffer the same fate malcolm webb aljazeera. This is aljazeera these are the headlines the cyprus government to suspending a controversial citizenship for Investment Program after an undercover investigation by al jazeera it exposed high ranking officials expressing a willingness to aides convicted