Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on two sitting ministers in South Sudan, accusing them of obstructing the young country’s peace efforts despite promises to form a unity government. The order against Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk and Martin Elia Lomuro, minister of cabinet …
Read More »US, EU warn of danger from Russia, China on Berlin Wall anniversary
Berlin, Germany | AFP | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and incoming EU chief Ursula von der Leyen issued stark warnings Friday that the West faces new challenges from Russia and China, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall. Urging Western allies to defend hard-won …
Read More »Trump denounces impeachment inquiry as a ‘coup’
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced the impeachment inquiry threatening his presidency as a “coup,” as his administration pushed back hard against the investigation. Trump’s comments came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed to prevent or delay five State Department officials from testifying in the …
Read More »Trump administration pushes back against impeachment probe
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump’s administration pushed back hard Tuesday against the impeachment probe threatening his presidency, accusing Democrats of trying to intimidate and bully diplomats into testifying against the White House. Lawmakers investigating accusations that Trump abused his office by seeking dirt from Ukraine on a 2020 …
Read More »Pompeo subpoenaed as Democrats press Trump impeachment
Washington, United States | AFP | Democrats charged aggressively into an impeachment investigation of President Donald Trump on Friday, ordering Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and scheduling testimony for witnesses to alleged abuse of power by the US leader. Three House committees gave Pompeo one week …
Read More »Pompeo heads to Saudi Arabia after US blames Iran
Washington, United States | AFP | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed for Saudi Arabia Tuesday to discuss possible retaliation after Washington said it had proof that attacks on Saudi oil installations originated in Iran. Vice President Mike Pence announced that Pompeo was on his way to the …
Read More »More than ever, Mike Pompeo at helm of Trump foreign policy
Washington, United States | AFP | Speaking at the White House after John Bolton’s surprise exit as national security adviser, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo couldn’t hide a smile of satisfaction. With the departure of Bolton, Pompeo has become the undisputed king of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy — with the …
Read More »Zimbabweans cold-shoulder Mugabe national mourning
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Flags flew at half mast in Harare on Saturday, but a day after former president Robert Mugabe’s death many Zimbabweans preferred to work as usual than publicly mourn the independence hero turned despot. President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a period of national mourning on Friday following Mugabe’s …
Read More »In first press brief, Pentagon chief aims to keep Trump happy
Washington, United States | AFP | New US Defense Secretary Mark Esper picked his way through a political minefield in his first public meeting with the media Wednesday, skirting anything that could irritate his irascible boss President Donald Trump. Just hours after predecessor James Mattis wrote that Trump’s policies toward US …
Read More »From slowing growth to climate panic: hot topics at Davos 2019
Davos, Switzerland | AFP | The World Economic Forum wrapped up on Friday, closing out a week of panels, parties and sub-zero temperatures with more serious talk dominated by climate change and gloom over slowing growth. Here are some of the top quotes on key issues over the past week. – …
Read More »