Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s historic impeachment trial begins in earnest Tuesday in the Senate, with Democrats calling for his removal from office and Republicans determined to acquit him — and quickly, if possible. Four months after the Ukraine scandal exploded and went on to overshadow the …
Read More »Thunberg, Trump to offer competing visions at climate-focused Davos
Davos, Switzerland | AFP | The starkly opposed visions of US President Donald Trump and Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg on climate change will clash in Davos on Tuesday as the World Economic Forum tries to face up to the perils of global warming on its 50th meeting. The four-day gathering …
Read More »Trump brief assails impeachment, demands immediate acquittal
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s lawyers submitted a trial brief Monday calling his impeachment by the House “a dangerous perversion” of the US constitution and demanding his immediate acquittal by the Senate. Almost simultaneously, House impeachment managers responded to an earlier Trump filing, saying the president had …
Read More »Libya in chaos since 2011 overthrow of Kadhafi
Tripoli, Libya | AFP | A nine-month offensive by Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar to seize the capital from the UN-recognised government has left hundreds dead and dragged in regional and world powers. As world powers push efforts for a ceasefire in the oil-rich country, with a peace conference held in Berlin …
Read More »Trump announces will nominate two allies for Fed board
Washington, United States | AFP | Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate two allies for the board of the Federal Reserve, which the US president has repeatedly accused of not doing enough for the economy. Trump had originally tweeted in July he would nominate Christopher Waller, a director of the …
Read More »Iraq ouster of foreign troops would show US ‘failure’: analysts
Baghdad, Iraq | AFP | When it invaded in 2003, the United States promised “Iraqi freedom,” democracy, and prosperity. But 17 years later, its troops may be ousted from a country beset by just the opposite. After a parliamentary vote earlier this month, Iraq’s government is preparing to order foreign forces …
Read More »US Senate prepares to set Trump trial in motion
Washington, United States | AFP | Articles of impeachment charging President Donald Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress will be formally read to the Senate Thursday, setting in motion a historic trial that threatens the US leader with removal from office. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will then …
Read More »Trump trial likely to begin next Tuesday: Senate chief
Washington, United States | AFP | The Senate impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump is likely to begin in seven days with key players sworn in later this week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday. McConnell said he expected the House of Representatives to deliver the articles of impeachment against …
Read More »EU states launch dispute process over Iran nuclear deal violations
Paris, France | AFP | Three EU countries on Tuesday said they were launching a dispute mechanism under the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran after accusing Tehran of repeated violations, but insisted they were committed to the agreement. The move by Britain, France and Germany comes as tensions soar between the West and Iran following …
Read More »Russia hacked Ukrainian gas firm at center of Trump impeachment
Washington, United States | AFP | Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the center of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia’s GRU spy agency launched a “phishing” attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm …
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