Tag: politics

White House rejects participation in ‘baseless’ impeachment probe

  by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House blasted the impeachment inquiry into Donald Trump as “completely baseless” Friday, signalling it would not seek to defend the president in Democratic-led hearings to draw up formal charges against him. But Republicans demanded that Joe Biden’s son Hunter, the lawmaker leading the impeachment probe Adam Schiff, and the whistleblower at the origin of the inquiry all testify next week before […]

Acquiring citizenship helps immigrants in Switzerland boost earnings: study

by Ivan Couronne WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Immigrants to Switzerland who became naturalized citizens saw their earnings rise significantly compared to those who did not obtain the passport, a study showed Wednesday. Average annual earnings were 13.5 percent greater for immigrants 15 years after they narrowly won naturalization through a local referendum, equal to about 5,500 Swiss Francs ($5,500), against immigrants who lived in the country but were unable to obtain nationality. “These findings […]

Trudeau pushes tax cuts, climate in test for minority government

by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a legislative agenda on Thursday that touts tax cuts and tougher climate actions in the first test of his new minority government. After a nasty election fight and his rejection of a formal coalition, Trudeau must rely on the backing of opposition parties on a case-by-case basis to stay in power. That starts with garnering support for his agenda, which was outlined […]

Huawei moves to overturn ‘unlawful’ US subsidy ban

by Sarah LAI SHENZHEN, China (AFP) — Chinese telecoms giant Huawei said on Thursday it has petitioned a US court to overturn a ban that prevents carriers in rural America from buying the firm’s equipment by tapping an $8.5-billion federal fund. Huawei’s petition said the ban — imposed last month against the company and its Chinese rival ZTE on national security grounds — failed to substantiate claims that Huawei was a threat and was a […]

US House passes Uighur bill urging sanctions on Chinese officials

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation Tuesday that would apply sanctions against senior Chinese officials, triggering a furious response from Beijing. The legislation adds to tensions between the two superpowers just as they are locked in negotiations to finalize a “phase one” deal to resolve their protracted trade war. Washington had already angered Beijing when President Donald Trump signed legislation supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, prompting China […]

US court orders banks to release Trump financial documents

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A US appeals court ruled Tuesday that two banks must hand over documents about Donald Trump’s finances to Congress, in the latest legal blow to the president. Two Democratic-controlled committees issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank and Capital One in April demanding that they hand over financial records related to Trump and his family. Trump, who is fighting attempts by Democrats and a New York prosecutor to force him to […]

Evidence of Trump misconduct ‘overwhelming’: impeachment report

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The evidence for impeaching President Donald Trump for misconduct in office and obstruction is “overwhelming,” the final report on the House investigation into the US leader said Tuesday. The 300-page report, meant as the basis for articles of impeachment, accused Trump of endangering national security and of an unparalleled effort to stifle the probe into claims he pressured Ukraine for dirt on a Democratic election rival. “The impeachment inquiry […]

Former US president Jimmy Carter again hospitalized

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US president Jimmy Carter has been hospitalized for treatment of a urinary tract infection, the Carter Center said Monday — the latest in a series of health issues for the 95-year-old Democrat. Carter “was admitted to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, this past weekend,” his center said in a statement. “He is feeling better and looks forward to returning home soon.” Last week, Carter — the […]

Opposition leader Keiko Fujimori leaves prison in Peru

  LIMA, Peru (AFP) — Peru opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was released from prison Friday after spending 13 months in pre-trial detention in a corruption case linked to Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Her release comes days after the country’s Constitutional Court ordered her freed in a ruling related only to her detention and which otherwise has no bearing on the corruption case against her. “For me, it was the most painful event of my life,” […]

Singapore tells Facebook to correct post under disinformation law

SINGAPORE (AFP) — Singapore authorities Friday ordered Facebook to correct an article on a fringe news site containing “scurrilous accusations” of election rigging, ramping up their use of a controversial law against misinformation. The social media giant, which has previously expressed concerns about the legislation, did not respond to requests for comment and the article was still on the site without any changes. The order is a test of the new law, which gives ministers […]

Former Maldives leader jailed for money laundering

MALE, Maldives (AFP) — Disgraced Maldives ex-president Abdulla Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering on Thursday after a corruption probe into the former strongman’s rule of the luxury tourist destination. Yameen, who ran the Indian Ocean archipelago with an iron fist before his shock election loss in 2018, was accused of illegally transferring one million dollars from one of his bank accounts during an ongoing graft investigation. The 60-year-old was […]

Saudi crown prince visits UAE amid push to end Yemen war

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the United Arab Emirates Wednesday, as efforts to end the nearly five-year war in Yemen gain momentum. Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are close allies and key members of a military coalition backing the government in Yemen against the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. But an Emirati drawdown in July followed by fighting in southern Yemen between UAE-backed separatists and the government — still […]