Tag: #MikePompeo
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State Department probe faults Iran envoy on employee removal
Washington, Nov 15 (AFP/APP): The State Department’s watchdog on Thursday faulted the US pointman on Iran over the removal of an employee of Iranian origin, voicing alarm that Trump administration officials discussed her ancestry. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed to consider disciplinary action against the envoy, Brian Hook, although strong measures appeared unlikely as…
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Trump to host NATO chief as alliance faces strains
Washington, Nov 10 (AFP/APP) :US President Donald Trump will host NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Washington at a time of severe strain within the Atlantic alliance, the White House announced Saturday. The two leaders will discuss NATO allies’ “progress on increasing defense spending and ensuring more equitable burden-sharing,” the White House statement said. Trump has…
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Pompeo warns against China, Russia on eve of Berlin Wall anniversary
Berlin, Nov 8 (AFP/APP): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a stark warning against China and Russia on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, urging Western allies to defend hard-won freedoms. Stressing that “we can never take things for granted”, he said the 70-year-old NATO alliance too…
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Asian markets rose but trade concerns cast shadow
Hong Kong, Nov 1 (AFP/APP): Most Asian markets rose on Friday as traders overcame early jitters about the China-US trade talks that were fuelled by a report saying Beijing officials had raised doubts about the chances of a long-term deal. Investors were also spooked by a speech by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which…
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US targets Iran construction sector with new sanctions
Washington, Nov 1 (AFP/APP): The United States on Thursday extended its sanctions on Iran by taking aim at its construction sector, which Washington linked to the country’s Revolutionary Guards. The sanctions, it said, would also target “four strategic materials as being used in connection with Iran’s nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs.” Secretary of State…
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Trump administration pushes back against impeachment probe
Washington, Oct 2 (AFP/APP):Donald Trump’s administration pushed back hard Tuesday against the impeachment probe threatening his presidency, accusing Democrats of trying to bully US diplomats into testifying against the White House. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed to prevent or delay five former or current State Department staffers from testifying in the House investigation probing…
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US sanctions Russians over 2018 elections interference
Washington, Sept 30 (AFP/APP):The United States on Monday slapped fresh sanctions on a businessman tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as to a disinformation operation accused of conspiring to manipulate the 2018 midterm elections. The financial sanctions, which target Russian financier Evgeny Prigozhin, some luxury assets and members of the so-called Internet Research…
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Saudi crown prince warns of escalation with Iran
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s crown prince warned in an interview broadcast on Sunday that oil prices could spike to “unimaginably high numbers” if the world doesn’t come together to deter Iran, but said he preferred a political solution to a military one. Speaking to the CBS program “60 Minutes,” Mohammed bin Salman also denied…
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Pompeo subpoenaed as Democrats press Trump impeachment
Washington, Sept 28 (AFP/APP):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 to produce the documents, saying multiple State…
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Pompeo to combat Russian influence on Balkans trip
New York, Sept 27 (AFP/APP):US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will seek to counter Russian influence during his visit next week to Montenegro and North Macedonia, the latest and the next members of NATO, officials said Friday. Pompeo will also visit Greece and begin his trip on October 1 in Italy, where he will have…