Section: Voice of America (USA)
US Support for Israeli Settlements Renews Focus on Core Issue in Mideast Conflict
Israel’s ruling right-wing government on Tuesday moved swiftly to embrace Washington’s backing for Israeli settlements, even as Palestinians and Arab leaders said it was a threat to the international rule of law.Monday’s announcement by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo abandoned the position that settlements in Israeli-occupied...
After Boost From Perry, Supporters Got Huge Ukraine Gas Deal
Two political supporters of U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry secured a potentially lucrative oil and gas exploration deal from the Ukrainian government soon after Perry proposed one of the men as an adviser to the country’s new president.Perry’s efforts to influence Ukraine’s energy policy came earlier this year, just as...
Union Raises Money to Help US Diplomats Pay Impeachment Legal Bills
The union representing U.S. diplomats said on Monday it has raised tens of thousands of dollars in the last week alone to help defray the legal costs of foreign service officers who have testified in U.S. President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry.The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) also issued a statement defending U.S....
House Launches Busy Week in Trump Impeachment Probe
A busy week in the public impeachment hearings into U.S. President Donald Trump begins early Tuesday with the first of three witnesses and what they know about Trump’s alleged efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rivals.In total, House committees will hear from nine witnesses during five separate hearings taking place on...
Russia Offers Job to Maria Butina, Woman Convicted by US of Being an Agent
In her first public appearance since being deported by U.S. authorities who had jailed her for being a Russian agent, Maria Butina was on Monday offered a job by Moscow to defend Russians imprisoned abroad.During an event for the media, Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, offered Butina, 31, a job working for her...
House to Hear From 8 Witnesses in Trump Impeachment Inquiry
The U.S. House of Representatives is holding its second week of public hearings on the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump with testimony by eight aides and officials, including the top diplomat to the European Union, Tuesday through Thursday.Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the...
Opposition Wins No Seats in Belarus Election; Lukashenko Vows to Stay Put
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko maintained his hold on power after results published Monday showed not a single opposition candidate had won a seat in a weekend parliamentary election.Lukashenko has governed the former Soviet republic with an iron fist for a quarter of a century and he announced on Sunday he would stand again in the 2020...
Press Freedom Under Spotlight at Magnitsky Human Rights Awards
The Ukrainian journalist Oleg Sentsov, who was jailed in Russia for reporting on the country’s illegal annexation of Crimea, and murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi were among those honored at the recent Magnitsky Awards ceremony in London. The awards pay tribute to those who risk their lives to stand up for human rights. Henry...
Trump Says He Would ‘Strongly Consider’ Testifying at His Impeachment Inquiry
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would “strongly consider” testifying at the House Intelligence Committee impeachment inquiry targeting him for allegedly abusing his office.”Even though I did nothing wrong, and don’t like giving credibility to this No Due Process Hoax, I like the idea & will, in order to get...
Pelosi Invites Trump to Testify as New Witnesses Prepare for Impeachment Hearings
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited President Donald Trump to testify in front of investigators in the House impeachment inquiry ahead of a week that will see several key witnesses appear publicly. Pushing back against accusations from the president that the process has been stacked against him, Pelosi said Trump is welcome to appear or...
