The US Justice Department has begun an investigation into whether the Clinton Foundation conducted “pay-to-play” politics or other illegal activities during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state, The Hill reported on Thursday, citing law enforcement officials and a witness.

The newspaper said FBI agents from Little Rock, Arkansas, where the foundation began, had taken the lead in the investigation and interviewed at least one witness in the past month. Law enforcement officials told The Hill that additional activities were expected in coming weeks.

In response to a request for confirmation, a Justice Department spokeswoman said the agency did not comment on ongoing investigations.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment by officials at the Clinton Foundation. The organization previously said there was never any trade in policy decisions for contributions.

Democrats have accused Republicans of launching a spurious investigation of Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, to divert attention from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between President Donald Trump’s election campaign and Russia.

The Hill reported that the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the probe was examining whether the Clintons promised or performed any policy favors in return for contributions to their charitable efforts or whether donors promised to make donations in hopes of government outcomes.

The probe may also examine whether any tax-exempt assets were converted for personal or political use and whether the foundation complied with tax laws, the newspaper cited the officials as saying.

A witness recently interviewed by the FBI told The Hill the agents’ questions focused on government decisions and discussions of donations to Clinton entities during the time Hillary Clinton led President Barack Obama’s State Department.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked Justice Department prosecutors to decide if a special counsel should be appointed to investigate certain Republican concerns, including alleged wrongdoing by the Clinton Foundation and the sale of a uranium company to Russia, according to media reports in November.

(Source: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has dissolved a special commission which was established to investigate widespread voter fraud in the 2016 presidential election.

The White House announced in a statement on Wednesday that Trump decided to break up the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity led by Vice President Mike Pence and Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach after several states did not cooperate with the panel.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that “rather than engage in endless legal battles at taxpayer expense,” Trump abolished the commission made up of Republicans and Democrats.

The commission was created in May last year after Trump claimed that 3 to 5 million immigrants voted illegally in 2016, depriving him of a popular-vote victory against Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

In June, the commission’s vice chair, Kris Kobach, an advocate of tougher laws on immigration and voter identification, demanded that states turn over voter information, including names, addresses, birth dates and the final four digits of social security numbers.

Over 20 states refused to do so and others said they needed to study whether they could give the data.

The Republican billionaire, who was inaugurated last year as the 45th president of the US, scored about 3 million votes less than Clinton in their November 8, 2016 face-off. However, he was able to seal the victory by winning the Electoral College vote, 304-227.

In the run-up to the presidential election, Trump repeatedly accused the mainstream media of bias for not covering “a large-scale voter fraud” underway during early voting across the country. In addition, he called the election process rigged, and said the media was colluding with Clinton in order to beat him.

According to Trump, there were “serious voter fraud” issues in three US states — Virginia, New Hampshire and California — during the election, but the mainstream American media ignored it.

“The claim of widespread voter fraud in the United States is in fact, fraud. The demise of this commission should put this issue to rest,” said Michael Waldman, president of the liberal Brennan Center for Justice.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) hailed the dissolution of the panel, calling it a “front to suppress the vote, perpetrate dangerous and baseless claims” that “was ridiculed from one end of the country to the other.”

Source: Presstv

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is to visit France this week for talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to explore an improvement of ties with the European Union and discuss regional issues.

The two will meet at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday, with talks expected to cover a range of issues from bilateral and Turkish-EU ties and trade to the developments in Syria and Palestine.

Macron reportedly intends to raise the issue of the human rights situation in Turkey. Key EU member states have engaged in quarrels with Ankara during the past year and a half over Turkey’s crackdown on perceived putschists after a failed coup in July 2016.

Earlier in the week, Macron’s office released a statement on the upcoming visit, saying that the meeting between the two would be a follow-up to “regular conversations of recent months” and would include “a particular focus on the Syrian file” as well as Palestine.

Turkey has been involved in a peace initiative for Syria with Iran and Russia in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana. Another peace initiative, on the auspices of the United Nations, has been ongoing in Geneva. Some Western countries want the focus to be on the Geneva peace talks and away from the Astana negotiations, which has progressed comparatively better.

Separately, Erdogan’s spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has described France as a “leading ally” ahead of the visit and expressed optimism that the upcoming talks would further boost their relationship.

Two EU member states, namely Germany and Austria, have had the most strained relationship with Turkey. Berlin and Vienna have most strongly criticized the large-scale crackdown following the abortive coup in Turkey. Austria has even called for an end to EU accession talks with the Turkish government.

Macron of France has, in contrast, underlined the need to “avoid ruptures” with Turkey, which he has described as an “essential partner.” Turkey is a NATO member state.

Erdogan recently praised Macron — as well as the German leadership — for supporting Muslim nations in denouncing a decision by the US to declare Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel.

“They (the French) did not leave us by ourselves on this issue (Jerusalem al-Quds),” Erdogan said last week.

Source: Presstv

French President Emmanuel Macron has promised to push for political and economic reforms both at home and in Europe this year.

Delivering his first New Year’s address as leader from the Élysée Palace in Paris on Sunday, Macron referred to some of his achievements in his first seven months in office and said he will pursue his reform agenda with the “same intensity” in 2018.

“These profound transformations… will continue with the same strength, the same rhythm and the same intensity in 2018,” said the 40-year-old president, promising to “continue to do that for which you elected me.”

Macron announced a “grand social project” in 2018 that would cover the health sector and housing for the homeless among other areas.

He also vowed to continue to work with Germany to reform the European Union (EU) and said “Europe is good for France.”

France’s youngest -ever president also pledged to welcome refugees and immigrants, though he said his country could not do so “without rules.

France took in around 220,000 refugees in 2015 and 2016.

The president plans to toughen the country’s immigration policy in a bill to be debated this year.

Mayors across France say they are overwhelmed by the influx and called the situation “a social emergency.”

According to the French interior minister, Gerard Collomb, the reforms on refugee policy would speed up asylum procedures and improve living conditions for them.

He said previously that the reforms would include a resettlement scheme that would see 20,000 housing units be built by 2018.

Source: Presstv

Jordan’s royal palace has denied rumors of a coup plot that surfaced after King Abdullah last week relieved his siblings from top army posts in a major shakeup.

The palace further said in a statement that it would take legal measures against those who propagated “lies and false claims” in social media and online websites aimed at driving a wedge between the royal family and ordinary Jordanians.

“These fabricated news circulated recently are aimed at undermining Jordan and its institutions,” the palace said.

On December 26, the monarch said that his brothers Prince Ali and Prince Faisal and his cousin Prince Talal would be retired to make a way for a reorganization of the armed forces’ hierarchy and structure.

Prince Faisal was head of the royal air force and deputy chief of staff, while Prince Ali had been in charge of the royal guards responsible for the king’s protection for years.

Talal Bin Mohammad, a Sandhurst graduate who was an officer in the elite special forces, was also relieved from his duties. They were all given honorary promotions.

An army source said the king’s decision was prompted by a desire to set an example that the Hashemite ruling family was not above the law ahead of an anticipated move to dismiss scores of top army generals.

The restructuring plan aimed to reorganize the 120,000-strong army by cutting costs and creating a more lean and effective force better equipped to modern warfare against terrorist groups, the king who himself is an elite special forces commander said.

But reports recently said the three princes were arranging for a coup in cooperation with the UAE and Saudi leadership. Amman categorically denied the claims.

Source: Presstv

French President Emmanuel Macron visited and dined with soldiers stationed in Niger who are fighting against extremism in the Sahel, reassuring them that France would not abandon the region to extremists.

“The Sahel is a priority. It’s that which plays a part in the future of the African continent, but equally and without doubt, a part of our future. We must not leave the Sahel in the hands of terrorists,” he said late Friday amid 500 soldiers with Operation Barkhane at Niger’s airport in Niamey, the capital.

In a show of support for French troops based in Niger and in the festive spirit of Christmas, Macron brought with him the chef from the Elysee presidential palace, who oversaw a meal for the French troops in addition to American, Canadian and German forces.

Macron supported the newly formed G-5 Sahel force that will work alongside the operation and is made up of African soldiers from Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Macron, during his visit, is expected to discuss the implementation, by mid-2018, of this force of 5,000 men, composed of soldiers from the five countries involved, who recently conducted a first operation in the zone of the “three borders” between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Macron thanked the soldiers for their dedication and paid tribute to those who have fallen. Macron is also expected to hold bilateral talks with President Mahamadou Issoufou to discus migrant trafficking and development projects among other things.

Paris has pledged 400 million euros for the development of Niger over the 2018-2021 period, some of which in the form of projects led by the French Development Agency (FDA). Some of them aim to support the will of President Issoufou to send more girls to school. Niger is at the forefront of migratory routes in the Sahel, particularly in the region of Agadez in the north.

In August this year, France agreed to “identify” from Niger and Chad nationals “who are entitled to the asylum “to” put them in safety as quickly as possible “, during a mini summit in Paris between Africans and Europeans on the migration crisis.

Source: Africanews

Leading political figures from across the spectrum have united in calling on Cameroonians to engage in dialogue to resolve the ongoing challenges within the country. Eight opposition parties, and more than 30 civil society organisations, in addition to the governing party, all met with Secretary-General Patricia Scotland to discuss the future of Cameroon.

It was widely agreed that meaningful engagement through honest and inclusive dialogue would enable the country to begin the process of bringing unity for all Cameroonians.

Secretary-General Scotland said, “It was enormously encouraging that political parties, civil society representatives and citizens from every corner of Cameroon chose to meet with me to discuss some of the most pressing challenges facing their country today.

“Everyone that took part in the discussions did so in the spirit of cooperation and inclusivity, as we worked towards the meaningful dialogue that will enable Cameroon to move forward as the peaceful, unified nation that it has always been.”

The meetings were part of the Secretary-General’s five-day visit to Cameroon, which has so far seen her hold high-level discussions with the President, Prime Minister and senior political figures. Today she will travel to Buea in the south-west of the country.

Earlier, the Secretary-General held conversations with renowned lawyer and 2018 presidential candidate Akere Muna.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Muna said, “The visit of the Secretary-General is very opportune from the point because she can emphasise the great need for dialogue as a means of preserving peace. It’s important for the Secretary-General to be here and it means the floodlights are shining on my country. From speaking to her I’m very pleased to say that she understands what the stakes are in our country and she sounded very passionate about making sure there is peace and dialogue in our country.

Mr Muna added, “I think the biggest support the Commonwealth can give now is through the electoral process; making sure that every voice is heard and counted. The Commonwealth can help the process by bringing observers who make the electoral commission feel protected and make Cameroonians come out to vote in all confidence.

Ahead of the Secretary-General’s visit to Buea, he concluded, “I’m also very pleased to know that the Secretary-General will be going to Buea; Buea is the historic capital of the anglophone part of Cameroon, and for the Secretary-General to go from Yaoundé to Buea is not only symbolic but very important and I’m sure that the anglophones of this country will be will be pleased to know that the Secretary-General will see what happens in Buea.”

Source: The Commonwealth

South Africa says it will downgrade its diplomatic status in Israel in response to the United States’ decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli regime’s “capital.”

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) Party announced the decision at a conference in Johannesburg late on Wednesday.

“The ANC’s National Conference, the highest decision making body of our organization, has unanimously resolved to immediately and unconditionally downgrade the South African Embassy in Israel to a liaison office,” the ruling party said in a statement.

The ANC said the resolution aimed to “give practical expression to the oppressed people of Palestine,” and “will send a clear message to Israel that there is a price to pay for its human rights abuses and violations of international law.”

South Africa’s decision to downgrade its diplomatic status in Tel Aviv had been proposed in the ANC’s policy conference back in July.

Both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas had sent delegates to attend the opening of the ANC’s conference.

US President Donald Trump earlier this month declared that Washington was recognizing Jerusalem al-Quds as the “capital” of Israel and that he had instructed his administration to begin the process of moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s policy on Jerusalem al-Quds drew fierce criticism from the international community, including Washington’s Western allies, and triggered protests against the US and Israel worldwide.

The United Nations General Assembly is to vote on a resolution to demand that Trump withdraw his decision in an “emergency meeting” on December 21. The US vetoed a vote on a similar resolution at the UN Security Council on Monday.

Israel lays claim to the whole Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the ancient city’s eastern sector as occupied land and the Palestinians consider it their future capital.

Source: Presstv

British Prime Minister Theresa May has urged US President Donald Trump to bring forward proposals on achieving peace in the Middle East after he recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s capital.

“They discussed the different positions we took on the recognition of Jerusalem [al-Quds] as the Israeli capital, and agreed on the importance of the US bringing forward new proposals for peace and the international community supporting these efforts,” a spokesman for May said on Tuesday.

The conversation came for the first time since November when Trump re-tweeted three anti-Muslim videos posted by a British far-right political organization.

May’s spokesman responded to Trump then saying “it is wrong” for the president to re-tweet the inflammatory videos.

Despite this, the British government sought to play down an extraordinary row with Trump. May’s spokesman emphasized that the US was “our closest, most trusted ally. We continue to work together on a huge range of very important issues.”

On December 6, Trump made the controversial announcement in a speech at the White House, saying his administration would also begin the process of moving the American embassy in Tel Aviv to the holy city, which is expected to take years.

His decision provoked mass protests worldwide, with many leaders of Islamic countries harshly denouncing the US president.

In response the prime minister joined a global outcry, saying the decision was “unhelpful” and she intends to speak to Trump about it.

“We continue to support a two-state solution. We recognize the importance of Jerusalem [al-Quds] and our position on that has not changed,” she said then.

Trump had vowed during his presidential campaign that he would relocate the US embassy in order to court pro-Israel voters.

Pope Francis joined a list of leaders warning of an historic misstep, saying new tension would further inflame world conflicts.

Source: Presstv

On the second day of her official visit to Cameroon, the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland was received in audience by the French Cameroun dictator, Paul BIYA at the so-called Unity Palace on Tuesday, 19 December 2017.

Nothing has filtered from their conversation but some sources have said it was cordial. Mr. Biya and his guest reviewed cooperation between Cameroon and the Commonwealth that started in 1995. Patricia Scotland was elevated by the Paul Biya to the dignity of Grand Officer of the Order of Valor, the highest honor awarded to a foreign dignitary.

Biya reportedly discussed the socio-political and economic situation of the country marked notably by the war against the terrorist group Boko Haram, corporatist agitation in the North-West and South-West regions and blamed the killings of Cameroon defense forces on the Southern Cameroons Diaspora.

The 84-year-old enlisted all the measures taken by his government to appease the Anglophone community which Cameroon Concord News understands are not genuine. Biya also reiterated his willingness to dialogue, but observed that he was determine to “restore order and (to) punish the guilty of these murders”.

For her part, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth expressed “great sadness” in the face of the difficulties currently facing Cameroon, a country known as a haven of peace and stability. She urged Cameroonians to preserve peace and unity; to encourage in all circumstances genuine dialogue. According to Scotland, “a prosperous Cameroon is a prosperous Africa and a prosperous Commonwealth.”

By Rita Akana