Première rencontre entre les États-Unis et les Taliban depuis le retrait américain d'Afghanistan

 

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Sebastian Kuz defiende su inocencia tras ser investigado por supuesto caso de corrupción

 

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 Sebastian Kurz, el canciller austriaco investigado bajo sospecha de corrupción que involucraba pagos estatales por publicidad en periódicos, se dirige a los medios de comunicación y defiende su inocencia en su camino a una reunión con el presidente austriaco Alexander Van der Bellen en la Oficina Presidencial.

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•  Austrian Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler of the Green Party has questioned the ability of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to remain in his position after the prosecutor announced the country’s leader would be put under investigation.

In a statement on Thursday, Green Party chief Kogler said they could not go back to “business as usual” with their coalition partners, led by Kurz.

“The facts must be fully established... The chancellor’s ability to act is called into question in this context,” Kogler said in a statement. He called on issues relating to Kurz’s alleged involvement in corruption and bribery to be “fully clarified” before they can return to their agenda.

“We have to ensure stability and order,” Kogler said, but stopped short of suggesting an end to the turquoise-green coalition. On Wednesday, it was announced that the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA)
had opened an investigation into Kurz and nine other people on suspicion of breach of trust, bribery and corruption.

Pandora Papers: World leaders deny wrongdoing after leaks - BBC News

Several world leaders have denied wrongdoing after featuring in a huge leak of financial documents from offshore companies.

US will not normalise or upgrade diplomatic ties with Syria | Al Jazeera

The United States has no plans to “normalise or upgrade” diplomatic relations with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and also does not encourage others to do so, a US State Department spokesperson has said.

France condemns 'unacceptable' post-Brexit fishing moves by UK • FRANCE 24

 

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US Democrats introduce bill backing ‘end to Israel’s occupation’ | Al Jazeera

Democratic Party legislators in the United States have introduced a bill affirming support for the two-state solution and calling for “robust oversight” on US aid to Israel to ensure it is not used in human rights violations.

Conditions worsen for Haitian migrants on US-Mexico border | Al Jazeera

Conditions are deteriorating in a camp on the banks of the Rio Grande River where thousands of mostly Haitian asylum seekers have gathered in hopes of getting asylum in the United States, as pressure mounts on President Joe Biden to halt expulsion flights to Haiti.

Taliban: U.S. must be held accountable for past actions

 

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US says France 'vital' after deal with Australia prompts uproar - AA

The US sought Thursday to soothe over a French uproar caused by the Biden administration's decision to strike a submarine deal with Australia that left a previous French contract on the cutting room floor.

Contrats de sous-marins : la France dénonce un "coup dans le dos" de l'Australie • FRANCE 24

 

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Report: US to Place Conditions on Fraction of Aid to Egypt - FARS

(FNA)- The United States will withhold $130mln in security assistance to Egypt this year, releasing the funds only if the government of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ends the prosecution of rights and civil society organisations.

Putin refers to persisting presence of foreign troops in Syria as problem - TASS

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to persisting presence of foreign troops in Syria without the permission of the country’s authorities as a problem at a meeting with the Syrian leader Bashar Assad. The information about the talks held in the Kremlin on Monday was published on the Russian President’s website on Tuesday.

White House Says Taliban 'Cooperative' in Facilitating Departure of Americans - FARS

 (FNA)- The White House confirmed Thursday that a charter flight from Afghanistan carrying US citizens and lawful permanent residents landed safely in Qatar and that the Taliban was “cooperative” in facilitating their departure.

Premature to draw conclusions about new Afghan authorities, dialogue needed - Matviyenko- TASS

A working dialogue should be conducted with the Taliban (outlawed in Russia), who have come to power in Afghanistan, but it is still early to draw conclusions about how its new government will work, Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council (the lower house of Russia’s parliament), told reporters on Wednesday.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Says Nation Won't Recognize Any Taliban Government - Sputnik International

Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod has stated that no Taliban government will be recognized by Denmark, marking the first such statement from a Western country involved in the recently completed 20-year, US-led intervention in Afghanistan.

Russian diplomat wonders if US knew about ISIS facility locations after Biden remark - TASS

Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova has raised the question whether the US is aware about the location of leadership and facilities of ISIS.

US will 'hunt down terrorists', respond with 'force and precision'

US President Joe Biden confirmed Thursday that attacks outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan which killed at least 13 American soldiers were carried out by the ISIS-K terrorist group, the Afghan affiliate of Daesh/ISIS, and promised to respond with "force and precision."

Turkey’s refusal to recognize Crimean Peninsula as Russian is now main thorn in side of partnership between two nations – Kremlin — RT

 Despite blossoming ties between Moscow and Ankara, relations now risk being derailed by Turkey’s decision to back Ukraine’s claims over the status of Crimea, after the country sent its top diplomat to Kiev in a show of support.

Two US lawmakers travel to Kabul amid evacuation efforts - The Jerusalem post

Two members of the US House of Representatives traveled to Afghanistan on Tuesday, prompting a rebuke from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said such trips could divert resources from the evacuation of Americans and at-risk Afghans.

As EU Officials Speak of 'Moral Duty', Bloc's States Reluctant to Take in Afghan Migrants - Sputnik International

Several EU officials, including EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, have suggested that the bloc's member states must settle refugees potentially arriving from Afghanistan, but such an idea seemingly does not enjoy backing even among the strongest supporters of accommodating as many migrants as necessary in the past.