by admin | May 25, 2021 | World
Rabat/Washington : The US has reiterated that Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara region is “realistic” and “credible” and a “potential approach to resolving the Sahara issue”.
“We maintain that it (the autonomy plan) is serious, realistic and credible and that it is able to satisfy the aspirations of the populations of the Sahara to manage their own affairs in peace and dignity,” said Pablo Rodriguez, an official at the State Department, in a statement to Morocco’s MAP new agency in Washington.
The US said the autonomy plan would also help satisfy the aspirations of the people of the Sahara region “to manage their own affairs in peace and dignity”.
Washington’s reaction came in the wake of the working visit paid by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to the US. Bourita had held talks at the State Department with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, President Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton, and other senior officials.
During the meetings it was also agreed to convene the next session of the Morocco-US strategic dialogue in 2019 in Washington.
In June, US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan had backed Morocco’s plan for autonomy in the Sahara region as “serious and credible” during a visit to Rabat.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | World
Los Angeles : Governor of US state of California, Jerry Brown has signed bills to block the Trump administration from expanding offshore oil drilling along the western US state’s coast.
According to a statement from office of the governor on Saturday, Brown also announced the state’s opposition to the federal government’s plan to expand oil drilling on public lands in California, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Today, California’s message to the Trump administration is simple: Not here, not now,” said Governor Brown in the statement, adding that California will not let the federal government pillage public lands and destroy California’s treasured coast.
This action comes days before grassroots activists, mayors, governors, heads of industry and international leaders convene in San Francisco for the express purpose of mobilizing climate action at the Global Climate Action Summit.
Bills signed by Brown block Donald Trump administration’s plan to expand offshore oil drilling by prohibiting new leases for new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure, such as pipelines, within state waters if the federal government authorizes any new offshore oil leases.
The bills also require new public notices and processes for lease renewals, extension amendments or modifications to authorize new construction of oil and gas-related infrastructure associated with new federal leases. There has been no federal expansion of oil and gas drilling along California’s coastline for more than 30 years.
President Donald Trump’s move for the largest expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling in US continental waters in decades is met with resistance by coastal states officials.
The 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Draft Proposed Plan, unveiled by US Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, is scheduled to lease sales along the country’s coast, and will vastly expand offshore oil drilling from coast to coast.
California has been taking a tough stand to protect its coast from the offshore oil and gas development since 1994 when the state legislature passed the California Coastal Sanctuary Act. It prohibits the state from entering into any new leases within state tidelands.
In 2017, the California Senate passed a resolution opposing new oil or gas drilling in federal waters located offshore California. Earlier this year, Brown joined Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee to condemn the Trump administration’s proposal to expand oil and gas offshore drilling.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | World
George Papadopoulos
By Michael Hernandez,
Washington: Former Trump campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos was sentenced to 14 days in prison Friday after pleading guilty to lying to federal investigators.
In addition, Papadopoulos was ordered by a Washington court to pay a $9,500 fine and serve 200 hours of community service as well as 12 months of supervised release.
He is the first aide to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign to be sentenced on charges brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Papadopoulos pled guilty last October to lying to the FBI. He told the court Friday that he is “deeply embarrassed and ashamed” for lying to investigators.
During sentencing, Papadopoulos’ lawyer, Thomas Breen, reportedly insisted that “the President of the United States hindered this investigation more than George Papadopoulos ever did.”
Trump earlier Friday sought to distance himself from his former advisor, telling reporters on Air Force One “I don’t know Papadopoulos.”
“I saw him sitting in one picture at a table with me. That’s the only thing I know about him,” he said. “They got him, on I guess, on a couple of lies.”
—AA
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
The Spanish Foreign Ministry, Madrid.
Madrid : Following the US decision to end financing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Spain urged the European Union and its member states for “supplementary” efforts to bridge the ensuing void.
In a press statement issued here on Sunday, the Spanish Foreign Ministry asked Washington to reconsider the decision, taking into account that it had slashed its aid from $365 million in 2017 to $60 million at the start of 2018.
The “critical financial situation of the UNRWA caused by the decision taken by the (US President Donald) Trump administration seriously threatens the continuity of special programs in health, education and food, which directly benefit Palestinian refugees in the Middle East,” it said.
“The suppression of basic services to 3 million Palestinian refugees could have serious consequences for the stability of the region, especially in the Gaza Strip.”
The ministry said Madrid is “fully committed” to “finding joint solutions,” which will allow UNRWA to continue its work in a sustainable manner.
“Spain considers that the EU and its member states should make a supplementary effort to compensate the possible consequences of the serious decision taken by the U.S,” the statement added.
—AB/UNA-OIC
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Muslim World
OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen
Jeddah : The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced regret at the US decision to stop its financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which would contribute to further aggravating the economic, social and humanitarian suffering of the refugees.
OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen affirmed the need for the continuation of UNRWA to carry out its vital and important role, in accordance with the mandate given to it by the UN General Assembly. He pointed out that UNRWA represents an international witness to the continued suffering of Palestine refugees and a confirmation of the international community’s commitment toward their assistance and supporting their inalienable rights as well as maintaining the vitality and effectiveness of their cause within the UN responsibility.
The secretary general called on all countries of the world to continue to shoulder their responsibilities and increase UNRWA support and funding to enable the agency to continue serving this large segment of the Palestinian people.
—AB/UNA-OIC
