Senator Schumer holds military service personnel with respect and honour; “We commend the bravery of our service members and personnel in harm’s way.
“And I condemn the attack by the Iranian government and remain concerned about the risk of a further escalation.
“Americans do not want a war with Iran. President Trump does not have the authority for one.”
On witnesses & documents, Republicans can run but can’t hide Democrats will force votes to put Republicans on record A trial without evidence is a farce If Senate Republicans vote to prevent witnesses and documents, Americans will see it as a cover-up
: “He said Iran appears to be standing down. He noted the fact there were no casualties last night in the attack. Is that in fact the case. What if any proof does the White House have that there won’t be attacks through Iran’s proxies?” #AMRstaff
100% there will be attacks. Trump got played by Iran. I don’t know if he knows it but his advisers do. That is why such a short speech. They somehow were able to get him under control for a few minutes but could not risk more.
Rabat – Saudi public prosecutor Shaalan al Shaalan has announced the sentencing of five people to death for their involvement in the murder of the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018///
A statement from the prosecutor said that the five men “who directly took part in the killing.”
Al Jazeera reported that prosecutors found the deputy intelligence chief, Ahmed al Assiri, guilty of overseeing the killing of the journalist in Istanbul.
Saud al-Qahtani, a former royal adviser, had reportedly “advised” the deputy intelligence chief, but Saudi Arabia says there was not enough evidence to convict him.
Al Assiri “was charged but eventually acquitted on the same grounds,” Al Jazeera added.
The Saudi consul general in Istanbul was also acquitted and released.
Saudi Arabia arrested 11 other unnamed people for involvement in the killing. Out of the 11, the court sentenced three to prison sentences totalling 24 years.
More Live NEWS/MIDDLE EAST Saudi King Salman silent on Khashoggi in annual Shura address King Salman presents Saudi policies amid renewed calls from US Congress for condemnation over Khashoggi’s murder.
The three other suspects were “acquitted,” Al Jazeera commented.
The trial was held secretly, with only some diplomats from Saudi Arabia and Turkey attending.
Saudi Arabia also allowed members of Khashoggi’s family to attend the trial.
The Khashoggi murder shocked the world last year, and international intelligence agencies pointed at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the instigator.
Rights groups have long condemned Saudi oppression of activists speaking out in opposition to its policies.
Human Rights Watch issued a report in 2019 slamming Saudi Arabia for its continued oppression of activists, clerics, and women.
HRW found that Saudi Arabia arrested approximately 70 people in September 2017.
The report also commented on the Khashoggi case.
“Around April 4, 2019, despite continuing international criticism stemming from the Khashoggi murder, Saudi Arabia carried out a new round of arrests, this time targeting 13 writers and activists,” HRW wrote.
The NGO also asked Saudi Arabia to publicize information about the trial.
Saudi Arabia’s royal family has distanced itself from the Khashoggi murder.
Surprisingly, bin Salman claimed responsibility for the killing, saying that the execution operation happened under his watch.
“It happened under my watch. I get all the responsibility because it happened under my watch,” MBS told PBS’ Martin Smith for a documentary.
Bin Salman, however, denied having prior knowledge of the plot.
In October, reports quoted alleged recordings of the perpetrators of the murder.
The conversation documents a talk between Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb and Salah Muhammed Al Tubaigy, two people allegedly involved in the killing of Khashoggi.
During the conversation, Mutreb asked Al Tubaigy if a bag would fit the body.
“No. Too heavy, very tall too,” Al Tubaigy answered.
He added, “I’ve always worked on cadavers. I know how to cut very well. I have never worked on a warm body though, but I’ll also manage that easily. I normally put on my earphones and listen to music when I cut cadavers.”
Supporters of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU-PF party celebrate after the Constitutional Court confirmed Mnangagwa’s disputed July 30 election victory in Harare, Zimbabwe August 24, 2018. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
A government that is honest, has integrity and a conscience.
A government that is clean, efficient and honorable.
Zimbabwe’s ruling party ZANU PF slaughered 150 cows during the annual conference held in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East Province District last week. President Mnangagwa’s regime spent over $5 million to feed at least 7 000 delegates.
Commotion at Zanu PF congress: Varaidzo Mupunga Youth League Secretary for Adminstration being dragged away by Zanu PF “Green Bomber” militia youths.
“After all the pledges, we have started collecting 150 cattle that we are assured of getting. Starting from today (yesterday), the truck is already moving around collecting the cattle to be kept at a paddock near the conference venue.”
Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial secretary for administration Kudzai Majuru told reporters.
No more indirect genocide.
No more police beating peaceful protestors.
No more soldiers shooting unarmed citizens.
An outbreak of compassion for the people from the political elite.
And the one wish that the author of Letters From Zimbabwe – Catherine Buckle heard so many times, and which she empathise with;
“This Christmas with a government that simply does not and will not see the desperate anguish of the people, the best thing any of us can do is to not be overwhelmed but just try and help one person at a time.”
This week many Zimbabweans are doing exactly that; and it is humbling.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson is greeted by staff as he returns to 10 Downing Street, London, after meeting Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and accepting her invitation to form a new government, Friday Dec. 13, 2019. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
LONDON (CRIMSON TAZVINZWA) — BRITISH PM Boris Johnson’s Tories celebrate a landslide victory in the 2019 general election — a decisive outcome to a dominated campaign that finally rewards him with a fully fledged mandate to fulfil his Brexit plans; ushering the UK out of the European Union by 31 January 2020.
The resounding victory makes Boris the most electorally successful Conservative leader since Margaret Thatcher, another politician who was loved and loathed in almost equal measure. It was a disaster for left-wing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who faced calls for his resignation even as the results rolled in.
