World

WASHINGTON: The White House has refused to meet a Tuesday deadline to deliver six years of President Donald Trump’s (pix) tax returns to Congress, escalating a battle that is expected to head to court. The House Ways and Means Committee’s chairman, Richard Neal, had given the Internal Revenue Service until April 10 to turn over the president’s personal tax returns, and those of several entities connected to Trump, for 2013 through 2018. That deadline was extended to April 23. But Trump has signalled he does not want his financial information disclosed, repeating his oft-used excuse during the 2016 presidential campaign that he would not release his tax returns while under audit by the IRS. Trump broke with a long-established norm during the 2016 elections by refusing to release the returns as most presidents have done since the 1970s even though it is not required by law. “The president is pretty clear: Once he’s out of audit, he will think about doing … [Read more...] about Trump misses tax return deadline, legal battle likely

WELLINGTON: New Zealand and France announced a joint effort Wednesday to bring countries and tech companies together in an attempt to end the ability of social media to organise and promote terrorism and extreme violence. The meeting will take place in Paris on May 15, and will be co-chaired by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron. Ardern said the March 15 terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, in which 50 Muslim worshippers were killed, saw social media used “in an unprecedented way as a tool to promote an act of terrorism and hate”. The mosque attacks were live-streamed on the Internet and showed distressing footage of the gunman firing indiscriminately at men, women and children. Nearly six weeks after the massacre, social media sites are still struggling to stamp out copies of the gunman’s video. “We’re calling on the leaders of tech companies to join with us and help achieve our goal of eliminating … [Read more...] about New Zealand, France announce bid to end violent extremism online

By Daniel Dale Washington Bureau Chief Tues., April 23, 2019 WASHINGTON—Democrats mostly agree that President Donald Trump deserves to be impeached. What they disagree on is whether they should actually do it. The debate that has simmered for more than a year intensified again this week after special counsel Robert Mueller outlined a case that Trump may have committed obstruction of justice. Prominent party figures, notably presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, say the evidence demands an impeachment push no matter what the political consequences. But senior officials, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are noncommittal. They are wary of damaging their 2020 election chances, concerned that a president with a talent for playing martyr might be able to use even a preliminary impeachment effort to energize his own voters. Pelosi wants Democrats to conduct an additional investigation without convening official impeachment hearings, but some members … [Read more...] about Democratic leaders remain reluctant to impeach Trump

MONTREAL: The bodies of three world-renowned professional mountaineers - two Austrians and an American - were found on Sunday (Apr 21) after they went missing during an avalanche on a western Canadian summit, the national parks agency said.American Jess Roskelley, 36, and Hansjorg Auer, 35, and David Lama, 28, of Austria went missing late on Tuesday at Banff National Park. Authorities launched an aerial search the next day.The three men were attempting to climb the east face of Howse Pass, an isolated and highly difficult route.They were part of a team of experienced athletes sponsored by American outdoor equipment firm The North Face."Parks Canada extends our sincere condolences to their families, friends and loved ones," the agency said in a statement."We would also like to acknowledge the impact that this has had on the tight-knit, local and international climbing communities. Our thoughts are with families, friends and all those who have been affected by this tragic … [Read more...] about Bodies of three mountaineers found in Canada

PARIS: Ukrainian comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, who won Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine, followed several celebrities - from US actor Ronald Reagan to Liberian footballer George Weah - who nabbed top political jobs in their countries.ACTORS AND COMEDIANSReagan, a Hollywood actor for more than two decades, was the first cinema star to become head of state.He was elected governor of California in 1966 before starting the first of two terms as the 40th US president in 1981.Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger later also made the leap from cinema to politics.The bodybuilder and action hero was Republican governor of California, the richest and most populous US state, from 2003 to 2011.In the Philippines, all-action tough guy movie star Joseph Estrada, who played in around 100 films, entered politics in 1969, becoming mayor, senator and vice president.He was elected president in 1998 but driven out of office in 2001 by a popular revolt after corruption accusations.In … [Read more...] about From Reagan to Zelensky, stars who went into politics