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In surprise move, Trump fires FBI director

[email protected] (Agencies)
May 10, 2017

Washington, May 10: President Donald Trump today abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey who was leading an investigation into whether his election campaign had links to Russias alleged interference in the US polls, a surprise move that has created a political furore.

comey7In a letter, Trump told Comey, 56, that he was no longer effectively able to lead the bureau and it was necessary to restore "public trust and confidence" in it.

"You are hereby terminated and removed from the office, effective immediately," Trump said in the letter.

The shock move comes days after Comey testified on Capitol Hill about the FBIs investigation into Russias meddling into the US elections and a possible collusion between Trump campaign and Moscow.

In the letter, Trump acknowledged that Comey had informed him "on three separate occasions" that he was not under investigation. "I nevertheless concur with the judgement of the Department of Justice that you are not able to effectively lead the bureau," he added.

The White House said the search for a new FBI director would begin immediately.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters: "The president has accepted the recommendation of the Attorney General (Jeff Sessions) and the Deputy Attorney General (Rod Rosenstein) regarding the dismissal."

In a statement released by the White House, Trump said: "The FBI is one of our nations most cherished and respected institutions and today will mark a new beginning for our crown jewel of law enforcement."

Comey had courted controversy during the 2016 presidential polls when he revealed a renewed investigation into Hillary Clintons email use, which the Democrats claimed had hurt her chances of becoming president.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, in his letter to Trump, criticised Comeys handling of the Clinton probe, including the directors decision to hold a press conference announcing its findings and releasing "derogatory information" about her.

In a separate letter, Sessions said he has concluded that a fresh start is needed at the leadership of the FBI, based on his evaluation as well the reasons expressed by the Deputy Attorney General.

"It is essential that this Department of Justice clearly reaffirm its commitment to longstanding principles that ensure the integrity and fairness of federal investigations and prosecutions," Sessions said.

Comey was addressing FBI agents in Los Angeles when he was handed a note by one of his team informing him he had just been fired. He was four years into his 10-year term.

It wasn?t immediately clear how Comeys ouster will affect the Russia probe, but Democrats said they were concerned that his ouster could derail the investigation.

"I told the president, Mr President, with all due respect you are making a big mistake," Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, told reporters.

The Senate Minority Leader demanded that the Department of Justice appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Russias alleged influence on the 2016 elections.

"The firing of top officials like Sally Yates and Preet Bharara, and now Comey does not seem to be a coincidence," Schumer said.

Schumer also questioned the timing of the decision.

"If the administration had objections to the way Director Comey handled the Clinton investigation, they had those objections the minute the president got into office. But they didnt fire him then. Why did it happen today?" he asked.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley said Comeys dismissal is extremely troubling.

"President Trump fired the man investigating him and his cohorts. I strongly support calls for the appointment of a special prosecutor," he said.

Terming the move as "nearly unprecedented", Indian- American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said it was extremely disturbing that the Chief Executive is interfering with an ongoing investigation into his administration by firing the person charged with conducting it.

Republican Senator John McCain, the Chairman of Armed Services Committee, said he was disappointed by Trump?s decision to dismiss Comey.

"James Comey is a man of honour and integrity, and he has led the FBI well in extraordinary circumstances. I have long called for a special congressional committee to investigate Russias interference in the 2016 election," he said.

"The presidents decision to remove the FBI Director only confirms the need and the urgency of such a committee," McCain said.

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News Network
March 13,2020

Mar 13: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife announced they were self-isolating Thursday as she undergoes tests for the new coronavirus after returning from a speaking engagement with "mild flu-like symptoms."

Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau's symptoms have subsided since she recently got back from Britain, but as a precaution the prime minister "will spend the day in briefings, phone calls and virtual meetings from home," according to a statement.

Trudeau also cancelled a meeting Thursday and Friday with Canada's provincial and territorial leaders in Ottawa, but still planned to speak with them and world leaders by phone about measures being taken to curb the spread of the virus in Canada.

Gregoire-Trudeau's symptoms had included "a low fever late last night." She immediately sought medical advice and testing.

Trudeau has exhibited no symptoms, and was advised by doctors "to continue daily activities while self-monitoring."

"However, out of an abundance of caution, the prime minister is opting to self-isolate and work from home until receiving Sophie's results," said his office.

Since the novel coronavirus first emerged in late December 2019, 127,070 cases have been recorded in 115 countries and territories, killing 4,687 people, according to an AFP tally compiled at 1200 GMT on Thursday based on official sources.

Canada has so far reported more than 100 cases in six provinces, and one death.

Also Thursday, the Canada's Juno music awards cancelled its upcoming gala show, planned for Sunday evening in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

"We are devastated to cancel this national celebration of music, but at this time of global uncertainty, the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians must stand at the forefront of any decisions that impact our communities," organisers said in a statement.

And in Quebec province, Premier Francois Legault unveiled a series of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, including placing all travellers returning from overseas under quarantine for two weeks.

Quebec also banned indoor gatherings of more than 250 people.

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Agencies
August 3,2020

New York, Aug 3: The number of coronavirus cases confirmed all over the world has surpassed 18 million, while the global COVID-19 death toll stands at over 687,000 according to data from the Johns Hopkins University's Coronavirus Resource Center.

As of 06:00 Moscow time on Monday (03:00 GMT), there are 18,017,556 confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. The global death toll from COVID-19 stands at 687,930. The number of recovered individuals stands at 10,649,108.

The United States remains the country with the largest number of cases (4,665,932) and the highest COVID-19 death toll (154,841), according to the latest data from the Johns Hopkins University.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Washington, May 12: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation and cybersecurity experts believe Chinese hackers are trying to steal research on developing a vaccine against coronavirus, two newspapers reported Monday.

The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are planning to release a warning about the Chinese hacking as governments and private firms race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, the Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported.

The hackers are also targeting information and intellectual property on treatments and testing for COVID-19.

US officials alleged that the hackers are linked to the Chinese government, the reports say.

The official warning could come within days.

In Beijing Foreign Affairs ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian rejected the allegation, saying China firmly opposes all cyber attacks.

"We are leading the world in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine research. It is immoral to target China with rumors and slanders in the absence of any evidence," Zhao said.

Asked about the reports, President Donald Trump did not confirm them, but said: "What else is new with China? What else is new? Tell me. I'm not happy with China."

"We're watching it very closely," he added.

A US warning would add to a series of alerts and reports accusing government-backed hackers in Iran, North Korea, Russia and China of malicious activity related to the pandemic, from pumping out false news to targeting workers and scientists.

The New York Times said it could be a prelude to officially-sanctioned counterattacks by US agencies involved in cyber warfare, including the Pentagon's Cyber Command and the National Security Agency.

Last week in a joint message Britain and the United States warned of a rise in cyber attacks against health professionals involved in the coronavirus response by organised criminals "often linked with other state actors."

Britain's National Cyber Security Centre and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said they had detected large-scale "password spraying" tactics -- hackers trying to access accounts through commonly used passwords -- aimed at healthcare bodies and medical research organisations.

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