Mike Pompeo
US loosens restrictions on Taiwan contacts in defiance of China
The State Department has announced that it will make it easier for US officials to meet Taiwanese representatives, defying pressure from China at a time of high tensions, and as the US Congress considers sweeping legislation to counter Beijing’s influence.
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai among three pleading guilty to illegal assembly
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai and two pro-democracy activists pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of participating in an illegal march during mass anti-government protests in 2019.
US wants to ‘discuss’ Beijing Olympics boycott calls
The United States said Tuesday it would discuss calls to boycott the Beijing Olympics with its allies after growing pressure to shun the Winter Games on human rights grounds.
Joe Biden revokes Donald Trump-imposed sanctions against ICC prosecutor
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday lifted the sanctions against International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda that were imposed seven months ago by his predecessor, former U.S. President Donald Trump.
China sanctions US, Canadian citizens in Xinjiang row
China announced sanctions against two Americans, a Canadian and a rights advocacy body Saturday over their criticism of Beijing’s treatment of Uyghurs, but Washington said the tit-for-tat measure would only intensify the spotlight on Xinjiang.
U.S. terrorism sponsor listing further complicates Cuba banking
Former President Donald Trump’s decision to put Cuba back on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism just before he left office threw up fresh obstacles to international banking with the island, according to five Havana-based foreign businessmen and diplomats.
China says hopes U.S. will remove ‘unreasonable’ restrictions on cooperation
Questioned about recent U.S.-China frictions over Taiwan, Xinjiang and the South China Sea during his annual news conference, Wang said that Beijing “will never accept baseless accusations and smears”, and said the United States had used democracy and human rights as a basis for arbitrarily interfering with other countries’ affairs.
Hong Kong court says Jimmy Lai’s bail denied because risk of further offences
A Hong Kong court said on Tuesday its denial of bail for media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person charged under a new the national security law, was due to the risk of his committing further offences.
Presidents Biden and Xi hold first phone call amid tense U.S.-China relations
U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping held their first telephone call as leaders, with Biden saying a free and open Indo-Pacific was a priority and Xi warning confrontation would be a ‘disaster’ for both nations.
WHO’s Wuhan probe ends amid US-China bickering over coronavirus origin
Bickering between China and the United States over the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic has continued even after the World Health Organisation, WHO, wrapped up its field work in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
![Security members keep watch outside Wuhan Institute of Virology as members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team tasked with investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) arrive for a visit in Wuhan on Wednesday [Reuters]](https://www.today.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/03093204-324x235.jpg "WHO-led coronavirus probe team in China visits Wuhan virus lab")
WHO-led coronavirus probe team in China visits Wuhan virus lab
A team of investigators working on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO) has visited a major virus research laboratory in China’s central city of Wuhan and is scheduled to meet a top virologist, as they continue to seek clues to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Republicans urge Joe Biden to hit China for sanctioning Mike Pompeo
Top U.S. Republicans have urged President Joe Biden to take tougher action against China after Beijing announced sanctions on outgoing American officials just minutes into Biden taking office, reports said on Friday.
China imposes sanctions on 28 Trump-era officials including Mike Pompeo
China said on Wednesday it wanted to cooperate with President Joe Biden’s new U.S. administration, while announcing sanctions against “lying and cheating” outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials under Donald Trump.
China hopes Joe Biden will put ties back on track
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, congratulated Biden in front of the press in Beijing on Thursday and expressed hope that the relationship would be put back on the right track.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Russian vessel involved with Nord Stream 2 pipeline
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on a ship involved in building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to take Russian natural gas to Europe, as the Trump administration sought to raise pressure on the project on its last full day in office.
Iran blacklists Donald Trump, U.S. officials as his term nears end
Iran blacklisted U.S. President Donald Trump and several current and former senior U.S. officials on Tuesday over what it called “terrorist and anti-human rights” acts, a move widely regarded as symbolic.
Russian prosecutors want Alexei Navalny jailed for 30 days
The United Nations and Western nations told Russia to immediately free the opposition politician and some countries called for new sanctions. Moscow told them to mind their own business.
China to sanction U.S. officials for ‘nasty’ behaviour over Taiwan
Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the comment in response to a question about U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s decision this month to lift restrictions on contacts between U.S. officials and their Taiwanese counterparts.
U.S. imposes fresh sanctions on Iran in final days of Donald Trump presidency
The United States on Friday sanctioned companies in Iran, China and the United Arab Emirates for doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and on three Iranian entities over conventional arms proliferation.
U.S. announces new sanctions on six linked to Hong Kong mass arrests
The United States announced sanctions on Friday against six Hong Kong or Chinese officials it blamed for implementing a new security law in Hong Kong, following the mass arrests of pro-democracy activists this month.
China possibly committed ‘genocide’ against Xinjiang Muslims
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) said on Thursday that new evidence had emerged in the past year that “crimes against humanity – and possibly genocide – are occurring”.
US slaps sanctions on two foundations linked to Iranian supreme leader
The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two Iranian foundations controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and their subsidiaries, saying the institutions enabled Iran’s elite to sustain a “corrupt” system of ownership over large parts of the economy.
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Thugs disrupt PDP North West zonal executive committee congress
The Northwest zonal executive committee congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna, headquarters of the North West was disrupted Saturday following a clash between major contenders.
Osun governor: Babagana Zulum a man of strong character, conviction
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State has described his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Babagana Zulum, as a man of strong character and conviction who is determined to carry on despite the daunting security challenges in his domain.
President Buhari appoints new DTCA, NIIA chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ambassador Rabiu Dagari as Director-General of the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA).
Plateau senator seeks Nigerian government’s support for victims of yam market fire
Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly, Professor Nora Dadu’ut, has appealed to the federal government to support victims of the recent fire incident that engulfed the famous Namu Central Yam Market in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, of Plateau state which led to the loss of food products and other valuables worth millions of naira.
Bauchi: Police nab kidnappers, cattle rustlers, bandits terrorising communities
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested suspected kidnappers, cattle rustlers and bandits for wreaking havoc on residents of Nabordo and Duguri in Toro and Alkaleri local government of the state.
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NANS tasks Kaduna government on rescue of remaining Afaka students
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) zone ‘A’, has called on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to intensify efforts towards the rescue of the remaining students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka in Igabi local government area of the state.
Ethiopian Airlines pilot lands at wrong Zambia airport
An Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane flying into Zambia accidentally landed at an airport that is still under construction, a government official said on Monday.
Manchester United boss: Mason Greenwood learning from Edinson Cavani
Solskjaer said afterwards, "He [Mason] has learned from Edi! And of course it's important when Edinson is here now, he's not going to play football forever, but the traits, his movement, he [Mason] has probably picked up.
Tanzania’s new president lifts media ban
Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan said on Tuesday she would lift a ban on all media in the country, a radical shift from a press crackdown implemented by her late predecessor John Magufuli.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Second place finish is never good enough for Manchester United
United will be looking to consolidate second place in the Premier League against a Spurs side still fighting for a top-four finish, but Solskjaer insists that second will never be good enough for the club.