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Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey, daughter of James Comey, fired by US justice department
The US Justice Department has dismissed Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, Reuters reported citing two sources familiar with the matter. Maurene served as a federal prosecutor in high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
Her father, James Comey, was fired by then-President Donald Trump during his first term. Comey, along with former CIA Director John Brennan, is now under investigation. Trump has repeatedly criticized both men for their roles in the probes into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US election, which Trump won.
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Maurene Comey, who served as an assistant US attorney in Manhattan, was fired without being given a reason, according to two sources. They said she received a memo referencing the president's authority to dismiss employees under Article 2 of the US Constitution.
Comey had previously led the successful prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
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Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Tulsi Gabbard calls for prosecution of Obama over ‘treasonous conspiracy' in 2016 US election
US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Friday publicly accused former President Barack Obama and several of his top administration officials of orchestrating what she described as a 'treasonous conspiracy' to undermine Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election. In a statement accompanied by a set of newly declassified documents, Gabbard alleged that Obama's senior national security team deliberately 'manufactured' and politicised intelligence assessments regarding Russian interference in the 2016 race. She contended that these efforts were part of a coordinated attempt to discredit President Trump and 'subvert the will of the American people.' Gabbard declared that her office has submitted relevant documents to the US Department of Justice, calling for a full criminal investigation. In her allegations, she has named several prominent Obama-era officials, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey. 'No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,' Gabbard said, according to The Guardian. According to the declassified report released by Gabbard's office, intelligence community assessments immediately before and after the 2016 election stated that Russia probably was not attempting to change the election outcome using cyber means. The report claims that, following a White House meeting in December 2016, Obama officials shifted their public messaging by relying on still-unverified intelligence, including the so-called Steele dossier, to suggest Russian interference had affected the election's result. Gabbard's accusations have been swiftly denied by Democratic leaders and former intelligence officials, who characterised her claims as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence. Multiple US intelligence agencies and bipartisan investigations, including the Senate Intelligence Committee, have previously determined that, while Russia did engage in efforts to influence the 2016 campaign, there is no evidence that votes were changed or that Obama administration officials fabricated intelligence. The Department of Justice has declined to comment on Gabbard's criminal referrals, and leading officials named in her statement have not responded publicly. (With inputs from The Guardian)
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Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Zelenskyy's cabinet overhaul brings in allies who can deal with Trump
That agreement, which gave Trump a win in an otherwise fruitless effort to end Russia's war on Ukraine, came together after weeks of grinding negotiations Bloomberg By Volodymyr Verbianyi, Olesia Safronova and Daryna Krasnolutska Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's cabinet overhaul this week was part of an effort to move into position presidential loyalists who can potentially win favor with Donald Trump. The new prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, took office 11 weeks after her team at the Economy Ministry secured a deal with the US over access to Ukraine's natural resources. That agreement, which gave Trump a win in an otherwise fruitless effort to end Russia's war on Ukraine, came together after weeks of grinding negotiations. Svyrydenko, who took the lead on the talks in the weeks after Zelenskyy was upbraided by Trump and his team in the Oval Office, rushed to Washington at the end of April to sign the deal. Zelenskyy had been deliberating replacing long-time premier Denys Shmyhal with Svyrydenko, a 39-year-old former presidential aide, since last year, according to people familiar with his thinking. Her role in the stormy negotiations with the Americans clinched his decision to make the change, the people said, on condition of anonymity. The reshuffle coincides with an about-face in the US administration, with Trump — who had for months belittled Ukraine's wartime leader — turning his ire on Vladimir Putin. The US leader has grown frustrated with the Russian president's refusal to entertain a ceasefire. That turn culminated this week in Trump's threat to impose stiff tariffs on Moscow and pledge to send fresh weapons to Kyiv — though relying on funding from Nato's European allies. Mid-Air Negotiations With uncertainty over how long the Trump turn may last, the Ukrainian government has moved quickly to align with the more favorable circumstances. Svyrydenko's efforts on the resources deal helped turn around what had been a potentially dire ultimatum for Kyiv. Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Penta Research Institute in Kyiv, said initial US demands that would effectively make Kyiv permanently indebted to Washington were 'neutralized.' When the then-economy minister jumped on a plane to Washington, a framework agreement was to be followed by a range of technical accords. In mid-air, Svyrydenko's team was informed the Americans wanted to sign all simultaneously as an overall agreement. A deal was reached, covering resources including oil and gas, graphite and aluminum, just as Trump marked his first 100 days in office. One advantage was her good rapport with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, one of the people said. 'Svyrydenko managed to avoid risks in the resources deal and proved herself successful as a negotiator,' Fesenko said in an interview, sealing her path to the premiership. Her promotion aligns with Zelenskyy's long-standing penchant — one that's invited criticism — for empowering loyalists at the expense of others outside the circle of the president and his powerful top aide, Andriy Yermak. Svyrydenko climbed the ranks from state administration in the Chernihiv region to high office in Kyiv. As economy minister, she was first deputy prime minister until this week. Svyrydenko was the only candidate Zelenskyy was considering for the new premier after he observed her work in the government, a person said. She proved her ability to tackle Ukraine's biggest challenges of securing more financing and to boost economic growth during her time at the Economy Ministry, the person said. Alongside the new premier, several others involved in the resources accord were promoted. Former Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka was appointed as Svyrydenko's deputy to oversee European Union integration. And while Zelenskyy initially considered his defense chief, Rustem Umerov, as ambassador to the US, he ultimately chose former deputy premier and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna. She was part of multiple delegations to the US during talks over resources and is well-known in Washington, a person said. 'The American track is very important, and we have at least three axes of cooperation — the resources fund, the trade deal, and the weapons agreement,' Svyrydenko told reporters in Kyiv on Friday.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
EU Envoy to India clarifies sanctions on Russia, says no disruption to global supply, purchases
The European Union's recent sanctions on Russian oil, energy, banking and defence industries are aimed at degrading Moscow's "war economy" while preserving global oil market stability , said Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India Herve Delphin on Saturday. Delphin, in a post on X, outlined the EU's sanctions policy against Russia, which also targeted a refinery in India, emphasising that it does not prevent countries from purchasing Russian oil and thus avoiding disruptions to global supply. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category others Technology Degree CXO Finance Management healthcare Healthcare Others Artificial Intelligence Operations Management Leadership Public Policy MBA Project Management Digital Marketing Data Science Product Management Data Analytics Data Science Design Thinking PGDM MCA Cybersecurity Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT - ISB Cybersecurity for Leaders Program India Starts on undefined Get Details The refinery in India is under Rosneft, a leader in the Russian refining industry, as one of its main shareholders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo As per the EU Envoy, the 18th sanctions package reduces the price cap on Russian oil from USD 60 to USD 47.6 per barrel and seeks to further curb revenues fuelling Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. "On EU sanctions policy on Russian oil: Doesn't prevent anyone from buying oil from Russia --> so as not to disrupt the global oil market supply. Capping on Russian oil export prices --> a way of reducing the amount of revenues that feed/ are channeled into the Russian war economy. 18th package reduces the capping from USD 60 barrel to USD 47.6 barrel --> to reduce even further revenues Russia draws from oil export sales," Delphin stated. Live Events The EU Envoys' clarification on the sanctions followed India's response to the decision, in which New Delhi stated that it does not subscribe to any unilateral sanctions measures while emphasising the importance of avoiding double standards, especially in the domain of energy trade. As per Delphin, the new cap, adjustable based on market reference prices, imposes a discount on Russian oil, benefiting buyers with stronger bargaining positions. The EU has also banned third-country operators from exporting refined oil products made from Russian crude to the European market, closing a loophole that indirectly boosted Russian revenues. The EU Envoy also noted that European citizens support this measure, despite potential higher import costs from alternative suppliers. "The capping can fluctuate according to oil market reference price --> preserves elasticity of oil market for buyers. The capping amounts to imposing a discount on Russian oil --> benefit for the buyer who has a better bargaining position. Ban on export by third country operators to Europe of refined oil products made from Russian crude oil --> closing loophole to avoid European companies buy such products and indirectly add to Russian oil revenues. European citizens want this, even if it may result in higher import cost by buying from other suppliers," the post added. Additionally, the EU has sanctioned 450 shadow fleet oil tanker ships, targeting Russia's attempts to circumvent sanctions through illicit transport networks, while highlighting the impact that the previously imposed sanctions have had in depriving Russia of EUR 450 billion, resources that would have otherwise supported its military efforts in Ukraine. "Sanctions on shadow fleet oil tanker ships (port call and provision of services) --> closing a loophole that Russia uses to circumvent this sanction. 450 sanctioned shadow fleet ships by the EU. EU conducts its sanctions policy diligently & responsibly," he noted in his post. With oil constituting one-third of Russia's revenues and 40 per cent of its public spending allocated to military efforts--equivalent to 6 per cent to 7 per cent of its GDP--the EU has reduced its dependency on Russian oil by 90 per cent, Delphin affirmed, while noting that the EU member states aim to eliminate all Russian energy imports by 2026-2027 to further starve Russia's "war economy". "Sanctions aim at degrading the Russian war economy: 40% of Russian public spending allocated to finance the military effort -- equivalent to 6 to 7% of the Russian GDP. Impact of imposed sanctions --> took away from Russia 450 billion euros which otherwise it would have had its disposal for the war. Oil represents 1/3 of total Russian revenues --> EU has already reduced its own dependency on Russian oil by 90%. EU Member States will cut off all Russian energy import completely by 2026 & 2027 to stop feeding revenues in Russian war economy," the post read. Addressing Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Delphin condemned it as "illegal" and a "direct security threat" to the EU, its citizens, and territory. "Deliberate Russian aggression on Ukraine is illegal. It causes massive suffering by targeting civilians," he stated, reiterating the EU's stance: "Mr Putin must stop this war; stop the carnage and engage in earnest in peace talks."
