‘Collusion delusion': Tulsi Gabbard calls for Obama prosecution over Russiagate
'The coup failed, because Donald Trump did win the 2016 election,' Mr Hammer told Sky News host Rita Panahi.
'Overall, the Russian collusion delusion is really one of the two greatest gaslighting operations perpetrated against the American people.
'The Russiagate hoax is right up there.'
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Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Ukraine holding firm against Russia's summer push
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy insists Ukrainian forces are holding back Russia's concerted summer push to break through defences along parts of the front line, as Moscow intensifies its bombardment of Ukrainian cities. With the war now in its fourth year after Russia's February 2022 invasion of its neighbour, the effort is draining resources on both sides, although Russia has more resources and people to sustain its fight. Ukraine is seeking further support from Western partners. "They are not advancing. It's very tough for our guys out there. And it's tough everywhere," Zelenskiy told reporters. "It's also very hard for the Russians — and that's good for us." Russia has claimed the capture of some villages and hamlets in recent weeks, but no defensively stronger urban areas have fallen to its troops. Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have repeatedly attempted to stage minor incursions near Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region to film symbolic footage, such as raising a Russian flag, but Ukrainian forces have repelled those efforts, Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy described the situation in the northeastern Sumy border region as "much better" than in recent months, noting progress by Ukrainian forces over the past six weeks. Russia has also intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian cities, with the second-largest city Kharkiv, struck with a powerful glide bomb for a second straight day on Friday. Seven people were injured, officials said. On Thursday, 42 were injured. Joyce Msuya, the United Nations' deputy humanitarian chief, told the Security Council on Friday that Ukraine's humanitarian situation is deteriorating due to expanding Russian attacks on civilian areas across the country. "There is no safe place left in Ukraine," she said. Zelenskiy said Ukraine is working with international partners to secure 10 US-made Patriot air defence systems, which can shoot down missiles, with three already confirmed from Germany and Norway. The Trump administration will sell the systems, he said, but Ukraine's task is to find funding for all 10. Each system costs more than $US1 billion ($A1.5 billion). Ukraine is also seeking to obtain a licence to manufacture the Patriot systems itself. The Ukrainian leader expressed little hope for progress in direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine, though he said the Kremlin envoys have begun discussing the possibility of a leaders' summit with Ukraine. "We need an end to the war, which probably begins with a meeting of leaders. It won't work any other way with (the Russians)," Zelenskiy said. The Kremlin, however, remained set against top-level talks before a potential comprehensive peace agreement is fleshed out. "A high-level meeting can and must put a final point in the settlement and seal the modalities and agreements that are yet to be worked out by experts," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. "It's impossible to act otherwise." In domestic politics, Zelenskiy said public protests against changes earlier this week to Ukraine's anti-corruption law were "legitimate". The changes threatened the independence of anti-graft watchdogs and also drew rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups, prompting Zelenskiy to propose new legislation to restore the independence of the anti-graft agencies. "It's very important that society speaks. I respect the opinion of society," Zelenskiy said. "People asked for changes. We responded." Demonstrators gathered for the third day on Thursday evening, but drew a smaller crowd. He said those agencies must be "truly independent," adding that "the most important thing in this war is the unity of our state. It is critical not to lose unity". However, the risk now remains that the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, will fail to approve the new bill, which could bring even larger crowds to the streets. Zelenskiy expressed confidence that it would pass in a vote scheduled for July 31.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
US steaks on the barbie: Trump smug on Aust beef u-turn
US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Death toll hits 20 in Thai-Cambodia clashes
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day with at least 20 people killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric. Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking civilians and Cambodia condemned Thailand for using cluster munitions, controversial and widely condemned. Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia had attacked on multiple fronts. "The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it's a confrontation involving heavy weapons," he told reporters. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a social media post that he had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, who had informed him that Phumtham had also agreed. "However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position," Hun Manet said. Two senior Thai foreign ministry officials earlier said Bangkok had received offers of mediation from the US, Malaysia and China, but preferred to use bilateral mechanisms. Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand's military. It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals. "These barbaric acts have senselessly claimed lives and inflicted injuries upon numerous innocent civilians," it said. It put the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being steered by Hun Sen, influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of Hun Manet. Reuters journalists in Thailand's Surin province saw a Thai military convoy of about a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields as it moved toward the border. The fighting started early on Thursday, quickly escalating from small arms fire to heavy shelling in multiple areas 210 kilometres apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. Thailand on Thursday deployed an F-16 fighter jet to strike a Cambodian military target, underlining its military advantage. Cambodia has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel. It has urged the UN Security Council to address what it says is Thailand's "unprovoked military aggression". It said Thailand's bombardments had caused "significant and visible damage" to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries have laid claim to for decades. Thailand's military called the allegation "a clear distortion of facts". The trigger for the conflict was Thailand recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelling Cambodia's envoy on Wednesday, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia denied that. Thailand has prepared nearly 300 facilities for evacuees, more of which poured into shelters in Surin province after hearing shelling. Elderly people dozed while others queued for food to be served by volunteers as children played outside. Some evacuees sifted through donated clothing, others sat talking on floor mats, recounting how they had fled the fighting. "We heard very loud explosions, so we came here. We were so scared," said Aung Ying Yong, 67, wiping away tears with a towel.
