World

Johnson says sorry for partygate as critics prep censure bid

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2022

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered what he said was a ”wholehearted” apology for attending an illegal party during lockdown — but insisted he didn’t knowingly break rules or mislead Parliament, and brushed off calls to resign.

Johnson told lawmakers in the House of Commons that it simply “did not occur to me” that the birthday gathering, complete with a cake, was a party.

That excuse was greeted with derision by opposition politicians — and some among the governing Conservatives — who have called with increasing frustration for Johnson to quit since stories began to circulate late last year of parties in the prime minister’s office and other government buildings in 2020 and 2021, when millions in the country were barred from meeting with friends and family or even attending funerals for their loved ones.

Opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer branded the apology “half-hearted” and “a joke.”

Last week, Johnson was fined 50 pounds ($66) for attending his own surprise birthday party in 10 Downing St. in June 2020, making him the first British prime minister ever found to have broken the law while in office.

Speaking as the House of Commons returned from an 11-day Easter break, Johnson acknowledged people’s “hurt and anger,” but added that “it did not occur to me then or subsequently that a gathering in the Cabinet Room, just before a vital meeting on COVID strategy, could amount to a breach of the rules.”

Starmer said that excuse would ring hollow with ordinary people who “understand that the rules apply to all of us,” and he challenged Conservatives to “bring an end to this shameful chapter” and jettison Johnson.

“He knows he’s dishonest and incapable of changing,” Starmer said. “So he drags everybody else down with him.”

Starmer was told off by House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle for accusing another member of dishonesty — a breach of parliamentary rules. Minutes later, Labour lawmaker Karl Turner also was chastised by the Speaker after branding Johnson a liar.

“I withdraw the word ‘liar,’ Mr. Speaker,” Turner said. “But the electorate will already have decided.”

Labour has not given up on trying to get lawmakers to censure Johnson over the “partygate” scandal. Speaker Hoyle said he would allow Labour to hold a Commons debate and vote Thursday on whether Johnson should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament. Ministers found to have done that knowingly are generally expected to resign.

Johnson is due to be out of the country Thursday on a visit to India, and the big Conservative majority in Parliament means the measure is unlikely to pass. But the vote will force Tory lawmakers uneasy with the prime minister to publicly back him or criticize him.

Johnson insisted Tuesday that he was contrite, but argued it would be wrong to change leaders while Britain faces crises including the war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living squeeze driven by surging energy and goods prices.

Johnson’s grip on power had appeared to be on a knife-edge earlier this year amid police and civil service investigations into the parties, and the departure of several top aides.

Allies feared “partygate” could become a tipping point for a divisive but resilient leader who has weathered a series of other storms over his expenses and his moral judgment. Some Conservative lawmakers were openly calling for a no-confidence vote in Johnson.

But Johnson has hung on, partly because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has seized public and political attention.

Johnson’s international image, battered by Britain’s messy exit from the European Union under his leadership, has been revived by his firm military, political and moral support for Ukraine. Johnson traveled to Kyiv earlier this month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Johnson’s troubles are not over and he could still face more fines. London’s Metropolitan Police force is investigating a dozen events, including “bring your own booze” office parties and “wine time Fridays,” and Johnson is reported to have attended several of them. So far at least 50 tickets have been handed out, including those to Johnson, his wife Carrie and Treasury chief Rishi Sunak.

If Johnson is sanctioned again, calls for a no-confidence vote could grow among Conservatives. For now, many are biding their time, and looking to see whether public anger translates into losses for the party at local elections across the country on May 5.

Conservative lawmaker Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said his colleagues were “withholding their judgment and waiting to see what happens.”

But fellow Conservative Mark Harper, a former government chief whip, said Johnson “broke the laws that he told the country they had to follow” and “hasn’t been straightforward about it.”

“I’m very sorry to have to say this, but I no longer think he is worthy of the great office that he holds,” Harper said.

World

Ecuador Honors Marco Rubio With National Order of Merit Grand Cross

Published

2 weeks ago

September 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL.) presents his gun plan in 2018. Photo via ABC News.

President Daniel Noboa recognizes U.S. secretary of state during Quito visit focused on security, counternarcotics cooperation and stronger U.S.-Ecuador relations

QUITO, Ecuador (FNN) — Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa awarded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the National Order of Merit in the degree of Grand Cross on Wednesday, recognizing Rubio’s role in strengthening relations between the United States and Ecuador.

The Sept. 9 ceremony took place at the Carondelet presidential palace in Quito during Rubio’s South American diplomatic tour. Official State Department photography confirms Noboa presented the decoration to Rubio during the ceremony.

The honor came as Rubio and Noboa emphasized deeper cooperation on regional security, transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and economic prosperity.

ECUADOR RECOGNIZES RUBIO’S ROLE IN BILATERAL RELATIONS

An executive decree read during the ceremony cited Rubio’s “distinguished services” and commitment to strengthening ties between Ecuador and the United States.

The decree highlighted bilateral cooperation against transnational organized crime, narcotics trafficking and illicit financial networks.

Noboa praised Rubio’s diplomatic engagement in Latin America and said the relationship between the two countries extends beyond government-to-government cooperation.

Ecuadorian media also reported that the award recognized Rubio’s contributions to bilateral relations and cooperation on security.

RUBIO: U.S.-ECUADOR RELATIONS HAVE IMPROVED

Accepting the decoration, Rubio called it a “great honor” and emphasized what he described as significant improvements in relations between the two countries.

Rubio focused particularly on two priorities: security and prosperity.

He said governments must provide security to create conditions for economic opportunity and pledged continued cooperation from President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Quito meeting was Rubio’s third meeting with Noboa, according to Rubio’s remarks.

SECURITY COOPERATION TAKES CENTER STAGE

The ceremony came during a broader visit focused heavily on counternarcotics and security cooperation.

Rubio announced that the Trump administration would seek approximately $45 million from Congress for security assistance to Ecuador, along with an additional $10 million targeting illegal gold mining, gang recruitment and illicit finance, according to Reuters.

The United States also designated Ecuadorian criminal organization Los Tiguerones as a foreign terrorist organization during Rubio’s visit.

Ecuador has become an increasingly important U.S. partner in regional counternarcotics operations under Noboa. The country has struggled with escalating violence involving criminal organizations competing over drug-trafficking routes and access to ports.

NOBOA PRAISES RUBIO’S LATIN AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT

Noboa used the ceremony to emphasize Rubio’s connection to Latin America and his work on regional security.

The Ecuadorian president said Rubio’s approach has helped strengthen relationships between the United States and countries throughout the region.

“We have achieved, working hand in hand with the United States, to provide more peace, health and also more liberties,” Noboa said through an interpreter, according to the ceremony transcript.

Noboa described the decoration as one of Ecuador’s highest honors. Independent reporting characterized the National Order of Merit in the Grand Cross degree as a major Ecuadorian national distinction awarded for extraordinary service.

RUBIO’S SOUTH AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC TOUR

Ecuador was part of a broader South American trip for Rubio.

He traveled to Ecuador after meeting Colombian President Abelardo De La Espriella, with security, counternarcotics cooperation and economic relations among the major subjects of the trip. Rubio was then scheduled to travel to Peru.

The Ecuador visit underscored the Trump administration’s effort to strengthen relationships with regional governments cooperating with Washington on narcotics trafficking, migration and security.

For Rubio and Noboa, the Grand Cross ceremony also provided a symbolic backdrop for an expanding bilateral relationship centered on security cooperation, combating organized crime and economic ties.

US NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. Expands Sanctions Targeting Iran’s Financial Networks and Regime Financiers

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The Trump administration announced a new round of sanctions Friday targeting individuals and businesses accused of helping finance Iran’s ruling elite and facilitating international financial transactions on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, target a global financial network that U.S. officials say supports Iran’s Supreme Leader and other senior regime officials.

Global Financial Network Targeted

According to the administration, the sanctions focus on Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian national accused of managing an extensive network of real estate and commercial holdings across multiple countries on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, and other regime insiders.

U.S. officials said the network includes assets and business interests in:

Germany
United Kingdom
Spain
Cyprus
United Arab Emirates
Other international jurisdictions

The administration alleges the network has been used to help Iranian regime officials maintain access to international financial markets.

Currency Exchange Houses Sanctioned

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on three Iran-based currency exchange firms and their associated leadership:

Mohammad Darbani and Partners
Lavasani and Partners
Mohsen Khandan and Partners

The sanctions also extend to the firms’ managing partners and affiliated front companies.

According to the administration, these entities allegedly enabled Iran to obtain foreign currency and conduct international financial transactions despite existing U.S. sanctions.

Administration Cites Maximum Pressure Campaign

The White House said the latest designations are part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Iran.

Administration officials said they will continue targeting individuals, businesses and financial institutions—including foreign entities—that facilitate illicit Iranian commerce or assist the regime in evading U.S. sanctions.

The administration maintains that the sanctions are intended to pressure Iran to end what it describes as destabilizing activities in the region and to hold accountable those who enable corruption within the Iranian government.

Authorities Used for Sanctions

The sanctions were imposed under multiple executive authorities, including:

Executive Order 13902, targeting Iran’s financial and petroleum sectors.
Executive Order 13876, focusing on Iran’s Supreme Leader and affiliated individuals.
Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886, which provides counterterrorism sanctions authority.

Treasury officials said the latest designations build upon previous actions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran’s shadow banking system and currency exchange networks.

World

U.S., CARICOM IMPACS Sign Landmark Biometrics Data-Sharing Agreement to Strengthen Border Security

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) signed a Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership (BDSP) Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Friday, establishing a new framework for sharing biometric information to strengthen border security and immigration screening.

The agreement was signed July 10 at the Embassy of Saint Kitts and Nevis in Washington, D.C.

Strengthening National and Regional Security

According to DHS, the agreement enhances U.S. national security by enabling biometric information sharing between the United States and CARICOM member states that operate Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.

Officials said the partnership will improve the ability of both the United States and participating Caribbean nations to identify potential security threats before individuals enter the United States.

The agreement is also intended to help prevent individuals from exploiting Citizenship by Investment programs to evade immigration or law enforcement screening, addressing what officials described as a critical gap in Western Hemisphere security.

Supporting Immigration Integrity

The memorandum also reflects Caribbean governments’ commitment to strengthening immigration integrity and aligning border security practices with U.S. standards.

DHS said the partnership reinforces regional cooperation on identity verification, information sharing and security screening while supporting lawful travel and international security efforts.

Senior Officials Attend Signing Ceremony

The signing ceremony brought together senior representatives from:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security
White House Homeland Security Council
U.S. Department of State
CARICOM IMPACS

Diplomatic representatives from the following Caribbean nations also participated:

Antigua and Barbuda
Dominica
Grenada
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

These countries currently operate Citizenship by Investment programs that provide foreign nationals a pathway to citizenship through qualifying investments.

Regional Security Cooperation Expands

The Biometrics Data Sharing Partnership represents one of the most significant security cooperation agreements between the United States and CARICOM member states in recent years.

Officials said the framework will strengthen information sharing, improve border security, support immigration integrity and enhance efforts to identify individuals who may pose security risks before they travel to the United States.