North America

All eyes on FBI chief as Russia, wiretap claims swirl

  By Michael Mathes WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey will be in the hot seat Monday facing lawmakers who accuse him of stonewalling Congress, as they demand answers about Donald Trump’s potential Russia ties and the president’s accusation of wiretapping by his predecessor. The two explosive issues have preoccupied Republicans and Democrats alike for weeks, robbing Trump’s administration of a smoother rollout and raising uncomfortable questions about possible collusion […]

Continue Reading →

Military action against N. Korea an ‘option’: Tillerson

By Park Chan-Kyong SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — United States military action against nuclear-armed North Korea is an “option on the table,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday after warning the policy of strategic patience with Pyongyang was over. In strong statements that appear to signal a sea change in American policy towards the isolated country, the US’ top diplomat said North Korea’s burgeoning missile and nuclear programs must be halted. “Certainly we do not […]

Continue Reading →

Trudeau, Ivanka Trump attend Broadway musical on Canadian hospitality

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Canada’s Justin Trudeau invited United States President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka to attend a Broadway musical celebrating Canadian hospitality toward foreigners following the 9/11 attacks. Ivanka Trump and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, were guests of honor of the prime minister for the Wednesday night performance of “Come From Away,” a Trudeau spokesperson told AFP. The Canadian Consulate had booked some 600 seats at Broadway’s […]

Continue Reading →

Trump vows to fight revamped travel ban freeze

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — United States President Donald Trump vowed Wednesday to fight a federal court ruling halting his revised temporary ban of refugees and nationals from six Muslim-majority countries, describing the decision as “judicial overreach.” “The law in the constitution gave the president the power to suspend immigration when he deems it to be in the national interest of our country,” he said at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee, following the decision […]

Continue Reading →

Chinese premier warns US against ‘trade war’

By Patrick Baert BEIJING, China (AFP) — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday warned the United States against starting a trade war while expressing optimism that the world’s two largest economies could keep relations steady despite Donald Trump-era frictions. “We don’t want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldn’t make our trade fairer,” Li told reporters at a press conference closing China’s annual parliamentary session. “No matter what bumps […]

Continue Reading →

White House says Trump paid taxes; lashes out at media

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House on Tuesday pre-empted a media leak of Donald Trump’s 2005 federal tax return, acknowledging key details they previously refused to release. The White House said Trump paid $38 million in taxes and had earned income of “more than $150 million” that year. Trump has steadfastly refused to release his tax returns, breaking with decades of tradition among presidential candidates of all political parties. The admission came just […]

Continue Reading →

Woman in 2001 Israel pizza shop bombing on FBI ‘Most Wanted’ list

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) –The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation placed a Jordanian woman who assisted in the 2001 suicide bombing of a Jerusalem pizza parlor on its “Most Wanted Terrorist” list on Tuesday. The Justice Department unveiled charges against Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, who was jailed in Israel for eight years in the attack that killed 15, before gaining release in an Israeli prisoner swap with Hamas in 2011. US authorities had hoped […]

Continue Reading →

Family of Trump son-in-law in $4-bn deal with Chinese company

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A company owned by the family of President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is set to receive more than $400 million from a Chinese firm that is investing in its Manhattan office tower, Bloomberg reported Monday. The Kushner Companies deal with Anbang Insurance Group for the property at 666 Fifth Avenue is worth $4 billion, with real estate experts calling it an unusually favorable deal for the Kushners, the report said. […]

Continue Reading →

State of emergency declared in parts of US due to Winter Storm Stella

by Jennie MATTHEW Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Large swaths of the United States East Coast declared a state of emergency, cancelled flights and shut schools as millions braced for potentially the worst winter storm of the season with up to two feet of snow forecast to fall. Winter Storm Stella is expected to begin overnight with accumulation becoming most intense Tuesday morning, combined with winds of up to 60 miles per […]

Continue Reading →

14 million more uninsured under Republican plan in 2018: US budget office

by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — About 14 million fewer Americans will have health insurance next year under the new Republican plan to replace Obamacare, a nonpartisan congressional analysis projected Monday, heaping pressure on President Donald Trump to make good on his pledge for broader coverage. By 2026, that number would shoot up to 24 million, the Congressional Budget Office projected, in perhaps the most alarming revelation in its highly-anticipated […]

Continue Reading →

Northeast US braces for worst snowstorm of season

by Jennie MATTHEW Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States – Millions of Americans braced for potentially the worst winter storm of the season with blizzards forecast to dump up to two feet of snow in New York on Tuesday, closing schools and spelling travel chaos. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning from midnight Monday (0400 GMT) Tuesday to midnight Tuesday for America’s financial capital and largest city, stretching north into Connecticut and south into New […]

Continue Reading →

Powerful Saudi prince to meet Trump

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia’s powerful Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman left for the United States on Monday to meet President Donald Trump, state media said. Prince Mohammed, who is seeking foreign investment in an economic reform plan, is the highest-ranking Saudi official to hold talks with Trump since the US leader took office in January. The visit, which officially begins Thursday, focuses on the “strengthening of bilateral relations… and regional issues of […]

Continue Reading →
1 … 469 470 471 472 473 … 580