WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – by Dave Clark Two weeks on from his election victory, Donald Trump shows every sign that he will govern as he campaigned — with late night tweet storms, attacks on the press and a flirtation with the extremes of US political life. True, the president-elect has backed off a threat to have his defeated opponent Hillary Clinton investigated. And, in calls with foreign leaders, he has reassured them that military […]
North America
Trump says he will move to withdraw from TPP ‘on day one’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump said Monday he would move to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal the day he takes office, in line with a central campaign pledge. “I’ve asked my transition team to develop a list of executive actions we can take on day one to restore our laws and bring back our jobs,” the US president-elect said in a video message outlining priorities for his first 100 days. […]
Trump wraps up marathon weekend cabinet search
by Don EMMERT with Ivan Couronne in Washington BEDMINSTER, United States (AFP) — US President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday wrapped up a busy weekend of meetings with cabinet hopefuls at his golf club retreat outside New York, hinting new appointments are imminent. The Republican billionaire-turned-world leader signaled he is seriously considering retired Marine Corps general James “Mad Dog” Mattis to be his Pentagon chief, heaping praise on him. When asked before dinner at his Trump […]
Obama defends free trade at Asia-Pacific summit rattled by Trump
by Sam Reeves Martin Abbugao LIMA, Peru (AFP) — US President Barack Obama on Sunday defended free trade as fellow Asia-Pacific leaders vowed to fight protectionism after Donald Trump’s shock election victory sparked fears for the future of global commerce. The surprise win by Trump, who vowed to tear up trade deals that he claimed sent American jobs abroad, has raised concerns that years of rolling back trade barriers could be reversed. His victory overshadowed […]
Melania Trump and son may stay in NYC for now
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump’s wife Melania and young son Barron will probably stay in New York when the president-elect moves into the White House, the transition team suggested Sunday. The parents are wary of pulling their son out of school now, team communications director Jason Miller told reporters. “There’s obviously sensitivity to pulling their 10-year-old out of school in the middle of the school year. A more formal statement will be coming […]
Trump settles Trump University lawsuits for $25 mn
by Thomas Urbain with Jocelyne Zablit in Los Angeles Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday agreed to pay $25 million to settle lawsuits accusing his now-defunct Trump University of fraud, sparing him the embarrassment of further legal wrangling as he prepares to enter the White House. A trio of suits brought by former students alleged that the training program — which was not an accredited […]
Japan’s Abe first leader to meet Trump in person
by Ivan Couronne Catherine TRIOMPHE NEW YORK, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s Shinzo Abe sat down Thursday with Donald Trump, becoming the first foreign leader to meet the US president-elect as he works to shape a cabinet that may include both staunch backers and former rivals. The Japanese prime minister flew into New York to chat with the billionaire at his Manhattan skyscraper as Trump met with a steady stream of operatives from his Republican Party […]
Clinton says election exposed deep divisions in US
by Gregory FEIFER WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — In her first public appearance since conceding to Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton on Wednesday said the US presidential vote has exposed deep divisions, in the “greatest country in the world.” “Over the past week, a lot of people have asked themselves whether America is the country we thought it was,” the former Democratic candidate told an evening benefit event in Washington. “The divisions laid bare by this […]
New York will ‘protect’ immigrants, mayor tells Trump
by Catherine TRIOMPHE NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — New York’s liberal mayor, Bill de Blasio, told Donald Trump on Wednesday he will do all he can to prevent the large-scale deportation of immigrants, saying many in the city are “fearful” of his presidency. After visiting Manhattan’s Trump Tower — where the billionaire president-elect is holed up assembling his cabinet — De Blasio said he told the Republican he would push back against his signature […]
CEO of US cybersecurity firm resigns after Trump threat
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The CEO of a cybersecurity firm in San Diego has resigned after posting on his now-deleted Facebook page threatening comments about President-elect Donald Trump. Matt Harrigan, who founded PacketSled, stepped down on Tuesday after his online postings prompted a backlash and calls for a probe. The company said that it had accepted Harrigan’s resignation after he admitted to posting the online comments on election night November 8 as the […]
Trump denies transition in disarray
by Catherine Triomphe NEW YORK, United States (AFP) – Donald Trump denied charges Wednesday that his White House transition was in disarray amid reports of a backstabbing purge of mainstream Republican aspirants, as his team said new administration appointments were expected soon. The president-elect remained ensconced in his luxurious Trump Tower headquarters in Manhattan, taking phone calls from foreign leaders and meeting or talking with potential cabinet members, his aides said. Asked whether Trump […]





