LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain on Wednesday insisted its close partnership with the United States was in safe hands whoever comes out on top of the tumultuous presidential election, while noting disaccord over the Paris climate pact. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a populist ally of President Donald Trump, stayed up into the night to follow the results coming in, according to a Downing Street spokesman. But Johnson refused to be drawn in parliament when […]
Tag: President Donald Trump
Despite virus outbreaks, US meat plants told to stay open
by Juliette MICHEL Agence France-Presse Video report by Eagle News International NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US slaughterhouses are being forced to stay open on government orders despite deadly coronavirus outbreaks among workers, as authorities move to ensure supermarkets are fully stocked with meat. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Tuesday under the Defense Production Act, a law designed for use in wartime to divert private business for defense and security needs. Several […]
Trump warns US headed for ‘very, very painful two weeks’
Washington, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned of a “very painful” two weeks as the United States wrestles with a coronavirus surge that the White House warns could kill as many as 240,000 Americans. “This is going to be a very painful, a very, very painful two weeks,” Trump told a press conference at the White House. Trump described the pandemic as “a plague.” “I want every American to be prepared […]
Trillion-dollar US economic rescue package crashes in Senate
WASHINGTON DC, United States (AFP) — A trillion-dollar Senate proposal to rescue the reeling US economy crashed to defeat Sunday after receiving zero support from Democrats, and with five Republicans absent from the chamber because of virus-related quarantines. Democrats said the Republican proposal failed to sufficiently protect millions of American workers during the coronavirus crisis. The bill, which proposed up to $2 trillion in funding for American families, thousands of shuttered or suffering businesses and the […]
Fed to hold fire despite White House call for rate cut
by Douglas Gillison Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The Federal Reserve is poised to hold its fire this week, leaving benchmark US interest rates untouched as central bankers await firm indications of where the world’s largest economy is headed. But as policymakers gather for their third meeting of the year on Tuesday, is still hammering the Fed, demanding they lower interest rates. He also made plans to fill Fed vacancies with political loyalists to […]
Iran warns US it would regret quitting nuclear deal
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP)– Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that if the United States quits the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers then Washington would regret it “like never before”. US President Donald Trump has threatened to abandon the agreement when it comes up for renewal on May 12, demanding his country’s European allies “fix the terrible flaws” or he will re-impose sanctions. “If the United States leaves the nuclear agreement, you will […]
US Senate leaders reach budget deal on eve of shutdown deadline
by Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – US Senate leaders said Wednesday they had reached a bipartisan budget deal for 2018 and 2019 — a move which, if approved by Congress, would avert a second government shutdown in just three weeks. The deal, months in the making, was seen as a major achievement for both the ruling Republicans and opposition Democrats in a deeply divided Washington. The breakthrough came on the eve of a […]
Planning under way for Trump’s military parade: Dunford
BANGKOK, Thailand ( AFP) – The US military’s top officer said Wednesday that planning is underway after President Donald Trump ordered a military parade, an unconventional demand that has drawn comparisons to sabre rattling more commonly associated with autocrats. “I am aware of the president’s request and we are in the initial planning stages to meet the president’s direction,” General Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters during a visit to the Thai capital […]
Outgoing Fed chief Yellen says no Wall Street ‘bubble’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Outgoing Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen said Friday she did not believe the major gains on Wall Street in recent months qualified as a “bubble,” but nevertheless warned investors to remain cautious. Yellen, who leaves her post on Saturday and will be replaced on Monday by Jerome Powell, made the comments in an interview with PBS television before the Dow closed down more than 650 points, its biggest drop since June 2016. […]
Christopher Wray, ‘low key’ FBI director in eye of the storm
by Chris Lefkow Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Christopher Wray, President Donald Trump’s hand-picked FBI director, told senators during his confirmation hearing not to be put off by his soft-spoken manner. “No one should mistake my low-key demeanor as a lack of resolve,” Wray told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Anybody who thinks that I would be pulling punches as the FBI director sure doesn’t know me very well.” Just six months into the job, the […]
Deutsche Bank shares slump as US tax reforms sap 2017 result
by Tom Barfield Agence France-Presse FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany (AFP) – Shares in Germany’s biggest lender Deutsche Bank plunged on Friday after it said that President Donald Trump’s tax reforms in the US pushed it into the red in 2017. Deutsche Bank shares fell more than five percent to around 14 euros ($17.5) at the start of trade on Friday, pulling the overall market down by around 0.5 percent. Earlier, the Frankfurt-based bank had said that its […]
White House seeking to slash renewable energy research: report
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The Trump administration will ask Congress to cut funding for clean energy and energy efficiency programs by 72 percent in this year’s budget, according to a report in the Washington Post, underscoring its preference for fossil fuels. The Post said it had obtained draft documents that outlined the administration’s starting point for negotiations for the 2018 budget, set to be unveiled in February. Congress, which is ultimately tasked with deciding appropriations, could […]





