Tag: President Donald Trump

UN rights chief refuses to ‘bend knee’ after US clash, won’t seek second term

by Carole Landry Agence France-Presse UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – The United Nations’ top human rights official, a sharp critic of US President Donald Trump, declared Wednesday, December 20, that he will not tone down his message to seek re-election in his post. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told staff in an email he would not bargain away his agency’s integrity when his job comes up for renewal in August. […]

Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

by Mike Smith with Andrew Beatty in Washington Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM, Israel (AFP) — President Donald Trump will recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Wednesday, upending decades of careful US policy and ignoring dire warnings of a historic misstep that could trigger a surge of violence in the Middle East. A senior administration official said Trump would make the announcement — ignoring frantic warnings from US allies in the region and around the world — at […]

US’ Trump tells Americans PHL President extends his gratitude for their help in Marawi

  (Eagle News) — United States President Donald Trump made a report of his accomplishments during his almost-two week tour in Asia from the White House on Thursday (Manila time), and specifically mentioned the Philippine president, this year’s chair of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Summit in Manila which Trump also attended. But instead of saying it was President Rodrigo Duterte who extended his gratitude to the Americans, Trump said it was “President Duarte […]

US President Trump says Philippines vital for military reasons

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday strong US ties with the Philippines were vital for military reasons. The US president said he had repaired relations with the Philippines, which soured last year during the administration of former president Barack Obama. Duterte blasted Obama for intervening in Philippine affairs when he criticized the Philippine president’s drug war. “The (Philippines’) relationship with the past administration was horrible, to use a nice word.  I would say horrible is […]

Roque: Rapport between President Duterte, US President Trump “very good”; trade, drug war, terrorism discussed during bilateral talks

(Eagle News) —  Rapport between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States President Donald Trump was “very good” with the relationship between the two countries appearing “very warm, very friendly” and “very candid” at the same time during bilateral talks on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. According to Roque, such was the “friendly” relationship between Duterte and Trump the US President at one point asked his Philippine counterpart to sing prior to the talks. “It […]

At least 6 policemen, 10 protesters injured in rally held in time for ASEAN Summit

(Eagle News) — Protesters shouting anti-Donald Trump slogans on the sidelines of a major summit in Manila  forced themselves against  police barriers aimed at preventing them from getting near the venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Other Related Meetings, resulting in injuries to  at least six policemen and 10 protesters. National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde said the protesters who incited the incident will face the necessary charges, noting […]

The Trump A to Z, from America First to ‘Zero’

by Daniel WOOLLS Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – This is a look at President Donald Trump’s first year in office, from A to Z: AMERICA FIRST: Trump’s most sacred mantra. BAN: As in travel. With the stated goal of keeping out terrorists, Trump decreed successive bans — always challenged in court — on arrivals of people from half a dozen mainly Muslim countries. CLIMATE CHANGE: Trump shocked the world by pulling the United States out […]

N. Korea slams ‘incurably mentally deranged’ Trump

SEOUL, South Korea (Agence France Presse) — North Korea slammed US President Donald Trump as “incurably mentally deranged” in a personal diatribe ahead of his first visit to Asia as head of state, amid high tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions. Trump and the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un have traded threats of war and personal insults against each other in recent months, heightening worries about a potential conflict on the divided Korean peninsula. Trump has warned […]

Trump tries to quell Republican revolt

by Andrew Beatty Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – President Donald Trump hit back at critics within his own party Wednesday, painting them as outliers in what is otherwise a “love fest” between him and Republican lawmakers. A day after Republican senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker described Trump as having a “flagrant disregard” for truth and decency and of “debasing” the nation, the combative president shot back. Trying to forestall a broader party backlash, Trump […]

Trump congratulates Xi after Chinese leader tightens grip on power

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – President Donald Trump congratulated Xi Jinping on Wednesday, after the Chinese leader solidified his grip on power at a landmark Communist Party Congress. “Spoke to President Xi of China to congratulate him on his extraordinary elevation. Also discussed NoKo & trade, two very important subjects!” Trump tweeted after the call. The phone call came as Xi was formally handed a second term in power and his doctrine was written into the party […]

Pentagon looks at stepped-up Africa role to counter IS

by Sylvie Lanteaume Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The United States is considering a stepped-up military presence in Africa to pursue Islamic State group jihadists looking for new havens after the fall of their “caliphate,” American officials say. After IS lost its de facto capital Raqa in Syria this month, and its Iraqi stronghold of Mosul earlier, the group “has aspirations to establish a larger presence” in Africa, the US military’s top officer General Joseph […]

Trump order allows Air Force to tackle pilot shortage

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing the Air Force to bring up to 1,000 pilots back to active duty as it grapples with an aviator shortage, the Pentagon said Friday. The Air Force has complained for years that it is struggling to retain pilots, who are often lured away by better-paying commercial airlines. Additionally, pilots often choose to leave the military due to the strains of extended deployments overseas. […]