Tag: United States

Obama says Trump fraud claim ‘undermines our democracy’

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — President Barack Obama eviscerated would-be successor Donald Trump for claims that the 2016 election is rigged, calling the suggestion “dangerous” and corrosive for democracy. “When you try to sow the seeds of doubt in people’s minds about the legitimacy of our election, that undermines our democracy,” Obama said, urging a “big” win for Hillary Clinton so as to “leave no doubt” about the result. “When you suggest rigging or fraud […]

Philippines’ Duterte, in China, announces ‘separation’ from US

  BEIJING, China | AFP | — Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte declared his “separation” from longstanding ally the United States in Beijing on Thursday, as he rebalances his country’s diplomacy towards China. Duterte is in China for a four-day trip seen as confirming his tilt away from Washington and towards Beijing’s sphere of influence — and its deep pockets. “I announce my separation from the United States,” he said to applause at a meeting in […]

Fury at debate as Trump refuses pledge to respect a Clinton win

  by Michael Mathes / with Dave Clark in Washington LAS VEGAS, United States | AFP | — Turning his final presidential debate appearance into an unprecedented assault on US political convention, Donald Trump refused Wednesday to say that he would respect a Hillary Clinton victory in November. As the last head-to-head encounter of the toxic 2016 campaign descended into mud-slinging, the Republican mogul doubled down on claims that his Democratic rival’s supporters plan to […]

US, S.Korea detect another failed N. Korea missile test

by Hwang Sung-Hee SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea on Thursday conducted what appeared to be its second failed test in a week of a powerful medium-range missile that experts warn could be operationally deployed as early as next year. South Korean and US military monitors said the missile — believed to be an intermediate-range Musudan — exploded shortly after take-off at around 6:30 am Pyongyang time (2200 GMT Wednesday). The attempted launch came […]

Clinton: Trump is ‘most dangerous’ White House candidate

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Hillary Clinton on Wednesday accused Donald Trump of being the most dangerous White House candidate in modern history, ending a sharp debate exchange about their fitness to serve as president. After Trump used statements by Clinton’s primary rival Bernie Sanders and Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta against her, she retorted: “You should ask Bernie Sanders who he is supporting. He said you are the most dangerous person to run […]

Trump refuses to say he will respect election result

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump doubled down on controversial claims that the US election is rigged during a presidential debate Wednesday, refusing to say he will respect the result. “I’ll look at it at the time,” Trump said. “What I’ve seen is so bad.” An angry Clinton responded with incredulity to the highly controversial charge that questions the very health of US democracy. “Let’s be clear about what he’s […]

Trump denies groping claims, accuses Clinton of manufacturing them

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump on Wednesday denied allegations that he has groped several women, saying at his last presidential debate with Hillary Clinton that the charges were drummed up by her campaign. “I believe,” Trump said, “she got these people to step forward,” accusing Clinton of running a “very sleazy campaign” and adding of the claims aired by several women dating back decades: “It was all fiction.” © 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

Clinton says Trump deportation plan would ‘rip country apart’

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Hillary Clinton said Donald Trump’s plan for forcible deportations of millions of illegal migrants would rip families and the country apart, in the final 2016 presidential debate Wednesday. “I don’t want to see the deportation force that Donald has talked about,” Clinton said. “I think it is an idea that would rip our country apart.” Trump defended his plans, saying there are some “bad hombres” in the country who […]

No handshake as last Trump-Clinton White House debate begins

  LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump began the third and final debate of the 2016 US presidential campaign Wednesday, with the stakes high for the Republican challenger, who has faltered in the polls. The Democratic and Republican nominees took the stage in Las Vegas without shaking hands for a 90-minute televised clash before tens of millions of viewers, with just 20 days to go before Americans vote on November […]

Asian markets climb on US rate hopes

  HONG KONG, China | AFP | — Asian markets climbed Tuesday as mixed readings on the US economy and comments from a top Federal Reserve official raised expectations that US interest rate rises would be gradual. The gains came despite a negative lead from New York and Europe where traders are awaiting key events this week, including Chinese growth data, the last presidential debate and a European Central Bank policy meeting. A below-par reading […]

Melania Trump shrugs off husband’s way with women

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Despite a flurry of sexual assault accusations against Donald Trump and recordings of him boasting that he uses his fame to grope and kiss women, Melania Trump on Monday shrugged off her husband’s “boy talk” in an interview with CNN. Just as her billionaire husband has, the Slovenian-born ex-model slammed the media for unfair treatment of the Republican White House nominee who has recently lost ground in the polls to […]

Trump attacks, Clinton lies low as last debate nears

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump fired off an erratic new broadside at Hillary Clinton on Sunday, making more explosive claims that American media and a conspiracy to commit voter fraud are rigging the presidential election against him. Amid the latest Twitter blasts from the Republican White House nominee, his running mate Mike Pence sought to lower tensions by insisting his camp would accept defeat if that’s what voters decide on November 8. Two […]