Tag: Washington

Washington approves plane, missile sale to S.Korea

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday approved a new arms sale to South Korea worth $2.6 billion, with denuclearization talks stalled between Washington and the North. Six Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft worth $2.1 billion form the bulk of the sale, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. A second contract covers 64 Patriot missiles and support worth $501 million, the agency said. Congress has 15 days to oppose the […]

US states sue Washington over immigrant separation

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Several US states are suing the Trump administration over its “zero tolerance” policy that led to thousands of migrant children being split from their families on the US border with Mexico. Although President Donald Trump reversed course, signing an executive order on Wednesday to end the practice following domestic and international outrage, Washington State on Thursday said it will lead a coalition of states legally challenging “the policy of forced […]

Trump-Kim landmark summit could lead to peace and stability in Asia, says PHL Ambassador to US

https://youtu.be/f7KoMVXBIlM   (Eagle News) – The landmark and historic summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would be good for the stability of Asia, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. Noting that the summit happened on June 12, the same day as the Philippines was commemorating its 120th Philippine Independence Day, Romualdez said that this meeting between the two leaders would “lead […]

Iran nuclear deal on table as UK’s Johnson heads to Washington

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will on Sunday begin a two-day visit to Washington, with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda, the Foreign Office said. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton, and Congressional foreign policy leaders. “On so many of the world’s foreign policy challenges the UK and US are in lockstep,” said Johnson, highlighting the […]

Pompeo, Trump’s pick to be secretary of state, vows diplomatic approach to Iran

by Paul Handley and Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump’s pick to become Washington’s top diplomat pledged Thursday to work with US allies to strengthen the Iran deal and played down fears he is bent on regime change in North Korea. Mike Pompeo, the outgoing director of the Central Intelligence Agency, disavowed his reputation as a “war hawk” and an anti-Muslim hardliner as he sought to woo support […]

Public smiles, private problems as Saudi prince visits White House

by Andrew BEATTY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Saudi Arabia’s crown prince received an effusive welcome at the White House Tuesday from US President Donald Trump, who hailed a “great friendship” with the kingdom — but made no public mention of the sticking points in the burgeoning alliance. In front of the cameras, it was all back-slapping, handshakes, smiles and warm words between Trump and the heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed […]

Trump prepares for visit by Saudi prince who has rocked the kingdom

by Jerome Cartillier Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump will host Saudi Arabia’s crown prince in Washington Tuesday, giving the president a receptive audience to denounce rival Iran and a chance to take stock of significant changes the prince is engineering in the kingdom. Ten months after the last face-to-face meeting between Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in Riyadh, the 71-year-old president and the 32-year-old strongman prince are expected […]

Trump to oust national security adviser HR McMaster: report

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump has decided to sack National Security Advisor HR McMaster, in what would be the latest in a string of high-profile White House departures, The Washington Post reported Thursday. The newspaper said that Trump is discussing potential replacements for McMaster, but is willing to take his time because he wants to avoid humiliating him as well as to have a successor ready. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders […]

Shannon Watts and Dana Loesch, faces of gun control debate

by Sébastien BLANC Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Each time there’s another mass shooting in the United States, Shannon Watts and Dana Loesch take to Twitter on opposite ends of the gun debate. Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, makes the arguments for stricter gun control in a country with 33,000 gun-related deaths a year. Loesch, spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association (NRA) and a conservative radio host, lays out […]

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 […]

US Congress gridlocked as budget, immigration deadlines loom

by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Bitterly divided US lawmakers return this week to face a shrinking window for reaching deals on immigration, federal spending and the debt, as Republican infighting swirls and President Donald Trump complains he is getting zero cooperation from Democrats. Trump vowed during his State of the Union address last week to “extend an open hand” to both parties in pursuing an immigration deal that shields […]