Tag: Washington

Trump, Republicans release memo targeting FBI’s Russia probe

by Paul HANDLEY / Andrew BEATTY Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Donald Trump and his Republican allies unleashed a controversial memo accusing the FBI of bias and abuse of power Friday, intensifying a high-stakes fight between the White House and prosecutors investigating the president’s campaign team. Trump defied his own FBI director and the Justice Department to declassify the four-page Republican document, which implies malfeasance and partisanship at the very top of American law enforcement. […]

Continue Reading →

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. […]

Continue Reading →

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 […]

Continue Reading →

American ‘Islamic State fighter’ case challenges Trump

by Paul Handley Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The first and only US citizen caught on the battlefield allegedly fighting for the Islamic State is in a legal limbo, held in Iraq without rights as Washington grapples with his fate. Identified in court papers as “John Doe,” the man has been held for nearly five months, the military allowing him access to legal advice only after being forced to do so by a federal judge […]

Continue Reading →

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 […]

Continue Reading →

Trump to tout ‘one American family’ in State of the Union address

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump will make a pitch for national unity in his maiden State of the Union address Tuesday, calling for “one team, one people, and one American family” to work together. Delivering his biggest speech of the year before a joint session of Congress, this most polarizing of presidents was to declare a “new American moment,” according to excerpts of his speech […]

Continue Reading →

US trade commission blocks 300% tariffs on Bombardier CSeries planes

by Douglas Gillison Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – A bipartisan US trade panel on Friday blocked the government’s decision to impose nearly 300 percent punitive tariffs on airplanes manufactured by Canada’s Bombardier, in a dispute that has inflamed relations with Ottawa. The US International Trade Commission voted 4-0 that there was no injury to US manufacturers, which effectively forces President Donald Trump’s Commerce Department to reverse course on the retaliatory measures designed to protect Boeing. […]

Continue Reading →

Tammy Duckworth: US warrior-lawmaker to break ground as Senate mom

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Trailblazing US Senator Tammy Duckworth made history multiple times as warrior and politician, including being the first female amputee elected to Congress and is now set to become the first senator to give birth while in office. Only nine other women in US history have given birth while serving in Congress. All of them were members of the House of Representatives. “Well, it’s about damn time” in the Senate, Duckworth, a […]

Continue Reading →

White House to release immigration ‘framework’ Monday

by Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The White House will release a “legislative framework” for immigration reform on Monday that is acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. The immigration issue is a source of bitter partisan tension in Washington, and was the primary cause of a three-day federal government shutdown that saw employees who were deemed non-essential furloughed without pay. “After decades of inaction by Congress, it’s time […]

Continue Reading →

US condemns arrests of AFP reporter, others at Sudan demo

by Dave Clark Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The United States condemned Sudan’s arbitrary detention of journalists Friday after an AFP reporter and two colleagues were arrested covering a street protest. Abdelmoneim Abu Idris Ali of Agence France-Presse and at least two more journalists were taken away by authorities on Wednesday as they reported on a demonstration against rising food prices. They have not been allowed contact with their families or employers and authorities say […]

Continue Reading →

What actually closes in a US government shutdown?

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Hundreds of thousands of US government defense workers, park rangers and business regulators could be temporarily out of work if Congress fails to pass a budget before a midnight Friday deadline. But the looming government shutdown due to lack of funding — which would be the second in five years — does not mean every office closes its doors. Vital services will still be provided by law enforcement, immigration officers, the central […]

Continue Reading →

‘Progress’ but no deal yet to avoid US govt shutdown

by Jim MANNION Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – President Donald Trump and the Senate’s top Democrat on Friday both touted “progress” in 11th hour talks on breaking an impasse over spending, raising hopes that a US government shutdown could be averted. With a midnight deadline looming to reach a short-term deal to keep the federal government running at full capacity, both Trump and Senator Chuck Schumer struck an optimistic tone. “Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval,” […]

Continue Reading →
1 2 3 4 5 6 … 12