Washington, United States | AFP | The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI on Tuesday, three months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor James Comey. The high-flying criminal lawyer was an uncontroversial choice for the post, winning widespread bipartisan backing after telling …
Read More »US to cut 755 US diplomatic staff in Russia, says Putin
Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to …
Read More »Trump replaces chief of staff Priebus with general Kelly
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Friday ousted his beleaguered chief of staff Reince Priebus, replacing him with retired Marine Corps general and current Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. Priebus has been under fire for weeks, seeing one White House ally after another resign or …
Read More »IMF urges US to ‘protect’ gains won under Obamacare
Washington, United States | AFP | The International Monetary Fund on Thursday waded into the US health care debate, urging the Trump administration to “protect” gains achieved under President Barack Obama. As the US Senate continues the heated debate over repealing the Affordable Care Act implemented under Trump’s predecessor, the IMF …
Read More »Under pressure, Trump turns attention back to Clinton
Washington, United States | AFP | Two chants emerged as hallmarks of Donald Trump’s campaign rallies as he made his improbable run for the White House. One was “Build the wall!” and the other was “Lock her up!” The plan for a wall on the border with Mexico has been …
Read More »OBAMACARE: Double blow convulses Republican bid to reform US health care
Washington, United States | AFP | US Senate Republicans suffered a second stinging setback in as many days Wednesday in their efforts to uproot Obamacare, when a plan to repeal the health care law — with no replacement at the ready — failed to advance in the chamber. The washout …
Read More »Now, Trump says transgender people barred from US military
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that transgender people may not serve “in any capacity” in the US military, citing the “tremendous medical costs and disruption” their presence would cause. In late June, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis delayed for six months a plan put in …
Read More »Trump attacks US attorney general as weak on Clinton emails
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump attacked Attorney General Jeff Sessions again on Tuesday, calling him “VERY weak” in pursuing intelligence leaks and failure to go after former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton over her emails. Trump’s latest Twitter salvo followed a report in the Washington …
Read More »Sean Spicer: Republican veteran, but never a Trump insider
White House press secretary Sean Spicer resigns Washington, United States | AFP | Sean Spicer, who resigned Friday after a stormy six months as White House press secretary, was tapped to be Donald Trump’s spokesman even though he was not a member of the president’s inner circle. Spicer, 45, became …
Read More »US praises Sudan counter-terror efforts
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States on Thursday praised Sudan’s efforts in fighting terrorism ahead of a decision expected in October on whether to lift decades-old sanctions on Khartoum. “The United States notes Sudan’s improved counterterrorism efforts through enhanced interagency and international cooperation to address the threat …
Read More »