The United States said Wednesday it was imposing new sanctions on Russia over Moscow’s involvement in the use of a “lethal” nerve agent in the attempted killing of a former spy in Britain. The State Department said the sanctions were in response to “the use of a ‘Novichok’ nerve agent …
Read More »Masonry Layout
Trump to receive Kim letter as nuclear summit takes shape
NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump was to receive a letter from his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un on Friday, a much-anticipated moment as preparations for a historic nuclear summit gain pace. Kim’s right-hand man, Kim Yong Chol, was due in the US capital a day after talks in …
Read More »Trump hits China with $60 billion in tariffs
President Trump socked China with up to $60 billion in proposed trade tariffs, investment restrictions and plans for a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization, drawing immediate threats of retaliation from Beijing and sending the stock market into an epic nosedive Thursday over fears that the globe’s two biggest …
Read More »All sides claim victory on spending bill; no one seems to agree on what’s in it
Democratic leaders looked at the new spending bill Thursday and crowed, saying they managed to block nearly all of President Trump’s immigration plans. Conservatives agreed, saying the bill betrayed the president’s border security promises. But the White House insists the bill is actually a major win for Mr. Trump on …
Read More »China threatens US with tariffs, says ‘not afraid of trade war’
WASHINGTON: China warned the United States on Friday that it was “not afraid of a trade war” as it threatened tariffs on $3 billion worth of US goods in retaliation over President Donald Trump’s moves against Chinese imports. Beijing unveiled a hit list of products that could face duties of …
Read More »No plan for boots on the ground in Pakistan: Pentagon
WASHINGTON: The United States has ruled out any plan to cross the international border in chasing the Taliban or any other terrorist group who flee Afghanistan. “To be clear, US military authorities are within the borders of Afghanistan only. We have no authority to go into Pakistan. If there is …
Read More »Pakistan needed to do ‘a lot more’
WASHINGTON: The United States emphasised on Wednesday that while Pakistan was headed in the right direction, ‘a lot more needs to be done’ with regard to wiping out terrorism from South Asia. Addressing a weekly press briefing, Heather Nauert, the spokesperson for the US State Department, said, “We’ve certainly seen …
Read More »White House senior aide to resign following abuse charges
WASHINGTON: White House staff secretary Rob Porter said on Wednesday he would resign following accusations of domestic abuse from two former wives. He did not say when his resignation would be effective. Porter, a senior adviser who is in charge of much of the documentation that goes to President Donald …
Read More »US advancing towards first Guantanamo repatriation under Trump
The United States is advancing toward the first transfer of a prisoner from the Guantanamo Bay detention center under US President Donald Trump, the US military told Reuters on Monday, a move that would repatriate the detainee to Saudi Arabia. The transfer of 43-year-old Ahmed Muhammed Haza al-Darbi appeared to …
Read More »Public smiles, private problems as Saudi prince visits White House
WASHINGTON – 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 …
Read More »