Section: Philippines
Trump thanks Putin for expelling US embassy staff
BEDMINSTER: President Donald Trump on Thursday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for ordering the US embassy in Moscow to slash its staff — boasting that this would cut payroll costs. Last month, the Kremlin demanded that Washington reduce its diplomatic footprint in Russia by 755 employees — both US diplomats and local staff — and close...
Indonesia to barter palm oil, coffee for Russian fighter jets
JAKARTA: Indonesia said Tuesday it would trade palm oil, coffee and tea for Russian fighter jets, saying it wanted to capitalize on international sanctions on Moscow as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was due to arrive for a visit. Indonesia and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange 11 Russian-made Sukhoi fighters for key...
Angry Trump says Russia ties at ‘very dangerous low’
WASHINGTON, D.C: US President Donald Trump claimed relations with Russia had hit an all-time and “very dangerous” low Thursday, putting the blame on Congress after he reluctantly approved sanctions against Moscow. After Moscow called the sanctions a declaration of “economic war” that had exposed the US president’s weakness, an angry Trump...
US to cut 755 US diplomatic staff in Russia, says Putin
MOSCOW: 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 raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be...
US Senate passes Russia sanctions, sends bill to Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure. The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are...
Oxford study finds Duterte camp spending $200,000 for social media trolls
A study by a British institution found that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s camp has spent $200,000, or around P10 million, to hire social media “trolls” to shape public opinion and target anyone who opposes the president’s way of running the country. The study published by Oxford University looked into how different political...
US House slaps sanctions on Russia, Iran, NKorea
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to impose tough new sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia, a move that will antagonize the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing economic ramifications. The measure notably constrains President Donald Trump’s ability to waive the...
Trump, without evidence, cites Ukraine ties to ex-rival Clinton
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted the investigation into alleged Russian meddling in last year’s US election and raised questions, without offering evidence, about Ukrainian support for his Democratic presidential rival. …read more Source: GMA News...
US Congress to vote on Russia sanctions
WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Congress is poised to approve tough new sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea this week after reaching a compromise deal, which the White House indicated Sunday (Monday in Manila) it could support. In mid-June, the Senate overwhelmingly passed tough sanctions on Moscow and Tehran, but the text stalled in the House of...
U.S. fines Exxon $2 million over Ukraine-related sanctions breaches
WASHINGTON, DC, USA – The United States on Thursday hit oil giant ExxonMobil with a $2 million fine for violating Ukraine-related sanctions at a time when Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was still in charge of the company. The Treasury Department said Exxon had business dealings with Igor Sechin, president … …read more Source:...
