Section: The Manila Times (Philippines)
Trump campaign had contact with Russia – NYT
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Members of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign had repeated contacts with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before he won the White House, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Citing “four current and former American officials,” the Times report said that intercepted phone calls and phone records...
White House tries to insulate Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The White House battled Tuesday to insulate Donald Trump from a scandal over his top aide’s contacts with Russia, as it emerged that the president was aware of the problem for weeks before acting. With calls for an independent investigation gathering pace, the White House admitted that Trump was told three weeks ago that...
Russia’s Lavrov to meet US’ Tillerson Thursday: foreign ministry
MOSCOW: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to meet his US counterpart Rex Tillerson for the first time Thursday in Germany, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said Wednesday. “The meeting with Secretary of State Mr Tillerson has been planned and is being prepared” on February 16, when both diplomats will be in Bonn for the G20...
White House tries to insulate Trump from Russia scandal
WASHINGTON: The White House battled Tuesday to insulate Donald Trump from a scandal over his top aide’s contacts with Russia, as it emerged that the president was aware of the problem for weeks before acting. With calls for an independent investigation gathering pace, the White House admitted that Trump was told three weeks ago that...
Top Trump aide Flynn resigns over Russia contacts
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned amid controversy over his contacts with the Russian government, a first stunning departure from the president’s inner circle less than a month after his inauguration. The White House late Monday said Trump had accepted Flynn’s resignation amid...
Trump ‘evaluating’ national security advisor’s position
WASHINGTON: National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s political future was thrown into serious doubt, when the White House said President Donald Trump was “evaluating” the aide’s contacts with the Russian government. At Trump’s behest, press secretary Sean Spicer issued a statement saying that the president was looking into...
UN Security Council to meet on NKorea missile launch
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council will hold an urgent meeting on Monday on North Korea’s missile launch, the first test since US President Donald Trump took office. The United States, Japan and South Korea requested the consultations after North Korea confirmed it had “successfully” tested a ballistic missile on Sunday. The council...
Bilateral talks ramp up as Canada tries to avoid US trade ire
OTTAWA: Canadian officials are reaching out to US counterparts in hopes of heading off possible trade disruptions as President Donald Trump prepares to renegotiate or tear up deals that are key to Canada’s prosperity. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan was the latest on Monday to make the pilgrimage to Washington, where he met with US Secretary...
EU says Ukraine rivals must stick by Minsk accords
BRUSSELS: The EU on Monday insisted all parties must fully implement the Minsk ceasefire accords to restore peace in Ukraine, after US President Donald Trump stoked fresh concerns he could take a softer line on Russia. Trump repeated over the weekend he wanted to work with President Vladimir Putin to fight the Islamic State group, and drew fire...
Trump under fire for saying he respects ‘killer’ Putin
PALM BEACH: President Donald Trump is drawing fire from Republicans and Democrats alike after playing down political assassinations in Russia and Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump — now two weeks into his four-year term — showed no signs of yielding to demands from within his own Republican Party to distance himself from President...
