Section: National Newswatch (Canada)
Before presidential run, Trump called Russia the ‘biggest problem’ and geopolitical foe of U.S.
In a series of interviews in March of 2014, Donald Trump singled out Russia as the United States’ “biggest problem” and greatest geopolitical foe. Trump’s comments more than two years ago, which came in the wake of Russian incursions into Crimea, offer a sharp contrast to the Russia-friendly rhetoric he has employed since launching...
The Monday news briefing: An at-a-glance survey of some top stories
Highlights from the news file for Monday, Jan. 16 ——— ETHICS WATCHDOG LOOKING INTO TRUDEAU VACATION: Canada’s ethics watchdog plans to take a closer look at Justin Trudeau’s recent family holiday at the Aga Khan’s private island in the Bahamas, fanning the flames of a controversy the government has so far been unable to snuff...
NATO without U.S. means Canada will have to do more, says committee chair
The head of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee says Canada will have to contribute more to NATO if the U.S. follows through on president-elect Donald Trump’s musings on withdrawing from the alliance. Liberal MP Bob Nault cautions that Canada and its NATO partners need to see how U.S. foreign policy formally takes shape after...
The Latest: Media commentator Crowley not joining Trump team
NEW YORK — The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST): 12:50 p.m. Conservative media commentator Monica Crowley will not be joining the Trump administration following accusations of plagiarism. That’s according to a transition official. Crowley had been slated to join Trump’s National Security Council as a director of...
Muted reaction in Russia to Trump’s talk of nuclear arms cut
MOSCOW — Suggestions by President-elect Donald Trump that sanctions against Russia could be lifted in exchange for a nuclear arms cut attracted a frosty reception in Moscow on Monday. In an interview with the Times of London published on Sunday, Trump indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation...
Inauguration in sight, Trump continues Twitter assault
NEW YORK — His inauguration days away, President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to lash out at critics in the intelligence community and Democrats in Congress who are vowing to skip his swearing-in ceremony. The tough-talking Republican questioned whether the CIA director himself was “the leaker of fake news” in a Sunday night...
Trump: Brexit ‘a great thing,’ EU to continue to break apart
NEW YORK — Wading into foreign affairs days before his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump said England’s decision to leave the European Union would “end up being a great thing” and predicted the bloc would continue to break apart. The incoming president, in an interview published Sunday, said European countries are...
Ukraine seeks ‘clarity’ from Canada on continuation of military mission
OTTAWA — Ukraine’s envoy says his country is growing concerned about whether Canada will continue its future military support to his country to help it deter Russian aggression. Canada has deployed 200 troops to Ukraine in a non-combat mission working with Ukrainian troops on marksmanship, communication, survival and ethics training. The...
Kremlin counts days to Trump’s inauguration, blasts Obama
MOSCOW — Exulted by Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S., the Kremlin is counting the days to his inauguration and venting its anger at Barack Obama’s outgoing administration, no holds barred. Careful not to hurt chances for a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have deferred questions...
Russia-US ties hard to mend, interests differ sharply
MOSCOW — The Kremlin hopes that Donald Trump will move to improve badly strained Russia-U.S. ties once he takes office. Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest point since the Cold War amid the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and other issues. It would be challenging to reach common ground on some issues even if Trump and...
