Section: National Newswatch (Canada)
UK leader May not miffed by missing EU leaders’ dinner
BRUSSELS — British Prime Minister Theresa May is brushing aside concerns that she might be angered that European Union leaders are meeting without her to discuss Europe’s future. May said as she arrived at EU headquarters Thursday that Britain will trigger its exit from the bloc in March and that “it’s right that the other...
Trump’s State pick comes from “Exxon system” not Washington
WASHINGTON — As Republicans in Washington bashed President Barack Obama’s efforts to secure an Iran nuclear deal last year, Exxon Mobil was watching. The oil giant’s European competitors were preparing to enter Iran’s oil business — something the company legally could not do with American sanctions still in place stemming from...
Trump invites Senate clash with Tillerson State nomination
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump is inviting a clash in the narrowly divided Senate by choosing Rex Tillerson for secretary of State in the face of well-publicized concerns from several GOP senators over the oil executive’s ties to Russia. The likely confirmation fight could be an early test of Trump’s sway over Congress, and demonstrate how...
Trudeau, Merkel affirm support for Canada-EU trade deal as Parliament votes
OTTAWA — The chair of the House of Commons trade committee says he hopes Parliament can ratify the Canada-EU free trade deal this week before rising for the holiday break. On Wednesday, the committee is set to begin clause-by-clause consideration of the bill that would implement the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, said...
Quebec feminist author found not guilty of slandering Muslim school in Montreal
MONTREAL — A prominent secular feminist did not slander a Muslim school when she compared it to military training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a judge ruled Tuesday. Rather, Djemila Benhabib, an author known for her outspoken criticism of Islam, was exercising her freedom of speech on a subject of public interest, Superior Court Justice...
Top GOP leaders back congressional probes of Russia hacking
WASHINGTON — Congress’ top Republicans on Monday endorsed investigations into the CIA’s belief that Russia meddled in last month’s election to help Donald Trump win, suggesting potential battles ahead with the incoming commander in chief over Moscow and U.S. intelligence. Meanwhile, Trump said he would announce his choice for...
Why Canada should embrace a more realist foreign policy
This is Part I of a three-part series on Canadian foreign policy. With a summit on Arctic affairs having taken place in Ottawa last month between Canada and Russia, it has been pointed out that, unlike that of its predecessor after the annexation of Crimea, the Trudeau government’s approach is to cooperate with Moscow in those areas where...
Top GOP leader: Senate to probe reports of Russia hacking
NEW YORK — The top Senate Republican said Monday that Congress will investigate a CIA assessment that Russia interfered in the November election on behalf of Donald Trump, an intelligence conclusion that the incoming commander in chief has called “ridiculous.” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters that an inquiry would be...
Amnesty International campaign takes aim at first Canadian project with Site C
VANCOUVER — An annual Amnesty International human-rights campaign is taking aim at a Canadian project for the first time — the Site C dam. The $8.8-billion hydroelectric dam project in northeast British Columbia was one of 10 global issues targeted by the Write for Rights campaign on Saturday. The campaign involves events held across the world...
Russia threatens retaliation over latest round of Canadian sanctions
Canada has quietly imposed additional sanctions on Russian nationals over the annexation of Crimea and Moscow’s ongoing support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The new measures, including asset-freezing and a prohibition on business dealings, were passed by the Liberal cabinet on Nov. 28 and released, without much fanfare compared with...
