Malaysian tycoon stresses over Vancouver project with Trump

In this June 19, 2013, file photo, Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up as he poses with Tiah Joo Kim, left, CEO and president of Holborn Group, upon arrival to announce the building of Trump International Hotel and Tower Vancouver in downtown Vancouver, Canada. Malaysian property developer Tiah got way more than he bargained for when he signed a licensing deal to use the Trump brand on the Trump International Hotel and Tower that he is opening on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 in Vancouver.

Pentagon presenting counter-IS plan to White House

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is presenting the White House with a plan to “rapidly defeat” the Islamic State group, a Pentagon spokesman said Monday. The strategy includes significant elements of the approach President Donald Trump inherited, while potentially deepening U.S. military involvement in Syria.

Trump believes North Korea is greatest threat

President Donald Trump believes the “greatest immediate threat” to the US is North Korea and its nuclear program, a senior administration official told reporters Tuesday. Trump has already called on China to take action to rein in North Korea, over which China has considerable influence and leverage, the official said.

Pentagon seeks to expand fight against extremists in Somalia

The Pentagon wants to expand the military’s ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia, potentially putting U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America, senior U.S. officials said. The recommendations sent to the White House would allow U.S special operations forces to increase assistance to the Somali National Army in the struggle against al-Shabab militants in the fragile Horn of Africa nation, the officials said.

Pentagon seeks to expand fight against extremists in Somalia

The Pentagon wants to expand the military’s ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia, potentially putting U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America, senior U.S. officials said. WASHINGTON>> The Pentagon wants to expand the military’s ability to battle al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia, potentially putting U.S. forces closer to the fight against a stubborn extremist group that has plotted attacks against America, senior U.S. officials said.

Donald Trump on a slippery slope over Russiagate cover-up

Washington: There hasn’t been a crash-through-or-crash presidency such as this since Richard Nixon.But while the Nixon administration took more than three years to get to Watergate, it seems that after just weeks in office, Donald Trump is already on the slippery slope. Premier Andrews to tighten MP entitlements Tightening of MP entitlements will be rushed through state cabinet on Monday after the city-based speaker and deputy speaker resigned after claiming cash for living on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Iranian director sends video to message to US rally

In this Oct. 10, 2016 file photo, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi poses for a photo during the premiere of his film, “The Salesman, in Paris. The Oscar-nominated Iranian film director has sent a video message to a rally attended by celebrities and top talent agents to thank the Hollywood community for its support during his boycott of the awards ceremony.

Nigel Farage Says 2016 Was Victory Over Globalists

Nigel Farage, the member of European Parliament and U.K.Independence Party co-founder who assisted Donald Trump in his presidential campaign, called 2016 “the beginning of a global political revolution” that was going to “roll out across the rest of the West” at his CPAC speech this afternoon. Farage addressed Brexit, the British vote to leave the European Union, connecting it to President Trump’s victory, saying the U.K. should “reach out and make our own deals with our real friends,” which he described as countries that “speak English, have common law, and support us in crises.”

Dow Dips After Trump Speech

The Dow was on track to break its 10-day record-setting streak on Friday, as banks weighed and investors turned cautious after recent comments from the Trump administration indicated its pro-growth policies may have a longer path to implementation. Major Wall Street indexes have rallied to record levels since the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, buoyed by promises of tax reforms, reduced regulations and increased infrastructure spending.

10 Things to Know for Today

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus wanted a top FBI official to dispute media reports that President Donald Trump’s campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election campaign, a White House official says. The banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent, considered by some experts to be the nastiest of nerve agents , was used to kill Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler’s outcast half brother who was attacked by two women who rubbed the substance on his face.

10 Things to Know for Today

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus wanted a top FBI official to dispute media reports that President Donald Trump’s campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election campaign, a White House official says. The banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent, considered by some experts to be the nastiest of nerve agents , was used to kill Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler’s outcast half brother who was attacked by two women who rubbed the substance on his face.

China becomes Germany’s most important trading partner

China for the first time became Germany’s most important trading partner in 2016, overtaking the United States, which fell back to third place behind France, data showed on Friday. German imports from and exports to China rose to 170 billion euros last year, Federal Statistics Office figures reviewed by Reuters showed.

Homeland Security chief: No use of military for deportations

Seeking to tamp down growing unease in Latin America, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly pledged Thursday that the United States won’t enlist its military to enforce immigration laws and that there will be “no mass deportations.”   Only hours earlier, President Donald Trump suggested the opposite.

Exclusive – Trump wants to expand U.S. nuclear arsenal, make it ‘top of the pack’: Reuters interview

U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by Reuters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 23, 2017. White House Communications Director and spokesman Sean Spicer stands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the conclusion of an interview with Reuters in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. February 23, 2017.

US envoy Tillerson in Mexico to soothe ties

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson meets with Mexican leaders on Thursday to try to calm a row over President Donald Trump’s trade and immigration policies. Trump has outraged Mexico by vowing to build a wall along the border to keep out migrants, whom he branded rapists and criminals during his presidential campaign.

Analysis: As China ups heat on NKorea, US faces questions

China’s surprising suspension of North Korean coal imports puts pressure not only on Pyongyang, but also on President Donald Trump. The question for him: Should the U.S. respond with new North Korea negotiations? Years of failed efforts to stem North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs have followed a usual pattern.

The plight of those trying to get to America

In the years since the United State invaded Iraq, Laith Hammoudi risked his life to help deliver the truth to millions of readers of this newspaper and others in the McClatchy chain and beyond. And for five years, Hammoudi has been trying to come to this promised land, Sacramento specifically , with his wife and three children.

Trump strikes new tone on anti-Semitism

President Donald Trump offered a forceful condemnation Tuesday of anti-Semitism, but Jewish clergy and lay representatives continued to question the president’s sincerity in combating a wave of incidents that followed Election Day. “I’m certainly glad he’s made a statement,” said Rabbi Scott Shpeen of Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany.

US resumes its provocative actions in sea

Missile destroyers Changsha and Haikou, part of the Chinese Navy’s Nanhai Fleet, fire at simulated enemy destroyers during a counter-attack drill in the South China Sea on Feb 19, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] The USS Carl Vinson Nimitz-class carrier strike group has begun patrolling the South China Sea, proving the speculation over the past few days was true.

UK lawmakers debate downgrading Trump invite for state visit

President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May walk along the colonnades of the White House in Washington, Friday, January 27, 2017. US President Donald Trump should not be afforded the “rare privilege” of a state visit, a British opposition lawmaker said yesterday as Parliament debated a call for Trump’s invitation to be downgraded and stripped of its royal seal of approval.

In First Month, Mar-A-Lago 3, Camp David 0

Dwayne Snurr, a janitor and lifelong resident of this rural, working-class town 60 miles from the White House, was eating chicken wings in a cafe off Main Street last week when he began chewing over a locally important subject: President Donald Trump’s taste in vacations. “I guess he’s got that place down in Florida,” Snurr said, referring to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Palm Beach resort.

Amid protests, UK lawmakers debate downgrading Trump visit

Thousands of protesters against U.S. President Donald Trump rallied outside Britain’s Parliament on Monday, while lawmakers inside urged the government to rescind its offer to the president of a state visit stamped with pomp, pageantry and royal approval. In a passionate debate that’s unlikely to change the British government’s position, Trump was labeled a misogynist, a bigot and a “petulant child” by opposition legislators.

Pence tries to reassure Europeans, anxious over Trump rhetoric, of US support

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence moved Monday to assuage European Union fears about the strength of Washington’s support for the union and its commitment to European security through the NATO military alliance. In meetings in Brussels, Pence said he was acting on behalf of President Donald Trump “to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union.”

EU welcomes Pence assurance of Trump’s support

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence assured the European Union in Brussels on Feb. 20 that the Trump administration will develop their cooperation in trade and security and backs the EU as a partner in its own right. A month after U.S. President Donald Trump caused alarm by renewing his endorsement of Brexit and suggesting others may follow Britain out of the EU, Pence told reporters that he had come to “the home of the European Union” with a message from the president.

US ‘not in Iraq to seize anybody’s oil’: Mattis

The United States is not about to plunder Iraq’s petroleum reserves, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who arrived in Baghdad on Feb. 20, said as he sought to soothe partners rattled by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly said both while campaigning and since his election that America, whose troops occupied Iraq for eight years, should have grabbed Iraqi oil to help fund its war effort and to deprive the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant of a vital revenue source.

Thousands protest as MPs debate Donald Trump’s state visit

In a packed Westminster Hall, MPs were considering Theresa May’s decision to extend the invitation to the US president in a debate being held in response to petitions signed by millions of Britons. Anti-Trump chants were heard from Parliament Square before the debate, and appeared to die down as Labour MP Paul Flynn opened proceedings.

Defense chief Mattis says no plans to seize Iraq’s oil

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday the United States does not intend to seize Iraqi oil, shifting away from an idea proposed by President Donald Trump that has rattled Iraq’s leaders. Mattis’ arrived on an unannounced visit in Iraq as the battle to oust Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants from western Mosul moved into its second day, and as the Pentagon considers ways to accelerate the campaign against the terror group in both countries where it still holds significant territory.

Europeans wonder if Trump will act on Pence’s reassurances

U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence was the latest in a trio of high-ranking Trump emissaries to tell European allies in person that the United States will steadfastly support NATO and demand that Russia honour its commitments to end fighting in Ukraine. Some European leaders, however, remain skeptical of whether Pence and the U.S. secretaries of state and defence actually speak for President Donald Trump.

Report: Israeli leader turned down regional peace initiative

An Israeli newspaper reported Sunday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down a regional peace initiative last year that was brokered by then-American Secretary of State John Kerry , in apparent contradiction to his stated goal of involving regional powers in resolving Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians. Haaretz reported that Netanyahu took part in a secret summit that Kerry organized in the southern Jordanian port city of Aqaba last February and included Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.