United States

Saturday, May 11th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
US imposes more sanctions on Venezuelan defense and security services

The Trump administration on Friday expanded the scope of its Venezuela sanctions to the defense and security services sectors to try to crank up economic pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Saturday, May 11th 2019 - 08:48 UTC
China says three issues lie in the way of a trade agreement with the US

Three issues lie in the way of an agreement between China and the United States, which will have to be ironed out in upcoming talks in Beijing, said China’s chief trade negotiator as the US moved to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Trump admits receiving a “beautiful letter” from Chinese president Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had received a “beautiful letter” from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as negotiations on a trade deal between the two countries continue in Washington.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:53 UTC
Mike Zuckerberg has become far too powerful, Facebook has to be broken up, says the social media co-founder

One of the co-founders of Facebook called on Thursday for the social media behemoth to be broken up, warning that the company's head, Mark Zuckerberg, had become far too powerful.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 09:51 UTC
Trump called Trudeau and offers support for Canadians sentenced to death in China

US President Donald Trump spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday and offered his support for Canadian citizens detained in China, the White House said. Four Canadians have been detained in China, two of whom have been sentenced to death over drug smuggling accusations.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:56 UTC
The US seizes North Korean cargo ship accusing it of violating UN sanctions

The United States says it has seized a North Korean cargo ship, accusing it of violating international sanctions. The justice department said the ship was used to transport coal, North Korea largest export but subject to a UN export ban. The vessel was initially impounded in Indonesia in April 2018.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:44 UTC
Bolsonaro will finally be honored at a foreign affairs event in Texas on 16 May

Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro will speak at a foreign affairs event in Texas next week, organizers said, after he cancelled a heavily criticized visit to New York City.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:34 UTC
Pompeo threatens Teheran with “swift and decisive” response to any attack by Iran

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday threatened a “swift and decisive” US response to any attack by Iran, in the latest of a series of escalating statements and actions.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 08:30 UTC
Breaking tradition Trump plans to nominate an ex Pentagon supplier as defense secretary

President Donald Trump plans to nominate Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing Co executive, as his defense secretary, the White House said on Thursday, breaking with tradition by choosing someone who made a career at a top defense company as Pentagon chief.
Friday, May 10th 2019 - 06:00 UTC
US/China conclude first of two days of talks; Trump's tariff hike anticipated

Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.