US President Donald Trump faced mounting concern from fellow Republicans Tuesday over their party’s plan to replace Obamacare, with conservatives warning the bill was too similar to existing controversial health care law. Several far-right lawmakers said the Republican plan abandons conservative fiscal principles by maintaining government subsidies of the Affordable Care Act, but under the … Read more
Russia on Tuesday said the Disney film “Beauty and the Beast” will be released with an adults only rating after an ultra-conservative lawmaker sought its ban over a “gay moment.” A spokesman for the culture ministry said the “film is coming out with a 16+ age certificate,” RIA Novosti news agency reported. The film’s director … Read more
Iraqi forces say they have retaken the main government offices in Mosul as the offensive continues to oust the so-called Islamic State (IS) group. The advance could pave the way for an attack on the heavily-populated old city, where the militants are still entrenched. Thousands of civilians are streaming out of the city every day. … Read more
Donald Trump is to sign a new executive order on immigration later on Monday, his aide Kellyanne Conway has said. A revised order has been expected from the White House since the earlier ban was blocked by a federal court. The previous order suspended the entire US refugee resettlement programme and blocked citizens of seven … Read more
The US Defense Department is investigating allegations that Marines distributed nude pictures of female service personnel taken without their knowledge, officials said Monday. The explicit photos, shared on a secret Facebook page which has since been taken down, reportedly showed female Marines and other women in various states of undress. Posts on the website, called … Read more
US President Donald Trump is to sign a revised executive order on immigration Monday, after his first version was blocked by federal courts, senior White House aide Kellyanne Conway said. Conway told Fox News that the order would take effect on March 16. The first version temporarily closed US borders to all refugees and citizens … Read more
A former British army officer has been shot dead in Kenya, police in the country have said. Tristan Voorspuy was killed by pastoral herders on Sunday in Laikipia while inspecting some of his lodges, a local police official told Associated Press. It follows a pattern of traditional herdsmen invading ranches in the area to seize … Read more
The White House budget director confirmed Saturday that the Trump administration will propose “fairly dramatic reductions” in the U. S. foreign aid budget later this month. Reuters and other news outlets reported earlier this week that the administration plans to propose to Congress cuts in the budgets for the U.S. State Department and Agency for … Read more
President Donald Trump has defended Attorney General Jeff Sessions as “an honest man” amid calls for him to quit. The Democrats say Mr Sessions “lied on oath” at his confirmation hearing about contacts with the Russian ambassador. Mr Trump said Mr Sessions “could have stated his response more accurately but it was clearly not intentional” … Read more
The Zimbabwean government has launched an international humanitarian appeal to help combat floods that have affected all of the country’s provinces. The country is seeking in excess of $100m to ease the burden the floods have brought. The state-owned Herald newspaper reported on Thursday that the floods which started in December last year has claimed … Read more
The live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast will feature Disney’s first ever gay character and love scene. US actor Josh Gad plays LeFou, a sidekick of the film’s main antagonist Gaston. LeFou tries to come to terms with feelings for Gaston that swing between lust and admiration, as a side-plot to the main story. … Read more
The White House counsel’s office has sent a memo instructing President Donald Trump’s aides to preserve materials that could be connected to suspected Russian interference in the 2016 election and related issues, an administration official said on Wednesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed an Associated Press report on the memo. AP, … Read more
Yohan Blake, the 2011 World 100m champion, says he can successfully replace Usain Bolt as Jamaica’s leading male sprinter. The Racers Track Club athlete anchored his team to a comfortable world-leading 38.59 seconds to win the men’s 4x100m relay at Saturday’s Puma Gibson McCook Relays, at the National Stadium in Kingston. Following the win, Blake … Read more
The live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast will feature Disney’s first ever gay character and love scene. US actor Josh Gad plays LeFou, a sidekick of the film’s main antagonist Gaston. LeFou tries to come to terms with feelings for Gaston that swing between lust and admiration, as a side-plot to the main story. … Read more
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. “You gotta work on North … Read more
President Donald Trump has promised a “renewal of the American spirit”, in his first speech to Congress. The president said a “new surge of optimism is placing impossible dreams firmly within our grasp”, opening a “new chapter of American greatness”. Mr Trump condemned recent vandalism of Jewish cemeteries and a hate crime in Kansas that … Read more
US President Donald Trump is expected to promise a tough approach on immigration as he makes his first speech to a joint session of Congress. According to excerpts, he will say that “by finally enforcing our immigration laws” the US will raise wages, help the jobless and make communities safer. He is also expected to … Read more
YouTube on Tuesday unveiled a streaming television service offering bundles of live channels, in a direct challenge by the Google-owned network to traditional cable and pay TV. YouTube TV was tailored for younger generations seeking news, films and more programs without subscribing to cable or satellite service, according to YouTube chief executive Susan Wojcicki. The … Read more
President Donald Trump gives his maiden speech to Congress Tuesday, trying to boost low approval ratings and flesh out his promise to help Americans left behind by a changing economy. During a first turbulent month in office, Trump has put homeland security front and center — proposing immigration bans, border walls and a roughly 10 … Read more
US President Donald Trump has said he believes Barack Obama is behind the protests against Republican lawmakers, and national security leaks. He told Fox News: “I think President Obama’s behind it because his people are certainly behind it”, but added: “I also think it’s just politics”. Mr Trump offered no evidence for his claims; his … Read more