Trump administration

Trump marijuana policy reversal stokes fears

Washington - Emiratesvoice

The Trump administration's decision to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws has sent shivers through users, medical patients and businesses encouraged by the growing number of states legalizing the drug. Cannabis growers, sellers and financial institutions supporting them, a roughly $7 billion industry, are particularly under threat by the move, and the lack of clarity on how toughly federal anti-pot laws will be enforcedRead more

No evidence of wiretap operation, says top White House aide

Washington - Arab Today

Top White House aide Kellyanne Conway said on Monday she had no evidence to back up Donald Trump’s claim that his predecessor had wiretapped him, after suggesting her boss may have been spied upon using other methods. The Trump administration is under mounting pressure to provide proof to shore up the president’s unsubstantiated allegation that Barack Obama ordered the phonesRead more

Trump to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements

Washington - Arab Today

The Trump administration is moving to roll back federal fuel-economy requirements that would have forced automakers to increase significantly the efficiency of new cars and trucks, a key part of former President Barack Obama’s strategy to combat global warming. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is close to an announcement reversing a decision made in the waning days of the ObamaRead more

Lieberman to visit US to meet Trump administration officials

Ramallah - Arab Today

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman boarded a flight to the United States on Monday night for a meeting with officials in the Donald Trump administration, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. The defense chief is scheduled to meet with US Vice President Mike Pence, his American counterpart Gen. James Mattis, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and other senior figures. AfterRead more

Trump to propose 'dramatic reductions' in foreign aid

Washington - Arab Today

The White House budget director confirmed Saturday that the Trump administration will propose "fairly dramatic reductions" in the US foreign aid budget later this month, the Daily Star reported on Sunday. Earlier this week, the US administration said it plans to propose to Congress cuts in the budgets for the US State Department and Agency for International Development by aboutRead more

UN rights body told to end focus on Israel as US mulls exit

Berlin - Arab Today

The US on Wednesday called on the UN Human Rights Council to drop its “obsession with Israel” amid reports that the Trump administration is considering quitting the body. In a speech before the Geneva-based council, US envoy Erin Barclay said the US’ commitment to human rights “is stronger than ever.” “Regrettably, too many of the actions of this council doRead more

US core capital goods orders fall

Washington - Arab Today

New orders for key US-made capital goods unexpectedly fell in January after three straight months of strong gains, but did little to change views that manufacturing was recovering from a prolonged downturn amid rising commodity prices. Last month’s drop is likely to be temporary as business confidence has surged in recent months on promises by the Trump administration to cutRead more

Ava DuVernay makes anti-Trump statement at the Oscars

Jeddah - Arab Today

For Hollywood’s A-list, Oscars night is the biggest fashion moment of the year. And Tinseltown’s top stars did not disappoint on Sunday, with some making powerful political statements through their sartorial choices. Several celebrities sported a blue ribbon in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, the rights lobby that has been stridently fighting the Trump administration in court. SpottedRead more

US bars Syrian Oscar contender from entering country

Washington - Arab Today

US immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on a harrowing film about his nation’s civil war, “The White Helmets,” that has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb fromRead more