Last Updated May 11, 2018 3:18 PM EDT After another week filled with international and domestic policy developments, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar are fielding questions from reporters on Friday. Azar joined in after President Trump announced his plan to lower drug prices in the country.It's the first briefing since the New York Times first reported Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen told colleagues she was on the brink of resigning, after Mr. Trump reportedly berated her in front of colleagues. The White House has not denied that characterization of events. It also comes amid reports that a top White House staffer, special assistant to the president Kelly Sadler, stands accused of deriding "dying" Sen. John McCain. The Hill first reported, and other outlets confirmed, that Sadler told other staffers in a meeting, "It doesn't matter, he's dying anyway," after McCain voiced his opposition to the … [Read more...] about White House briefing today, after Trump’s drug prices announcement — live updates
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Iranians burn Trump’s effigies, US flags at protests against nuclear deal withdrawal (PHOTO, VIDEO)
Crowds have taken to the streets across Iran to denounce Donald Trumps’ decision to pull the US of the 2015 nuclear deal. The people chanted anti-American slogans and set fire to Trump’s effigies and American flags. The Iranians began protesting shortly after the Friday prayers as they carried banners, reading: “Down with the US” and pictures of Trump with a caption: “Go to hell.” The demonstrators chanted: "Death to America", "Death to Israel" and "We fight, we die, but we don’t accept any compromise." In Tehran, the protests centered around the building, which used to host the US embassy before the countries severed diplomatic relations after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. The JCPOA deal, signed by Iran and P5+1 powers (China, France, Russia, the UK, the US, plus Germany) in 2015 after years of difficult negotiations, saw international sanctions on Tehran lifted in exchange for Iran curbing its controversial nuclear program. … [Read more...] about Iranians burn Trump’s effigies, US flags at protests against nuclear deal withdrawal (PHOTO, VIDEO)
Trump Vows to Stop Foreign Gov’ts From ‘Extorting’ Low Prices From US Drug Firms
"When foreign governments extort unreasonably low prices from US drug makers, Americans have to pay more to subsidize the enormous cost of research and development," Trump said. "It’s unfair and it’s ridiculous and it’s not going to happen any longer. It’s time to end the global freeloading once and for all." Trump said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will make fixing this extortion of drug companies a top priority with all trading partners. According to a press release from the White House, the United States had the highest per-capita spending on pharmaceuticals of any country in 2015. READ MORE: Russia May Limit Imports From US in Response to Higher Metal Tariffs — Ministry © AP Photo / Mark DuncanTrump Extends Metal Tariff Talks With EU, Canada, Mexico for 30 DaysThe statement comes two months after Trump signed an order to impose a 25 … [Read more...] about Trump Vows to Stop Foreign Gov’ts From ‘Extorting’ Low Prices From US Drug Firms
Iran Deal: Trump’s Pullout May Result in Three Scenarios, Benefits for Russia
Donald Trump's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, has brought unexpected benefits to Russia: Crude prices have soared sharply, prompting Bank of America's Merrill Lynch firm to suggest that Brent could skyrocket to $100 per barrel. The US president announced his decision to pull out on May 8. Although the resumption of sanctions against Tehran is likely to occur within the next six months, Trump's order has already blocked all new US-Iranian contracts and set 90 and 180-day deadlines for US companies to stop their cooperation with the Islamic Republic. What Trump's Pullout of Iran Nuclear Deal May Lead to According to Sputnik contributor Maxim Rubchenko, there are three possible scenarios as to how events could unfold. First, Iran's oil market share could reduce from 3.8 million barrels per day to 1-1.5 million barrels, … [Read more...] about Iran Deal: Trump’s Pullout May Result in Three Scenarios, Benefits for Russia
Trump meets auto executives to discuss fuel standards
US President Donald Trump convened the world's most important auto executives at the White House Friday to review plans to roll back fuel emissions standards and press for increased production in America. Trump also heaped criticism on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the pact currently being rewritten and in which the auto industry features prominently, but gave no hints on whether a deal could be struck by a key deadline next week. "We have at this table the biggest car manufacturers in the world all represented by their top people," Trump said at the start of the meeting. Participants included the leaders of Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, as well as top executives BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. In addition to rules on auto emissions, Trump said the meeting was focused on "how to build more cars in the United States." "We have great capacity for building. We want a lot of the cars to be made in the United States," the president added. He singled out Fiat … [Read more...] about Trump meets auto executives to discuss fuel standards