US

US planning additional sanctions on Iran

The additional sanctions are in response to Iran's ballistic missile test Sunday. They are similar to actions taken by former President Barack Obama after Iran's previous ballistic missile tests.

In a letter to Trump Thursday, a bipartisan group of senators said "Iranian leaders must feel sufficient pressure to cease deeply destabilizing activities, from sponsoring terrorist groups to continued testing of ballistic missiles."

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Pacific concern over US climate change stance

Colin Tukuitonga was speaking as the regional agency marked its year of operations.

The US is a founding member and a significant funder of programmes undertaken by the SPC, which include extensive climate change activities.

But the Trump administration is full of climate change deniers and the president has said it is a hoax perpetrated by China.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley at UN: 'We're taking names'

The former Republican governor of South Carolina vowed there is a "new US UN."

Haley told reporters, "Our goal with the administration is to show value at the UN, and the way to show value is to show our strength, show our full voice. Have the backs of our allies and make sure our allies have our backs as well."

She then added, "For those who don't have our backs, we're taking names, and we will make points to respond to that accordingly."

Trump: 'No guarantee' on Russia relations

Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak on Saturday, according to the White House and Kremlin.

They are expected to discuss bilateral affairs and national security in the first call since the inauguration.

But Mr Trump said it was "very early" to talk about the sanctions imposed on the country by his predecessor.

He was asked about his plans in a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Theresa May on her visit to Washington - the first national leader to be welcomed by the president.

Billionaire tells Mexico not to fear Trump

The world's fourth-richest person, according to Forbes, on Friday entered a standing-room-only press conference in the same building from which he runs his empire, holding a set of papers with handwritten notes and a book with several pages marked, titled: "Great Again: How to Fix our Crippled America," by Donald Trump.

With camera lights flashing, the investor sat down at a table, alongside his two sons and his son-in-law for a rare press conference, and began a pep talk that led to a wide-ranging discourse on economic development.

Beijing 'seriously concerned' after Trump questions 'one China' policy

Trump has signaled a willingness to confront Beijing, and his latest comments in an interview with Fox News suggested that he won't hesitate to anger China until the country comes to the bargaining table on trade and North Korea.

China's response was measured but clear: co-operation with the US "would be out of the question" if Trump doesn't adhere to the 'one China' policy -- a cornerstone of bilateral relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in the 1970s.

Pacific-US tuna treaty won’t be affected by delays in signing

The administrator of the Treaty and Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Director General James Movick said they will await the process of approval.

Movick said the most important step is initialing the agreement and he hopes Fiji might be in a position to do that.

“But I think even if Fiji is unable to initial as a separate process from the parliamentary ratification we have received no indication of dissatisfaction with the Treaty and so we just simply await the outcome of the process,” he said.

US to return WWII land to Japan

The 9,852 acres of land on the island of Okinawa, part of a territory officially referred to as the Northern Training Area, is in a large US military base complex on the Pacific island more than 960 miles (1,550 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo.

The US had turned most of Okinawa over to Japan in 1972 after controlling it from the end of World War II in 1945.

This is the largest return of US-occupied land since then.

Trump threatens to roll back US-Cuba relations

"If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate the deal," Trump tweeted.

Trump's threat came after the death of long-time Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, whose passing on Saturday he marked with another tweet. "Fidel Castro is dead!" the president-elect wrote, before issuing a statement condemning the Cuban leader.

USA and Mexico match underway

The match kicked off at 4pm under fine weather conditions in front of a good crowd.

The North Americans, in blue and black colours, are led by captain Mallory Pugh.

USA's starting lineup includes goalkeeper Casey Murphy, forward Jessie Scarpa, midfielders Ashley Sanchez and Emily Ogle.

The Mexicans, in light green and white colours, are led by captain Nancy Antonio.

Mexico's starting lineup includes their top goal scorer Kiana Palacios, key midfielder Maria Sanchez, goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras, midfielders Belen Cruz and Eva Gonzalez.