First Run News

DANANG, Vietnam — President Trump on Friday vowed to protect American interests against foreign exploitation, preaching a starkly unilateralist approach to a group of leaders who once pinned their economic hopes on a regional trade pact led by the United States. “We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore,” Mr. Trump told business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Danang, Vietnam.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Saudi Arabia ordered its citizens to leave Lebanon on Thursday, escalating a bewildering crisis between the two Arab nations and raising fears that it could lead to an economic crisis or even war. The order came after Saudi Arabia had stepped up its condemnations of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite militia that is the most powerful political and military force in Lebanon, and asserted that

BEIRUT, Lebanon — When the Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri made a sudden trip abroad last week, it was taken at first to be a routine visit with his political patron, Saudi Arabia.

BEIRUT, Lebanon — When the Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri made a sudden trip abroad last week, it was taken at first to be a routine visit with his political patron, Saudi Arabia.

In a rare public statement, attorneys for Lt. General Michael Flynn lashed out Friday at news reports that the federal investigation into the former top adviser to President Trump is looking into allegations he helped plot a kidnapping for the Turkish government. “Today's news cycle has brought allegations about General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial that we are making an exception to our usual rule,” Flynn’s top attorney Robert Kelner said in a statement.

A State Department official confirms to ABC News that the department is offering "voluntary buyouts and early retirement incentives" as part of its effort to reduce its own ranks. The Trump administration wants to get rid of 641 employees -- in addition to "normal attrition" -- by the end of 2018, in particular "to reduce unnecessary supervisory levels and organizational layering," the official said. "The Department's goal is to meet its workforce reduction targets through the use of voluntary measures such as buyouts rather than involuntary measures, such as furloughs or ...

The House and Senate tax overhaul plans are broadly similar, but crucial differences are creating headaches for Republican leaders determined to keep myriad interest groups and factions of the GOP satisfied.

George Papadopoulos, the Trump foreign policy aide who pleaded guilty to lying to the Donald Trump, according to a person with direct knowledge of the investigation. Trump had publicly denied that there had been any contact between his campaign and Russian officials, and Papadopoulos did not want to contradict the official line, the source said. “It’s all fake news,” Trump said of any alleged connections in January. “It’s phony stuff.

Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore continued to deny allegations of sexual misconduct Friday, saying on conservative talk radio that the accusations against him were politically motivated. "It seems that in the political arena, to say that something is not true is simply not good enough. So let me be clear.

Most popular on BostonGlobe.com Based on what you've read recently, you might be interested in theses stories BIDDEFORD, Maine — Ivanka Trump said Friday a tax bill that has faced heavy criticism from Democrats is a key to the president’s goals of growing the economy and helping the middle class. The tax plan is about ‘‘supporting American families,’’ President Donald Trump’s eldest daughter and adviser said during an event Friday in Maine. ‘‘The stated goal is twofold: enable our businesses to be competitive and thrive and to provide meaningful tax relief to middle income families