Philippines’ Duterte defends kiss: ‘We enjoyed it’

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte brushed off claims of misogyny on Wednesday after he kissed a Filipina woman on the lips onstage in Seoul — saying they had both “enjoyed it”. The 73-year-old grandfather had offered a free book in exchange for a kiss during a trip to South Korea. He called a woman, Bea Kim, onto the platform during a speech on Sunday and pointed to his lips. She initially hesitated, saying she had a husband, but later offered no protest as Duterte kissed her on the lips while the mostly Filipino crowd cheered and shrieked in apparent approval. AFP

‘Vicious’ media ‘unfair’ to US First Lady

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Thursday said the fake media has been “unfair” and “vicious”to First Lady Melania by inaccurate reporting on her health after she recently underwent a minor surgery. “The Fake News Media has been so unfair, and vicious, to my wife and our great First Lady, Melania. During her recovery from surgery they reported everything from near death, to facelift, to left the WH (and me) for NY or Virginia, to abuse,” Trump tweeted. PTI

White House aide fired for mocking McCain

Washington: Kelly Sadler, the White House communications aide who made a comment about Republican Senator John McCain’s health, was fired nearly a month after making the remark. “Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President,” Principal Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah said. The move came as the White House was under increasing pressure to act against Sadler, who in May made a crude comment about McCain who has been diagnosed with brain cancer. PTI