WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, as will former president George W. Bush, aides to the politicians said Tuesday. In all, at least three former presidents will be at the US Capitol in Washington for the historic ceremony that kicks off Trump’s term as the nation’s 45th commander in chief: Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Aides to both Clintons told AFP […]
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Janet Jackson gives birth to son at age 50
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Pop superstar Janet Jackson gave birth to her first child at age 50 on Tuesday, according to US media. Jackson and her husband Wissam Al Mana, a Qatari businessman, welcomed their son Eissa into the world after a “stress-free” delivery. “Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably,” the singer’s spokesperson told People Magazine. The younger sister of late king of pop Michael Jackson in April stunned fans […]
North Korea nuclear threat Trump’s first challenge
by Nicolas REVISE Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — North Korea’s determined quest for a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland is the first major US foreign policy challenge of the Donald Trump era. And, less than three weeks before he takes office, Trump has already plunged into these most dangerous of waters with a warning to unpredictable dictator Kim Jong-un. Kim marked the New Year by announcing that […]
Tsunami warning after 7.2-magnitude quake off Fiji
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — A shallow 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fiji on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, triggering a local tsunami warning. The quake hit at a depth of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) some 221 kilometers from Nadi and 283 kilometers from the Fijian capital Suva. “Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometers of the epicenter along the coasts of Fiji,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, […]
Britain’s EU ambassador quits before Brexit trigger
by Robin MILLARD with Danny KEMP in Brussels Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Britain’s ambassador to the European Union resigned on Tuesday, adding uncertainty to the Brexit process less than three months before the UK is due to trigger its departure negotiations. Ivan Rogers, a highly-regarded diplomat who had been due to end his four-year stint in October, stepped down as London prepares to invoke Article 50, which starts a two-year countdown to […]
Fighting puts Syria peace negotiations at risk
by Sara Hussein Agence France-Presse BEIRUt, Lebanon (AFP) – A dozen Syrian rebel factions have suspended talks on new peace negotiations, accusing President Bashar al-Assad’s regime of violating a four-day-old ceasefire with attacks near Damascus that continued Tuesday. The decision threatens the process sponsored by regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey, which began with a truce and is meant to lead to negotiations in the Kazakh capital Astana this month. The ceasefire has brought […]
Turkey makes more arrests in hunt for Istanbul attacker
by Stuart WILLIAMS Agence France-Presse ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) – Turkish authorities on Tuesday intensified efforts to identify a suspected jihadist from Central Asia behind the massacre of 39 people at an Istanbul nightclub who had reportedly fought in Syria for the Islamic State group. Police released pictures of the suspect who went on the rampage at the plush Reina nightclub on New Year’s night, spraying about 120 bullets at terrified partygoers before slipping away into […]
Scissors pulled from Vietnam man’s stomach 18 years after surgery
HANOI, Vietnam (AFP) — A Vietnamese man has had scissors removed from his abdomen which were left behind during surgery 18 years ago, after reporting a stomachache that was nearly two decades in the making. Ma Van Nhat, now 54, underwent surgery in 1998 after a car accident and only recently discovered that doctors had left an unwelcome gift behind when they closed him up. Doctors discovered the 15-centimetre (six-inch) scissors near his colon […]
The ‘flying car,’ autonomous aircraft that goes where no helicopter dares
(Reuters) — After 15 years of development, an Israeli tech firm are optimistic of finally get their one-and-a-half tonne people-carrying drone off the ground and into the market. The Cormorant aircraft, billed as a flying car capable of transporting 500kg of weight and travelling at 115 mph, completed its first automated solo flight in November, taking off, flying and landing by itself. Developers Urban Aeronautics believe the vehicle, which uses internal rotors to […]
Asia markets up on first trading day of year
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Most Asian markets were higher Tuesday on the first trading day of the year, continuing their trajectory from the end of a volatile 2016. Overall, world markets ended last year in the black despite shock votes in Britain and the United States. But Shanghai was the exception with a slump of more than 12 percent and Japan’s Nikkei posted only modest gains. However Chinese stocks finished solidly higher Tuesday after […]
DOJ recommends 127 elderly and sick prisoners to President Duterte for pardon
(Eagle News)– The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recommended the names of 127 elderly and sick prisoners to President Rodrigo Duterte who he may grant executive pardon. The recommendation was in line with Duterte’s vow to free inmates aged at least 80 and those who have spent at least 40 years behind bars. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II did not say if political prisoners were included to the submitted names. Duterte in November granted absolute […]
Ex-PDEA agent Marcelino voluntarily yields
(Eagle News)– Former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino surrendered to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel Tuesday (January 3) afternoon. “Yes, he has already voluntarily surrendered sa office ng Provost Marshal General AFP. He is accompanied by his sister and that appearance happened around 12 noon today,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said. Arevalo said they are now processing Marcelino’s papers and will ask […]





