WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A large tornado destroyed homes and claimed at least one life near the US city of New Orleans on Tuesday night, according to media reports. “Large tornado on the ground in New Orleans! Take shelter now!” tweeted the National Weather Service’s local office at 8:35 pm local time (0235 GMT). “Severe damage to homes” was reported in Arabi, an eastern suburb of New Orleans, according to a Facebook post by […]
North America
Four Ukrainian children flown to US for cancer treatment
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States announced Tuesday that four Ukrainian children had been flown to an American hospital after their cancer treatment was disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Children are among the most vulnerable in a crisis,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet announcing the evacuation. He added that the four patients, from nine months to nine years in age, were “in need of urgent, highly specialized […]
Biden heads to Europe to bolster West’s unity, toughen Russia sanctions
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden leaves Wednesday for Europe on a mission to bolster Western unity, ramp up unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and attempt to upset the post-Cold War balance of power. The conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin is redefining Biden’s 14-month old presidency as he pivots from domestic woes to leading the transatlantic alliance in the most serious […]
Protests in Jamaica as William and Kate visit
KINGSTON, Jamacia (AFP) – Demonstrators gathered Tuesday in Kingston, Jamaica to protest the official visit of Prince William and Kate to the former British colony and demand the monarchy apologise for its role in the slave trade. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in the capital for a three-day stop on the island, part of a larger trip by the royals to the Caribbean in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the coronation of […]
US announces deal with UK to end steel, aluminum tariffs
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday announced an agreement with Britain to end tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former president Donald Trump in 2018 on national security grounds. “By allowing for a flow of duty-free steel and aluminum from the UK, we further ease the gap between supply and demand for these products in the United States,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “And by removing […]
Biden says Putin considering using chemical, biological weapons in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden said Monday that it’s “clear” Russia is considering the use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine and warned of a “severe” Western response if it chose to do so. “His back is against the wall,” said Biden of Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Russia has recently accused the United States of holding chemical and biological weapons in Europe. “Simply not true. I guarantee you,” […]
Iran nuclear talks: US says it is ready to make ‘difficult decisions’
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – A deal to restore the pact limiting Iran’s nuclear program is not imminent, but Washington is prepared to take “difficult decisions” to make it happen, State Department Spokesman Ned Price said Monday. Price told journalists he could not discuss the specifics of the final remaining issues in the 11 month-old negotiations over restoring the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which aims at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear […]
Biden calls India ‘shaky’ in Russia confrontation
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden said Monday that India was an exception among Washington’s allies with its “shaky” response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Biden lauded the US-led alliance, including NATO, the European Union and key Asian partners, for its united front against President Vladimir Putin. This includes unprecedented sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s currency, international trade and access to high-tech goods. However, unlike fellow members of the Quad group […]
Biden to travel to Poland to discuss Ukraine crisis: W.House
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden will travel to Poland on Friday to meet with President Andrzej Duda for discussions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the White House said Sunday. “The President will discuss how the United States, alongside our Allies and partners, is responding to the humanitarian and human rights crisis that Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war on Ukraine has created,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. […]
Bodies of US marines found after Norway military crash
OSLO, Norway (AFP) – The bodies of four US marines killed when their plane crashed during NATO exercises in Norway have been retrieved, Norway’s defence ministry said Sunday. A Norwegian Sea King rescue helicopter found the bodies at the accident site south of Bodo in northern Norway where their V-22B Osprey aircraft belonging to the US Marine Corps was reported missing on Friday evening. The ministry said the bodies would be brought to Bodo prior […]
‘Stop this war’: Arnold Schwarzenegger to Putin
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — “Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger appealed to Vladimir Putin on Thursday to end the “senseless” war in Ukraine and praised Russians protesting the conflict as his “new heroes.” “Ukraine did not start this war,” the former California governor said in an emotional message to the people of Russia and Russian troops posted to his Twitter account and other platforms. “I’m speaking to you today because there are things going on […]
13-year-old was driving truck in Texas crash that killed nine
HOUSTON, Texas (AFP) — A 13-year-old boy was driving a pickup truck that collided with a van carrying a college golf team in west Texas, killing nine people, officials said Thursday. Six members of the New Mexico-based University of the Southwest golf team were killed in Tuesday night’s crash along with their coach, according to police. The 13-year-old boy and his 38-year-old father who was riding in the pickup truck also died in the accident, […]
