North America

Latest Trump tariffs to directly hit consumers

by John BIERS NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Earlier US tariffs enacted in President Donald Trump’s trade war with China has dealt only a glancing blow to consumers, but those announced Thursday are different. “This hits consumers straight on,” Steve Pasierb, president of the Toy Association, said in an interview. “This is the finished products. It’s not raw materials.” The tariffs, a 10 percent levy on $300 billion in Chinese goods that Trump said […]

EU countries at UN condemn North Korean missile tests

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — European Union members of the UN Security Council condemned North Korea Thursday over its recent spate of missiles tests that have fueled fears Pyongyang is developing more advanced weapons. Britain, France and Germany urged North Korea to “take concrete steps towards its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation and to engage in meaningful negotiations with the US as agreed between President Trump and Kim Jong Un on 30 June.” UN […]

US Fed cuts key interest rate to ‘insure’ against global uncertainties

By Heather Scott Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFP) — The US Federal Reserve, under intense pressure from President Donald Trump to stimulate the economy, on Wednesday cut the benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than a decade but struggled to justify the move or explain where it goes next. The move to ease the cost of borrowing was well telegraphed and meant to inoculate against global risks washing onto American shores, but […]

‘Go easy on me kid’: Biden, rivals temper tone at Democratic debate

DETRIOT, United States (AFP) — Moderate frontrunner Joe Biden and his 2020 Democratic rivals took the stage Wednesday ready for a dog fight but began their debate largely with cooler heads prevailing, uniting under a common goal of ousting President Donald Trump. But tensions were quickly evident between Biden and Senator Kamala Harris, the most prominent African American in the field and who savaged him over race and criminal justice issues at their previous debate. […]

Al Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden is dead – US media

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Osama bin Laden’s son Hamza, chosen an heir to the leadership of Al-Qaeda, has been killed, US media reported Wednesday citing American officials. NBC News said three US officials had confirmed they had information of Hamza bin Laden’s death, but gave no details of the place or date. The New York Times subsequently cited two US officials saying they had confirmation that he was killed during the last two years […]

Edmonton City raises INC flag, lights up bridge in recognition of Church’s 105th Anniversary

  EDMONTON, ALBERTA (Eagle News) — Bad weather did not keep members of the Church of Christ from celebrating their Church’s 105th anniversary. People from several Edmonton congregations braved a severe thunderstorm warning and strong winds to attend a flag raising at city hall. Church spokesman Brother Paquito Ibanez says members are not discouraged by rain, no matter how heavy it is. “We are greatful to all the brethren who showed up,” Brother Ibanez said. […]

Canadian air force joins hunt for teen murder suspects

MONTREAL, CANADA (AFP)  — The Royal Canadian Air Force has joined the hunt for two fugitive teens suspected of triple murder, officials said Saturday, backing up a vast search operation unfolding in Manitoba’s remote northeast. The suspects, identified as Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18, have been on the run for more than a week. Authorities say they believe the two are behind the killings of 23-year-old Australian Lucas Fowler and his 24-year-old American […]

Boy, 6, among 3 killed in US festival shooting, suspected gunman dead

  By Philip Pacheco with Andrew Marszal in Los Angeles Agence France-Presse GILROY, CALIF. (AFP) — Three people were killed in a shooting at a major food festival in California on Sunday before police gunned down the suspected attacker, officers said. Among the victims was a six-year-old boy, his grandmother told US media, while at least 15 others were injured. Officers confronted and shot dead the suspect “in less than a minute,” said Scot Smithee, […]

Trump: US intel chief Coats to leave office August 15

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office on August 15, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, the latest high-profile departure from his turnover-plagued administration. Trump tweeted that he plans to nominate Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, who serves on the House intelligence, judiciary and homeland security committees, as the new Director of National Intelligence. “A former U.S. Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the Country he loves,” […]

Three killed in US festival shooting, suspected gunman dead

  by Andrew MARSZAL LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Three people were killed and at least 15 others injured in a shooting at a major food festival in California on Sunday, police said. Officers confronted and shot dead the suspect “in less than a minute,” said Scot Smithee, police chief of the city of Gilroy, 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of San Jose. Police said it was “still an active crime scene” at the […]

US wants talks with North Korea, not ‘provocations’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday said it wanted to continue talking with North Korea but called for a halt to “provocations” after a fresh missile test by Pyongyang. Earlier in the day, North Korea fired two short-range missiles into the sea, its first test since an impromptu meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month that produced an agreement to resume a working-level […]

US to resume federal executions after 16-year break

by Paul HANDLEY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US government will resume its use of capital punishment after a 16-year hiatus and has set execution dates for five convicted murderers, Attorney General Bill Barr announced on Thursday. Acting on President Donald Trump’s call for tougher penalties on violent crimes, Barr directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons to adopt a new lethal injection protocol to clear the way to carry out death sentences. “The Justice […]