North America

Texas shooting toll rises to seven

by Brian KNOWLTON WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The death toll in a chaotic mass shooting in Texas has risen to seven, the local police chief confirmed Sunday, adding that it might have been far worse had the shooter not been stopped before entering a crowded movie theater. On Sunday, police identified the shooter as a local man named Seth Aaron Ator, age 36. Police had said Saturday that five people died in the frantic […]

At least 5 dead, 21 injured in Texas shooting: police

by Ian Timberlake Agence France Presse At least five people have been killed in a mass shooting that left 21 victims in the US state of Texas on Saturday, police said. “We have at least 21 victims, 21 shooting victims and at least five deceased at this point in time,” Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke told reporters. Three police officers were injured in the incident which began with a traffic stop, he said. The suspect […]

Hurricane Dorian strengthens to Category 2 storm

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Hurricane Dorian strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Thursday as it barreled toward the US state of Florida, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm’s maximum sustained winds have reached 105 miles per hour (165 kilometers per hour), putting it in the second category of a five-level scale, according to an advisory from the NHC. © Agence France-Presse

Trump cancels Poland visit as hurricane heads for Florida

by Leila MACOR MIAMI, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled a trip to Poland as Hurricane Dorian bore down on Florida, where it could make landfall as a dangerous Category 4 storm. Trump, who had been scheduled to attend World War II anniversary commemorations in Poland this weekend, said he would focus instead on preparations for the approaching hurricane. “Our highest priority is the safety and security of the people […]

Hurricane Dorian appears to spare Puerto Rico, heads for Florida

by Ivelisse Rivera FAJARDO, Puerto Rico (AFP) — A strengthening Hurricane Dorian appeared to have largely spared Puerto Rico Wednesday, barreling past the US territory that is still recovering from a powerful storm two years ago. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said the hurricane watch and tropical storm warning for the island had been lifted, and that “Dorian continues to move away from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.” “The threat has already […]

Toll rises to 28 in Mexico bar fire attack

by Ignacio Carvajal COATZACOALCOS, Mexico (AFP) — Gunmen burst into a Mexican strip club in a hail of bullets and killed at least 28 people as they trapped revelers inside and started a raging fire, officials said Wednesday. Many of the dead were dancers who worked there, according to managers. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador condemned the “shameful” attack in the city of Coatzacoalcos, and said federal authorities would investigate evidence it may have stemmed […]

At least 23 killed in fire at Mexico bar: NBC

  At least 23 people were killed after a fire broke out in a bar in southern Mexico Tuesday night, NBC News reported, with authorities investigating a possible arson attack. Thirteen others were left seriously injured following the blaze in the southern port city of Coatzacoalcos, NBC said, citing a statement from the state attorney general’s office. The office condemned “what may constitute a malicious attack,” it added. Citing reports, The Los Angeles Times said […]

“Guerrero” wins Best Foreign Feature in Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards

By Allen Basallaje EBC Los Angeles Bureau HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (Eagle News) — Stars were shining brightly in Hollywood both in the night sky and at Raleigh Studios where the EBC Film “Guerrero” won Best Foreign Feature on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards (LAIFFA). Accepting the award on behalf of EBC Films, Eva Basallaje of EBC Los Angeles Bureau thanked God, Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. […]

J&J faces possible $17 billion payout for pushing opioids

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US drugmaker Johnson & Johnson faces a potential record $17 billion damages payout Monday when an Oklahoma judge rules whether its aggressive promotion of opioid painkillers was responsible for the state’s addiction epidemic. The first pharmaceutical company to go to trial over the US opioid addiction crisis, which fueled over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2017 alone, J&J was accused by the state of “a cynical, deceitful multimillion-dollar brainwashing campaign” […]

Google: YouTube campaign targeted Hong Kong protests

by Glenn CHAPMAN SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Google on Thursday said it disabled a series of YouTube channels that appeared to be part of a coordinated influence campaign against pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The announcement by YouTube’s parent company came after Twitter and Facebook accused the Chinese government of backing a social media campaign to discredit Hong Kong’s protest movement and sow political discord in the city. Google disabled 210 YouTube channels […]

US raps China for ‘escalation’ in South China Sea

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday sharpened its criticism of China’s activities in disputed areas of the South China Sea, slamming an “escalation” in efforts to intimidate other claimants” such as Vietnam. China redeployed a government-owned survey vessel — with armed escorts — into the waters off Vietnam earlier this month, the US said. Hanoi says those waters are part of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The move could reignite a […]

Texas death row inmate executed

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A Texas man convicted of raping and strangling a 19-year-old college student was executed by lethal injection Wednesday, the fourth in the state so far this year. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed the death of Larry Swearingen at 6:47 pm local time at the state prison in Huntsville. According to US media, the 48-year-old maintained his innocence until death, with his lawyers arguing that DNA under the victim’s […]