North America

US clergy abuse survivors demand inclusion in Vatican reforms

  CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Advocates for clergy abuse victims on Wednesday demanded inclusion in a historic Vatican conference to address the crisis, as US bishops gathered in prayer near Chicago in advance of the February meeting. The groups Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) and Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said they had sent an open letter to Catholic Church’s Pope Francis asking to be included in discussing reforms in the Catholic […]

Trump says looks forward to new meeting with N.Korea’s Kim

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he looked forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, a day after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could take a different approach to nuclear talks if US economic sanctions persist. “I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!” Trump said in a brief tweet. The US leader made his comment after […]

Trump congratulates Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro on inauguration

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump congratulated Brazil’s new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro as he took office Tuesday for a four-year term at the helm of Latin America’s most powerful nation. “Congratulations to President @jairbolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech – the U.S.A. is with you!” Trump wrote on Twitter. © Agence France-Presse

‘Hold fast’: Mattis bids farewell to Pentagon

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Defense Secretary Jim Mattis bade farewell to the Pentagon on Monday, telling the US military to “hold fast” after he quit over a series of fundamental differences with President Donald Trump. Mattis resigned December 20, after Trump stunned the US establishment by ordering a full troop withdrawal from Syria. “Our department is proven to be at its best when the times are most difficult,” Mattis said in a brief memo […]

NFL: Bucs fall short in season finale, fire head coach

By Melissa Potes EBC Florida Bureau TAMPA, Florida (Eagle News) — The season finale of NFC South division rivals Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers featured former Pro Bowl quarterbacks, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston, putting on a show, with the Bucs losing 34-32 on a last possession field goal by the Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. In a high scoring affair, the Buccaneers started off hot, taking a 17-0 lead, which included a 70-yard […]

Lion kills worker at US wildlife park

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A lion attacked and killed a young American woman who had just started working at the facility where it was kept, the center said Sunday. Alexandra Black, 22, was passionate about wildlife and had worked just 10 days as in intern at the facility in Burlington, North Carolina. “The Conservators Center is devastated by the loss of a human life today,” it said in a statement. “While a husbandry team […]

After Mattis, Shanahan takes Pentagon helm at critical time

by Thomas WATKINS Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Patrick Shanahan, who on Tuesday becomes the acting US secretary of defense, takes the helm of America’s massive military machine at a critical time. Shanahan is moving up from his position as deputy defense secretary to the top spot following the resignation of Jim Mattis, who quit over long-running — and ultimately irreconcilable — disagreements with President Donald Trump. Little known outside business and […]

White House chief: Trump not building a ‘wall’

by Ian Timberlake Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Outgoing White House chief John Kelly said in an interview published Sunday that he had “nothing but compassion” for undocumented migrants crossing into the US, and undercut President Donald Trump’s claims to be building a “wall” at the Mexico border. As a partial government shutdown entered a ninth day due to an impasse over Trump’s demands for funding the US-Mexico border barrier, the president’s […]

Blue sky at night lights up social media in New York

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — An alien invasion? The Rapture? The sky flashed an eerie blue over New York City on Thursday night and social media users feared the worst. Extraterrestrial activity was a leading theory: “IM SORRY WHAT???? THE SKY JUST TURNED BLUE???? literally so confused I think aliens just tried to steal new york,” one user wrote on Twitter. “Apparently aliens are landing in New York City right now bcs the sky’s […]

Winter storm snarls holiday travel in parts of US

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled and thousands more delayed across the United States on Thursday as a powerful winter storm swept through the center of the country, frustrating holiday travelers. More than 6,500 flights were delayed and some 800 more were canceled, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. A mix of rain, snow, and strong winds also made travel dangerous or impossible on roads, especially in the northern and […]

‘Greek Freak’ has MVP performance, gets revenge over Knicks as Bucks win 109-95

By Carlo Valdez EBC New Jersey Bureau NEW YORK, NY (Eagle News) – In their last meeting with the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks lost in overtime and the ‘Greek Freak’ vowed to get even with Mario Hezonja for dunking and stepping over him during the game. That was the last game the Knicks won. The high scoring Bucks all-star made good on his promise and conquered […]

#EBCPhotojournalism: December storm damages White Rock Pier

WHITE ROCK, British Columbia (Eagle News) — The iconic White Rock Pier partially collapsed following the aftermath from the windstorm in Vancouver on December 19. City officials estimate it will take several months and millions of dollars to repair. Washed up sailboats and debris can also be seen along the shore. Built in 1914 along the White Rock beach, the pier spans over 400 meters into the Semiahmoo Bay which leads into the Pacific Ocean. […]