SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Billionaire Paul Allen, who founded US software giant Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, revealed on Monday he is in a new battle with cancer. Allen said in a tweet and at his website that non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma he fought into remission nine years ago has returned. Incurable cancer affects white blood cells. “My team of doctors has begun treatment of the disease and I plan on fighting this aggressively,” […]
North America
Trump hails ‘most important ever’ US-Canada-Mexico trade pact
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump on Monday hailed a US trade pact with Canada and Mexico, which replaces the old NAFTA deal, as a historic agreement set to turn North America back into a “manufacturing powerhouse” and fuel US economic expansion. Governing almost $1.2 trillion in trade, the pact is known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, is “the most important trade deal we’ve ever […]
US warship sails near South China Sea area claimed by Beijing: Pentagon
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — An American warship has sailed through waters off the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, in the latest implicit challenge to Beijing’s sweeping territorial claims in the region, the Pentagon said Sunday. “Guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur conducted a freedom of navigation operation,” an official told AFP. “Decatur sailed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the Spratly Islands.” The official said all US military operations […]
Musk escapes the worst, but Tesla still faces a bumpy road
by Rob Lever Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Tesla has promised to revolutionize the automobile, but the high-end electric car maker keeps hitting road blocks created by its founder Elon Musk’s erratic behavior and considerable ego. Those traits contributed to fraud charges brought against Musk on Thursday by federal regulators, a potentially serious blow coming just as Tesla is ramping up efforts to become a mainstream manufacturer. But on Saturday, the brilliant […]
Edmonton Expo costumes and memorabilia wow fans
EDMONTON (Eagle News) — The three-day Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo, or Edmonton Expo for short, was a successful and fun event not only for the kids but also for the adults who dressed up in their favorite science fiction, comic book, horror, fantasy, pop culture and animated characters. The annual event was held from September 22 to 24 at the Edmonton, Alberta Expo Center where many exhibitors and vendors displayed their crafts and specialties […]
Rosa strengthens to Category 4 hurricane off Mexico
MEXICO CITY (AFP) — Hurricane Rosa strengthened Thursday to a Category 4 storm off northern Mexico’s Pacific coast, though it was expected to weaken again before making landfall, the US National Hurricane Center said. “Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 145 miles (230 kilometers) per hour, with higher gusts,” it said in its 0300 GMT bulletin. Forecasters expect the strength could start weakening slowly Saturday into next week. Rosa is currently located 975 kilometers […]
US F-35 fighters fly first ever combat mission
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — American F-35 stealth fighters have been used in a combat operation for the first time, officials said, marking a major milestone for the most expensive plane in history. Thursday’s mission took place against Taliban targets in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, when the F-35s flew from the USS Essex amphibious assault ship. The planes deployed were the F-35B variant, used by the Marine Corps and capable of taking off from a short […]
US ambassador calls for Maduro ouster with megaphone diplomacy
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, on Thursday joined Venezuelan protesters outside the world body headquarters and called for the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. Haley’s embrace of demonstrators was highly unusual for a diplomat from a major power at the state United Nations and came a day after President Donald Trump hinted at military options against Maduro’s leftist government. “We are going to fight for […]
Jeff Bezos space project lands big rocket partnership
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Jeff Bezos backed Blue Origin space exploration project on Thursday landed a major deal to provide engines for a next-generation rocket being built by a major US launch services contractor. United Launch Alliance said that Blue Origin will provide engines for the booster stage of a next-generation rocket — the Vulcan Centaur — which is on track to take to the sky in the year 2020. ULA was created […]
China, Russia call at UN for easing of N.Korea sanctions
by Carole LANDRY Agence France Presse UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — China and Russia called Thursday for an easing of sanctions against North Korea, rejecting a US push at the UN Security Council for vigorous enforcement despite warming ties. Led by the United States, the Security Council adopted three sanctions resolutions last year aimed at depriving North Korea of revenue for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a […]
Furious Kavanaugh denies sex assault after accuser testifies
by Elodie CUZIN / Chris Lefkow Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A defiant Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the US Supreme Court, angrily denied sexual assault allegations on Thursday and condemned his bitter Senate confirmation process as a “national disgrace.” Kavanaugh’s passionate defense came after a university professor, Christine Blasey Ford, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he sexually assaulted her 36 years ago. The allegations against the 53-year-old conservative […]
Trudeau rebuffs Trump’s trade talks criticism
by Michel COMTE Agence France Presse OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Any fondness between Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump has vanished, it became clear Thursday after the Canadian leader brushed off the US president’s criticism of Canada’s negotiating style in continental trade talks — casting doubts for a quick deal. Trudeau said Trump views the negotiations to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as hard “because Canadians are tough negotiators, as we should be.” […]





