North America

Trump says Kim summit could be delayed

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump warned Tuesday his landmark summit with Kim Jong Un may be delayed but insisted the North Korean leader is “serious” about denuclearization. Hosting South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House, Trump did little to quell speculation about the wavering prospects of a historic first summit between US and North Korean leaders. “It may not work out for June […]

Trump-Kim summit in play as Moon visits White House

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump holds a high-stakes meeting with South Korea’s president at the White House Tuesday, talks that could decide whether the US president’s much-vaunted summit with the North’s leader Kim Jong Un goes ahead. Moon Jae-in jets into Washington on a mission to salvage a rare diplomatic opening between the US and North Korea that is in trouble almost before it begins. Trump had […]

First woman CIA director sworn in

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Veteran CIA officer Gina Haspel was sworn in as the agency’s first female director Monday, hailing the “heroines” who had gone before her and expressing hope she and her team would be “role models.” The 61-year-old Haspel, a Russia specialist who spent her career in the Central Intelligence Agency’s clandestine service, takes over from Mike Pompeo, whom Trump recently made his secretary of state. Haspel was confirmed by the Senate […]

US to impose ‘strongest sanctions in history’ on Iran

by Francesco Fontemaggi and Thomas Watkins Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned Tehran would be hit with the “strongest sanctions in history” and cautioned European firms against continuing to do business with it, toughening up Washington’s policy line after its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. In his first major foreign policy address since moving to the State Department from the CIA, the longtime […]

Activist groups launch campaign to break up Facebook

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A coalition of activist groups on Monday announced a campaign to break up Facebook, arguing that the huge social network “has too much power over our lives and democracy.” The groups created a website, and a Facebook page, to garner support for a petition to the US Federal Trade Commission to require the social media firm to spin off Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger into competing networks, and to “impose strong […]

Commemorative coin struck for Trump-Kim summit

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A commemorative coin featuring US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has been struck by the White House Communications Agency ahead of their planned summit next month. The coin depicts Trump and Kim, described as North Korea’s “Supreme Leader,” in profile facing each other in front of a background of US and North Korean flags. The words “Peace Talks” are emblazoned at the top of the front […]

Over 29 million people in US watched royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — More than 29 million people watched on television in the United States as Britain’s Prince Harry married American actress Megan Markle, according to Nielsen ratings released Sunday. The estimated 29.2 million viewers for Saturday’s ceremony exceed the number for the 2011 wedding of Harry’s brother Prince William to Kate Middleton, which was watched by 22.8 million people. Harry and Meghan tied the knot in a ceremony at Windsor Castle, […]

US, China back off on tariffs, easing trade tensions

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed Sunday that Washington and Beijing have agreed to back off from imposing tariffs on each other, a day after reaching an accord on slashing the American trade deficit with China. “We have made very meaningful progress and we agreed on a framework,” Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. “So right now we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute […]

Sarah Geronimo overcome by emotions during Las Vegas concert

By Anna Cui EBC Las Vegas Bureau LAS VEGAS (Eagle News) — An emotional Sarah Geronimo at the middle part of her “THIS 15 ME” concert in Las Vegas held at the Cannery Hotel and Casino apologized to the audience for crying as she reflected on her journey of 15 years in the industry remembering the struggles and heartaches that come along with achieving fame. After rendering a couple of opening songs Geronimo started to […]

Philippine government leaders host town hall meeting in Honolulu

By Alfred Acenas EBC Hawai‘i Bureau (Eagle News) HONULULU (Eagle News) — “Often the president is depicted as a no-nonsense, tough-talking, and shoot-from-the-hip type of guy. But I assure you that this president has his heart in the right place,” said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea  about President Rodrigo Duterte, as he provided several assuring remarks like this one before an audience of both Filipinos and non-Filipinos during a Town Hall Meeting held at the Philippine […]

UPDATED: Ten killed, 10 hurt in Texas school shooting — governor

Ten people were killed and another 10 injured when a student opened fire Friday at a high school in Texas, the state’s governor said. “It’s with a very heavy heart that I can confirm that as of this time, there have been 10 lives that have been lost, and another 10 that have been wounded,” Governor Greg Abbott told a news conference. The shooting took place as classes were beginning for the day at Santa […]