North America

Accused Quebec mosque killer quietly embraced far-right ideology

by Clément SABOURIN Agence France Presse QUEBEC CITY, Canada (AFP) — Alexandre Bissonnette cut a low profile as a shy, withdrawn political science student, keen on far-right ideas. Now, he stands accused of gunning down six worshippers at a Quebec mosque in one of the worst attacks ever to target Muslims in a western country. The 27-year old grew up in a quiet suburb of Quebec City, posting online about friends, family and food. He studied […]

US Democrats boycott votes on Trump Treasury, health picks

  by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Senate Democrats blocked committee votes Tuesday on two of Donald Trump’s nominations for key cabinet posts, drawing White House charges of obstruction amid sharpening partisan tensions. “Today Senate Finance Democrats refused to move forward with nominations of Mnuchin & Price,” Senator Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the finance committee, said on Twitter, referring to Treasury secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin and Tom Price, […]

Trump faces wall of resistance to immigration order

  by Andrew BEATTY Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – US President Donald Trump has crushed the most defiant display yet of official opposition to his immigration and refugee restrictions — but resistance continued to spread Tuesday, inside and outside the government. Trump’s swift dismissal of acting attorney general Sally Yates for refusing to defend his executive orders capped a night of high drama, Washington-style, that drew comparisons with a flurry of urgent housekeeping […]

Trump fires chief US lawyer for defying migrant ban

  by Andrew Beatty / Olivia Hampton WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Monday fired the acting attorney general, a holdover from the Obama administration, after she ordered Justice Department attorneys not to defend his controversial immigration orders. In a sharply worded statement, the White House called Sally Yates “weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration” and also criticized Democrats for not yet confirming the appointment of attorney general-designate […]

Mexican President to continue dialogue with Trump administration

MEXICO VITY, Mexico (Reuters) — Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Friday’s conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump had left room for more dialogue as the two governments to look to navigate troubled relations. Trump wants a wall on the U.S. southern border to keep out illegal immigrants and says Mexico will pay for it. Mexico has flatly refused, making the issue a point of national pride, a point Pena Nieto reiterated in a video […]

King Abdullah of Jordan the first Arab leader in Washington for talks with Trump administration

VIRGINIA, United States (Reuters) — Jordan’s King Abdullah opened talks at the Pentagon on Monday (January 30), the first Arab leader to engage in person the new administration of President Donald Trump. Abdullah held a private breakfast with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and then met U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis at the Pentagon. Abdullah has just finished a visit to Russia where President Vladimir Putin thanked Jordan for supporting the Syrian peace process. Jordan […]

Quebec mosque shooter charged with six murders: police

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian police on Monday charged a political science student who has professed admiration for Donald Trump with six counts of premeditated murder and five counts of attempted murder in the shooting at a Quebec City mosque. A police spokesperson said search warrants were still being executed and more charges were expected later, including terror-related charges. © 1994-2017 Agence France-Presse

Obama rejects faith-based discrimination amid travel ban uproar

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US president Barack Obama expressed his objections Monday to any faith-based discrimination, in an apparent dig at his successor Donald Trump’s ban on nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries entering the country. “With regard to comparisons to president Obama’s foreign policy decisions, as we’ve heard before, the president fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion,” his spokesman Kevin Lewis said in a […]

Canada will offer temporary residency to those stranded by U.S. ban

OTTAWA, Canada (Reuters) — Canada will offer temporary residency to people stranded in the country as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said on Sunday (January 29). “We will continue to ensure that our immigration system is about compassion, efficiency and economic opportunity and the protection of the health, safety and security of canadians. We welcome that fleeing persecution, terror, and war,” said Hussen at […]

Canada PM condemns mosque shooting as ‘terrorist attack’

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday condemned a Quebec City shooting as a “terrorist attack” after gunmen opened fire at a mosque there, killing at least five. “We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge,” Trudeau said. “Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, city, and country.” © 1994-2017 Agence France-Presse

At least five dead in shooting at Quebec City mosque: media

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (AFP) — At least five people were killed and several people wounded after gunmen opened fire at a mosque in Quebec City late Sunday, media reported. A Quebec police spokesman confirmed that there were people killed, but did not say how many. Two suspects in the shooting were arrested, he said. Police did not rule out the possibility of a third suspect who had fled the scene. The motive of the attack […]

US, S. Korea to ‘strengthen’ defenses against N. Korea

WASHINGTON, United States  (AFP) — US President Donald Trump and South Korea’s Acting President Hwang Kyo-Ahn vowed Sunday to “strengthen” their joint defense capabilities against the belligerent North, the White House said. “President Trump reiterated our ironclad commitment to defend the ROK, including through the provision of extended deterrence, using the full range of military capabilities,” the White House said in a statement, using an acronym for the South’s formal name. “The two leaders agreed […]