North America

Obama in Europe urges ‘course correction’ on globalization

  by Jerome Cartillier with John Hadoulis in Athens Agence France Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) –  US President Barack Obama arrived in Germany on Wednesday on the final leg of a European tour aimed at reassuring key allies about transatlantic ties under his successor Donald Trump. Obama touched down in Berlin for a visit due to last until Friday, during which he will hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as the leaders of Britain, […]

Dakota Access pipeline protesters gather in NYC as firms defend project

NEW YORK CITY, United States (Reuters) — The companies behind the Dakota Access Pipeline asked a U.S. court to intervene in the fight over its completion as demonstrators fanned out across North America on Tuesday (November 15) to protest the controversial project. In New York City, a demonstration was held a day after the U.S. government delayed granting an easement for the pipeline’s construction in North Dakota. “We want to stand with the Sioux people […]

Students in Washington, NY ditch class to protest Trump

by Maggy Donaldson with Catherine Triomphe in New York WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Hundreds of students in Washington ditched school Tuesday to protest against US President-elect Donald Trump, marching through the heart of the US capital  before descending on the White House. They joined youth across the country who have staged similar walkouts since Trump’s shock victory on November 8, carrying signs with messages like “spread love,” “my black is beautiful” and “make America […]

US mayor resigns after racist Michelle Obama post

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A mayor from West Virginia has resigned amid a furor over a racist Facebook post that described First Lady Michelle Obama as an “ape in heels,” US media said. Beverly Whaling, the mayor of the tiny town of Clay, had appeared to applaud the incendiary comment and stepped down Tuesday amid the ensuing firestorm, according to a town official, Joe Coleman. Clay County Development Corp. director Pamela Ramsey had reportedly […]

Canada’s Trudeau visits Cuba to reboot ties

by Alexandre GROSBOIS HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Cuba Tuesday to boost ties as a breakthrough in the communist island’s US relations hung in the balance following Donald Trump’s presidential election win. After arriving at Havana airport, Trudeau headed straight to the city’s iconic Revolution Square and laid a wreath, an AFP photographer saw. He was scheduled later to meet with Cuba’s President Raul Castro, officials said. The two-day […]

Obama says Trump soon to face sobering ‘reality’ check

  by Andrew Beatty Washington, United States (AFP) — President Barack Obama cautioned against dire predictions for Donald Trump’s presidency Monday, saying his Republican successor faces a reality check if he tries to enact his most controversial campaign promises. The outgoing Democratic leader made his comments at a wide-ranging news conference before he embarked on a farewell visit to Europe to reassure worried allies about a man he once warned was “unfit” to lead the […]

Japanese acting legend Mifune honored with star in Hollywood.

LOS ANGELES, United States (Reuters) — Legendary Japanese movie star Toshiro Mifune was posthumously honored on Monday (November 14) with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Mifune, who received the 2,594th star on Hollywood Boulevard, appeared in more than 150 films during the golden age of Japanese cinema and worked with the top directors of the time including Akira Kurosawa for whom he starred in 16 movies. Mifune’s grandson, Rikiya […]

Obama says Trump soon to face sobering ‘reality’ check

by Andrew BEATTY President Barack Obama cautioned against dire predictions for Donald Trump’s presidency Monday, saying his Republican successor faces a reality check if he tries to enact his most controversial campaign promises. The outgoing Democratic leader made his comments at a wide-ranging news conference before he embarked on a farewell visit to Europe to reassure worried allies about a man he once warned was “unfit” to lead the United States. Trump’s election win last […]

Facebook had tool to weed out fake news: report

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Facebook had a tool to weed out fake news circulating on the social network this year but declined to deploy it for fear of offending conservatives, a report said Monday. The report by the online news site Gizmodo comes with Facebook under fire for allowing hoaxes and misinformation to go viral and — according to some critics — boost the efforts of Republican Donald Trump in his successful presidential run. […]

Obama leaves US on final foreign trip — to Greece, Germany and Peru

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama headed across the Atlantic late Monday on his final foreign trip while in office — a farewell tour of Europe and a summit with Asia-Pacific leaders to reassure concerned allies after Donald Trump’s election. Obama will first go to Greece, his first trip to the birthplace of democracy, where he will visit the Parthenon and hold talks with the country’s leaders. Security will be tight in central […]

EU split on defence plans after Trump win

  by Bryan McManus BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) – Sharp differences surfaced Monday as EU foreign ministers debated ambitious plans to boost the bloc’s military role, amid fears Donald Trump’s election jeopardises Washington’s historic security guarantee. US president-elect Trump has shocked Europe by casting doubt over US commitments to NATO unless European allies increase defence spending, sparking calls for the European Union to press ahead on its own. Britain has long opposed any such plans as […]

Trump vows to immediately deport up to three million immigrants: interview

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump will keep his vow to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the United States, he said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday, saying as many as three million could be removed after he takes office. “What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could […]