by Andrew BEATTY Dave Clark WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House accused Israel of a betrayal of trust Wednesday, in an unusually sharp rebuke over its plans to build hundreds of new settlement homes deep in the West Bank. Days after Obama approved a $38 billion Israeli military aid package and attended former president Shimon Peres’s funeral in Jerusalem, the White House railed at the construction of 300 housing units on land “far […]
North America
Hurricane damage forces Haiti to delay voting yet again
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP) — The Haitian authorities have postponed presidential and legislative elections originally set for Sunday because of the havoc caused by Hurricane Matthew, election officials said Wednesday. The impoverished Caribbean nation’s last elections, in 2015, were canceled amid violence and massive fraud, leaving the country stranded in political limbo ever since. The president of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council, Leopold Berlanger, said a new date for elections would be announced by next Wednesday at […]
With US focused on vote, Russia takes advantage in Syria
by Ivan Couronne / Dave Clark WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — With Barack Obama’s presidency coming to a close and US policy for Syria at an impasse, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has stepped up efforts to secure its ally Bashar al-Assad in power. US officials fear the Kremlin is racing to consolidate its gains in Syria before a new, possibly tougher administration takes charge, but there is little sign of a clear new policy emerging. On […]
Hurricane Matthew’s advance prompts Americans to flee Southeast coastline
Americans across the U.S. Southeast fled the coastline, stocked up on groceries and queued for gasoline on Wednesday (October 5) as President Barack Obama and state governors urged millions to evacuate or brace for a potentially devastating Hurricane Matthew. Matthew pummeled the Bahamas and took aim at the United States as the fiercest Caribbean storm in nearly a decade appeared likely to hit Florida with powerful winds, storm surges and heavy rain late on Thursday, […]
Pence calls for US attacks against Syrian regime
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump’s running mate Mike Pence on Tuesday said the United States should attack Syrian government targets if Russia continues to support its campaign to retake Aleppo. “If Russia chooses to be involved and continue… in this barbaric attack on Aleppo, the United States of America should use military force to strike the targets of the Assad regime,” the Republican vice presidential candidate said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad […]
Hurricane Matthew pummels Haiti and Cuba, evacuations ordered in US
by Amelie BARON PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP) — Hurricane Matthew pummeled Haiti and moved on to Cuba after killing seven people, unleashing floods and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee the Caribbean’s worst storm in nearly a decade. Far to the north, the first evacuations were ordered in the United States as coastal dwellers prepared to flee the approaching monster storm, expected off the East Coast later this week. The death toll stood at seven — […]
Kaine says Trump as commander in chief “scares us to death”
FARMVILLE, United States (AFP) — Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Mike Pence quickly launched attacks on presidential nominees Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on Wednesday (October 4) at a debate between the two vice presidential contenders. “I’ll just say this. We trust Hillary Clinton, my wife and I, and we trust her with the most important thing in our life. We have a son deployed overseas in the Marine Corp right now,” said Kaine in […]
Kaine, Pence clash from start of vice presidential debate
FARMVILLE, United States (AFP) — Vice presidential hopefuls Tim Kaine and Mike Pence launched into their only debate of the campaign Tuesday, immediately clashing on the reputations and experiences of their bosses chasing the White House. Democrat Kaine and Republican Pence squared off to highlight their capabilities as the men who could be a heartbeat away from the presidency, but essentially they were on stage fighting a proxy war for their running mates five weeks […]
Trump taps supporters for advice on next debate
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — He may rely almost exclusively on his own political judgment during 2016, but Donald Trump is now seeking advice from supporters about how to improve his performance in the second presidential debate with Hillary Clinton. An email sent out Tuesday by his campaign includes a 30-question “debate preparation survey” for supporters ahead of their showdown. “The next debate against Hillary Clinton is just 5 days away. I need your immediate […]
Trump tumbles on rich list, down $800 mln: Forbes
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) – It seems running for president is hurting Donald Trump’s finances big time. The Republican nominee’s fortune fell $800 million last year sending him tumbling 35 spots on a list of richest Americans, Forbes said Tuesday. The business magazine said the New York real estate mogul is worth $3.7 billion — down from an estimated $4.5 billion in March — and just over a third of the $10 billion that […]
Trump says news media obsessed with ‘alleged’ tax filing
(Reuters) — U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Monday (October 3) appeared to complain about the public attention he has received over his leaked 1995 of tax filing which showed he had over $900 million in losses that year. The New York Times first reported the story, saying the losses were from bad business deals in the 1990s. Experts have said the losses might have allowed Trump to avoid paying federal income taxes […]
New York orders Trump Foundation to cease fundraising
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The top state prosecutor in New York has ordered Republican nominee Donald Trump’s charitable foundation to stop fundraising in New York immediately, saying that it was operating without proper certification. The office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman told the Donald J. Trump foundation last Friday that it must “cease and desist from soliciting contributions” in New York. The notice was made public on Monday. The notice of violation informed […]





