International

Evidence of Trump misconduct ‘overwhelming’: impeachment report

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The evidence for impeaching President Donald Trump for misconduct in office and obstruction is “overwhelming,” the final report on the House investigation into the US leader said Tuesday. The 300-page report, meant as the basis for articles of impeachment, accused Trump of endangering national security and of an unparalleled effort to stifle the probe into claims he pressured Ukraine for dirt on a Democratic election rival. “The impeachment inquiry […]

Indian warship drives away Chinese vessel: reports

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — India’s Navy chief said Tuesday that an unauthorized Chinese vessel had entered its waters in the strategic Indian Ocean Region in September, with media reports suggesting New Delhi deployed a warship to repel the vessel. India is wary of Chinese clout in the Indian Ocean Region — one of the busiest maritime routes in the world — which it considers to be in its sphere of influence. The Chinese research […]

US court blocks resumption of federal executions

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A US appeals court ruled on Monday that the government could not resume its use of capital punishment, in a setback for President Donald Trump’s advocacy of the death penalty. Attorney General Bill Barr announced in July that the Federal Bureau of Prisons would adopt a new lethal injection protocol, clearing the way to carry out death sentences, with five executions set to start December 9 at the federal […]

Mexico hunts cartel gunmen after deadly firefight kills 22

  by Julio Cesar Aguilar Agence France Presse VILLA UNION, Mexico (AFP) — Mexican forces hunted Monday for a drug cartel commando behind a bloody firefight in a town near the US border that left six locals and 16 gunmen dead — the latest security embarrassment for President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. At least 60 gunmen terrorized the small northern city of Villa Union over the weekend, riding into town in heavily armed four-by-fours and […]

Former US president Jimmy Carter again hospitalized

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US president Jimmy Carter has been hospitalized for treatment of a urinary tract infection, the Carter Center said Monday — the latest in a series of health issues for the 95-year-old Democrat. Carter “was admitted to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Georgia, this past weekend,” his center said in a statement. “He is feeling better and looks forward to returning home soon.” Last week, Carter — the […]

Wall collapse kills 17 in India

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — At least 17 people from four families in India were buried alive as they were sleeping on Monday when heavy rains caused a large wall to collapse on their homes, police said. The dead included two children in the village in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which was being pounded by torrential rain, a police official told AFP. The 20-foot (six-meter) high wall crumbled at around 5:30 am some […]

Three French flood rescuers killed in helicopter crash

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) — Three emergency workers were killed in a helicopter crash near Marseille while on a rescue mission in southern France where floods have left two dead, officials said Monday. Their EC145 helicopter lost radio and radar contact while on a rescue and reconnaissance flight in the Var region Sunday night. The three were found dead at 1:30 am near the town of Rove, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and his secretary of state […]

Protests send Hong Kongers to Taiwan in search of new lives

by Amber Wang, with Yan Zhao in Hong Kong KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (AFP) — Protests that have paralyzed Hong Kong for nearly six months is pushing residents to seek new lives abroad, with many turning to nearby democratic Taiwan to escape the uncertainty at home. Taiwan has long attracted Hong Kongers seeking an alternative to their city’s frenetic pace and sky-high rents. But the number granted short-term and permanent residency in Taiwan rose nearly 30 percent […]

Two killed by floods in southern France

NICE, France (AFP) — Two people were killed on Sunday by floods in the French Riviera, which has been hit by fresh torrential rains a week after extreme weather left six dead, authorities said. In the Var region, a shepherd has swept away as he was trying to cross a ford in his 4×4 while tending to his flock. His body was found in his vehicle late Sunday night 300 meters (330 yards) downstream from […]

10 wounded in shooting in busy New Orleans tourist area

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Ten people were wounded in a shooting early Sunday in New Orleans’ French Quarter, a popular tourist hub, US police said, adding that two of the victims were in critical condition. The shooting took place at 3:21 am (09H21 GMT) on a crowded commercial street near many hotels in a historic district that attracts visitors from around the world. Police reported earlier that 11 people had been wounded but subsequently […]

Iraq’s embattled PM bows out as protesters mourn dead

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — The government of Iraq’s Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi ended Sunday after two months of violent unrest that has left more than 420 people dead and thousands mourning them in nationwide marches. As anti-government demonstrators across the strife-torn country massed to honor the fallen activists, parliament met to accept the resignation which the 77-year-old had offered two days before. While Abdel Mahdi stays on initially to lead a caretaker government, President […]

‘Frozen 2’ holds top spot at N.American box office

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Disney blockbuster “Frozen 2” held top spot at the North American box office over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, taking in an estimated $85.2 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said Sunday. The animation adventure movie follows beloved characters from 2013 hit “Frozen” as they travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest in search of the origin of the magical ice powers of Queen Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel). “Frozen 2,” which […]