International

Microsoft says Iran hackers targeted US presidential campaign

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 27, 2017 the French headquarters of US multinational technology company Microsoft is seen in Issy-Les-Moulineaux, a Paris’ suburb. – Microsoft on Friday said a hacker group linked to Iran unleashed cyber attacks on US journalists, government officials and accounts associated with a US presidential campaign. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)   SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Microsoft on Friday said a hacker group linked to […]

Hong Kong leader announces ban on protester face masks

  by Jerome TAYLOR / Jasmine LEUNG Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s leader announced a ban Friday on protesters wearing face masks, invoking colonial-era emergency powers, in a bid to quell months of violent anti-government unrest. Chief executive Carrie Lam said she had made the order under the Emergency Regulations Ordinances, a sweeping law that grants her the ability to make any law during a time of emergency or public […]

Priest shortage in Amazon eroding Catholic influence, warns bishops in Brazil and Peru

  by Allison Jackson, with Valeria Pacheco in Puerto Maldonado, Peru Agence France Presse ITAITUBA, Brazil (AFP) — A shortage of Catholic priests in the Amazon is eroding the church’s influence in the remote region, bishops in Brazil and Peru warn, ahead of a Vatican synod dedicated to the rainforest. Wilmar Santin, one of scores of Brazilian bishops set to attend the October 6-27 gathering, says the church is ceding ground to more nimble Evangelical […]

Four killed in Paris police stabbing, attacker shot dead

By Gregory Danel Agence France-Presse PARIS, FRANCE (AFP) — A knife-wielding man working at police headquarters in central Paris went on a rampage Thursday, stabbing and killing four employees before himself being shot dead, officials said. A fifth person who was critically injured was being treated in hospital after what was the deadliest attack on police in France in years. Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said that the attacker, a 45-year-old employee from the IT department […]

Nine killed as typhoon lashes South Korea

  BUSAN, South Korea (AFP) — At least nine people were killed and several others missing after Typhoon Mitag lashed South Korea with heavy rain and strong winds, authorities said Thursday. The storm hit southern parts of the country on Wednesday night, prompting flood warnings and triggering landslides in affected areas. A total of nine people were killed across the country as of Thursday afternoon, the Ministry of Interior and Safety said, but the toll […]

Last body retrieved after Taiwan bridge collapse

  TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwanese rescuers on Thursday retrieved the body of the last missing person killed when a bridge collapsed two days ago, smashing onto fishing boats moored underneath. A total of six fishing workers from Indonesia and the Philippines were killed in the incident, which also left 12 people injured according to the National Fire Agency. The body of the last missing Filipino was recovered from the waters around noon, ending a […]

Curfew imposed in Baghdad after deadly protests

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — An indefinite curfew came into effect early Thursday in Iraq’s capital after two days of chaotic protests across the country that descended into violence and left nine dead. Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi ordered the ban on movements across Baghdad starting at 5:00 am local time (0200 GMT) to stem the popular demonstrations over widespread unemployment and state corruption. Early Thursday, some cars and civilians were seen in the capital’s streets, […]

US prosecutor: Honduran president received fortune in drug bribes

by Laura BONILLA NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez took millions of dollars in bribes from drug lords including jailed Mexican kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, a US prosecutor said Wednesday at the opening of his brother’s trial. The president’s brother Juan Antonio Hernandez, a former Honduran congressman who also goes by the name Tony, was arrested at a Miami airport in November 2018 for conspiring to import cocaine into […]

Hong Kong flash-mob rallies erupt as anger mounts over shot protester

by Jerome TAYLOR / Yan ZHAO HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Flash-mob rallies broke out in Hong Kong Wednesday as anger mounted over police shooting a teenage protester who attacked officers in a dramatic escalation of the violent unrest that has engulfed the territory for months. Large crowds of demonstrators held unsanctioned marches through the commercial center and then in multiple districts throughout the evening, when police fired brief volleys of tear gas in one […]

Five bodies found, one still missing after Taiwan bridge collapse

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Five bodies have been recovered from under a collapsed bridge in Taiwan, rescuers said Wednesday, as the search continued for the last person missing after the structure smashed onto fishing boats moored underneath. Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said the deceased were fishing workers from Indonesia and the Philippines whose bodies were found in waters near two damaged boats late Tuesday and earlier Wednesday. “The search and rescue mission continues,” transport minister […]

Nine dead as thousands protest across Iraq

by Salam Faraj BAGHDAD, United States (AFP) — Popular protests multiplied across Iraq on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators braved live fire and tear gas in rallies that have left nine dead in 24 hours. The demonstrations have posed the first major challenge to Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, who formed his government a year ago this month and who controversially blamed the violence on “aggressors” among the protesters. Since erupting in Baghdad on Tuesday, […]

UPDATED: At least seven dead as World War II plane crashes in the US: reports

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — At least seven people were killed when a World War II bomber carrying 13 passengers and crew crashed at an airport in the northeastern US state of Connecticut Wednesday, local media reported. The Boeing B-17 aircraft, which the US Air Force deployed against Germany and Japan, crashed at Bradley International Airport while trying to land around 10:00 am (1400 GMT). Ten passengers and three crew were on the aircraft, […]