International

US under fire at UN over Golan decision

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States faced sharp criticism Wednesday at the UN Security Council over its decision to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, which big powers denounced as a violation of UN resolutions. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Monday in which the United States recognized Israel’s annexation of the strategic plateau that it seized in 1967 and annexed in 1981. Britain, Washington’s closest ally, said the decision was […]

Modi declares India ‘space superpower’ as satellite downed by missile

by Jalees Andrabi NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — India said Wednesday it destroyed a low-orbiting satellite in a missile test that proved the nation was among the world’s most advanced space powers. In a rare address to the nation just weeks out from a national election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India had joined the United States, Russia, and China in accomplishing the feat. A missile fired from a testing facility in Odisha, eastern India, […]

US-China trade talks open in Beijing

by Ryan MCMORROW BEIJING, China (AFP) — The United States and China open the latest round of their trade talks Thursday as the economic superpowers edge towards a deal to resolve a months-long spat that has rattled the global economy. The two-day meetings between US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin with China’s top economic official Liu He is the first since China put into law new measures seen as an olive […]

EU presents plan for safe 5G amid Huawei suspicions

by Dave CLARK STRASBOURG, France (AFP) — The European Commission on Tuesday presented its plan to ensure the secure introduction of 5G telecoms networks, with suspicions hanging over Chinese giant Huawei. The United States has accused the firm of posing a security risk to western networks, because of its alleged ties to Chinese intelligence. But some European countries are in negotiations with Huawei to deploy its advanced technology to power the faster wireless networks of […]

Mozambique families devastated by cyclone tragedy

by Nicolas DELAUNAY BEGAJA, Mozambique (AFP) — Twelve people perched precariously on a branch of a mango tree, sheltering from the floodwaters of tropical Cyclone Idai which wrought devastation across southern Africa. “But after two days, it snapped,” said Isabel Bernard, 20, a survivor of the storm’s aftermath who had been clinging to the tree branch along with her son. “We were thrown into the water and I lost sight of my son. I looked […]

British MPs vote against all alternative Brexit options

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British MPs on Wednesday voted against eight alternative Brexit options aimed at overcoming the deadlock over Prime Minister Theresa May’s unpopular European Union divorce deal. The options being voted on included negotiating for closer economic ties with the EU after Brexit, holding a public vote on any deal or stopping Brexit altogether. © Agence France-Presse

Calm returns to Gaza after rockets draw Israeli response

by Stephen Weizman with Sakher Abou El Oun in Gaza City JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Calm returned Wednesday after Palestinian militants in Gaza fired three rockets at Israel overnight, prompting retaliatory fire from Israel and threatening a Hamas-declared truce. But while the shaky ceasefire seemed to be taking effect, there were concerns the first anniversary of mass protests along the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday could lead to further tensions. A big turnout is expected for […]

Orlando City SC shock New York Red Bulls 1-0, win first game of season

  Tennie Sumague EBC New York Bureau HARRISON, NJ (Eagle News) — A winless Orlando City SC team accomplished something no Major League Soccer team has done since the Columbus Crew SC visited Red Bulls Arena last July 26th — beat the Red Bulls on their home territory 1-0 last Saturday evening. The Red Bulls first home loss in eight months came under former New York captain, Sacha Kljestan, who scored the only goal of […]

US lawmakers challenge Pentagon diversion of $1 bn for border wall

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A Democrat-led congressional committee challenged Tuesday the Pentagon’s plan to divert $1 billion to support President Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Less than one day after acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan authorized moving the funds from existing Defense Department projects to border construction, the House Armed Services Committee said this move was not permitted. It was the newest challenge to Trump’s February 15 […]

DFA: Filipina injured in multiple vehicle collision in Kazakhstan

(Eagle News) — A Filipina was injured in a collision involving multiple vehicles in Kazakhstan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday, March 27. Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta told the DFA main office it was Jennifer Francisco Lavapiez herself who informed the embassy through its Facebook page that she had been injured in Tuesday’s incident involving three buses, two passenger cars and an ambulance that left two persons dead and 27 people injured. […]

Erdogan’s AKP battles for major cities in Turkey local election

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — To hear President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the campaign trail, Turkey’s municipal elections on Sunday may be a fight for survival against foreign and domestic enemies trying to destroy the country. For many Turks, it may be more about the family finances. No one expects a major defeat for Erdogan’s AKP. But with Turkey’s economy in recession and inflation in double digits, the ruling party faces a tough battle to capture […]

23 dead as Iran battles heavy rain and floods

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran battled torrential rain and floods across most of the country on Tuesday, warning citizens to stay vigilant after unprecedented flash flooding killed 23 people. The authorities also announced for the first time that seven people were killed a week ago in separate floods that swept the northeastern provinces of Golestan and Mazandaran. The latest deluge claimed the lives of 19 people and injured 98 in the worst-hit southern city of […]