International

Three arrested at US airport, charged with supporting IS

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Three American citizens of Kenyan descent have been charged with conspiring to support the Islamic State group after an arrest at a Michigan airport foiled their alleged plot, authorities announced Tuesday. The three men, all in their 20s and related to each other, allegedly recorded videos pledging their allegiance to IS and discussed a potential car attack in the United States if one of them was unable to travel overseas […]

From Prince William to Mike Pompeo: top quotes at Davos

by Alex PIGMAN Agence France Presse DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP) — Here is a serving of quotes from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Tuesday, where a year after US President Donald Trump stole the show, Brazil’s new far-right leader grabbed the limelight. “I’d like to say it’s a personal treat for me to be sitting here asking you questions. Normally I have to endure people asking me questions.” — Britain’s Prince William cracks […]

John Kerry to Trump: ‘Resign’

DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP) — Former US secretary of state John Kerry said Tuesday he was not ruling out another tilt at the White House in 2020 but that in the here and now, Donald Trump should quit. “I’ve told people I have not taken it off the table, but I’m not sitting around actively planning a (2020) campaign, or doing something, no,” Kerry, 75, told CNBC television at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Kerry […]

Trump tells spokeswoman ‘not to bother’ with press briefings

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has told his chief spokeswoman Sarah Sanders “not to bother” with formal media briefings in the White House, because journalists don’t cover her fairly. “The reason Sarah Sanders does not go to the ‘podium’ much anymore is that the press covers her so rudely & inaccurately, in particular certain members of the press,” Trump tweeted. “I told her not to bother, the word gets […]

France, Germany strengthen treaty ties to tackle EU crisis

by Laurence Benhamou Agence France Presse France and Germany on Tuesdasy signed a new friendship treaty to deepen their alliance at a time of crisis for the EU, drawing fire from the far right whom President Emmanuel Macron slapped down for “spreading lies” about the pact. Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel inked the accord to deepen ties as Britain prepares to leave the European Union and tensions are rising with populist leaders in the […]

EasyJet takes £15m hit from London airport drone chaos

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — British no-frills airline EasyJet on Tuesday said closure of London’s Gatwick Airport on December 21 caused by reported sightings of drones had cost the group £15 million ($19.2 million, 17 million euros). EasyJet said it had lost £5.0 million in revenue and taken a hit of £10 million on passenger costs. “EasyJet has made a good start to the 2019 financial year with robust customer demand and ancillary sales, driving […]

Around 65 killed in Taliban attack on Afghan intel base: local official

GHAZNI, Afghanistan (AFP) — Around 65 people were killed in a Taliban-claimed attack on an Afghan intelligence base, a local official said Tuesday, raising the toll substantially from 12 announced previously. “We took about 65 bodies out of the rubble yesterday,” Mohammad Sardar Bakhyari, deputy head of the provincial council in Wardak province, where the attack occurred on Monday in the latest blow to beleaguered security forces. A senior security official who spoke on condition […]

Mnangagwa returns to Zimbabwe after protest crackdown

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AFP) — Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has landed back in Harare, state television said Tuesday, after cutting short a foreign tour over nationwide protests that were met with a brutal security crackdown. Police and soldiers launched a large-scale operation against suspected protestors, activists and organizers of the strike last week, which was triggered by a sharp rise in fuel prices. At least 12 people were killed and 78 treated for gunshot injuries, according […]

Tourist killed by falling window from Hong Kong hotel

HONG KONG, China (AFP) — A hotel employee arrested after a window she was cleaning fell onto a busy Hong Kong street and killed a tourist was released on bail Tuesday as investigators try to work out what caused the fatal tragedy. Police said a 24-year-old female tourist from the Chinese mainland was struck by the window which fell from the 16th floor of the Mira Hotel in the busy Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district […]

Tokyo court denies ex-Nissan chief Ghosn’s bail request

by Richard CARTER Agence Franc Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Carlos Ghosn is likely to remain in Japanese custody for the foreseeable future after a Tokyo court denied him bail Tuesday despite a last-ditch personal appeal by the former Nissan boss. The decision was expected as the court had previously judged him to be a flight risk who could potentially tamper with evidence. Even Ghosn’s own lawyer has said his client will likely remain in […]

Ex-diplomats, scholars urge China to release Canadians

by Elizabeth LAW Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — A group of more than 100 former diplomats and academics have signed an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping calling for the release of two Canadians who have been detained on allegations of espionage. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were on December 10 arrested for activities that “endanger China’s security” — a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage. Their […]

Mexico probes negligence in pipeline blast that killed 91

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico has opened an investigation into what caused a deadly pipeline explosion, including possible negligence by authorities, the attorney general said Monday, as the death toll rose to 91 people. It is still unclear exactly how events unfolded leading up to the Friday blast, which occurred as hundreds of people rushed to collect fuel in buckets and jerrycans from a geyser of gasoline that was spouting from an illegal pipeline […]