MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Four people were shot dead Monday in three areas of the western Canadian town of Penticton, federal police said, describing the shootings as a “targeted incident.” “We have determined four people are deceased at three locations within a four kilometer (2.5 mile) radius,” Superintendent Ted De Jager said in a press conference. A 60-year-old man handed himself in and was detained after police were called over the first two killings late […]
International
Vatican expresses sadness, incredulity over Notre Dame cathedral fire
The Vatican on Monday expressed its “incredulity” and “sadness” over a major fire that engulfed the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, which it called “a symbol of Christianity in France and across the world”. “We express our closeness with French Catholics and with the Parisian population. We pray for the firefighters and for all those who are trying their best to tackle this dramatic situation,” a Vatican spokesman said in a statement. International leaders also […]
After 35 years Jean-Marie Le Pen bids farewell to Europe
by Anne RENAUT and Clare BYRNE PARIS, France (AFP) — Jean-Marie Le Pen, the father of France’s far-right, will bid farewell to the European Parliament on Tuesday after 35 years of using it as a platform to bash European integration and immigration. The 90-year-old, who co-founded and led the far-right National Front for 40 years before handing the reins to his daughter Marine in 2011, is one of the longest-serving members of the assembly, which […]
Notre-Dame fire ‘under control, partially extinguished’: firefighters
PARIS, France (AFP) — A huge fire that devastated Notre-Dame Cathedral is “under control”, the Paris fire brigade said early Tuesday after firefighters spent hours battling the flames. “The fire is completely under control. It is partially extinguished, there are residual fires to put out,” said spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Plus. © Agence France-Presse
Ecuador hit by 40 million cyber attacks since Assange arrest
QUITO, Ecuador (AFP) — Ecuador said on Monday it has suffered 40 million cyber attacks on the webpages of public institutions since stripping Wikileaks founder Julian Assange of political asylum. Patricio Real, Ecuador’s deputy minister for information and communication technologies, said the attacks, which began on Thursday, had “principally come from the United States, Brazil, Holland, Germany, Romania, France, Austria and the United Kingdom,” as well as from the South American country itself. Assange was […]
In photos: Notre Dame cathedral on fire
by Anne Chaon Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Paris was struck in its very heart on Monday as flames devoured the roof of Notre-Dame, the medieval cathedral made famous by Victor Hugo, its two massive towers flanked with gargoyles instantly recognisable even by people who have never visited the city. Thousands of Parisians poured into the streets to watch as the fire spread, overwhelmed by the catastrophic damage to […]
Pelosi warns Democrats of liberal ‘menace’ ahead of 2020 vote
by Dmitry ZAKS LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday her Democratic Party must avoid the “menace” of liberal policies pushed by rising political stars if it wants to beat President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. The top congressional Democrat used an appearance at the London School of Economics to set out a centrist vision that could help woo Republican voters frustrated with Trump’s approach. She followed standard US […]
US, Japan open trade talks seeking quick deal
by Heather SCOTT with Kyoko HASEGAWA in Tokyo WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US and Japanese negotiators opened the first round of trade talks on Monday in the latest front in President Donald Trump’s aggressive, multi-pronged strategy to address “chronic US trade imbalances.” US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer welcomed the team from Tokyo led by Japan’s Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the start of two days of talks looking for a rapid deal. After launching […]
Notre-Dame’s main structure ‘saved and preserved’: Paris fire official
PARIS, France (AFP) — The main structure of Notre-Dame cathedral in central Paris has been saved after hours of fire-fighting to put out a devastating blaze, the city’s top fire official said late Monday. “We can consider that the main structure of Notre-Dame has been saved and preserved,” Paris fire brigade chief Jean-Claude Gallet told reporters outside the cathedral, adding it appeared that the two main towers of the building had now been saved. He […]
‘Paris is disfigured’: Tears and shock as Notre-Dame burns
by Joseph Schmid Crowds of stunned Parisians and tourists — some crying, others offering prayers — watched on in horror in central Paris on Monday evening as flames engulfed the Notre-Dame cathedral. Gasps and cries erupted at 7:50 pm (1750 GMT) when the top portion of the church’s spire came crashing down into an inferno that has spread to the entire roof. More gasps came a few seconds later when the rest of the spire […]
Fire ravages Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, spire collapses
by Clare BYRNE and Joseph Schmid A colossal fire swept through the famed Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris on Monday, causing a spire to collapse and threatening to destroy the entire masterpiece and its precious artworks. The fire, which began in the early evening, sent flames and huge clouds of grey smoke billowing into the Paris sky as stunned Parisians and tourists watched on in sheer horror. Some were in tears, others offered prayers from […]
17 more detained over China blast that killed 78
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Police have detained 17 more suspects connected to a chemical blast in eastern China last month which killed 78 and left hundreds injured, local authorities said Monday. The explosion in eastern Jiangsu province was one of the worst industrial accidents in the country in recent years and led to the closure of the plant. Police have taken “criminal coercive measures” against the 17 suspects, said the Yancheng city government on its […]
