International

Iran foreign minister Zarif announces resignation on Instagram

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was the lead negotiator in the 2015 nuclear deal, announced his resignation on Instagram on Monday, which can only take effect once President Hassan Rouhani accepts it. “I apologize for my inability to continue serving and for all the shortcomings during my term in office,” Zarif said in a message posted on his verified Instagram account. Zarif thanked Iranians and “respected officials” for their […]

Cuba votes in referendum on new constitution

  by Carlos Batista / Rigoberto Diaz Agence France Presse HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Cubans voted in a referendum on a new constitution Sunday with the backdrop of mounting pressure from the United States and continued support for Venezuela’s socialist regime. Results of the vote, which the government turned into a plebiscite on the “irrevocable” role of socialism in the island nation, are expected late Monday. “We Cubans are voting for our new constitution, we’re […]

Record-breaking snowstorm wreaks havoc in Northern Arizona

By Lisa Docena EBC Arizona Bureau (Eagle News) — In Flagstaff, Arizona, locals take pride in year-round mild weather. While most are accustomed to occasional snow storms, locals are not accustomed to the snow falls they’ve been receiving recently, which some have been referring to as the “Snowmaggedon.” Record-breaking levels of snow have blanketed most of northern Arizona from early Thursday morning into Saturday morning for parts of the state, including the greater Phoenix area […]

Pope’s vow to battle child sex abuse fails to appease victims

  by Ella Ide Agence France Presse VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Catholic Church’s Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to “human sacrifice”, but drew an angry response from victims. As the pope promised an “all-out battle” against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a “stunning letdown”. And when he blamed the […]

AAF: Surging Apollos take down Memphis Express, remain undefeated

By Jay Rosquites EBC Florida Bureau ORLANDO, Florida (Eagle News) – The Orlando Apollos’s team slogan, “TAKE AIM”, has lived up to its name. In week one, they aimed for a strong offensive game versus the Atlanta Legends and succeeded with a rout. In week two, they aimed for a comeback win against the San Antonio Commanders and nailed that target. For week three, they aimed for another win against the Express and remain undefeated. […]

Pope compares child sex abuse to ‘human sacrifice’

Pope Francis on Sunday compared the sexual abuse of children to human sacrifice as he addressed the Catholic church’s top bishops at the end of a landmark summit to tackle paedophilia. “Our work has made us realise once again that the gravity of the scourge of the sexual abuse of minors is, and historically has been, a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies,” he said. “I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread […]

Guaido ramps up pressure after deadly Venezuela border clashes

by Esteban Rojas with Rodrigo Almoncid in Cucuta International pressure mounted against Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro on Sunday, with Washington vowing to “take action” after opposition efforts to bring humanitarian aid into the country descended into bloody chaos. Self-declared interim president Juan Guaido called on the international community to consider “all measures to free” Venezuela after clashes at the border crossing left at least two people dead. Guaido announced he would participate in Monday’s Lima […]

Saudi Arabia names first woman envoy to Washington at critical time

by Anuj Chopra Saudi Arabia on Saturday named a princess as its first woman ambassador to the United States, a key appointment as the fallout over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder tests relations between the allies. Princess Rima bint Bandar replaced Prince Khalid bin Salman, the younger brother of the powerful crown prince who was appointed vice defence minister in a flurry of late-night royal decrees announced on state media. The reshuffle comes as Saudi Arabia […]

Harry and Meghan in Morocco on last official trip before birth

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan arrived Saturday night in Morocco for their last official trip abroad before the birth of their first child, which is due in spring. The royal couple, Harry in a light grey suit and Meghan in a red dress, were welcomed with a tray of dates, a traditional ritual of hospitality in Morocco, after they landed in Casablanca. “Medical provisions” have been made for the pregnant former American actress, who […]

India toxic alcohol deaths jump to 133: police

At least 35 more workers have died in northeastern India after drinking toxic liquor, police said Sunday, taking the death toll from the latest mass alcohol poisoning beyond 130. The deaths in Assam state came less than two weeks after tainted liquor killed about 100 people in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In addition to the latest toll, at least 200 more people were still hospitalised across Assam. “The death toll has […]

Emperor urges Japan to be ‘open to the outside’

Japan’s Emperor Akihito urged his country to be open to the outside world at a ceremony marking 30 years of his reign on Sunday, ahead of his abdication later this year. Akihito will abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne on April 30, making way for Crown Prince Naruhito to replace him the following day. “Our country has cultivated its own culture as an island nation,” he said at the ceremony in Tokyo. “As the world has […]

North Korean leader rides train on way to Vietnam

by Poornima WEERASEKARA Agence France Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s armoured train chugged across China on Sunday as he headed to his highly anticipated second summit with US President Donald Trump in Vietnam. Emulating his late father and grandfather, who took epic train trips when they were leaders, Kim set off on the long journey from Pyongyang on Saturday. The train crossed the border city of Dandong later that […]