MIAMI, United States (AFP) — The international airport in Miami has been forced to shut down one of its terminals early for three days due to a shortage of security agents sparked by the partial US government shutdown now in its 21st day. From Saturday through Monday, Terminal G — one of six at the airport — will close at 1:00 pm (1800 GMT). “Flights that were previously scheduled to depart from Concourse G […]
International
Government shutdown becomes longest in US history
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US government shutdown that has left 800,000 federal employees without salaries as a result of President Donald Trump’s row with Democrats over building a Mexico border wall entered a record 22nd day Saturday. The Democrats’ refusal to approve $5.7 billion demanded by Trump for the wall project has paralyzed Washington, with the president retaliating by refusing to sign off on budgets for […]
Kidnapped American teen found alive months after parents’ murder
GORDON, United States (AFP) — A 21-year-old man has been charged with murdering the parents of an American teen as part of a calculated plot to kidnap her, police said Friday, after 13-year-old Jayme Closs was found alive following three months in captivity. The subject of a nationwide search since her parents were found murdered in their home in rural Wisconsin in October, Closs made a seemingly miraculous escape Thursday afternoon, seeking help from a […]
Poland arrests Chinese businessman suspected of spying
WARSAW, Poland (AFP) — Poland said Friday it had arrested a Chinese businessman suspected of spying for China, with local media identifying him as a Huawei director. The announcement comes weeks after Canada arrested Huawei vice president Meng Wanzhou, who is accused of violating Iran sanctions. The Chinese telecommunications giant is also facing increased scrutiny over its alleged links to Chinese intelligence services. Countries like the United States, Australia and Japan have blocked Huawei from […]
Trump threatens to declare national emergency over border wall fight
by Eleonore Sens / with Sebastian Smith in Washington Agence France Presse McAllen, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump has again threatened to declare a national emergency along the border with Mexico as he seeks funding for a wall he says will keep out dangerous immigrants — his latest jab in a fight with Democrats in Congress that has now shut down parts of the government for a record-tying 21 days. Such a declaration, […]
UN ‘alarmed’ over renewed Yemen violence after drone attack
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — The UN envoy to Yemen said he was “alarmed” over the escalation of violence after a rebel drone attack on the country’s largest airbase killed six loyalist soldiers. In tweets posted overnight, Thursday Martin Griffiths urged all parties to Yemen’s protracted conflict to exercise restraint. The Shiite Huthi rebels said they carried out the strike which hit a military parade at Al-Anad air base, in government-held Lahij province some […]
Rebel drone kills 6 loyalists at biggest Yemen airbase
by Nabil Hasan Agence France Presse AL- ANAD AIR BASE, Yemen (AFP) — A rebel drone hit Yemen’s largest air base Thursday, killing six loyalist soldiers during a military parade in an attack which threatens to hamper UN-led peace efforts. At talks in Sweden last month, the UN-brokered several agreements between Huthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government seen as the best chance of ending nearly four years of devastating conflict. The Shiite Huthi rebels said they […]
Japan forced to amend budget over faulty jobs data scandal
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan said Friday it will have to amend its upcoming budget to fund compensation for people whose benefits were underpaid for years because of a scandal involving erroneous labour data. The labour ministry admitted this week that it has for years failed to collect complete data for its monthly employment report, which is closely watched as an indicator of wages and work hours. The data helps determine various government benefits, including […]
Ghosn hit with more charges, release unlikely
by Hiroshi HIYAMA / Sara HUSSEIN Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Tokyo prosecutors on Friday filed two new charges of financial misconduct against former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn, meaning the auto tycoon is unlikely to be leaving his jail cell soon. Lawyers for the former jet-setting executive immediately said they would file a bail application, but have acknowledged that he will probably be detained until a trial. Ghosn denies any wrongdoing and argued […]
Kabul faces water crisis as drought, population strain supply
by Laurent ABADIE Agence France-Presse KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Standing in his garden in Kabul, Baz Mohammad Kochi oversees the drilling of a new well more than 100 meters deep after his first water reservoir dried up. He is not alone. A shortage of rain and snow, a booming population and wasteful consumption have drained the Afghan capital’s water basin and sparked a race to the bottom as households and businesses bore deeper and deeper […]
Xi makes his day: Kim boosted by China talks, say analysts
by Kang Jin-kyu Agence France Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un came away from his fourth meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping with his hand strengthened in nuclear talks with the US, analysts say, even as Seoul urged him to do more. Beijing is Pyongyang’s sole major ally and key provider of trade and aid, their ties forged in the blood of the Korean War. The relationship had soured […]
Saudi Arabia awards first major wind project worth $500 million
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday awarded a contract to build a $500 million wind farm, a first for the world’s top oil exporter as it pushes to diversify its energy sector. A consortium led by France’s EDF and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar won the bid for the 400-megawatt Dumat al-Jandal wind project in the northern Al Jouf province, the Saudi energy ministry said. “The project will be Saudi Arabia’s first utility-scale wind farm,” […]





