International

WHO warns of “health risks” for vulnerable sectors in areas affected by extreme cold in Europe

  (Eagle News) – The World Health Organization warned that the wave of extremely cold weather now affecting Europe this week posed “health risks” as the number of deaths due to the deadly blizzards in the region rose to more than 55. A news release from WHO said that the temperatures are even “expected to plunge below average in western European Russia, central Europe, the Balkans and the Baltic States.” This means that the death […]

US accuses Russia of breaching treaties with ‘invincible’ weapons

by Dave Clark  with Theo Merz in Moscow Agence France Agence WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday accused Moscow of openly breaching Cold War-era treaties by developing what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a new generation of “invincible” hypersonic weapons and submarines. Putin unveiled the new arsenal earlier Thursday in a state of the nation address, challenging Washington to a new arms race ahead of a presidential election that will all […]

White House faces rumors about top security aide’s exit

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House on Thursday faced fresh speculation about the future of National Security Adviser Herbert Raymond McMaster, with officials sending mixed messages about his possible departure. Amid a stream of staff leaving Donald Trump’s White House, NBC reported that the three-star general tasked with running White House security policy will, within months, be headed for the exit as well. “We frequently face rumor and innuendo about senior administration officials,” […]

Deadly blizzards lash Europe, air travel disrupted by snow

PARIS, France (AFP) — Heavy snowfall and deadly blizzards lashed Europe Thursday, forcing airports to cancel or delay flights around the continent, as a deep freeze gripped countries from the far north to Mediterranean beaches in the south. The snowstorms, unusual for much of Europe at this time of year, left roads blocked, thousands of drivers stranded and schools shut, with weather agencies predicting the biting cold would continue in parts of the region at […]

Trump moots ‘ultimate’ punishment for drug dealers

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump on Thursday advocated the death penalty for drug dealers, escalating his tough-on-crime rhetoric amid an opioid crisis that kills an estimated 200 Americans a day. “The drug dealers, the drug pushers, they are really doing damage,” Trump said during a White House meeting on the crisis. “Some countries have a very, very tough penalty. The ultimate penalty and, by the way, they, they have much less […]

US steel, aluminum tariffs would be ‘unacceptable’: Canada

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada’s Trade Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Thursday a US proposal to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports would be “unacceptable.” “We’re following this situation very carefully,” Champagne told parliament. “Any tariffs or quotas that would be imposed on our Canadian steel and aluminum industry would be unacceptable. Any such decision would have an impact on both sides of the border.” Canada is the largest supplier of both steel and aluminum […]

Overruling objections, Trump announces steep aluminum, steel ‘tariffs’

by Andrew Beatty and Douglas Gillison Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Despite fierce opposition from inside the White House, US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced punishing steel and aluminum tariffs, teeing up a possible trade war with major producers as well as China. Trump ended rumor and counter-rumor about his administration’s intentions, by saying that “next week” he would sign off on measures designed to protect US producers. Meeting at the […]

Putin sets course for new US arms race with ‘invincible’ weapons

by Victoria Loguinova-Yakovleva and Theo Merz Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday launched what appeared to be the start of a new arms race with Washington, as he boasted of a new generation of “invincible” Russian weapons developed in response to the threat posed by the United States. Putin praised Russia’s new hypersonic missiles and cutting-edge submarines during a state of the nation address that also touched on economic […]

South Korea Catholic church ‘devastated’ by sex abuse scandal

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea’s Catholic hierarchy on Tuesday said it was “devastated” by allegations that a priest had tried to rape a woman, after she came forward to join the country’s burgeoning #MeToo movement. The Catholic Church has been rocked around the globe by years of damaging clerical sex abuse cases as well as cover-ups by senior church officials who often ignored victims and protected predators. Until now the church in […]

Trump stuns by embracing gun control as Florida students return to class

by Leila Macor Agence France Presse PARKLAND, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump has surprised lawmakers by embracing gun control measures that are tougher than usually supported by his party, as students returned to the site of America’s latest horrific school shooting. “We have to do something about it. We have to act,” Trump said, voicing support for expanded background checks, more secure schools, curbs on the ability of the mentally ill to buy […]

New Zealand spy papers reveal 1981 bid to kill Queen

by Neil Sands Agence France Presse WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — A mentally disturbed teenager tried to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II during a 1981 visit to New Zealand and police covered up the botched attempt, according to official documents released Thursday. Christopher Lewis fired a single shot towards the Queen’s car as she toured the South Island city of Dunedin, the documents from New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (SIS) spy agency revealed. No one was […]

South Korea’s Moon says Japan cannot declare wartime crimes ‘over’

  SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday said Japan cannot declare the issue of its former wartime sex slaves “over”, repeating calls for Tokyo to apologize over the issue and confront wrongdoings. The controversy of the so-called comfort women — those forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops during World War II — has marred relations between the neighbors for decades. Park Geun-Hye, Moon’s ousted predecessor, struck a deal […]