International

Trudeau, Trump: NAFTA talks could conclude soon

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump discussed Monday ongoing negotiations to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement, with the White House highlighting the “importance” of reaching a quick conclusion. While Trudeau’s office mentioned the “progress” made, and the “possibility of bringing the negotiations to a prompt conclusion,” the US side was more direct. “President Trump underscored the importance of quickly concluding an agreement,” the White House […]

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Fiery cleric ahead in Iraq election surprise

by Sarah Benhaida Agence France Presse BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFP) — An alliance spearheaded by nationalist cleric Moqtada Sadr looked on the course Monday for a surprise triumph at Iraq’s first nationwide election since the defeat of the Islamic State group. In a further political upset, the rival Conquest Alliance of pro-Iranian former fighters appeared to be coming in second, squeezing internationally favored prime minister Haider al-Abadi into third. The outcome throws open the race to […]

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New fissures from Hawaii volcano, more eruptions feared

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Two new fissures have opened on Hawaii’s Big Island, officials said on Monday, warning of more lava eruptions and gas emissions from the Kilauea volcano. Authorities said the two new cracks were spotted in the Lanipuna Gardens neighborhood where residents were ordered to evacuate earlier this month after the volcano erupted and two major earthquakes rattled the island. “This morning, activity is dominated by lava fountaining, the explosion of […]

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US blocks call for independent Gaza inquiry at UN: diplomats

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States on Monday blocked the adoption of a UN Security Council statement that would have called for an independent probe of deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border, which erupted as the new US embassy in Jerusalem was opened, diplomats said. “The Security Council expresses its outrage and sorrow at the killing of Palestinian civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest,” read a draft of the statement, a copy […]

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US first lady hospitalized with ‘benign’ kidney condition

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US First Lady Melania Trump had surgery Monday for what aides called a “benign” kidney condition, and will remain in hospital for the rest of the week. The Slovenia-born wife of Donald Trump underwent an embolization procedure, said her communications director Stephanie Grisham. “The procedure was successful and there were no complications,” Grisham said. But the 48-year-old former model is expected to stay in hospital “for the duration of the week.” […]

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Israeli forces kill 55 in Gaza clashes as US opens Jerusalem embassy

  by Jonah Mandel with Joe Dyke in Gaza City Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli forces killed 55 Palestinians on the Gaza border in the conflict’s bloodiest day in years on Monday as clashes and protests coincided with the deeply controversial opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The clashes, which left more than 2,400 Palestinians wounded, erupted before a White House delegation and Israeli officials opened the embassy at an inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem […]

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First China-made aircraft carrier starts sea trials: state media

  BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier started sea trials Sunday, state media said, a landmark in Beijing’s ambitious plans to modernize its navy as the Asian giant presses its claims in disputed regional waters. The carrier, known only as “Type 001A”, set out for the trials from a port in northeastern China at around 6.45 am (2245 GMT Saturday), according to state broadcaster CCTV. Expected to be commissioned by 2020, […]

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Lima Group countries call on Venezuela to cancel polls

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — The Lima Group of countries seeking a peaceful solution to the spiralling crisis in Venezuela urged President Nicolas Maduro on Monday to cancel weekend elections that the group has denounced as undemocratic. The group “calls for the last time on the Venezuelan government to suspend the general elections” scheduled for Sunday, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told a press conference after the countries met in Mexico City. The elections were called […]

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World leaders warn US Jerusalem move fans Mideast tension

by Gina Doggett Agence France-Presse PARIS, France – Both friends and foes of the United States voiced criticism Monday as Washington opened its embassy in the disputed city of Jerusalem, saying the move would fan Middle East tensions. Chief US ally Britain reiterated its stated objection to the move, while the Iranian speaker of parliament said it showed that US President Donald Trump is “feebleminded” and “incapable of evaluating the long-term consequences of his actions”. […]

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Wild storms kill at least 70 in India

NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — At least 70 people have been killed and over 100 injured after a fresh wave of violent sandstorms and thunderstorms battered India, officials said Monday. Winds of over 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour struck parts of the north, east and southern India late Sunday, uprooting trees, electricity pylons, and damaging houses, officials from federal and state disaster management agencies said. Forty people were killed by hail and thunderstorms that […]

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N. Korea will never fully give up nuclear weapons: top defector

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea will never completely give up its nuclear weapons, a top defector said ahead of leader Kim Jong Un’s landmark summit with US President Donald Trump next month. The current whirlwind of diplomacy and negotiations will not end with “a sincere and complete disarmament” but with “a reduced North Korean nuclear threat,” said Thae Yong-ho, who fled his post as the North’s deputy ambassador to Britain in August 2016. […]

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Police widen probe into Chechen-born Paris knife attacker

by Sophie Deviller and Sofia Bouderbala Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Investigators on Sunday widened a probe into the Chechen-born 20-year-old whose stabbing spree in central Paris, claimed by the Islamic State group, left one person dead and four seriously wounded. The man, identified as naturalized Frenchman Khamzat Azimov, carried out the attack Saturday night in a lively area of theatres and restaurants near the city’s historic opera house. The knifeman, whose rampage […]

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