International

British MPs vote to move out of Westminster for repairs

by Rosie Scammell Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – British MPs on Wednesday voted in favor of moving out of their historic Westminster home, to make way for major renovation work of the iconic Houses of Parliament. Lawmakers backed the decision for a “full and timely decant” of parliament by 234 votes to 185, paving the way for a multi-billion-pound revamp of the dilapidated complex. “This debate arguably should have taken place about 40 years ago,” […]

SpaceX blasts off Luxembourg government satellite

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — SpaceX on Wednesday blasted off a four-ton secure military communications satellite called GovSat-1, a partnership between the government of Luxembourg and the satellite operator SES. The prime minister and deputy prime minister of Luxembourg were in Florida for the launch, along with the prince and princess of Luxembourg, SpaceX said. “There you saw a successful liftoff of the Falcon 9,” a SpaceX commentator said as the rocket launched on a […]

FBI challenges White House over explosive Russia case memo

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The FBI warned Wednesday it has “grave concerns” over the accuracy of a secret Congressional memo that could depict the agency as deeply politicized, as President Donald Trump’s top aide signaled the White House would allow the document’s release. Based on highly classified information, the four-page memo —  written by Republican lawmaker Devin Nunes, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee — suggests that the Justice Department and the FBI abused their […]

6.1 magnitude quake rattles northern Afghanistan: USGS

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan Wednesday, the USGS said, sending people in Kabul rushing into the streets with tremors felt as far away as Islamabad and New Delhi. The quake hit at 0707 GMT near Afghanistan’s northern border with Tajikistan in the Hindu Kush mountains at a depth of 191 kilometres (119 miles), the US Geological Survey said. Frightened residents ran out of homes and shops following the […]

North Korea slams US as ‘gross violator of human rights’

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea has denounced US President Donald Trump’s administration as a “gross violator of human rights,” its state media reported Wednesday. The official Korean Central News Agency released its English-language report on Pyongyang’s annual white paper on US human rights violations as Trump began his State of the Union speech, in which he condemned the North. North Korea’s human rights record is heavily criticized by both the United States and […]

Key points from Trump’s maiden State of the Union

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump delivered his maiden State of the Union address on Tuesday, calling for national unity, strong borders and a powerful US military to repel threats to America. Here are some key points from the speech: Appeal to unity Trump — one of most divisive and controversial presidents in US history — sought to highlight things that Americans share, and appealed to the power of unity: “All of us, […]

Trump calls for unity after contentious first year

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump made a pitch for national unity and strong borders in his maiden State of the Union address Tuesday, calling for “one American family” after a year plagued by acrimony, division and scandal. Delivering his biggest speech of the year, this most polarizing of presidents sought to put the spotlight on a robust Trump economy, while pointedly calling on a packed joint […]

May arrives in China eyeing post-Brexit trade links

by Ben Dooley Agence France-Presse BEIJING, China (AFP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in China on Wednesday as she seeks to bolster her country’s global trade links ahead of its contentious divorce with the European Union. May began her visit in the central industrial city of Wuhan and will be in China until Friday in what the Chinese foreign ministry has touted as a “historic visit.” Later on Wednesday, May will head to […]

‘Dreamer’ immigrants get front-row seat to Trump speech

by Michael Mathes Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Dozens of immigrants in legal limbo — including a young teacher named America — will have front row seats for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday, getting a close-up look at US history despite their own precarious status. Trump’s primetime address will be delivered in the hallowed House of Representatives chamber, where immigrants from Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and South Korea will […]

‘Much more work’ remains in anti-IS fight: Trump

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump will warn that much more work remains in the war against the Islamic State group when he delivers his State of the Union address on Tuesday. According to advance excerpts of the speech, Trump will declare that a US-led coalition has “liberated almost 100 percent of the territory once held by these killers in Iraq and Syria.” “But there is much more work to be done,” he […]

Trump to tout ‘one American family’ in State of the Union address

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump will make a pitch for national unity in his maiden State of the Union address Tuesday, calling for “one team, one people, and one American family” to work together. Delivering his biggest speech of the year before a joint session of Congress, this most polarizing of presidents was to declare a “new American moment,” according to excerpts of his speech […]

Hawaii fires warning officer who sent missile alert

by Chris Lefkow Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The administrator of Hawaii’s Emergency Management Agency has resigned and an officer with a track record of “poor performance” has been fired after triggering mass panic with a false alert of a ballistic missile headed for the Pacific islands, officials said Tuesday. The Pacific archipelago, already on edge over the threat posed by North Korea, was terrorized by the erroneous alert, which was sent […]