LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The Suffragettes were instrumental in securing the vote for British women 100 years ago, at a time when women had few rights and no role in national politics. The name Suffragettes was the derogatory name given in 1906 by the Daily Mail newspaper to the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), one of the groups that had been pushing for women’s suffrage for decades. The organization was formed three years […]
International
Nepal losing out to China as Everest operators cross mountain
by Annabel Symington Agence France-Presse KATHMANDU, Nepal (AFP) — Poor regulation and overcrowding are pushing Everest climbers away from Nepal to China, which is investing millions to boost a rival path to the top of the world. Veteran climbing outfits, fed up with what they regard as a lax attitude to safety on Nepal’s southern flank of the 8,848-meter (29,029-foot) peak, are starting to shift operations to Everest’s north side in Tibet. “The south side […]
Train carrying US Republicans hits truck, killing one person
by Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A train carrying several dozens of Republican lawmakers including US House Speaker Paul Ryan collided with a garbage truck Wednesday in Virginia, killing one person and sending six others, including a congressman, to a hospital, officials said. The White House said no members of Congress were seriously injured, and that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the accident. At least 300 people, including lawmakers, […]
‘Youngest and brightest’ lost in Pacific ferry disaster
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — Many children and teenagers are among those missing after a ferry sank in the remote Pacific, official figures have revealed, with victims described as their region’s “youngest and brightest.” Radio Kiribati reported late Wednesday that a council survey of Nonouti island, where the ferry departed on January 18, showed there were 88 people aboard. It said they included 10 children of primary age and 13 high school students. The youngsters […]
Japan fire kills 11 at home for elderly people
by Kyoko Hasegawa Agence France-Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Eleven people died after a fire broke out at a residence for elderly people with financial difficulties in northern Japan, police said on Thursday. Television footage showed the three-storey building engulfed in flames and dozens of firefighters battling the blaze in snowy conditions. Pictures of the aftermath showed the blackened husk of the building, whose roof had apparently collapsed due to the fire. The victims — […]
American ‘Islamic State fighter’ case challenges Trump
by Paul Handley Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The first and only US citizen caught on the battlefield allegedly fighting for the Islamic State is in a legal limbo, held in Iraq without rights as Washington grapples with his fate. Identified in court papers as “John Doe,” the man has been held for nearly five months, the military allowing him access to legal advice only after being forced to do so by a federal judge […]
White House seeking to slash renewable energy research: report
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The Trump administration will ask Congress to cut funding for clean energy and energy efficiency programs by 72 percent in this year’s budget, according to a report in the Washington Post, underscoring its preference for fossil fuels. The Post said it had obtained draft documents that outlined the administration’s starting point for negotiations for the 2018 budget, set to be unveiled in February. Congress, which is ultimately tasked with deciding appropriations, could […]
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 […]





