International

Hungary denounces ‘violence’ of EU migrant plan

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AFP) – Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday launched a fresh attack on a European Union plan to share thousands of migrants around the bloc, saying that forcing his country to partake in the scheme bordered on “violence.” The comments came a day after the European Court of Justice, the bloc’s top court, rejected a legal challenge to the relocation plan lodged by Hungary and Slovakia. They also followed criticism by EU […]

Hurricane Jose strengthens to Category Three storm: forecasters

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Hurricane Jose strengthened to a Category Three storm Thursday, as it followed the path of monster Hurricane Irma, US weather forecasters said. The National Hurricane Center said the storm, located east of the Lesser Antilles, was packing winds of 120 miles per hour (195 kilometers per hour), as it moved northwest at nearly 18 miles per hour (30 kilometers per hour). “Some additional strengthening is possible during the next 24 […]

Russia’s Putin holds talks with Japanese PM Abe in Vladivostok

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) — Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday (September 7) on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The leaders are expected to discuss economic cooperation as well as North Korea’s nuclear program. The issue of the disputed islands called the Northern Territories in Japan and the Southern Kuriles in Russia which were seized by Soviet forces at the end of World War […]

Hurricane Irma destroys ‘95%’ of French part of St Martin: official

  POINTE-À-PITRE, France (AFP) — The French part of the Caribbean island St Martin is “95 percent destroyed” after Hurricane Irma tore through the region, top local official Daniel Gibbs said late Wednesday. “It’s an enormous catastrophe. Ninety-five percent of the island is destroyed. I’m in shock. It’s frightening,” said Gibbs, a former French lawmaker, speaking on Radio Caribbean International. The island is in need of emergency assistance, he said. “I have sick people to […]

Hurricane Irma kills six on Caribbean island St Martin: official

BASSE-TERRE, France (AFP) — At least six people have been killed in the French part of the Caribbean island St Martin after Hurricane Irma tore through the region, Guadeloupe prefect Eric Maire said Wednesday. “This is not the final toll. We sadly risk further discoveries,” Maire told journalists. The previous toll given by France’s overseas ministry was two dead and two seriously injured on the eastern Caribbean islands St Barts and St Martin.

Tampa residents collect sandbags for flood prevention as “Irma” closes in

  By Jay Rosquites EBC Florida Bureau TAMPA, Florida– Some residents have begun collecting sandbags to be used as deterrents against possible flooding, as Hurricane Irma closed in on Florida after slamming into the Caribbean. The sandbags can be collected at several locations throughout Pinellas county, Hillsborough county, and Pasco county until Saturday. County officials are allowing residents 20 sandbags per person. “We’re expecting lots of rainfall. It’s a preventive measure because even if one […]

Xi tells Trump Beijing firm on N. Korea denuclearization, talks

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s President Xi Jinping told Donald Trump Wednesday that Beijing remains committed to denuclearizing North Korea as the United States president warned again that any Pyongyang threat would trigger an “overwhelming” response. In a phone call with Trump, Xi also said China remains firm in its wish to resolve the issue through talks leading to a peaceful settlement, state news agency Xinhua reported, as tensions soared over North Korea’s pursuit of […]

JUST IN: Trump says military action against N. Korea not ‘first choice’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump said military action against North Korea was not the “first choice” of his administration Wednesday, edging away from his harshest threats against the regime in Pyongyang. After a phone call with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on how to deal with North Korea’s threatening nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Trump did not rule out military strikes, saying “we will see what happens.” But, he indicated, other avenues for […]

Bahamas braces for Hurricane Irma

  Residents of Bahamas also made the necessary preparations for the impending massive hurricane Irma.  Photos from Nassau in Bahamas here showed how the residents bought what they can, mostly food and other items needed, to survive the onslaught of this category 5 hurricane. (Images, video from Eagle News Service correspondent in Nassau, Bahamas. Eagle News Service)

Monster Hurricane Irma makes landfall, slams into Caribbean

  PARIS, France (AFP) — Hurricane Irma slammed into the Caribbean islands of Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin on Wednesday, the French weather office said, adding that it had caused major flooding in low-lying areas. Coastlines are being “battered extremely violently” by the sea, it said, adding: “These islands are suffering major impacts.” As Irma approached the French-run Saint Barthelemy, a favorite jet-setters’ destination also known as St. Barts,  the office measured winds of 244 […]

Dominican Republic braces for monster hurricane Irma

Dominican authorities were on high alert as Irma strengthened into a “potentially catastrophic” Category Five hurricane, that could hit part of the cost of the tiny island Thursday morning. “We are prepared to come to the rescue of the population, to respond in shelters and thus everything that can happen,” said José Ramón Peralta, Administrative Minister to the President Gloria Ceballos, director of the National Meteorological Office said they expect the hurricane to hit them […]