WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Las Vegas mass killer Stephen Paddock was a compulsive player of video poker who took the anxiety drug Valium, CNN reported on Monday. The report gave new details about the background of the 64-year-old who, on October 1, gunned down 58 people and wounded almost 500 for reasons which investigators still have not been able to fathom. Paddock said in a 2013 court deposition that he was “the biggest video poker player in […]
International
Scottish nationalists urge Spain to ‘respect’ Catalan vote
by Mark Mclaughlin Agence France-Presse GLASGOW, United Kingdom (AFP) — The Scottish National Party on Monday urged the Spanish government to “respect the overwhelming ‘si’ vote” in the Catalan independence referendum in a resolution at its annual conference. Members unanimously passed the motion, which called the banned referendum earlier this month an “expression of the democratic will of the people of Catalonia.” The motion also called on the UN and the EU to resolve the political impasse over […]
Thousands evacuate as California wildfires kill 10
by Josh Edelson Agence France-Presse NAPA, United States (AFP) — Raging wildfires in California’s wine country have claimed at least 10 lives and forced thousands to flee, authorities said Monday. Fanned by winds surpassing 50 miles (80 kilometers) an hour, the blazes have forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate in the country’s heaviest populated state since they began Sunday night. California’s fire service said about 73,000 acres (30,000 hectares) have been ravaged by the […]
Catalan leaders under pressure over independence threat
by Daniel Silva and Diego Urdaneta Agence France-Presse BARCELONE, Spain – Catalan leaders came under intense domestic and international pressure Monday to halt plans to break away from Spain after the region’s president repeated his threat to declare independence and the government warned it would act to block it. The sides dug in as the clock ticked down to a Tuesday evening session in the regional parliament where separatists have called for an independence declaration, a plan that […]
Almost 150 go on trial over Turkey coup bridge massacre
by Fulya OZERKAN Agence France-Presse SILIVRI, Turkey – Almost 150 former Turkish military personnel went on trial Monday over clashes on an Istanbul bridge during last year’s failed coup that claimed dozens of lives, including a key aide of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The bridge across the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul was the scene of bloody fighting between Erdogan’s supporters and renegade soldiers seeking to oust the elected government on the night of July 15, 2016. It was […]
Catalan independence would not be recognized: France
PARIS, France (AFP) — Catalan independence would not enjoy international recognition, France’s minister for European affairs said Monday as the Spanish region’s leader threatens to announce a split. Pressure has mounted on Catalan president Carles Puigdemont to back down after hundreds of thousands of protesters last week rallied to defend national unity. “If there were a declaration of independence it would be unilateral and it wouldn’t be recognized,” Nathalie Loiseau said on CNews digital […]
Rescuers search for survivors in Idlib after deadly air strikes – amateur videos
IDLIB, Syria (Reuters) — A man and a child were pulled from under the rubble in Idlib on Sunday (October 8) following an air strike said to be carried out by the Syrian regime targeting the city of Maarat al Numan, amateur videos posted online purported to show. The Syrian Civil Defence, better known as the White Helmets rescue workers, said on its Twitter account that jets it believed to be from the Syrian military […]
First snow of this fall hits northwest China
Jinchang City, Gansu Province, China (CCTV) — Affected by a cold front, cities of Jinchang and Jiayuguan saw heavy snow on Sunday night, which has brought temperature down to minus four degree Celsius. The residents wore heavy coats when doing outdoor activities, while wet and slippery roads slowed down the cities’ traffic. The meteorological authorities said the chilly weather will last three to five days.
Kim Jong-Nam murder trial visits lab to view tainted clothes
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (AFP) — The trial of two women accused of murdering the North Korean leader’s half-brother moved Monday to a high-security Malaysian laboratory to view clothing worn by the defendants and contaminated by a nerve agent. The visit to the government lab near Kuala Lumpur came after a chemist last week testified there were traces of VX on the women’s clothes. Raja Subramaniam’s testimony was the first evidence directly linking the women to the poison […]
In photos: Las Vegas residents look towards unity and healing after tragedy
LAS VEGAS, United States (Eagle News) — Las Vegas residents turn their attention from the unforgettable to the memorable, and to unity and healing, after the worst mass shooting in US history. Numerous Las Vegas residences and establishments, in collaboration with nationwide efforts and contributions, have made this heartbreaking incident a part of what was envisioned from the beginning of time, a truly United States of America. Efforts towards healing and unity began immediately, […]
North Koreans celebrates election anniversary of late Kim Jong Il
PYONGYANG, North Korea (Reuters) — Thousands of North Koreans gathered at Kim Il Sung square on Sunday (October 8) to mark the 20th anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il’s election as General-Secretary of the Workers’ Party. Video provided to Reuters by North Korea’s state news agency KCNA, which could not be independently verified, showed people attending an outdoor rally and dance celebrating the anniversary. Kim Jong Il, who died of a heart attack on […]
Top Republican lawmaker says US on course for WWIII with Trump at helm
by Issam AHMED Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – A top Republican lawmaker warned Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s impulsive threats against other countries could set America “on the path to World War III,” in comments capping an unusually hostile and public feud between the pair on social media. Bob Corker, who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, slammed the president for running his office as a “reality show” in […]





