International

Texas executes inmate who claimed lawyer used Wikipedia

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — With the United States Supreme Court denying a last-minute appeal late Thursday, Texas executed a convicted murderer who had claimed an ill-prepared attorney had botched his case and had relied on Wikipedia for research. Lawyers for TaiChin Preyor had made a last-ditch effort to save their client by asking the US Supreme Court to intervene just hours before he was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection. But […]

Japan’s scandal-hit defense chief announces resignation

by Miwa Suzuki Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s hawkish defense minister on Friday said she had resigned over a long-brewing scandal involving the handling of military documents, in a political blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe, who has seen his popularity plummet in recent weeks over a series of controversies, immediately apologized to the nation over the saga. “I decided to resign as defense minister,” Tomomi Inada told a press conference. […]

Qatar accuses Gulf states of ‘stubbornness’, wants UN to help

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Qatar’s foreign minister on Thursday accused Gulf neighbors and Egypt of “stubbornness” in their ongoing diplomatic dispute and said the United Nations should step in to help resolve the crisis. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York to discuss tensions after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut ties with Qatar on June 5. The four countries accuse Qatar […]

US slams ‘provocative’ Iran satellite-launch rocket test

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday hit out at Iran over its test of a satellite-launch rocket, calling it an act that undermined regional stability and saying it appeared to violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. “We consider that to be continued ballistic missile development,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters. “We consider this to be provocative action.” Nauert added that if confirmed, the test could be a “violation of […]

US Senate passes Russia sanctions, sends bill to Trump

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea, sending the package to President Donald Trump, who must decide whether to accept the tough approach to Moscow or veto the measure. The sanctions, which were approved on a 98-2 Senate vote and overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, are sure to antagonize the Kremlin as well as European nations fearing their companies will be […]

Clashes as Palestinians end boycott of Jerusalem holy site

by Shatha Yaish and Joe Dyke Agence France-Presse JERUSALEM, Undefined  – Clashes erupted between Israeli police and Palestinians at a sensitive Jerusalem  site Thursday as thousands of Muslim worshippers entered to end a boycott of the compound over new Israeli security measures. An AFP correspondent witnessed the clashes break out shortly after the worshippers entered. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported around 100 people wounded both inside the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to Jews as the […]

Fraud trial of ‘Pharma Bro’ Shkreli wraps up in New York

by Jennie Matthew Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, United States  – Closing arguments got underway Thursday in the securities fraud trial of Martin Shkreli, a former hedge fund manager and pharmaceutical executive label “The Most Hated Man in America.” The 34-year-old, who hunched over in his chair and fiddled with his hair, risks being jailed for up to 20 years if convicted of lying to investors and running a Ponzi-like scheme across multiple firms. Shkreli allegedly stole […]

Tears in rain: North Korea marks ‘Victory Day’

by Sebastien Berger Agence France Presse PYONGYANG, North Korea (AFP) — In heavy rain, North Koreans put down their umbrellas to bow before the mausoleum of founder Kim Il Sung and his son on Thursday as the country marked the end of the Korean War, which it calls Victory Day. There had been widespread speculation in United States and South Korean intelligence circles that the North might choose to mark the anniversary with a fresh […]

Fires in southern France ‘under control’

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) — Huge fires that forced mass evacuations of residents and holidaymakers in southern France were “under control” early Thursday, firefighters said, although they warned new blazes were still starting. In the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, located near beaches popular with tourists on the Cote d’Azur, “the fire is not completely under control but we are winning the fight,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Bernier, the civil security officer leading the emergency effort there. “Things are […]

Ceasefire reached on Lebanon-Syria border: reports

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — Fighting between Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and a former Al-Qaeda affiliate on the Syria-Lebanon border halted Thursday after a ceasefire was reached, Lebanese media and Hezbollah outlets reported. The ceasefire comes a week after the powerful Shiite militant group launched an offensive against the jihadists in the mountainous Jurud Arsal border region. Hezbollah’s “War Media” outlet said “a ceasefire that began at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) is in effect on all the […]

Rescue continues overnight across flood-hit county in northwest China

YULIN, China (CCTV) — Rescue operations are still underway across rainstorm-hit Suide County near Yulin City of Shaanxi province, northwest China, on Thursday. More than 400 people have been relocated to three shelters, while other residents have asked for help from their relatives. While power is still down at the three shelters and rain is still expected throughout Thursday, traffic has begun to return to roads. Light rain started to fall on Tuesday evening and […]

Iran will respond in kind to US breaches of nuclear deal: Rouhani

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran would respond in kind to any breach by the United States of the 2015 nuclear deal after the House of Representatives passed a new sanctions bill. “If the enemy steps over part of the agreement, we will do the same, and if they step over the entire deal, we will do the same too,” Rouhani said at a cabinet meeting aired by state […]