International

Energy market seen as vulnerable to prolonged Gulf crisis

by Omar Hasan Agence France Presse KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AFP) — While the Gulf’s bitter diplomatic crisis is unlikely to affect energy prices in the short term, a prolonged rift that disrupts Qatar’s gas supplies could send prices soaring, analysts say. With rising United States shale oil output driving a global supply glut, the decision by Saudi Arabia and its allies earlier this month to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar provided only a fleeting boost […]

‘A lot of people’ unaccounted for after tower blaze: London mayor

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — A lot of people” are still unaccounted for after a massive blaze in a London tower block, and fire crews only managed to reach the 12th floor at the height of the fire, mayor Sadiq Khan said on Wednesday. “A lot of people are unaccounted for. Some of them could have found safe refuges in the homes of their neighbours or their friends,” Khan told Sky News television as smoke […]

6.6-magnitude earthquake rattles Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (AFP) — A 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit western Guatemala near the Mexico border early on Wednesday, shaking several cities and injuring one person according to preliminary reports, officials said. No tsunami warnings have been issued so far. The quake was registered at 1:29 am local time (0729 GMT), its epicenter around 156 kilometers (97 miles) west of Guatemala City in the department of San Marcos, the Institute of Seismology said. The United States […]

Driven to distraction: Pyongyang’s ‘traffic ladies’

by Sebastien Berger Agence France Presse PYONGYANG, North Korea (AFP) — Snapping their heads from side to side, marching into the roads in close-fitting blue uniforms and black heels, the “traffic ladies” who marshal vehicles at the intersections of Pyongyang are an emblematic image of the North Korean capital. Officially known as traffic security officers but universally referred to as traffic ladies, they are chosen for their looks in a society that remains traditionalist in many […]

Trump to roll back some of Obama’s Cuban outreach

by Jerome Cartillier Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States President Donald Trump has vowed to revisit all of his predecessor’s diplomatic successes and failures, but is he ready to slam the door on Cuba? On Friday, he is expected to unveil a new policy on relations with Cuba after Barack Obama painstakingly restored ties with the communist-run island. Although many Americans support the decision and the US business community has welcomed moves […]

American student released from N. Korea prison arrives in US

by Dave Clark Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — An American student who fell into a coma while imprisoned in a North Korean labor camp returned to the United States late Tuesday after Pyongyang allowed him to be flown home, US media reported. A military airplane carrying Otto Warmbier landed in his hometown of Cincinnati shortly before 10:20 pm (0220 GMT Wednesday), CBS News reported. The release of Warmbier, 18 months into a […]

With video: Heavy rain, landslides kill at least 134 in Bangladesh

https://youtu.be/mJKXhF7fvoo   CHITAGONG, Bangladesh (AFP) — Heavy monsoon rains and landslides have killed at least 134 people in southeast Bangladesh, burying many in their homes as they slept, authorities said Tuesday. Three young children from the same family were among those killed in the disaster, which comes just weeks after a cyclone battered the region and destroyed camps housing thousands of Rohingya refugees. Police warned the death toll would likely rise as emergency workers reached […]

Fire official says “a number of fatalities” in massive blaze in West London apartment block

by Alice Ritchie / Fayruz Rajpar Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – “A number” of people have been killed in a massive fire in a west London apartment block on Wednesday, London Fire Brigade chief Dany Cotton told reporters at the scene. “There have been a number of fatalities. I cannot confirm the number at this time due to the size and complexity of the building,” Cotton said. The massive fire ripped through the 27-storey apartment block […]

U.S. State Dept “pleased” by release of U.S. student by North Korea

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday (June 13) it was “grateful” for the release of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. university student held captive in North Korea for 17 months. Warmbier, 22, a University of Virginia student from suburban Cincinnati, was on his way back to the United States. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Warmbier was “in the air” and would not comment further on his physical condition, […]

World Bank approves $500-mln grant package for Afghanistan projects

(Reuters) – The World Bank on Tuesday (June 13) approved financing worth more than $500 million for Afghanistan to support a string of projects to boost the economy, help improve service delivery in five cities, and support Afghan refugees sent back from Pakistan. The bank said the six grants, including donor money, worth some $520 million, would help the Afghan government “at a time of uncertainty when risks to the economy are significant.” The international […]

Venezuela’s assembly seeks to replace pro-Maduro Supreme Court judges

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition-majority National Assembly discussed on Tuesday (June 13) a selection process to choose new judges for the Supreme Court, amidst criticism that the country’s highest judicial body is biased toward President Nicholas Maduro. In 2015, the then government-majority National Assembly elected judges to the Supreme Court. Now, the opposition says that it has the constitutional power to set a new panel of judges. The move follows a controversial March ruling from […]

Attorney General Sessions appears at high-stakes hearing on Russia

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Reuters) – United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions, appearing at a high-stakes Senate hearing, on Tuesday (June 13) denounced as “an appalling and detestable lie” the idea that he colluded with Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign. Sessions testified about his dealings with Russian officials and whether he intentionally misled Congress as the Senate Intelligence Committee probes the Russia matter. As Sessions entered the crowded hearing room, a swarm of […]