International

Nine hurt as vehicle plows into Los Angeles crowd in what police describe as accident

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) — Nine people were injured, one critically, in Los Angeles on Sunday (July 30) when a van that collided with a pickup truck jumped the curb and slammed into an outdoor dining area, authorities said, calling it a “complete accident.” Eight people were transported to hospitals after the incident on West Pico Boulevard, the Los Angeles Fire Department said on Twitter. A ninth person, an off-duty Los Angeles firefighter, was hurt […]

Second typhoon batters southern Taiwan

PINGTUNG COUNTY, Taiwan (Reuters) — Typhoon Haitang, the second storm to hit Taiwan in 24 hours, battered southern and central parts of the island on Monday (July 31) after Typhoon Nesat injured more than 100 people and shut businesses at the weekend. Some cities in southern Taiwan remained closed on Monday with Typhoon Haitang bringing torrential rain, flooding and landslides. Typhoon Haitang made landfall in the south and southeast on Sunday (July 30) afternoon, the government […]

Russian decision on embassy staff ‘regrettable:’ US official

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States decries as “regrettable” Russia’s decision to cut 755 diplomatic staff, and is now weighing its options, a State Department official said Sunday. “This is a regrettable and uncalled for act,” the official said. “We are assessing the impact of such a limitation and how we will respond to it.” © Agence France-Presse

US calls Venezuela vote a ‘step toward dictatorship’

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned Sunday that Venezuela was taking a “step toward dictatorship” in its highly controversial vote championed by beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro to rewrite the nation’s constitution. “Maduro’s sham election is another step toward dictatorship. We won’t accept an illegit govt. The Venezuelan ppl & democracy will prevail,” Haley wrote in a tweet as the voting was marred by an escalation of […]

Venezuela vote triggers deadly ‘war’ in the streets

by Maria Isabel SANCHEZ Agence France Presse CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — A controversial vote in Venezuela on Sunday championed by beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro sparked an escalation of deadly violence, with at least nine people reported killed and troops and protesters attacking each other in Caracas and elsewhere. “This is war!” Caracas resident Conchita Ramirez exclaimed on television as she described troops firing at people and buildings in the capital. The unrest confirmed fears over […]

French minister promises troops the means to tackle jihadists

NDJAMENA, Chad(AFP) — French Defence Minister Florence Parly arrived in Chad on Sunday, at the start of a tour of three Sahel countries, assuring that French troops in the region will have the means to carry out their mission against jihadist insurgents. “You can count on my determination that you will have the necessary means to carry out your mission,” she told the head of Operation Barkhane — a 4,000-man French mission to shore up […]

Pakistan to elect new prime minister on Tuesday

by Sajjad TARAKZAI Agence France Presse ISLAMABAD. Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan’s parliament will meet on Tuesday to elect a new prime minister after the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif following an investigation into corruption allegations against his family. The ruling party named Sharif’s younger brother Shahbaz as his successor over the weekend, but he must first enter parliament by contesting the seat left vacant by Sharif. In the meantime the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which […]

US responds to N.Korea missile test with show of force

by Olivia HAMPTON / with Park Chan-Kyong in Seoul Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — North Korea said Sunday its latest ICBM launch was a “warning” over efforts to slap sanctions on the hermit state, as the US carried out a successful test of its missile defense system in a pointed show of force. A bilateral mission led by US strategic bombers on Saturday flew over the Korean Peninsula in a direct response […]

US to cut 755 US diplomatic staff in Russia, says Putin

by Maria PANINA Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to raise the stakes with America even further, although he hoped this would be unnecessary. On Friday, the Russian foreign ministry […]

Australia foils ‘terror plot’ to bring down airplane

  by Glenda Kwek Agence France Presse SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia has foiled an Islamist-inspired “terrorist plot” to bring down an airplane with an improvised explosive, authorities said Sunday, after four people were arrested in raids across Sydney. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the plot appeared to be “elaborate” rather than planned by a lone wolf, as security was beefed up at major domestic and international airports across the nation. “I can report last […]

Taiwan braces for second storm after Nesat injured 103

  TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan braced for its second storm in two days on Sunday after Typhoon Nesat battered the island, leaving at least 103 injured while causing flooding and widespread power outages. Much of Taiwan came to a standstill on Saturday after Nesat made landfall in eastern Yilan county, whipping up massive waves of over 49.2 feet (approx 15 meters) and dumping rain of up to 23 inches (58 centimeters) in the southern region […]

North Korea leader says ‘all US’ within range after missile test

  by Park Chan-Kyong Agence France Presse SEOUL, South Korea — Kim Jong-Un boasted of North Korea’s ability to strike any target in the US after a second ICBM test that weapons experts said Saturday could even bring New York into range -– in a potent challenge to President Donald Trump. China condemned the test but US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Beijing and Moscow bore “unique responsibility” for the growing threat posed by […]