BERLIN, Germany(AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked sanctions against his country and called for an end to trade protectionism, in an editorial published in Germany Thursday ahead of the G20 summit. Sanctions against Russia, imposed because of the Ukraine crisis, “are not just short-sighted but go against the principles of the G20 for cooperation in the interests of all countries,” Putin wrote in the business daily Handelsblatt, urging “open trade relations, based on uniform […]
International
Huge floods sweep southern Japan, two dead, 18 missing
by Quentin Tyberghien Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — At least two people have been killed and 18 others are missing in huge floods that are surging through southern Japan, with authorities warning hundreds of thousands of people to flee. Unprecedented torrential rain has caused rivers to burst their banks, sweeping away roads and houses, and destroying schools. Thousands of soldiers and other rescuer workers were scrambling Thursday to reach people cut off by […]
N. Korea seeks ‘driver’s seat’ with ICBM test: analysts
by Jung Ha-Won Agence France Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Newly equipped with an intercontinental ballistic missile, North Korea is looking to put itself in the “driver’s seat” for any future negotiations with Washington, analysts say — but may at the same time be pushing such talks further away. The weapon, tested on the United States’ Independence Day, can reach Alaska, and could go even further. It brings within reach Pyongyang’s long-held dream of […]
Rescuers scramble after flash floods sweep parts of south Japan
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Rescuers were being scrambled Thursday to reach areas in southern Japan hit by flash flooding, officials said, with several people feared missing and reports of houses swept away after torrential rains swelled rivers and triggered landslides. Emergency personnel were being deployed from early Thursday following the inundations overnight that caused authorities in Kyushu island and nearby areas to issue emergency evacuation orders to hundreds of thousands of people. The city of […]
Saudi Arabia says Qatar boycott to remain in place
CAIRO, Egypt (AFP) — Arab states that have cut ties with Qatar vowed Wednesday to maintain their boycott of the emirate, criticizing its “negative” response to their list of demands to end the diplomatic crisis. Qatar appealed for “dialogue” to resolve the row while United States President Donald Trump spoke to Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to urge all parties “to negotiate constructively.” The foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab […]
US leads sanctions push after N. Korea ‘escalation’
by Carole Landry / with Park Chan-Kyong in Seoul Agence France Presse UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States led a push at the United Nations Security Council Wednesday for tougher sanctions on North Korea, while warning the isolated regime’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile had drastically narrowed the path for diplomacy. In a hard-hitting address to the council, US Ambassador Nikki Haley said Tuesday’s ICBM test had made “the world a […]
US ready to work with Russia on Syria ‘no-fly zones’: Tillerson
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States is prepared to work with Russia on the establishment of “no-fly zones” in Syria, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday. In a wide-ranging statement issued two days ahead of President Donald Trump’s first face-to-face with Vladimir Putin, Tillerson said Russia had a “special responsibility” to help stabilize the war-ravaged country. “The (US) is prepared to explore the possibility of establishing with Russia joint mechanisms […]
At least 26 dead, hospitalized in Mexico shootout – government
CHIHUAHUA STATE, Mexico (Reuters) – At least 26 people were dead or hospitalized after a shootout in the northern Mexican border state of Chihuahua on Wednesday (July 5), the state attorney general’s office said, as drug violence surges in one of Mexico’s bloodiest years on record. The shootout took place near the mountainous community of Las Varas, in the heart of one of Mexico’s drug trafficking regions, and it involved two armed groups. It was […]
US Homeland security chief meets Mexico’s FM for security talks
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) – United States Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly met with Mexico’s Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray in Mexico City on Wednesday (July 05), ahead of an anticipated meeting between Mexan President Enrique Pena Nieto and US President Donald Trump. Trump and Nieto are expected to meet on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 Summit in Germany, nearly six months after the first official meeting between the two leaders was canceled following […]
Security high at Buenos Aires Ariana Grande concert
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Security was high at a Buenos Aires Arena on Wednesday (July 07) as thousands of young fans of Ariana Grande arrived for a concert for the superstar. The added security measures in Argentina comes after an explosion in May at a Manchester concert for Grande killed 22 people and injured 50 more. The incident was denounced by authorities as an act of terror. At the Buenos Aires concert, barricades were […]
Argentine pregnant woman’s death sparks outrage
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters) – Friends, family and neighbors of a 19-year-old pregnant suspected murder victim lit several cars on fire and threw rocks at police outside a police station in the city of Glew south of Buenos Aires on Wednesday (July 5). Local news outlets reported the violence broke out because police had not yet charged anyone in the death of Ayelen Roldan, who was found hanged to death in a home in the […]
Firefighters battle Colorado mountain fire
COLORADO, United States (Reuters) – On Wednesday (July 5), Colorado firefighters battled a wildland fire between the towns of Breckenridge and Frisco. According to KUSA, authorities have begun to evacuate residents in Summit County. The fast-moving fire sent a large plume of smoke into the sky. Known for its winter ski resort and as the site of the National Repertory Orchestra, Breckenridge is home to many part-year residents who enjoy the area’s nature sites and […]





