International

Trudeau says Canada ‘was born’ at French battle as he marks centenary

by Guy JACKSON Agence France Presse VIMY, France (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country “was born here” as he led commemorations in France on Sunday for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The battle, which started on April 9, 1917, was one of the defining moments of World War I and a founding moment in Canada’s history as Canadian troops fought under Canadian command for the first time. […]

US steps up pressure on Syria ahead of Russia talks

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States stepped up pressure Sunday on Russia to rein in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, warning that any further chemical attacks would be “very damaging” to their relationship and suggesting there can be no peace in Syria while Assad remains in power. President Donald Trump’s top advisers took to Sunday television talk shows to set the stage for a diplomatic confrontation in Moscow this week when US Secretary of […]

Trump seeks options for eliminating NKorea nuke threat

by Olivia HAMPTON Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — As a US strike group led by an aircraft carrier steamed toward the Korean peninsula Sunday, a senior official said President Donald Trump has asked to be provided with a range of options for eliminating the North Korean nuclear threat. The US naval move will certainly raise tensions in the region and comes hard on the heels of a US cruise missile strike on […]

United States’ UN envoy Haley: No peace in Syria under Assad leadership

  (Reuters) — United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Sunday (April 9) peace in Syria would not be possible if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remained in power. “In no way do we look at peace happening in that area with Iranian influence. In no way do we see peace in that area with Russia covering up for Assad. In no way do we see peace in that area with Assad […]

Indian anchor reads report of husband’s death on live TV

RAIPUR, India (AFP) — An Indian television presenter has been praised for her calmness and bravery after reading out a breaking news report of a road accident which killed her husband. Supreet Kaur was presenting a news bulletin on the IBC-24 news channel in Chhattisgarh state on Saturday when a reporter phoned in live with details of an accident which killed three of the five people travelling in a sport utility vehicle. The report did not name […]

Netanyahu says Israel committed to treating Syrian war wounded

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel remained committed to treating war wounded from Syria and reaffirmed his support for last week’s United States air strike in the neighboring country. In comments at the start of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu did not specify whether those injured in last week’s suspected chemical attack in Syria would be among those treated in Israel. Israeli media reported that a proposal to do so had […]

Swedes hold peaceful gathering after truck attack; Probe deepens

by Camille Bas-Wohlert STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — Thousands of people were to gather in central Stockholm on Sunday for a “Lovefest” gathering against terrorism, as police pursue their investigation into this week’s deadly truck attack. Shocked by Friday’s attack that left four dead and 15 injured — for which a 39-year-old Uzbek man is in custody — Stockholmers mobilized on Facebook, organizing the gathering for 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) at the Sergels Torg plaza near […]

Moscow slams London after British FM cancels visit

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russia slammed London on Sunday after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson cancelled a scheduled visit to Moscow over its support for the Syrian regime, claiming Britain has “no real influence” internationally. The cancellation “once again confirms doubts about the added value of dialogue with the British, who don’t have their own position on the majority of current issues,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The British have “no real influence […]

Suspect device found in deadly Stockholm attack truck

By Pia Ohlin STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) — Swedish police found a suspect device in the truck that ploughed into a Stockholm crowd killing four in Europe’s latest such terror attack, officials said Saturday. The alleged driver, who is in custody, is a 39-year-old man from Uzbekistan who was already known to Swedish police, authorities said. “We have found a device in the vehicle that doesn’t belong there … A technical examination is ongoing, we can’t […]

Strike kills 15 near Syria’s IS-held Raqa: monitor

  BEIRUT, Lebanon (AFP) — At least 15 civilians, including four children, were killed in a suspected US-led coalition airstrike on Saturday near the Islamic State group’s Syrian bastion Raqa, a monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 17 people were injured in the strike on Heneyda, and that the death toll could rise further because several of the wounded were in serious conditions. The Britain-based group said the strike was […]

US threatens further strikes in Syria

by Carole LANDRY / with Omar Haj Kadour in Khan Sheikhun Agence France Presse UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The United States warned Friday it is ready to hit Syria again after a missile strike that infuriated Moscow and fueled calls for a push to end the six-year war. US Ambassador Nikki Haley delivered the warning at an emergency session of the UN Security Council called after the US strikes, which were launched to punish […]