International

Afghan leader issues ultimatum to Taliban as bombing toll tops 150

by Emal Haidary Agence France-Presse KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issued an ultimatum to the Taliban Tuesday, warning them to embrace peace or “face consequences” after announcing that the death toll from last week’s devastating truck bombing had passed 150. Ghani has come under mounting criticism over the bombing, the deadliest in Kabul since 2001, with protests and deadly street clashes roiling the Afghan capital as people incensed by spiralling insecurity call […]

Panicked Qatar shoppers stock up as Gulf rift bites

by David Harding Agence France Presse DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Shoppers in Doha were taking no chances on Monday despite Qatari officials reassuring residents there was no need to panic after Saudi Arabia imposed a de facto food blockade. Qatar shares its only land border with Saudi Arabia, and relies heavily on food imports, much of it from Gulf countries. Arab nations including Saudi Arabia and Egypt on Monday cut ties with Qatar, accusing it […]

Iran urges ‘dialogue’ to resolve Gulf row over Qatar

TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday urged Qatar and neighboring Gulf Arab countries that have severed diplomatic ties with it to engage in dialogue to resolve their dispute. “Neighbors are permanent; geography can’t be changed. Coercion is never the solution. Dialogue is imperative, especially during blessed Ramadan,” Zarif tweeted, referring to the Muslim month of fasting. Zarif also phoned his Qatari counterpart to discuss the latest development, and also […]

US Supreme Court to take up privacy case on cell phone data

by Sébastien Blanc Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Do American authorities have the right to track a citizen via cell phone step by step, month after month? The United States Supreme Court announced Monday that it would consider the issue for the first time, pitting fundamental freedoms against the needs of police probes. The nation’s top court will take up a sensitive case on privacy rights that will determine the extent of law […]

Qatar minister calls for calm as diplomatic crisis spirals

DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Qatar’s foreign minister on Tuesday called for dialogue and insisted ties to the United States would remain strong despite a diplomatic storm that has seen Saudi Arabia and others cut ties with Doha. In a speech broadcast on the Doha-based satellite channel Al-Jazeera in the early hours, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani also called for “a dialogue of openness and honesty” to resolve the crisis. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, […]

Islamic State jihadists claim Melbourne hostage incident

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for taking a woman hostage in a Melbourne apartment during an incident in which three police officers were injured by gunfire. Australian police on Monday shot dead the man who had taken the woman hostage and said they were investigating whether the incident was terror-related. Hours later, the Amaq news agency — which is affiliated with the Islamic State group — said: “The executor […]

Trump seizes on London attack to push domestic crackdown

by Andrew Beatty Agence France Pressse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump seized on the London terror attack to demand that the United States ban on travelers from some Muslim-majority countries be reinstated Monday, sparking a diplomatic row with Britain and jeopardizing his legal defense of the measure in the process. In the wake of Saturday’s deadly attack, Trump renewed calls for a travel crackdown, while attacking London’s Muslim mayor, the media, Democrats, judges […]

Attackers named in London terror probe as PM under pressure

by James Pheby Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Police identified two of the London attackers on Monday after Britain’s third terror assault in less than three months, as Prime Minister Theresa May came under mounting pressure over security just days ahead of elections. National counter-terrorism police chief Mark Rowley named two of the three slain assailants as Khuram Butt and Rachid Redouane, revealing that Butt had been known to security services. The aftermath […]

Disgruntled employee kills five in Florida, takes own life: sheriff

ORLANDO, United States (AFP) – A United States Army veteran who had been fired in April from his job at a Florida company opened fire Monday at the Orlando business, killing five people before taking his own life, authorities said. Four people were killed at the scene, while a fifth died at the hospital, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told reporters. Seven people survived the ordeal. The business, Fiamma, makes awnings and other accessories for […]

Trump proposes privatizing US air traffic control

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – In the first salvo in a week-long push to overhaul America’s infrastructure, President Donald Trump on Monday announced a plan to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system. In what he called an “air travel revolution,” Trump promised the “really monumental reform” would deliver “cheaper, faster, and safer travel” as well as an economic boost that could be worth $25 billion to the economy. “Our plan will get you where […]

New arrests in London terror probe as PM under pressure

by James Pheby Agence France-Presse LONDON, United Kingdom – London police made a fresh round of arrests Monday after the country’s third terror attack in less than three months as Prime Minister Theresa May came under mounting pressure over security three days ahead of elections. The aftermath of Saturday night’s rampage, which left seven dead and dozens wounded, dominated the campaign trail. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would support calls for May to quit, as […]

Brazilian president lashes out ahead of court verdict

by Carola Sole Agence France-Presse BRASILIA, Brazil  – President Michel Temer and Brazil’s chief prosecutor were in open warfare Monday on the eve of a court verdict that could lead to the scandal-plagued president’s removal from office. The front pages of major newspapers were dominated by accusations made by Temer’s lawyer that Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot is pressuring the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to rule against Temer when it meets to deliver a verdict, starting Tuesday. Temer […]