International

Trump reacts to Iran alleged cash payment

FLORIDA, United States (Reuters) — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he watched a video on Wednesday (August 3) that showed Iranian officials were receiving money allegedly provided by the U.S. “Iran, I don’t think you’ve heard this anywhere but here, Iran provided all of that footage, the tape, of taking that money off that airplane,” Trump told supporters in Daytona Beach, Florida. “How does a president do that? How do you do that? We’re […]

Hurricane Earl churns toward Belize hit

by Henry MORALES A hurricane sweeping in from the Caribbean on Wednesday was threatening Belize with mudslides, flooding and damage to homes, officials warned. Hurricane Earl, a swirling storm packing winds of 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour and heavy rains, was expected to strike the small Central American nation around midnight (0600 GMT Thursday). It was located about 240 kilometers (150 miles) east of Belize, David de Leon, Guatemala’s Disaster Management Office spokesman, told […]

Mental health ‘a significant factor’ in London knife attack: police

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Mental health issues were “a significant factor” in a London knife attack that killed one woman and injured 5 others, with possible terrorism links also being investigated, police said Thursday. “Early indications suggest that mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry but of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a […]

US billionaire Icahn to close Trump Taj Mahal casino

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The Trump Taj Mahal casino in New Jersey’s Atlantic City, once owned by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and which still bears his name, is to close, its current owners announced Wednesday. They blamed the closure, effective after the September 5 Labor Day holiday, on a strike that has dragged on more than a month in a dispute over workers’ health care and retirement benefits. The Taj is losing […]

One dead in London stabbing spree, possible terror link

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — A woman was killed and five people injured in a knife attack in central London Wednesday which police said they are investigating for possible terrorist links. A man was arrested at the scene, Russell Square in the heart of the city, after being tasered by officers. “Terrorism is one possibility being explored at this stage,” London police said in a statement. The woman was treated by paramedics at the scene but […]

Dubai airport flights resume after Emirates accident

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai airport, the world’s busiest in terms of international passengers, resumed flights on Wednesday after a nearly four-hour shutdown caused by an accident involving an Emirates plane, authorities said. Dubai International Airport resumes operations for departure & arrival flights,” said the government’s official Twitter account. All 300 passengers on board the plane coming from India were evacuated safely, the government has said, as footage on social media showed smoke […]

Hurricane Earl nears Belize

Hurricane Earl thundered towards the shores of Belize on Wednesday (August 3), dumping heavy rains on Honduras and prompting hundreds of people to take cover on the Caribbean coastline as the large storm closed in. Four hundred people have so far been evacuated from Belize’s northern islands Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Lionel Cuthkelvin, operations officer at the National Emergency Management Organization, said by telephone. Cuthkelvin said at least 20 shelters were already harbouring people, […]

Avoid China-claimed shoal, Philippines tells fishermen

The Philippines told its fishermen Wednesday to steer clear of a fishing ground in the disputed South China Sea to avoid harassment from Chinese authorities. The warning came despite a recent ruling by a UN-backed tribunal in favour of the Philippines, as it dismissed China’s territorial claims to large swathes of the waters. Beijing angrily rejected the court’s judgement and on Tuesday it announced penalties for “illegal” fishing in its waters including the disputed areas. […]

White House denies Iran ransom payment

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House on Wednesday denied renewed accusations that it paid Iran ransom for the release of four American prisoners, parrying a tidal wave of condemnations from Republicans. Amid revelations that the US helped airlift $400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran after a prisoner release, the White House insisted the two were not linked. In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington […]

US Air Force declares F-35A fighter jet ‘combat ready’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Air Force on Tuesday declared an initial squadron of F-35A stealth fighters as ready for combat, a major milestone for the futuristic aircraft dogged by delays and cost overruns. The squadron of about 12 planes is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah and the planes’ combat rating — known as initial operational capability — comes after completion of a raft of tests and training exercises. “The […]

Japan says N. Korea missile test ‘outrageous act’

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday condemned a North Korean test missile that landed 250 kilometres (155 miles) off Japan’s coast as an “outrageous act” which threatened his country. “It’s a serious threat against our country’s security,” Abe told reporters. “This is an outrageous act that cannot be tolerated.” Defence minister Gen Nakatani said the missile landed in the Sea of Japan off the north coast in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone […]

N. Korea test fires ballistic missile: S. Korea defence ministry

SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea on Wednesday test-fired a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s defense ministry said, in an apparent reaction to the planned deployment of a US missile defense system. The missile was launched from near the western city of Unyul at around 07:50 am Wednesday (22:50 GMT Tuesday), it added. The test follows the launch of three ballistic missiles on July 19 in what the North said […]