Other News
Missing comet lander Philae spotted at last: ESA
by Pascale MOLLARD Mariëtte Le Roux PARIS, France (AFP) — Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft has finally spotted its tiny lander Philae, thought to be lost forever, stuck in a ditch on the surface of a comet hurtling through space, ground controllers said Monday. “THE SEARCH IS OVER! I’ve found @Philae2014!!” the European Space Agency (ESA) tweeted on behalf of Rosetta, orbiting comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko at some 682 million kilometers (424 million miles) from Earth. The agency released […]
Five things to take away from the G20 summit
HANGZHOU, China (AFP) — This year’s most exclusive and closely-watched diplomatic party –- the G20 summit –- saw presidents and prime ministers from countries representing 85 percent of the global economy gather in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. How did the first China-hosted G20 go? While analysts correctly foresaw little prospect of big economic breakthroughs, there were some notable moments –- and notable flops. As heads of state bid farewell to the scenic city, which […]
Warming oceans are ‘sick,’ global scientists warn
by Kerry SHERIDAN HONOLULU, United States (AFP) — Global warming is making the oceans sicker than ever before, spreading disease among animals and humans and threatening food security across the planet, a major scientific report said on Monday. The findings, based on peer-reviewed research, were compiled by 80 scientists from 12 countries, experts said at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Hawaii. “We all know that the oceans sustain […]
Obama cancels meeting with Duterte
By Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama has cancelled a planned meeting with Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte, the White House said Monday, after his Asian ally launched a foul-mouthed tirade against him. Duterte called Obama a “son of a whore” hours earlier, vowing he would not allow the American leader to lecture him on human rights. “President Obama will not be holding a bilateral meeting with President Duterte of […]
Newton becomes hurricane rushing toward Mexico resort
by David SANTA CRUZ MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Tropical Storm Newton grew into a hurricane on Monday as it rushed toward Mexico’s popular northwest resorts of Los Cabos, two years after powerful Odile wreaked havoc in the region. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that “preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion” in parts of the Baja California peninsula and that Newton would make landfall on Tuesday. The Mexican […]
Warming oceans are ‘sick,’ global scientists warn
HONOLULU, United States (AFP) – by Kerry SHERIDAN Global warming is making the oceans sicker than ever before, spreading disease among animals and humans and threatening food security across the planet, a major scientific report said on Monday. The findings, based on peer-reviewed research, were compiled by 80 scientists from 12 countries, experts said at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Hawaii. “We all know that the oceans sustain […]
Deadly blasts rock Syria as US, Russia talks stall
DAMASCUS, Syria (AFP) – by Rim Haddad Bombings claimed by the Islamic State group killed dozens in mainly government-controlled areas of Syria on Monday, as Washington and Moscow failed to agree a deal to stem the violence. The blasts killed at least 48 people and wounded dozens a day after IS lost the last stretch of the Syria-Turkey border under its control. In China, where world powers were gathered for the G20 meeting, US President […]
Over 1,000 flee wildfire on Spain’s Costa Blanca
MADRID, Spain (AFP) – More than 1,000 people were evacuated after a wildfire fuelled by intense heat roared through brush surrounding a popular tourist resort on Spain’s Costa Blanca, officials said Monday. The blaze which broke out on Sunday near the Mediterranean resort of Javea, up the coast from the popular holiday spot of Benidorm, has so far destroyed 320 hectares (790 acres) of land and several buildings, local emergency services said. Authorities said they believe […]
Third blast after 24 killed in Kabul carnage
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) – by Usman SHARIFI A third massive explosion shook central Kabul late Monday, hours after a Taliban double bombing killed at least 24 people and left 91 others wounded, in another day of carnage in the Afghan capital. Authorities said they were trying to pin down the location of the third blast and there was no immediate claim of responsibility from any militant group. It jolted the capital just hours after high-level […]
French farmers, truckers block roads in migrant camp demo
CALAIS, France (AFP) – by David COURBET Benjamin MASSOT Angry French truckers and farmers blocked the main routes in and out of the port of Calais on Monday to call for the closure of the sprawling “Jungle” migrant camp. Around 70 trucks mounted a “go-slow” on the A16 motorway — the main artery for freight and passengers heading for Britain either via the Channel Tunnel or on board ferries from the port. Dozens of farmers […]
Merkel vows to ‘win back trust’ after defeat to anti-migrant party
BERLIN, Germany (AFP) – by Frank ZELLER German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Monday to “win back trust” of voters angered by her open-door refugee policy, while admitting her share of responsibility for her conservatives’ humiliating election loss to an anti-migrant party. “Everyone now needs to think about how we can win back trust — most of all, of course, myself,” Merkel said, speaking on the sidelines of a G20 summit in China a day after […]
