Tag: politics

Pentagon to send about 800 troops to US-Mexico border

by Thomas Watkins Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Pentagon is expected to deploy about 800 troops to the US-Mexico border, two US officials told AFP on Thursday, after President Donald Trump said the military would help tackle a “national emergency” and called on a caravan of migrants to turn around. The active-duty troops would augment the 2,000 or so National Guardsmen already deployed to support operations on the border, and could […]

US probes pipe bombs sent to Trump foes Obama, Clinton, CNN

by Jennie Matthew/ with Saul Loeb in Mosinee NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US authorities pressed ahead Thursday with an all-out probe into who was behind pipe bombs sent to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, other top Democrats, and CNN, all of them hate figures for supporters of President Donald Trump. Trump critics accused him of encouraging violence just days before a bitterly divided America votes November 6 in elections. Trump reacted to the rapid […]

First journeys on Hong Kong-Macau-mainland mega bridge

  by Elaine Yu Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — The world’s longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China opened to traffic Wednesday, with excited travellers making their first journeys along what has been described as a politically-driven and costly white elephant. Passengers and tour groups gathered at Hong Kong’s cross-border coach terminus and bus operators gave away Chinese pastries and roasted meat to passengers. “I wanted to try this […]

EU demands full probe, accountability after Khashoggi death

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — The EU’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini called Saturday for a thorough investigation into the “deeply troubling” death of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi and full accountability for those responsible. The EU statement echoed earlier condemnations from member countries France and Germany after Saudi Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside its Istanbul consulate. “The emerging circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi’s death are deeply troubling, including the shocking violation of the 1963 Vienna Convention […]

Saudi to host ‘Davos in desert’ despite outcry over slain journalist

  by Anuj Chopra Agence France Presse RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia will host a key investment summit on Tuesday, overshadowed by the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi that has prompted a wave of policymakers and corporate giants to withdraw. Just ahead of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed “Davos in the desert”, the kingdom sought to defuse the crisis with an about-face admission on Saturday that the journalist died in its […]

Trump opposes halting Saudi arms deal after journalist death

ELKO, United States (AFP) — US President Donald Trump warned Saturday against halting a Saudi arms deal, saying it would hurt American jobs, despite the international furor over the death in the conservative kingdom’s Istanbul consulate of a dissident journalist. “We have $450 billion, $110 billion of which is a military order, but this is equipment and various things ordered from Saudi Arabia,” Trump told reporters about an agreement to sell weapons to Riyadh. “It’s […]

Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi killed in Istanbul consulate: state media

    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia on Saturday admitted that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul, state media said, two weeks after his disappearance sparked global furore. The kingdom also announced the sacking of a top intelligence official Ahmad al-Assiri and royal court media advisor Saud al-Qahtani, both top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has faced mounting pressure over the Khashoggi affair. Saudi journalist […]

Trump says Saudi journalist likely dead, warns of ‘severe’ response

  by Sebastian SMITH with Raziye AKKOC in Ankara Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday he now believes journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead and warned of “very severe” consequences should Saudi Arabia be proven responsible. “It certainly looks that way to me. It’s very sad,” Trump told journalists when asked if he believed that Khashoggi, who disappeared more than two weeks ago, is no longer alive. Asked about […]

US sets new trade talks with EU, Japan, Britain

by Delphine TOUITOU Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US officials announced Tuesday negotiations for separate trade agreements with Britain, the European Union and Japan as part of efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to rebalance global commerce. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the administration notified Congress of its intent to negotiate the three separate trade agreements. “We are committed to concluding these negotiations with timely and substantive results for American workers, […]

Fujimori upset over daughter’s arrest, asks feuding kids to get along

LIMA, Peru (AFP) — Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori on Saturday criticized the arrest of his daughter Keiko for alleged money laundering and pleaded with his feuding children, who are battling to lead the biggest party in Congress, to join forces. “I have never felt greater pain in my life than I did seeing my daughter detained and hauled off to prison,” the 80-year-old Fujimori said from a Lima medical clinic where he has been […]

Saudi rejects ‘baseless’ murder claims over missing journalist

  RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia dismissed on Saturday accusations that Jamal Khashoggi was ordered murdered by a hit squad inside its Istanbul consulate as “lies and baseless allegations”, as Riyadh and Ankara spar over the missing journalist’s fate. As the controversy intensified, the Washington Post reported Turkish officials had recordings made from inside the building that allegedly proved their claims Khashoggi was tortured and killed at the consulate. A Saudi delegation arrived […]

Hong Kong leader refuses to explain journalist visa denial

  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s leader Tuesday refused to say why the city had denied a visa to a leading Financial Times journalist, despite escalating demands for an explanation of the unprecedented challenge to freedom of the press. Victor Mallet, the FT’s Asia news editor and a British national, angered authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong by hosting a speech at the city’s press club by Andy Chan, the leader of a […]