Tag: US

US Justice Dept appeals freeze on review of seized Trump documents

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Justice Department said Thursday it was appealing a Florida judge’s order to freeze access to thousands of documents, including top secret files, seized from former president Donald Trump’s home. The department said the order Monday by federal court Judge Aileen Cannon to sequester all the documents for review by an independent “special master” hindered its ability to conduct criminal investigation related to Trump’s possession of the classified documents. […]

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California wildfire doubles in size

by Patrick FALLON Agence France-Presse HEMET, United States (AFP) — A wildfire burning outside Los Angeles has doubled in size in less than 24 hours, firefighters said Thursday as they endured yet another day of blistering heat in the western United States. Thousands of people have been told to evacuate in the face of the growing Fairview Fire, which has now spread to 19,000 acres (7,700 hectares). “Active fire behavior occurred in the east, south, […]

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Taiwan leader confident of US trade deal

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — Taiwan is confident it can sign a trade deal with Washington, its leader told visiting US lawmakers Thursday, adding that the island “will not back down” against Chinese threats. Washington unveiled plans for formal trade talks with Taiwan in a show of support as China was staging huge military drills last month. Taiwan lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims the democratically ruled island as part of […]

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US calls Erdogan threats to Greece ‘unhelpful’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s warnings to Greece over sea disputes “unhelpful” and urged the two NATO allies to settle differences diplomatically. “At a time when Russia has again invaded a sovereign European state, statements that could raise tensions between NATO allies are particularly unhelpful,” a State Department spokesperson said when asked about Erdogan’s remarks, without naming him. “The United States continues to encourage […]

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Two dead, thousands told to flee California wildfire

by Huw GRIFFITH Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — At least two people are dead and thousands have been ordered to flee a rapidly spreading fire in California, with the region’s oppressive heatwave expected to peak Tuesday. Several buildings were destroyed as the Fairview fire erupted southeast of Los Angeles, racing to consume 2,400 acres (1,000 hectares) in less than 24 hours. Firefighters said two people were known to have died in the […]

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Biden rejects branding Russia ‘state sponsor of terrorism’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday said it would be counterproductive to brand Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism,” rejecting calls from Ukraine and lawmakers to take the far-reaching action. Biden, asked by a reporter on Monday if he would blacklist Russia as a terrorist state, said simply, “no,” after months of non-committal answers from senior officials. Asked Tuesday whether a decision had been made, White House Press Secretary […]

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China accuses US of ‘tens of thousands’ of cyberattacks

  BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing on Monday accused the United States of launching “tens of thousands” of cyberattacks on China and pilfering troves of sensitive data, including from a public research university. Washington has accused Beijing of cyberattacks against US businesses and government agencies, one of the issues over which ties between the two powers have nosedived in recent years. China has consistently denied the claims and in turn lashed out against alleged US […]

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Actress Jane Fonda says she has cancer

  Los Angeles, United States (AFP) US actress and activist Jane Fonda announced Friday that she has cancer, and has begun chemotherapy in her battle against the disease. The 84-year-old Oscar winner, a prominent supporter of the Democratic Party, vowed to fight the “very treatable” illness. “I’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments,” she wrote on her verified Instagram account. “This is a very treatable cancer. 80 percent of people survive, […]

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NASA unsure next Moon rocket launch attempt possible this month

United States (AFP) by Lucie AUBOURG After scrapping a second attempt to get its new 30-story lunar rocket off the ground due to a fuel leak, NASA officials said Saturday it may not be possible to try again this month. The current launch window for NASA’s Artemis 1 mission to the Moon ends Tuesday and is “definitely off the table,” said Jim Free, associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development, at a press conference Saturday. The […]

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Trump brands Biden ‘enemy of the state’ at Pennsylvania rally

  Wilkes-Barre, United States (AFP) by Anne LEBRETON with Peter HUTCHISON in New York Donald Trump branded Joe Biden an “enemy of the state” Saturday as he hit back at the US president’s assertion that the Republican and his supporters are undermining American democracy, and slammed last month’s FBI raid of his Florida home. Making his first public appearance since the August 8 raid, Trump told a rally in Pennsylvania that the search was a […]

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A cap on Russian oil prices? G7 eyes untried, risky plan

  New York, United States (AFP) by Thomas URBAIN Capping the price of Russian oil, an approach G7 members said Friday they want to pursue “urgently,” would be an unprecedented move and one which some analysts say could backfire. – How would a cap work? – Russian oil would be purchased at a discount from prevailing market prices, to limit Moscow’s profits as it prosecutes its war against Ukraine; but it would keep the price […]

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US approves $1.1 billion in arms for Taiwan, angering China

  by Shaun TANDON Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Friday announced a $1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, vowing to keep boosting the island’s defenses as tensions soar with Beijing, which warned Washington of “counter-measures.” The sale comes a month after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defiantly visited the self-governing democracy, prompting mainland China to launch a show of force that could be a trial run for a future […]

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