WASHINGTON, May 21, 2024 (AFP) – Israel has taken US concerns into account as it wages military operations in the Gaza city of Rafah, which is packed with refugees, a senior United States official said Tuesday. “It’s fair to say, I think the Israelis have updated their plans. They’ve incorporated many of the concerns that we have expressed,” the official told reporters. “This is an ongoing discussion, ongoing conversation. It’s been constructive,” said the official, […]
Tag: US
US police probing Matthew Perry’s ketamine death
LOS ANGELES, May 21, 2024 (AFP) – US police said Tuesday they are investigating the ketamine overdose death of “Friends” actor Matthew Perry, who died at his luxury Los Angeles home last year. Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the hit TV sitcom from 1994-2004, was found unresponsive in his pool at the age of 54, sparking a global outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues. An autopsy found the cause of his death was […]
US envoy touts ‘potential’ of Israel-Saudi deal in Netanyahu talks
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2024 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden’s national security advisor briefed Benjamin Netanyahu on the “potential” of a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia after holding talks in the region, the White House said Sunday. Jake Sullivan also called on the Israeli prime minister to link the military operation against Hamas in Gaza with a “political strategy” for the future of the Palestinian enclave, it said in a readout of the […]
US forces lose strategic African position in Niger
ABIDJAN, May 19, 2024 (AFP) – With the US troop withdrawal from military-led Niger underway and due to be over by September 15, Washington is preparing to abandon its strategic position in the Sahel where Russia and Iran are gaining ground. The demand for US troops to exit came after French soldiers were also given their marching orders last year by Niger’s new ruling generals following a July coup. Niger announced in March it was […]
Global coral bleaching event expanding to new countries: scientists
By Lucie AUBOURG WASHINGTON (AFP) – The massive coral bleaching episode signaled by US authorities last month is expanding and deepening in reefs around the globe, scientists warned Thursday. Amid record ocean temperatures, coral bleaching has been recorded in 62 countries and territories since February 2023, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said — an increase of nine from its warning in April. “This event is still growing in size and impacts,” Derek […]
First crewed flight of Boeing Starliner postponed again
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2024 (AFP) – The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station has been delayed again due to a technical issue, NASA said Friday. The launch in Florida was scheduled for Tuesday but NASA said it is now planned for May 25 to allow teams to further assess a helium leak linked to the service module, which sits on top of the rocket. Earlier this month, a Starliner launch […]
OpenAI disbands team devoted to artificial intelligence risks
SAN FRANCISCO, May 18, 2024 (AFP) – OpenAI on Friday confirmed that it has disbanded a team devoted to mitigating the long-term dangers of super-smart artificial intelligence. OpenAI weeks ago began dissolving the so-called “superalignment” group, integrating members into other projects and research, according to the San Francisco-based firm. Company co-founder Ilya Sutskever and team co-leader Jan Leike announced their departures from the ChatGPT-maker this week. The dismantling of an OpenAI team focused on keeping […]
‘Dad’s going up in a rocket!’ French businessman set for launch
WASHINGTON, May 18, 2024 (AFP) – He arrived in Texas, tried on his flight suit for the first time, and is now preparing to live out his childhood dream. On Sunday, French entrepreneur Sylvain Chiron will board a Blue Origin rocket and blast off into space, joining the select group of humans who have ventured beyond Earth’s bounds. “I never thought I’d get to do this,” the 52-year-old, who hails from the mountainous southeastern region […]
‘Ready to rumble’ – Biden, Trump agree to two election debates
By Danny KEMP WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden and Donald Trump agreed Wednesday to hold election debates in June and September, with the rivals trading barbs about their first on-stage meetings in nearly four years. The sudden agreement, ending months of uncertainty over whether the debates would happen at all, came after Biden, 81, challenged his scandal-tinged Republican rival to “make my day.” Trump, 77, quickly responded that he was […]
US cites security, climate goals in Russian uranium ban
WASHINGTON, May 14, 2024 (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday voiced confidence it was boosting both its security and climate goals after it banned uranium imports from Russia, whose nuclear industry has been a key moneymaker. President Joe Biden on Monday signed legislation, broadly supported in Congress, that will prohibit any imports of Russian uranium into the United States as of August 12. Russia, despite facing wide sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, provides […]
US sharply hikes tariffs on Chinese EVs and chips
By Beiyi SEOW, Danny KEMP WASHINGTON, May 14, 2024 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden took aim at China on Tuesday, saying Beijing is “cheating” rather than competing on trade as Washington unveiled steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports like electric vehicles and semiconductors. The move — which drew strong opposition from Beijing — comes as Biden gears up for a rerun of his 2020 contest with Republican rival Donald Trump in November’s election, with […]
Blinken in Ukraine to assure US support amid new Russian offensive
By Barbara WOJAZER and Leon BRUNEAU KYIV, Ukraine, May 14, 2024 (AFP) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Tuesday in Kyiv on an unannounced visit to assure Ukraine of continued American support and the flow of much-needed weapons as Russia presses on with its new offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinken arrived by overnight train from Poland and was due to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his fourth visit to […]





