WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A large tornado destroyed homes and claimed at least one life near the US city of New Orleans on Tuesday night, according to media reports. “Large tornado on the ground in New Orleans! Take shelter now!” tweeted the National Weather Service’s local office at 8:35 pm local time (0235 GMT). “Severe damage to homes” was reported in Arabi, an eastern suburb of New Orleans, according to a Facebook post by […]
Tag: US
Four Ukrainian children flown to US for cancer treatment
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States announced Tuesday that four Ukrainian children had been flown to an American hospital after their cancer treatment was disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Children are among the most vulnerable in a crisis,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet announcing the evacuation. He added that the four patients, from nine months to nine years in age, were “in need of urgent, highly specialized […]
Biden heads to Europe to bolster West’s unity, toughen Russia sanctions
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden leaves Wednesday for Europe on a mission to bolster Western unity, ramp up unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and attempt to upset the post-Cold War balance of power. The conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin is redefining Biden’s 14-month old presidency as he pivots from domestic woes to leading the transatlantic alliance in the most serious […]
Russia would only use nuclear weapons faced with ‘existential threat’: Kremlin
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – Russia would only use nuclear weapons in the context of the Ukraine conflict if it were facing an “existential threat,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN International Tuesday. “We have a concept of domestic security, and it’s public. You can read all the reasons for nuclear arms to be used,” Peskov said. “So if it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be used in accordance with our concept.” Peskov’s comment came as […]
US announces deal with UK to end steel, aluminum tariffs
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Tuesday announced an agreement with Britain to end tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former president Donald Trump in 2018 on national security grounds. “By allowing for a flow of duty-free steel and aluminum from the UK, we further ease the gap between supply and demand for these products in the United States,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement. “And by removing […]
US, Philippines to hold their ‘largest-ever’ war games
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines and the United States will kick off the largest-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation next week, US officials said Tuesday, showing off their strong defence ties in the face of growing Chinese assertiveness. Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American soldiers will take part in the 12-day war games on the main island of Luzon, which are usually an annual affair but were cancelled or curbed during the […]
Biden says Putin considering using chemical, biological weapons in Ukraine
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden said Monday that it’s “clear” Russia is considering the use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine and warned of a “severe” Western response if it chose to do so. “His back is against the wall,” said Biden of Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that Russia has recently accused the United States of holding chemical and biological weapons in Europe. “Simply not true. I guarantee you,” […]
Iran nuclear talks: US says it is ready to make ‘difficult decisions’
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – A deal to restore the pact limiting Iran’s nuclear program is not imminent, but Washington is prepared to take “difficult decisions” to make it happen, State Department Spokesman Ned Price said Monday. Price told journalists he could not discuss the specifics of the final remaining issues in the 11 month-old negotiations over restoring the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which aims at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear […]
Biden calls India ‘shaky’ in Russia confrontation
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden said Monday that India was an exception among Washington’s allies with its “shaky” response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Biden lauded the US-led alliance, including NATO, the European Union and key Asian partners, for its united front against President Vladimir Putin. This includes unprecedented sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s currency, international trade and access to high-tech goods. However, unlike fellow members of the Quad group […]
Biden to travel to Poland to discuss Ukraine crisis: W.House
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden will travel to Poland on Friday to meet with President Andrzej Duda for discussions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the White House said Sunday. “The President will discuss how the United States, alongside our Allies and partners, is responding to the humanitarian and human rights crisis that Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked war on Ukraine has created,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. […]
Bodies of US marines found after Norway military crash
OSLO, Norway (AFP) – The bodies of four US marines killed when their plane crashed during NATO exercises in Norway have been retrieved, Norway’s defence ministry said Sunday. A Norwegian Sea King rescue helicopter found the bodies at the accident site south of Bodo in northern Norway where their V-22B Osprey aircraft belonging to the US Marine Corps was reported missing on Friday evening. The ministry said the bodies would be brought to Bodo prior […]
LNG projects in the Gulf of Mexico boosted as Russian gas alternative
by François PICARD Agence France-Presse HOUSTON, United States (AFP) – Two years ago, the American liquified natural gas (LNG) company Tellurian was in free fall: Its stock price collapsed, it laid off 40 percent of its staff, and suspended a key project in Louisiana. Now, executive chairman Charif Souki says investors “are lining up at the door to ask me: ‘Can we finance your project?’” At the annual CERAWeek energy conference in Houston, Souki told […]
