by Jerome Cartillier © Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — With less than a week to go before meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, US President Donald Trump plays host Thursday to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who wants his voice heard ahead of the unprecedented talks. Trump and Abe will hold a joint press conference at the White House in the early afternoon, before heading to Canada for what promises to be […]
Tag: US
Hundreds of homes destroyed by volcano lava in Hawaii
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Hundreds of oceanfront homes have been destroyed by lava flow from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, officials said Tuesday. “We lost hundreds of homes in Kapoho Beach Lots and Vacationland overnight, but we don’t have exact figures,” Janet Snyder, a spokeswoman for Hawaii County, told AFP. She said the lost homes were in addition to 117 others destroyed since the volcano began erupting on May 3, forcing the evacuation of […]
US police arrest 11 men on child pornography charges
MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Eleven Florida men, including employees of Disney and Legoland and a volunteer for the Boy Scouts, have been arrested for possession and distribution of child pornography, police said Tuesday. A total of 660 charges have so far been brought against the 11 suspects in the operation, dubbed “Guardians of Innocence II” by the police department of Polk County in central Florida and conducted across the month of May. Sheriff Grady […]
Facebook says Chinese phone makers got access to data
by Glenn Chapman © Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Facebook on Tuesday confirmed that a Chinese phone maker deemed a national security threat by the US was among companies given access to data on users. Huawei was able to access Facebook data to get the leading social network’s applications to perform on smartphones, according to the California-based company. “Facebook along with many other US tech companies have worked with them and other […]
California in spotlight as US voters cast ballots in primaries
by Jocelyne Zablit © Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Voters cast ballots in eight US states for key primary elections on Tuesday, with all eyes on California, where the outcome could swing the balance of power in Congress. Democrats in the country’s most populous state are battling to ensure they come out on top in several congressional districts that voted for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. However, […]
Calls grow in Germany to expel disputed US envoy
by Hui Min Neo © Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — A member of the German government on Tuesday accused the new US ambassador in Berlin of meddling in domestic politics and aggravating already tense ties, as left-wing parties called for the staunch ally of Donald Trump to be expelled. Richard Grenell took up his Berlin posting on May 8 and immediately irked Germany when he tweeted the same day that German companies should stop doing […]
Singapore to mint Trump-Kim commemorative medallion
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Singapore will strike commemorative medallions to mark the historic meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the city-state next week. The medallions will depict an “affirmative handshake” between the two leaders, the scheduled date of the summit, and the flags of both countries, the Singapore Mint said in a statement Tuesday. At the back are the national flowers of both countries — roses for […]
Could opposites attract at Trump-Kim summit?
by Sebastien Berger © Agence France-Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — When Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un sit down in Singapore next week it will be among the most improbable diplomatic summits in history, with principals who could not be more different — but who also share some surprising similarities. Trump was the oldest US president ever to take office when he was sworn in last year, and will turn 72 two days after […]
US pushes for Venezuela to be suspended from OAS
by Alina Dieste © Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States and six influential members of the Organization of American States urged the body Monday to reject Venezuela’s elections and to begin moves to kick Caracas out of the club. There is anger among pan-American nations at Venezuela’s slide into chaos and autocratic rule, fueled by what US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dubbed President Nicolas Maduro’s attempt to “dismantle democracy.” […]
Where’s Melania? First lady’s vanishing act sparks speculation
by Michael Mathes © Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — She is known for her privacy and White House independence, often breaking with her husband’s schedule. But Melania Trump’s unusual 25-day absence from public view following surgery for a “benign” kidney condition has raised questions. The first lady was scheduled to re-emerge in the public eye later Monday at a private reception for families of US soldiers killed in action — her first […]
US Democrats to Trump: Don’t spoil historic opportunity with N. Korea
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Democrats on Monday urged President Donald Trump not to squander the “historic” opportunity of a face-to-face summit with North Korea’s leader, as the lawmakers opposed any easing of sanctions without complete and verifiable denuclearization. Affirming their support for Trump’s scheduled June 12 meeting with Kim Jong Un in Singapore, seven influential Democrats including Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Trump against signing a deal at any cost, and laid […]
Trump advisor admits trade dispute a risk to US economy
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump’s top economics advisor acknowledged Sunday the trade dispute with US allies could jeopardize the booming American economy but dismissed criticism of the administration’s stance as overblown. Larry Kudlow’s remarks came after finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrialized countries on Saturday expressed outrage over US-imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum and called on Washington to reverse course. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was especially irked […]





