Tag: US

Pixel smartphone upgrade highlights Google push into hardware

by Glenn Chapman Agence France-Presse San Francisco, United States (AFP) — Google on Wednesday unveiled new versions of its Pixel smartphone, the highlight of a refreshed line aimed at weaving artificial intelligence deeper into modern lives. Google software and artificial intelligence were common threads in the gamut of new devices it unveiled to step up its challenge on the hardware front to rivals such as Apple and Amazon The new Pixel 2 and larger Pixel 2 XL are […]

Trump says US ‘a nation in mourning’ on somber Las Vegas visit

by Cyril Julien Agence France-Presse LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump declared the United States “a nation in mourning” Wednesday, as he traveled to Las Vegas to meet survivors of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. Eulogizing parents and spouses who “used their own bodies to protect their loved ones,” from a ballistic onslaught that left 58 dead and more than 500 injured, Trump visited with survivors and first responders. Trump toured […]

Mattis backs Iran deal, as US hawks pressure Trump

by Francesco Fontemaggi Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump’s respected defense secretary Jim Mattis added his heavyweight support to retaining the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday, as more hawkish voices pushed for tougher action against Tehran. Under US law, Trump must write to Congress every 90 days to certify whether or not the White House believes Iran is keeping to its side of the bargain and whether or not the US […]

Trump hails ‘very strong’ ties with Thailand

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Donald Trump welcomed Thai junta leader chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha to the White House on Monday, trying to turn the page after coups rocked one of America’s oldest alliances. Describing Prayut’s visit as a “great honor,” Trump offered a symbolic show of unity with the man behind a 2014 takeover that resulted in Washington cutting aid and cooling relations. “We’ve had a long and very storied history with Thailand,” Trump […]

Vegas shooter’s ‘companion an Australian granny’

  SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock’s “regular companion” was an Australian woman who moved to the United States 20 years ago to work on the casino strip, the government confirmed Tuesday. Marilou Danley, 62, was initially said to be a “person of interest” but has since been cleared of any involvement in the shocking shooting that left 59 dead and more than 500 injured. American authorities said she was out of […]

‘Kingsman’ narrowly edges out freaky ‘It’ at weekend box office

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Espionage comedy “Kingsman: The Golden Circle” snuck away with the weekend box office crown for the second week running, industry figures showed Monday, narrowly edging out freaky horror sensation “It.” With takings of $16.93 million, “Kingsman” sees a British spy organization join forces with its American counterpart to take on a new global threat. But despite a star-studded cast featuring Colin Firth, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry and even Elton John, it took less […]

Seesaw US-China ties on an upswing as Trump plans trip

by Francesco Fontemaggi Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The often difficult relations between the world’s greatest powers, China and the United States, appear to be improving again as the pair work to resolve the North Korea nuclear stand-off. Washington, and in particular US President Donald Trump, have until very recently been critical of Beijing’s cautious approach to its belligerent and nuclear-armed neighbor. But, with a new round of UN-backed sanctions in place, […]

Twitter reveals Russia-backed ads ahead of US election

  by Rob Lever Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Twitter on Thursday revealed that nearly 2,000 ads were placed on the messaging service in 2016 by a Russian media group suspected of trying to interfere with the US presidential election. A Twitter statement said the social media company shared data with congressional investigators about ads from RT, a television group with links to the Moscow government. Twitter said RT spent $274,000 in 2016 on Twitter ads […]

US stocks edge up, dollar falls as markets eye Trump tax plan

by John Biers Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — US and European stocks won modest gains Thursday, while the dollar pulled back with some analysts pointing to ebbing optimism about Washington’s ability to enact a tax cut. Wall Street scored significant gains Wednesday after the outline of President Donald Trump’s long-awaited tax cut was finally released. The proposal would cut the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent as part […]

Jon Huntsman confirmed as US ambassador to Russia

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Senate on Thursday confirmed businessman, veteran diplomat and former presidential candidate Jon Huntsman as ambassador to Russia, filling a crucial post as a probe of Moscow’s influence on the American election widens. The 57-year-old Huntsman, who served as governor of Utah, has worked in numerous US administrations, notably as ambassador to China under Democrat Barack Obama, before running unsuccessfully for president as a Republican in 2012. Huntsman, who […]

Months after being shot, US lawmaker Scalise back in Congress

 WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Republican US lawmaker Steve Scalise made a spirited return to Congress Thursday for the first time since being gravely wounded in a mass shooting at a June baseball practice. A beaming Scalise drew loud cheers, fist bumps, and multiple prolonged standing ovations from colleagues when he walked using crutches onto the floor of the House of Representatives and addressed the chamber, three and a half months after he nearly died in an attack […]

Iconic Playboy founder Hugh Hefner dies at 91

  LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Hugh Hefner, the silk pajamas-wearing founder of Playboy who helped steer nudity into the American mainstream, died Wednesday, the magazine announced. He was 91 years old. Hefner, who in 1953 founded a trailblazing brand that would help usher in the 20th century’s shifting attitude towards sexuality, died of natural causes in his Beverly Hills home — the famed Playboy Mansion — according to a statement from Playboy Enterprises. […]