HOUSTON, May 18, 2024 (AFP) – The death toll from severe weather that lashed the Texas city of Houston has risen to seven, authorities said Friday. The three additional deaths came after Houston, the fourth-largest US city, was hit Thursday by heavy rain and winds up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour, leaving downtown streets covered in glass from blown-out windows. Downed trees and power lines littered residential areas and the National Weather Service […]
North America
Scheffler shaken, shocked and quivering after arrest and jail
By Jim SLATER LOUISVILLE, United States, May 17, 2024 (AFP) – Top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler, known for his stoic shotmaking under pressure, was shaken to his core on Friday after being arrested before his second round of the PGA Championship. The two-time Masters champion was handcuffed and taken into custody after trying to get around an accident and enter Valhalla Golf Club while the entrance was blocked by police after an accident in which a […]
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 […]
‘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 […]
Art market rebounds despite challenges, with Monet at $34.8 million and Basquiat works surpassing $46 million
NEW YORK, May 16, 2024 (AFP) – A Monet sold for nearly $35 million at auction Wednesday evening, Sotheby’s said, marking a solid start to New York’s spring art sales. Both Sotheby’s and rival auction house Christie’s launched their spring season Monday. Though the global art market softened last year, strong sales in London and Paris have sparked optimism for 2024. Claude Monet’s “Meules a Giverny,” which the French impressionist painted in 1893, went […]
‘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 […]
Canadian oil city on edge as wildfire doubles in size
FORT MCMURRAY, Canada, May 15, 2024 (AFP) – A wildfire in Canada’s major oil-producing region doubled in size as it drew closer to the city of Fort McMurray on Wednesday, but officials were hopeful shifting winds could soon push it away. The blaze scorched almost 21,000 hectares (52,000 acres) of forest overnight as it came within 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) of the city, which was partly evacuated the day before. Alberta Wildfire spokeswoman Christie Tucker […]
Canadian oil sands city evacuated as wildfire draws near
FORT MCMURRAY, Canada, May 15, 2024 (AFP) – Thousands of residents of Fort McMurray, a city in Canada’s major oil-producing region, fled as an out-of-control wildfire drew near and thick smoke filled the skies. Shifting winds gusting to 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour) fanned the flames, scorching 9,600 hectares of surrounding forests as it advanced to within 13 kilometers of the city in the western province of Alberta that had been gutted […]
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 […]
With calm and candor, Michael Cohen torches Trump
By Maggy DONALDSON NEW YORK, May 14, 2024 (AFP) – For more than a decade Michael Cohen worked his way into Donald Trump’s inner circle, a loyal attack dog who fought vehemently on behalf of his boss. In return he wanted what any hound desires — a treat, a pat on the head, or at least a moment in the sun. On Monday the latter was his, though perhaps not as he’d originally envisioned. Cohen […]
Wildfires in western Canada force thousands from their homes
By: Thomas I. Likness – NET/25 Eagle News Service (Eagle News) — Out-of-control wildfires have prompted Canadian officials to evacuate thousands of people in northeastern British Columbia and northwestern Alberta. Poor air quality and reduced visibility have forced the three-thousand residents of Fort Nelson, B-C and a nearby Indigenous community to flee their homes. A fast-growing blaze has chewed its way through 42-hundred hectares of forest. A tree that fell on a power line is […]