WASHINGTON, July 16, 2023 (AFP) – A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula late Saturday local time, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, briefly sparking a tsunami warning. The USGS revised the quake’s magnitude down from an initial 7.4. The shallow quake hit at 10:48 pm Saturday (0648 GMT Sunday), about 55 miles (89 kilometers) southwest of the small town of Sand Point, the agency said. The National Tsunami Warning Center in […]
North America
Strikes end at western Canada ports after deal reached
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — A strike which had shut down ports along Canada’s west coast, including the country’s largest in Vancouver, has ended after 13 days of nationwide economic repercussions, negotiators announced Thursday. More than 7,000 terminal cargo loaders and 49 waterfront employers in 30 ports went on strike July 1, after months of failed negotiations. Port automation, the rising cost of living and outsourcing were the key issues behind the collective action led by […]
Six dead in explosives attack on Mexican police
By Sergio Blanco Agence France-Presse GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AFP) — An explosives attack on a police patrol left six people dead and a dozen wounded in one of the regions of Mexico worst hit by drug cartel-related violence, authorities said Wednesday. “It’s an act of brutal terror,” said Enrique Alfaro, governor of the western state of Jalisco. The “cowardly attack” using seven improvised explosive devices targeted police and staff from the state prosecutor’s office in Tlajomulco […]
Evacuations as US state of Vermont hit by catastrophic floods
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in the northeastern US state of Vermont Tuesday as heavy rains triggered flooding from which dozens of residents were rescued by boat. The move, which frees up funds to help relief efforts, came after officials warned that a dam close to the state capital Montpelier was nearing capacity and close to spilling into a river. “This has never happened since the […]
Mexican volcano crater home to ‘unique’ football pitch
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — A volcano crater is not an obvious venue for a football match, but that’s where a referee blows the whistle for kick-off each weekend on the outskirts of Mexico City. “It’s a unique pitch,” said 32-year-old player Adrian Garcia, a graphic designer by profession. “It’s very nice to come here to distract yourself, to relax, with friends and family,” he added. The inactive Teoca volcano rises around 2,700 meters (roughly […]
Heat wave in US turns Texas prisons into ‘ovens’
HOUSTON, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – On the afternoon of July 4, as Americans were celebrating the country’s independence with elaborate fireworks displays, a prisoner named Joseph Martire passed out in his cell in Texas, amid the excessive heat that has been swamping much of the southern United States in recent days. In concrete, brick and metal penitentiaries, industrial fans churn warm vapor without really cooling the air. And with no air conditioning in most […]
Heavy rains and flooding pummel US northeast, one dead
NEW YORK, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – The northeastern United States was inundated Monday with heavy rain and flooding across several states a day after storms and flash floods washed out highways and killed one person in New York state. Parts of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Vermont were under flood warnings as of 6:00 am (1000 GMT) Monday, with states in the region recording rapid rainfall and “life threatening” flash floods, […]
Yellen urges ‘direct’ talks, US-China climate collaboration
BEIJING, July 8, 2023 (AFP) – Washington and Beijing should communicate “directly” on concerns about specific economic practices, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Saturday, urging greater cooperation between the world’s two biggest economies despite fraught ties. Yellen is on a four-day trip to Beijing, as the United States seeks to cool tensions and stress areas of collaboration between the two countries. In a meeting Saturday with Vice Premier He Lifeng, she pointed to record […]
US to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, drawing criticism
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2023 (AFP) – The United States announced Friday it will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time as Kyiv’s forces face tough fighting in their counteroffensive against invading Russian troops. The move drew sharp criticism from rights groups due to the danger unexploded bomblets pose, but Washington said it has received assurances from Kyiv that it would minimize risk to civilians, including by not using the munitions in populated areas. […]
Four killed in US mass shooting in Philadelphia
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — At least four people were killed and two children wounded in a mass shooting Monday night in the US city of Philadelphia, police said, the latest chapter in the country’s gun violence crisis. Those killed were all males aged between 20 and 59, Philadelphia police commissioner Danielle Outlaw told journalists, while the two children wounded were aged two and 13. Police apprehended the suspected shooter — a 40-year-old who was […]
Two dead, 28 wounded in mass shooting at Baltimore block party
WASHINGTON, July 2, 2023 (AFP) – At least two people were killed and 28 wounded in a mass shooting at a street party early Sunday in the US city of Baltimore, police said. Officials said more than one assailant opened fire at the celebration in Baltimore, a port city about an hour’s drive north of Washington which has one of the highest homicide rates in America. The motive for the latest chapter in America’s gun […]
Yellen to visit China, raising need to ‘responsibly manage’ ties
By Beiyi SEOW Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to visit Beijing this week, the United States said Sunday, marking the second trip by a cabinet official to China since ties between the world’s top two economies deteriorated earlier this year. Yellen is expected to discuss with her counterparts the importance for both countries “to responsibly manage our relationship, communicate directly about areas of concern, and work together […]
