MIAMI, United States (AFP) — A gunman killed at least five people on Wednesday at a bank in Sebring, Florida in the southern United States, police said. “We have at least five victims, people who were senselessly murdered,” Police Chief Karl Hoglund told a news conference. The alleged shooter, identified as a 21-year-old resident of Sebring, has been taken into custody, Hoglund said. Their motive was not immediately clear, and the investigation into the shooting […]
International
Erdogan and Putin vow closer cooperation on Syria at Moscow talks
by Maria PANINA Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday vowed to coordinate their actions more closely in Syria. “Cooperation between Russia and Turkey is a touchstone for Syrian peace and stability,” Erdogan said in translated comments at a joint press conference after their talks, which lasted around three hours. “With our Russian friends, we intend to […]
Trump insists speech will be in Congress, Pelosi says no
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday rejected President Donald Trump’s insistence that he deliver his State of the Union speech next week in Congress, setting up an unsettling clash among Washington’s power elite. The spat about where the annual political set-piece will be staged is a sideshow to the struggle between the White House and Democrats in Congress over partial government shutdown now in its 33rd day. Traditionally the […]
Former top S. Korean judge arrested in power abuse probe
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — A former South Korean chief justice was arrested Thursday on allegations of abuse of power for allegedly meddling in trials to curry favour with now-ousted president Park Geun-hye. Yang Sung-tae was the presiding judge on the Supreme Court for six years until his retirement in 2017. The South’s politicians have long had legal troubles — all the country’s living ex-presidents are either currently in prison or have previously served jail […]
Eyeing Trump, wave of women join 2020 White House race
by Elodie CUZIN Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two years after Hillary Clinton failed in her historic bid for the White House, a record number of women are already racing to oust Donald Trump in 2020 — and are banking on American voters being ready this time around to help them smash the ultimate glass ceiling. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, 69, was the first well-known Democrat out of the starting blocks, […]
Venezuela opposition leader names self ‘acting president’
by Maria Isabel SANCHEZ Agence France Presse CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — The head of Venezuela’s opposition-led National Assembly proclaimed himself “acting president” Wednesday in a bid to oust leftist leader Nicolas Maduro, immediately winning the backing of regional powers led by the United States. Tens of thousands jammed the streets of Caracas in an outpouring of support for Juan Guaido amid a dire economic crisis that has devastated the once rich oil-producing country. “I swear […]
Maldives issue warning amid spike in tourist drownings
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AFP) — Five tourists including a honeymooning couple have drowned in a single week in the Maldives, officials said, prompting a nationwide safety warning to holiday resorts in the pristine islands. Tourism officials said all resort operators in the paradise archipelago were urged Monday to keep a close eye on their clients after the spate of deaths. Strong currents caused by a north-east monsoon were blamed for the slew of drownings in […]
Putin, Abe talks fail to break island impasse
by Maria PANINA Agence France Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — The leaders of Russia and Japan fell short of agreement on Tuesday over a disputed island chain that has long prevented the two countries from signing a peace treaty to formally end World War II. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Moscow marked the 25th time he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met since 2013, a reflection of their efforts to build cooperation […]
After a month of shutdown, US federal workers turn to food banks
by Catherine TRIOMPHE Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Most never needed help from a food pantry. But a month since the US government shutdown began, dozens of federal employees have been lining up in Brooklyn for basics. Customs, tax and emergency management officials are all among the crowd, having gone unemployed since December 22. Others deemed “essential” like transportation workers or prison guards are forced to continue working without pay, taking […]
China, Europe follow Brazil’s Bolsonaro onto Davos stage
by Alex PIGMAN Agence France Presse DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP) — China and Europe take center stage at Davos on Wednesday, a day after Brazil’s hard-right President Jair Bolsonaro promised reform and respect for the environment to the world’s business elite. Top billing at the World Economic Forum will go to Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, a key member of the communist leadership in Beijing who is tasked with negotiating a truce in the US-China trade […]
Mexico launches social programs to fight fuel theft
ACAMBAY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico’s president announced a series of social programs Tuesday aimed at developing poor areas where fuel theft has become a booming industry, after a pipeline tap gone wrong killed 93 people. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who blames poverty for the thriving black market in stolen gasoline, said his government would spend around $200 million on pensions, small-business loans, a youth employment scheme and other programs to help 1.7 million people […]
White House denies reports of canceled trade meeting
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House on Tuesday said high-level trade talks with Beijing were proceeding uninterrupted, quickly rebutting media reports that progress toward resolving their trade war had faltered. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is to meet his US counterparts in Washington next week as the two sides work to resolve their trade disagreements by March 1, when a 90-day truce is due to expire, allowing US import duties on Chinese goods […]
