International

US orders families of govt personnel to leave DR Congo

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday ordered families of government personnel stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to leave amid fears about escalating violence, the State Department said. “The potential for civil unrest is high in parts of Kinshasa and other major cities,” it said, referring to the country’s capital in a statement. “As a result of the deteriorating security situation, family members of US government personnel have been ordered […]

Colombia’s FARC apologises for deadly 2002 massacre

Commanders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) offered an official apology on Thursday (September 29) for the 2002 Bojaya massacre where guerrillas killed 79 civilians. Visiting the church which was destroyed in the attack, just days after a peace agreement was signed with the Colombian government, FARC commander Ivan Marquez asked the local community for reconciliation. “We ask for you to forgive us and that you give us the hope of a spiritual […]

One dead, 114 hurt as New Jersey train crash causes major damage

by Thomas URBAIN HOBOKEN, United States (AFP) — A speeding commuter train that plowed into a New Jersey station during morning rush hour Thursday, killing one person and injuring 114, has caused major destruction at the transport hub and gateway to Manhattan. The train entered the Hoboken station “at a high rate of speed” and “crashed through the barriers, bringing it into the interior wall” of the terminal, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said. A […]

US-Philippines military alliance ‘ironclad’: Pentagon chief

SAN DIEGO, United States (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday that America’s alliance with the Philippines was “ironclad,” despite that country’s president vowing a day earlier to end joint military exercises. “As it has been for decades, our alliance with the Philippines is ironclad,” Carter said, addressing troops aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, docked in San Diego. On Wednesday, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said he would soon end joint military […]

Saudi warns of ‘disastrous consequences’ over US 9/11 law

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday warned of “disastrous consequences” from a United States law allowing 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom, in a major spike in tension between the longstanding allies. The warning came after the US Congress voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to override President Barack Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) on relations between states. JASTA allows attack survivors and relatives of terrorism victims to […]

Clinton hits Trump over Cuba embargo ‘violation’

by Andrew BEATTY CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Democrat Hillary Clinton accused Donald Trump Thursday of breaking the law by violating the US trade embargo with Cuba, slamming her rival as dishonest and willing to put his interests before the country. Clinton said Trump’s business interests in Cuba in the 1990s “appear to violate US law, certainly flout American foreign policy,” as she accused him of misleading American voters. Newsweek earlier reported that Trump hotel […]

Congress rejects Obama veto, Saudi September 11 bill becomes law

  (REUTERS)  Congress on Wednesday overwhelmingly rejected President Barack Obama’s veto of legislation allowing relatives of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue Saudi Arabia, the first veto override of his presidency, just four months before it ends. The House of Representatives voted 348-77 against the veto, hours after the Senate rejected it 97-1, meaning the “Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act” will become law. The vote was a blow to Obama as […]

India says hits Pakistan-based militants, escalating tensions

  (REUTERS )  Indian officials said elite troops crossed into Pakistan-ruled Kashmir on Thursday and killed suspected militants preparing to infiltrate and carry out attacks on major cities, in a surprise raid that raised tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Pakistan said two of its soldiers had been killed in exchanges of fire, but denied India had made any targeted strikes across the de facto frontier that runs through the disputed Himalayan territory. Indian special forces […]

Philippine businessmen to accompany Duterte to China: sources

  (REUTERS)  Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will visit China from Oct. 19-21 accompanied by a business delegation, business and diplomatic sources said on Thursday, signaling his intent to set sovereignty squabbles aside and forge a stronger commercial relationship with Beijing. The decision to invite business leaders suggests Duterte is following through with his vow to make peace with China and heal wounds that have festered since Manila lodged a legal challenge to Beijing’s claims to […]

New Jersey train crash in station kills one, injures more than 100

  (REUTERS)  A commuter train plowed into a station in New Jersey at the height of Thursday’s morning rush hour, killing one person on the platform and injuring more than 100 as it brought down part of the roof and scattered debris over the concourse. Witnesses described terrifying scenes as the front of the train smashed through the track stop at high speed and into the Hoboken terminal, toppling support columns and creating chaos at […]

China warns Japan not to ‘play with fire’ in S. China Sea

BEIJING, China (AFP) — China on Thursday warned Japan against “playing with fire” in the contested waters of the South China Sea, after Tokyo announced it may patrol alongside the US in the region. China also sent fighter planes for the first time over a strait near Japan on Monday as part of a group of more than 40 jets headed to train in the West Pacific. The move followed remarks by Japanese Defence Minister […]

Wild weather hits South Australia after mass blackout

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — South Australia braced for a second night of severe weather Thursday, with tens of thousands of homes still without power after “catastrophic” storms knocked out supply to the entire population. The total blackout caused chaos and widespread damage was reported, as authorities warned of more wild conditions to come including floods, high winds, heavy rain and surging tides. The state’s premier Jay Weatherill said “twin tornadoes” had hit northern areas, where […]