Washington, United States | AFP | US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Friday that the people of Zimbabwe must be allowed to choose their own government through democratic elections, after the military took power. “We all should work together for a quick return to a civilian rule in that …
Read More »Pope denounces healthcare inequality in rich countries
Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis on Thursday took wealthy nations to task over unequal healthcare and systems which increasingly penalise all but the very wealthy. Healthcare is a particularly hot-button issue in the United States, where President Donald Trump has been fighting to scrap the Affordable Care …
Read More »Thousands more US troops arrive in Afghanistan: general
Washington, United States | AFP | Approximately 3,000 additional American troops have now deployed to Afghanistan under President Donald Trump’s revised strategy for the war-torn country, the Pentagon said Thursday. The Pentagon had previously put the number of US forces in Afghanistan at about 11,000 but Trump in August authorized an …
Read More »US joins calls for Liberia to hold presidential run-off
Monrovia, Liberia | AFP | The US embassy in Liberia on Thursday expressed “confidence in the integrity” of first-round voting in the country’s presidential election, urging political leaders to allow a “timely conclusion” of the vote. A second round of voting to choose a successor to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was …
Read More »Trump tells UCLA players ‘you’re welcome,’ credits Xi
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump credited China’s President Xi Jinping Thursday with the release of three UCLA basketball players who had been held on suspicion of shoplifting. The three had apologized and thanked Trump for asking Xi to intervene in their case Wednesday on their return …
Read More »US athletes released by China apologize for shoplifting, thank Trump
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Three US college basketball players detained in China for shoplifting publicly apologized Wednesday and thanked President Donald Trump for helping secure their release. Trump had personally asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to intervene to free UCLA’s LiAngelo Ball — the younger brother of Los …
Read More »US urges ‘all Zimbabwean leaders’ to show restraint
Washington, United States | AFP | The United States expressed concern on Wednesday over the political crisis in Zimbabwe, where the military has apparently placed President Robert Mugabe under house arrest. A State Department official said the US embassy in Harare has been closed to the public as a safety precaution …
Read More »‘Star Wars’ composer writes Bernstein work for Boston
New York, United States | AFP | John Williams, the prolific film composer who has scored “Star Wars” and other blockbusters, will premiere a new work dedicated to Leonard Bernstein, the Boston Symphony Orchestra said Wednesday. The orchestra announced its 2018 season at Tanglewood, its summer home nestled in the wooded …
Read More »Eating variety of nuts linked to lower heart disease risk
Washington, United States | AFP | People who regularly snack on a variety of nuts may face a lower risk of heart disease than people who don’t, said the largest study of its kind, which was released this week. Eating five weekly servings of walnuts, peanuts or other kinds of tree …
Read More »Serena Williams set to tie the knot in New Orleans
Washington, United States | AFP | Tennis superstar Serena Williams is used to hoisting trophies, but on Thursday, it looks like she’ll be carrying a wedding bouquet. Music royalty Beyonce and Jay Z, along with actress Eva Longoria are among the A-listers reportedly convening in New Orleans for Williams’ wedding to …
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