New York, United States | AFP | The top Philadelphia criminal defense attorney who helped Bill Cosby secure a hung jury on trial for sexual assault has quit ahead of the disgraced entertainer’s scheduled re-trial. Brian McMonagle, who proved his mettle with a tough-as-nails defense at one of America’s biggest …
Read More »US Senate confirms Christopher Wray as FBI director
Washington, United States | AFP | The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Christopher Wray as the new director of the FBI on Tuesday, three months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor James Comey. The high-flying criminal lawyer was an uncontroversial choice for the post, winning widespread bipartisan backing after telling …
Read More »The meteoric rise and fall of Anthony Scaramucci
Washington, United States | AFP | Ten days ago, Anthony Scaramucci — then newly named as White House communications director — dismissed reports of infighting in the West Wing, saying that things were “on track.” On Monday, he was out of a job. The following events trace the meteoric rise …
Read More »US to cut 755 US diplomatic staff in Russia, says Putin
Moscow, Russia | AFP | President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said the United States would have to cut 755 diplomatic staff in Russia and warned of a prolonged gridlock in its ties after the US Congress backed new sanctions against the Kremlin. Putin added bluntly that Russia was able to …
Read More »US responds to North Korea missile test with show of force
Washington, United States | AFP | North Korea said Sunday its latest ICBM launch was a “warning” over efforts to slap sanctions on the hermit state, as the US carried out a successful test of its missile defense system in a pointed show of force. A bilateral mission led by …
Read More »S. Korea speeds up US missile defence over North’s missile test
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile test has prompted the South to speed up the deployment of a US missile defence system, Seoul’s defence minister said Saturday, despite strong protests from China. The US military will also roll out “strategic assets” to the South …
Read More »N. Korea throws down gauntlet to Trump with second ICBM test
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea on Friday carried out what appeared to be its second test this month of an intercontinental ballistic missile, doubling down on its threat to develop a nuclear strike capability against the US mainland in the face of severe warnings from President Donald …
Read More »Frank Ocean, gentle R&B voice, finds live intimacy at NY festival
New York, United States | AFP | Frank Ocean has captivated audiences since his debut with his tenderness, a gentle but unwavering voice in the often hyper-macho world of R&B and hip-hop. Nearly a year after he released his long-awaited second album, “Blonde,” Ocean has presented his ever-patient fans with …
Read More »McCain’s moment: a ‘no’ on health care
Washington, United States | AFP | In a long career as a maverick Republican, it may have been John McCain’s defining moment. Donald Trump and his Republicans had rejoiced when the cancer-stricken senator returned to Washington this week to vote on health care. But the feisty elder statesman and long-time …
Read More »US, S. Korea mull military options on N. Korea
Washington, United States | AFP | The heads of the US and South Korean militaries discussed “military response options” after North Korea test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Pentagon said Friday. General Joe Dunford, who is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the …
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