Seoul, South Korea | AFP | North Korea on Wednesday test-fired a missile that could bring the entire continental United States within range, ramping up its nuclear strike threat in a major challenge to President Donald Trump. The intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch snapped a two-month pause in testing by the …
Read More »UN wants Libya to agree to shut down migrant camps
United Nations, United States | AFP | The United Nations wants Libya’s internationally-backed government to agree to shut down 30 detention centers holding 15,000 migrants, most of whom will be sent back to their countries, the head of the IOM said Tuesday. The detention of the migrants, most of whom …
Read More »On Africa tour, Macron vows to open files on Burkina hero
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso | AFP | President Emmanuel Macron kicked off his maiden African tour Tuesday by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso’s assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a hero in much of the continent. The terror threat has cast a shadow over Macron’s swing through …
Read More »Pope sidesteps Rohingya crisis during Myanmar address
Naypyidaw, Myanmar | AFP | Pope Francis urged respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar on Tuesday, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya or the alleged ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country. Sharing a stage with Myanmar’s …
Read More »Prince Harry, Meghan to marry in Windsor Castle in May: palace
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prince Harry and his American fiancee Meghan Markle will marry at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May next year, a royal spokesman said Tuesday. Markle will be baptised and confirmed for the wedding and intends to become a British citizen, Harry’s spokesman Jason …
Read More »Mayor signs repeal of New York dancing ban
New York, United States | AFP | New York’s mayor on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city. The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, …
Read More »Flurry of activity hints at North Korea missile test: reports
Seoul, South Korea | AFP | Radio signals and radar activity detected at a North Korean missile base have raised concerns the reclusive regime may be preparing a new missile test, news reports in Seoul and Tokyo said Tuesday. The North has stoked international alarm over its banned nuclear missile …
Read More »Franken ‘sorry’ as US Congress targets harassment
Washington, United States | AFP | An “ashamed” US senator said he would work to regain the people’s trust Monday after being accused of sexual misconduct, as Congress moved to root out harassment with allegations now targeting several sitting lawmakers. Democrat Al Franken, a former comedian and darling of the …
Read More »Canadian mice adapt to warming by mutating, moving north: study
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Mice in Canada are mutating and migrating farther north in response to climate change, according to McGill University research released Monday. The study, published in the journal Evolutionary Ecology, found that “milder winters have led to physical alterations in two species of mice in southern Quebec …
Read More »Meghan Markle helped raise global attention to gender equality: UN
United Nations, United States | AFP | Meghan Markle has helped the world focus attention on gender equality, the UN women’s agency said Monday, voicing hope that Prince Harry’s fiancée will continue to use her voice for women. The 36-year-old actress became an advocate for women’s political participation and leadership …
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