Today   World News

Britain's Prince Harry expresses 'great sadness' at royal split

LONDON (AFP) -- Britain's Prince Harry expressed "great sadness" on Sunday at the way he and his wife Meghan had to give up their royal titles as part of a separation settlement with the Queen."It brings me great sadness that it has come to this," Harry said in his first remarks on Saturday's historic agreement, made during a public address and posted on the couple's Instagram account."Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the commonwealth, and my military associat

Today   World News

SARS-like virus spreads in China, nearly 140 new cases

BEIJING (AFP) -- A mysterious SARS-like virus has spread around China -- including to Beijing -- authorities said Monday, fuelling fears of a major outbreak as millions begin travelling for the Lunar New Year in humanity's biggest migration.The new coronavirus strain, first discovered in the central city of Wuhan, has caused alarm because of its connection to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.Wuhan has 11 million in

Jan 19, 2020   World News

China reports 17 new cases of mystery virus

BEIJING (AFP) -- China reported 17 new cases of the mysterious SARS-like virus on Sunday, including three in a severe condition, heightening fears ahead of China's Lunar New Year holiday when hundreds of millions of people move around the country.The virus -- a new strain of coronavirus that humans can contract -- has caused alarm because of its connection to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003. Of the 17 new c

Jan 19, 2020   World News

Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan to give up royal titles

LONDON (AFP) -- Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will give up their royal titles and public funding as part of a settlement with the Queen to start a new life away from the British monarchy.The historic announcement from Buckingham Palace on Saturday follows more than a week of intense private talks aimed at managing the fallout of the globetrotting couple's shock resignation from front-line royal duties.It means Queen Elizabeth II's grandson Harry and his American TV actress wife Megh

Jan 19, 2020   World News

Trump lawyers present defense for 'dangerous' impeachment

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- President Donald Trump's legal team presented  Saturday its line of defense for his upcoming impeachment trial, a process they dismissed as unconstitutional and "dangerous."It was the first time the team presented its arguments, modeled on those put forward since December by Trump and his fellow Republicans. White House counsel Pat Cipollone will be lead lawyer, backed by Trump's personal attorney Jay Sekulow. They will be joined by Ken Starr, who was at the ce

Jan 19, 2020   World News

IT happens: Facebook sorry for Xi Jinping's name gaffe

NAYPYIDAW (AFP) -- Facebook apologised Saturday for a distasteful mistranslation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's name from Burmese language posts during his much-touted visit to Myanmar.His two-day visit to Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw was the first made by a Chinese leader in almost two decades. But the historic moment was dimmed by the automatic translation feature on Myanmar's Facebook page -- which rendered Xi Jinping's name from Burmese into English as "Mr Shithole". The err

Jan 16, 2020   World News

[Graphic News] Louvre sees fewer visitors after steps to limit crowds

　The hordes flocking to the Louvre in Paris fell to 9.6 million in 2019 as the museum tried to limit overcrowding, its director said.　After numbers rocketed by a quarter the previous year to a record 10.2 million, the most visited museum in the world said, it set out to actively discourage tourists in the peak summer months.　The Louvre gets far more visitors than any other museum in the world, including the National Museum of China in Beijing, which attracted 8.6 million people in 2018; and New

Jan 16, 2020   World News

US, China sign 'momentous' trade deal

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- After nearly two years of conflict between the world's top two economic powers, the United States and China signed a trade truce on Wednesday, letting businesses around the globe breathe a sigh of relief.The deal is a boon to US President Donald Trump, who faces an impeachment trial and a tough reelection fight later this year. Trump called the agreement "momentous."But tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars in goods remain in place -- on two-thirds of the over

Jan 14, 2020   World News

US Treasury removes currency manipulator label on China

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The United States on Monday removed the currency manipulator label it imposed on China last summer, in a sign of easing tensions between the two economic powers after nearly two years of conflict.Just two days before President Donald Trump is set to sign a "phase one" trade agreement with China, the US Treasury said in its semi-annual report to Congress that the yuan has strengthened and Beijing is no longer considered a currency manipulator.Although Treasury refrai

Jan 13, 2020   World News

Trump warns Iran not to kill protesters, door still open to talks

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump warned Iran Sunday against killing protesters who have risen up over the regime's downing of a civilian airliner as his defense secretary left the door open to talks with Tehran without preconditions.Trump's salvo came as Iran's Islamic regime faced a challenge from angry street protests, having come to the brink of war with the US after a series of tit-for-tat confrontations."To the leaders of Iran -- DO NOT KILL YOUR PROTESTERS," Trump tw

Jan 13, 2020   World News

Iran agrees de-escalation 'only solution' to solve crisis with US

TEHRAN (AFP) -- Iran signalled Sunday it favours a de-escalation after 10 days of heightened tensions with the United States during which both sides fired missiles and Tehran accidentally shot down a passenger aircraft.Security was stepped up in Iran's capital after a vigil the previous night for those killed in the air disaster turned into an angry protest and police temporarily arrested the British ambassador for being there.US President Donald Trump warned Iran against harming demonstrators a

Jan 13, 2020   World News

Ash pours from Philippine volcano, halting flights

MANILA (AFP) -- The Philippines was on alert Monday for the "explosive eruption" of a volcano south of Manila, which officials said could be imminent after a massive column of ash forced a halt to flights at the capital's main airport.  Taal volcano, a popular tourist attraction set in the centre of a picturesque lake, spewed ash, rumbled with earthquakes and exploded with lightning above its crest.Thousands of people living nearby were evacuated from their homes, but other locals

Jan 12, 2020   World News

Taiwan leader meets top US official after her election win

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Fresh from a landslide reelection victory, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met Sunday with the de facto US ambassador to Taipei, as China warned that countries should stick with recognizing communist-ruled Beijing as the rightful government of ''One China,'' including Taiwan. William Brent Christensen, a US diplomat who is director of the American Institute in Taiwan, congratulated Tsai on her victory and she thanked him for his support. ''The Taiwan-US partnership

Jan 12, 2020   World News

[Graphic News] Bushfires flare as Australia heat wave sets in

　Australia is experiencing an unprecedented, drought-fueled bushfire crisis that has burnt swathes of land across the vast continent. 　The catastrophic bushfires have killed at least 26 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and scorched some 8 million hectares -- an area the size of the island of Ireland.　Scientists say the drought-fueled blazes are being worsened by climate change, which is increasing the length and intensity of Australia’s fire season. (AFP)