A leader in the fight for health benefits for emergency personnel who responded to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. has died. Former New York City Police detective Luis Alvarez died from colorectal cancer Saturday, his family announced in a post On Facebook. The 53-year-old Alvarez appeared with American comedian and political … continue reading -> “9/11 First Responder Advocate Dies at 53”
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday vowed to appeal a U.S. judge’s ruling blocking his administration from using $2.5 billion in funds intended for anti-drug activities to construct a wall along the southern border with Mexico. “[W]e’re immediately appealing it, and we think we’ll win the appeal,” Trump said during a press conference on Saturday … continue reading -> “Trump Vows Appeal After Judge Blocks Use of Border Wall Funds”
Since Portugal’s colony of Macau reverted to Chinese control in 1999, it has become known for operating the world’s most profitable gaming industry and a go-along, get-along attitude toward Beijing. However, the continuing protests in Hong Kong over a controversial extradition bill may be triggering some small change of political attitudes in Macau, 65 kilometers … continue reading -> “Hong Kong Protests Stir Questions in Macau”
Political unease over the White House’s tough talk against Iran is reviving questions about President Donald Trump’s ability to order military strikes without approval from Congress. The Senate fell short Friday, in a 50-40 vote, on an amendment to a sweeping Defense bill that would require congressional support before Trump acts. It didn’t reach the … continue reading -> “Senate Fails to Limit Trump War Powers “
A federal judge imposed a life sentence on the self-described neo-Nazi who killed Heather Heyer by crashing his car into a crowd of counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Va., after a white supremacist rally, saying release would be “too great a risk.” James Fields, 22, of Maumee, Ohio, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. He had sought a lesser sentence, apologizing … continue reading -> “Charlottesville Neo-Nazi Sentenced to Life in Prison”
Elton John on Friday called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for saying that liberalism is “obsolete” and conflicts with the “overwhelming majority” in many countries. In a story published by the Financial Times newspaper, Putin said “the liberal idea has become obsolete. It has come into conflict with the interests of the overwhelming majority of … continue reading -> “Putin Says Liberalism ‘obsolete’; Elton John Disagrees”
In a sea of more than 20 candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination, former vice president Joe Biden entered the second of two nights of early Democratic primary debates Thursday with a big bulls-eye on his back. The front-runner before he even announced his candidacy, Biden was expected to ignore attacks from fellow Democrats as … continue reading -> “Biden Faces Tough Sledding in His First Democratic Debate”
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was at center stage Thursday on the second night of Democratic presidential debates, but one of his main challengers, Sen. Kamala Harris, sharply questioned his relations with segregationist lawmakers four decades ago and his opposition to forced school busing to integrate schools. Harris, a California lawmaker and former prosecutor, … continue reading -> “Former US VP Joe Biden, Sen. Kamala Harris Clash Over Racial Issues”
The second set of 10 Democrats took the stage Thursday night for the second Democratic primary debate of the 2020 U.S. election cycle in the race to try to oust Republican President Donald Trump from the White House. On stage were Sen. Michael Bennet (Colo.), former Vice President Joe Biden, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete … continue reading -> “Key Quotes From Second Democratic Presidential Debate”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared unsteady and was seen shaking for the second time in just over a week at a ceremony in Berlin on Thursday. Merkel, 64, folded her arms across her chest while her body trembled for around two minutes as she stood alongside President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at an indoor event where Germany’s … continue reading -> “Germany’s Merkel Seen Shaking Again at Berlin Event”
At least sixteen people were facing the death penalty in a trial that started Thursday over the gruesome death of a young Bangladeshi woman that sparked protests and government promises of tough action. Nusrat Jahan Rafi, 19, was set on fire in April after allegedly refusing to withdraw claims of sexual harassment against the head … continue reading -> “Trial Opens over Bangladesh Teen’s Grisly Murder”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has begun a two-day official visit to Pakistan to pursue what aides say would be the normalization of the relationship between the two uneasy neighboring countries. The Afghan leader held delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan shortly after arriving in Islamabad at the head of a large delegation comprising Cabinet … continue reading -> “Afghan President Begins Pakistan Visit”
Just a month after a state visit to Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to the East Asian country again. In Osaka, Trump will attend the Group of 20 leaders’ summit, during which he is scheduled to meet one-on-one on the sidelines with such fellow world leaders as Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian … continue reading -> “Trump Heads to Japan for G-20 Summit”
Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for U.S. President Donald Trump, will be arraigned Thursday in a New York court in Manhattan on state criminal charges, after having been convicted last year on federal fraud charges. Manafort, 70, is scheduled to appear before Justice Maxwell Wiley of the state Supreme Court at 2:15 p.m. EDT … continue reading -> “Ex-Trump Aide Manafort to Be Arraigned Thursday in New York”
VOA’s Victoria Macchi contributed to this report. WASHINGTON — More than 200 children held in a border facility described as unsafe and unsanitary last week were transferred to the care of another U.S. agency by Tuesday, U.S. health authorities confirmed. In a statement emailed to VOA, U.S. Health and Human Services acknowledged it worked with U.S. … continue reading -> “US Confirms 200 Unaccompanied Minors Removed From CBP Facility”
A heat wave is set to descend upon Europe this week, weather so intense that a forecaster in Spain warned, “El infierno (hell) is coming.” El infierno is coming. pic.twitter.com/j0iGEYF0ge — Silvia Laplana (@slaplana_tve) June 24, 2019 The heat wave is expected to peak between Wednesday and Friday when temperatures are expected to top 40 … continue reading -> “Europe Set to Experience Scorching Heat Wave This Week”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday during a visit to Afghanistan that the Trump administration is aiming for a peace deal in the war-ravaged country by September. His visit came as American and Taliban negotiators are scheduled to meet in Qatar later this week (June 29) for the next round of talks in … continue reading -> “Pompeo Hopes for Afghan Peace Deal Before September”
Senior U.S. officials say they are already busy buttressing the nation’s defenses against foreign interference for the 2020 presidential election. Only they admit the public may be kept in the dark about attacks and intrusions. Intelligence and election security officials have warned repeatedly that Russia, among other state and nonstate actors, remains intent on disrupting … continue reading -> “US Public Might Not Be Told About Foreign Efforts to Alter Next Election”
The U.S. Treasury inspector general says he will look into why the Trump administration decided to scrap plans to put escaped slave turned abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the move last month, saying the change is because of “counterfeiting issues.” But Democratic Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer said … continue reading -> “US Treasury Inspector to Look Into Delay of New Tubman $20 Bill”
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who criticized China last year for “buying” up his country, will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time on the sidelines of this week’s G-20 meeting in Japan, his office said on Monday. Bolsonaro, a far-right firebrand, has softened his stance on Brazil’s largest trading partner since taking … continue reading -> “Brazil’s Bolsonaro to Meet China’s Xi for First Time at G-20”
Ethiopian security is hunting for the leader of the failed coup in the northern Amhara region where security is tight, as well as in the capital, Addis Ababa. An internet shutdown remains in force across the country, following the assassinations of Amhara’s governor and an adviser in the regional capital, Bahir Dar, Saturday. Later … continue reading -> “Ethiopia Hunts for Plotter of Failed Coup in Amhara Region”
A plate-hurling, screaming quarrel with his latest girlfriend has turned the spotlight fully on where Boris Johnson’s advisers didn’t want it — on his character and chaotic private life, which even his friends have described as “unruly.” The altercation, recorded by neighbors in south London who phoned the police, has thrown a wrench into Johnson’s … continue reading -> “Domestic Quarrel Disrupts Boris Johnson’s Britain Leadership Bid”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is urging Hong Kong authorities to “consult broadly before passing or amending” an extradition bill or “any other legislation,” as protests in the autonomous territory continue. Speaking at the opening of a three-week session of Human Right Council in Geneva, Switzerland, Michelle Bachelet also said that she … continue reading -> “UN: Hong Kong Should Consult Broadly on Extradition Bill”
U.S. President Donald Trump says he is “not looking for war” with Iran and willing to negotiate with its leaders without preconditions, but that under no circumstances can the Islamic Republic be allowed to mass a nuclear weapons arsenal. Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press show that if the U.S. went to war with Iran, … continue reading -> “Trump: ‘Not Looking for War’ With Iran”
The ruling party candidate in the re-run of Istanbul’s mayoral election, Binali Yildirim, has conceded defeat to opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu. Sunday’s vote was held because election authorities controversially annulled Imamoglu’s initial historic election victory in March on a technicality after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan disputed the defeat of his candidate. Electoral authorities rejected Erdogan’s … continue reading -> “Ruling Party Candidate Concedes Defeat in Istanbul Re-Vote”