Washington (AFP) – A sprawling conspiracy, a cornered president clinging to power, a White House cover-up: for Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks, the mushrooming controversy around Donald Trump’s alleged plot to take down US democracy is a movie she…
‘Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow spin-off in early development: reports
Los Angeles (AFP) – A “Game of Thrones” sequel focused on the fan-favorite, impossible-to-kill character Jon Snow is in early development at HBO, according to Hollywood trade reports. Kit Harington — whose stoic warrior Snow was last seen banished fro…
TikTok says Oracle to keep US user data safe
San Francisco (AFP) – TikTok on Friday said Oracle will store all the data from its US users, in a bid to allay fears about its safety in the hands of a platform owned by ByteDance in China. The popular video snippet sharing service will continue to us…
EU backs Ukraine’s ‘European dream’ as Russia cuts gas supplies
Brussels (AFP) – Europe sent a powerful symbol of solidarity with Ukraine on Friday as Brussels backed Kyiv’s bid for EU candidate status, a decision Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had “nothing against”. With the European Commission’s backing…
A Chinese invasion of Taiwan: Too costly to countenance?
Magong (Taiwan) (AFP) – On Taiwan’s tiny Penghu islands, the missile bases that sit next to white-sand beaches and bustling fish markets are a visceral reminder of the constant threat of attack from China. Despite the huge military discrepancy between …
Biden coup buoys Saudi crown prince after five years at helm
Riyadh (AFP) – Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has long been sidelined on the world stage but as he prepares to mark five years as de facto leader, he is finally coming in from the cold. Next month’s visit by US President Joe Biden will…
Los Angeles warned over July 4 firework blazes during drought
Los Angeles (AFP) – The punishing drought gripping the western United States has claimed another victim: Independence Day fireworks, with Los Angeles city bosses warning private displays could spark dangerous blazes. Americans celebrate the 1776 declar…
Dozens rescued by helicopter in Yellowstone floods
Los Angeles (AFP) – Dozens of people have been plucked to safety by National Guard helicopter crews this week as floods devastate Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Over three days Montana National Guard units scrambled to reach 87 people …
Ghislaine Maxwell pleas for mercy ahead of sex trafficking sentencing
New York (AFP) – Ghislaine Maxwell cited a traumatic childhood and vulnerability to Jeffrey Epstein in a plea for leniency two weeks before her scheduled court sentencing for child sex trafficking. In a brief filed Wednesday evening, Maxwell’s lawyers …
Two US volunteers in Ukraine feared captured by Russia
Washington (AFP) – Two Americans who volunteered to support Ukraine have gone missing and are feared to have been taken prisoner by Russia, officials and family members said Wednesday. Captive Americans would add another layer of complexity to efforts …