Day: Jan 25, 2020

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Democratic lawmakers concluded their opening arguments in Republican President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the US Senate on Friday (Jan 24) with a warning that he was a threat to democracy and would abuse his power again if he is not removed from office. US President Donald Trump denies any wrongdoing and … Continue reading Democrats warn at impeachment trial that Trump will abuse his office again if not removed

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - An audio recording appeared to capture US President Donald Trump calling in 2018 for the firing of the then US ambassador to Ukraine, a main figure in the series of events that led to his impeachment, ABC News reported on Friday (Jan 24). President Donald Trump has said he had the right … Continue reading Recording appears to have Trump calling for ambassador’s ouster: ABC News

Kiev (AFP) In his first nine months as Ukrainian president, former comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself at the centre of major international crises, including the US impeachment investigation and Iran's downing of a passenger jet. Yet so far Zelensky has sailed through relatively unscathed, avoiding any major gaffes, political analysts said. The 41-year-old played … Continue reading Ukraine’s Zelensky weathers crises from Trump to downed jet

Wuhan (China) (AFP) China marked its most important holiday under a cloud of fear and gloom Saturday as the toll from a deadly respiratory virus jumped to 41, with almost 1,300 people now known to be infected. The Lunar New Year is normally China's most festive time, but holiday observances across the country have been … Continue reading Gloomy holiday for hunkered-down China as virus toll jumps

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control is monitoring dozens of potential cases. China said 41 people have now died from a new coronavirus that has infected more than 1,300 people globally, as health authorities around the world scramble to prevent a global pandemic. Pictures uploaded to social media on January 25, 2020 by … Continue reading China virus death toll rises to 41, more than 1,300 infected worldwide

Salt Lake City (United States) (AFP) In a world where sharing is so popular it has its own economy, women in Utah have a new item to contribute: breast milk. The Mountain West Mothers' Milk Bank is the first of its kind in Utah, the US state with the highest birth rate and therefore great … Continue reading In Utah, ‘saving lives’ with breast milk

Actress Rosie Perez took the stand in the rape trial of Harvey Weinstein on Friday to bolster the account of friend and fellow actress Annabella Sciorra, who said she was raped by the former Hollywood producer in the early 1990s. Actors Rosie Perez exits after testifying during film producer Harvey Weinstein's sexual assault trial at New York … Continue reading Actress Rosie Perez backs up Annabella Sciorra’s rape allegation in Weinstein trial

Washington (AFP) Over the years, Star Trek has been responsible for inspiring real world innovations from tablet computers to needleless injection devices and real time translators. Now, the science fiction franchise appears to have influenced Space Force, the US military's newest branch, in its choice of logo: a symbol resembling an arrowhead ringed by an … Continue reading US Space Force logo draws comparisons to ‘Star Trek’

Caracas (AFP) A total of 67 people died last year in protests in Venezuela's ongoing power struggle, 59 of whom were killed by law enforcement and armed civilian groups supporting President Nicolas Maduro, an NGO said Friday. Most of the deaths took place in January and February 2019 -- after opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed … Continue reading Venezuela protests killed 67 last year: NGO

Washington (AFP) Nearly three dozen US troops suffered traumatic brain injuries or concussion in this month's Iranian air strike on a military base in Iraq, the Pentagon said on Friday. "Thirty-four total members have been diagnosed with concussions and TBI (traumatic brain injury)," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman told reporters. President Donald Trump had initially said … Continue reading 34 US troops injured in recent Iranian strike: Pentagon

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Donald Trump thanked China on Friday (Jan 24) for its "efforts and transparency" in tackling a deadly virus that has triggered a vast quarantine in the country. A woman wearing a mask rides her scooter through a market in Wuhan, on Jan 24, 2020.PHOTO: AFP "China has been working very hard … Continue reading Trump praises China ‘efforts and transparency’ on Wuhan virus