WikiLeaks exposes alleged CIA hacking program Washington, United States | AFP | The CIA can turn your TV into a listening device, bypass popular encryption apps, and possibly control your car, according to a trove of alleged documents from the US spy agency released Tuesday by WikiLeaks. The group posted nearly …
Read More »Republican backlash over Trump-backed health care bill
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump faced mounting concern from fellow Republicans Tuesday over their party’s plan to replace Obamacare, with conservatives warning the bill was too similar to existing controversial health care law. Several far-right lawmakers said the Republican plan abandons conservative fiscal principles by …
Read More »Pressure mounts on Uber and CEO after missteps
Washington, United States | AFP | After a series of embarrassing revelations, ridesharing giant Uber faces challenges in keeping growth on track, with top executive Travis Kalanick likely to face pressure to give up some control. Analysts say Uber’s rocky past month — marred by disclosures about a culture of …
Read More »China vows ‘resolute’ measures after US deploys THAAD
Beijing, China | AFP | China said Tuesday it would “resolutely” defend its security interests as the US began deploying the THAAD missile-defence system in South Korea that Beijing fears will undermine its own military capabilities. “We are firmly opposed to the deployment of THAAD in the Republic of Korea …
Read More »President Trump’s new travel ban: key points
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s administration issued a revised immigration ban Monday that temporarily freezes US visa issuance to anyone from six mostly-Muslim countries and halts for 120 days all refugee arrivals. Here are the key points: – What’s new in the revised order? – Iraq, …
Read More »Carson: Slaves were ‘immigrants’
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump’s housing secretary provoked a firestorm Monday by saying slaves brought from Africa were “immigrants” who dreamed of success for their families in the United States. Ben Carson, who is black, made the stunning remarks during an address to employees at the …
Read More »Trump’s slurs – and praise – of Obama go back years
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump’s love-hate attitude towards predecessor Barack Obama goes back a decade, a volatile mixture of admiration and scurrilous disrespect that helped launch the provocative billionaire’s own political career. Trump was a main purveyor of the “birther” conspiracy theory that the nation’s …
Read More »Congressional panel will investigate Trump wiretap claim
Washington, United States | AFP | A Congressional committee will investigate President Donald Trump’s claim that Barack Obama tapped his phone during last year’s election campaign, the panel’s chairman said Sunday. The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has been examining Russian interference in last year’s US presidential election. Devin …
Read More »Secret Uber software steers drivers from stings
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Uber on Friday acknowledged the use of a secret software program to steer drivers away from trouble, including sting operations by local authorities to catch lawbreakers. In the latest in a streak of damaging news for the ridesharing giant, Uber came forward about …
Read More »Ed Sheeran obliterates Spotify records with new album
New York, United States | AFP | Ed Sheeran has smashed Spotify records with his new album “Divide,” which drew nearly twice as many listens on its first day as the previous leader. The world’s largest streaming service said that the pop singer’s album was heard nearly 57 million times …
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