New York, United States | AFP | US stocks powered to fresh records Wednesday, with the Dow topping 21,000 for the first time, after President Donald Trump struck a more conciliatory note in a major address Tuesday night. All three major US equity indices smashed past highs, with the Dow …
Read More »Trump pledges $1 trillion to rebuild infrastructure
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump pledged Tuesday to bring one trillion dollars in public and private investment to rebuild what he called America’s crumbling infrastructure. Trump made the promise in a high-stakes speech to a joint session of Congress, moving to make good on one …
Read More »Colon cancer rates rise among Gen X, millennials
Miami, United States | AFP | Colon and rectal cancer rates are rising sharply among young and middle-aged adults in the United States but doctors have yet to pinpoint why, researchers said Tuesday. Generation X and millennials face anywhere from two to four times the risk of colon and rectal …
Read More »Trump aide Conway draws ire for kneeling on White House sofa
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway has come under fire after a picture of her casually kneeling on a couch in the Oval Office was widely shared on social media. In an image captured by an AFP photographer, Conway appears on the …
Read More »Trump eyes increase in defense spending
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump teased a budget plan Monday that includes a nearly 10 percent increase in defense spending and a “large reduction” in foreign aid. Previewing measures aimed at backing up campaign promises with dollars and cents, Trump promised a “public safety and national …
Read More »‘Moonlight’ takes best pic Oscar after stunning mix-up
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Coming-of-age drama “Moonlight” won the best picture Oscar on Sunday, but not before the film industry’s biggest night was marred by one of the worst fiascos in its history, as “La La Land” was mistakenly handed the award first. Until the final minute the …
Read More »Black actors triumph at very political Oscars
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Two black film stars took the early acting honors at the 89th Oscars on Sunday, which began with a salvo of jokes by host Jimmy Kimmel targeting US President Donald Trump. Mahershala Ali won the best supporting actor prize for his turn as a …
Read More »Anxiety, tears and prayers in California’s immigrant community
Coachella, United States | AFP | For the past three decades, Emilio Lopez Bautista has risen before dawn and headed to work in the farm fields of California, earning an honest living, buying a house, and steering clear of trouble. But today, the 66-year-old, who entered the United States illegally …
Read More »Can ‘La La Land’ waltz away with all the Oscars glory?
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Hollywood will be sprinkled with stardust on Sunday at the Oscars, with dreamy nostalgic musical “La La Land” tipped for glory on the film industry’s biggest night. Damien Chazelle’s glossy tribute to the all-singing, all-dancing Golden Age of Tinseltown’s studio system is vying for …
Read More »White House restrictions on media trigger outcry
Washington, United States | AFP | On the campaign trail and in office, Donald Trump has made attacking the press one of his political trademarks. But by restricting the access of certain media, his White House took things one step further, triggering an outcry. The New York Times, the Los …
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