Monthly Archives: May 2018

In Macron’s shadow, Merkel heads to Washington for Trump talks

Source: France 24 The German leader’s visit has already been overshadowed by a backslapping three-day festival of “fraternité” between Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron this week. Aware of the optics, anxious German diplomats pressed — in vain — for Merkel to enjoy a similarly meaty two days at the White House, betting the face time would help sweeten difficult relations, officials told… Read more »

Recent volcanic activity on Hawaii

The Island of Hawaii has always been a fascinating beauty of the world, but recently volcanic activity has threatened the natural wonders of the US state. A series of small earthquakes has triggered the explosion of the Kilauea volcano on the island. This eruption has caused scorching hot lava to spread over the largest island causing massive destruction. But perhaps… Read more »

Brazilian police close in on Rio politician Marielle Franco’s murderers, minister says

Source: France 24 After more than seven weeks without announcing significant progress, officials are indicating that they are ramping up efforts to find Marielle Franco’s killer. Security Minister Raul Jungmann was quoted by the news site noticias.UOL as saying that “the investigation is entering its final stage. I believe that we’ll soon have results.” Jungmann confirmed media reports that suspects include… Read more »

Five more executives fired as Nike confronts workplace harassment

Source: France 24 Nike has dismissed additional executives as it moves to address a workplace culture marred by sexual harassment and bullying, embarrassing a brand that has self-defined around equality and empowerment. The latest departures, confirmed Wednesday by a Nike spokeswoman, consist of five executives, including one woman, and raise the total departures to around a dozen. This includes former… Read more »

Analysis Post: U.S. places more sanctions on Venezuela due to ‘sham’ elections

France 24 | May 8, 2018 US Vice President Mike Pence last Monday urged Venezuela to suspend a divisive May 20 election he denounced as a “sham,” as Washington placed new sanctions on Nicolas Maduro’s regime. In an address to the Organization of American States, Pence slammed the upcoming presidential vote — boycotted by the opposition and branded illegitimate by… Read more »

Nicaragua: Ortega to allow inquiry into protest deaths

Aljazeera | May 11, 2018 Nicaragua says it will allow an independent inquiry into the killings of dozens of anti-government demonstrators as two more people were killed in fresh clashes on Saturday. “We agree to work on each of the points raised (by the bishops), taking into account that all of them reflect their goodwill as mediators and witnesses,” President… Read more »

Brazilian police close in on Rio politician Marielle Franco’s murderers, minister says

France 24 | May 11, 2018 Authorities are closing in on the killers of a high-profile Rio de Janeiro politician and black rights activist, a government minister was quoted as saying Thursday, as police staged a reenactment of the murder. After more than seven weeks without announcing significant progress, officials are indicating that they are ramping up efforts to find Marielle… Read more »

Dismembered human feet keep washing up on beaches in western Canada

CNN | May 14, 2018 In Canada the mystery of the dismembered feet continues. A man was out for a Sunday afternoon stroll on a British Columbia beach when he made a gruesome discovery: a human foot in a hiking boot, lodged in pile of wood. Authorities aren’t saying much more about the foot. But it’s the 14th found washed… Read more »

Argentina seeks IMF financing to stabilise economy

France 24 | May 9, 2018 Argentina opened talks with the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday to seek a financial aid package, 17 years after the country defaulted on its debt and 12 years after cutting ties with the fund. As a bout of market turbulence rocks Argentina’s economy, President Mauricio Macri announced that “as a preventative measure, I have decided to begin discussions… Read more »

Supreme Court Ruling Favors Sports Betting

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court struck down a 1992 federal law on Monday that effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states, opening the door to legalizing the estimated $150 billion in illegal wagers on professional and amateur sports that Americans make every year. The decision seems certain to result in profound changes to the nation’s relationship with sports wagering…. Read more »