Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says Afghan forces fully engaged for 1st time
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress Tuesday that the Afghanistan security forces are fully engaged in combat operations for the first time during the 16-year-old war and are suffering fewer casualties as they continue to improve their competence on the battlefield.During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis sought to assure lawmakers that President Donald Trump's new strategy for Afghanistan represents the best approach for winning America's longest war.Mattis said that the Afghan forces are becoming bolder in combat because they know U.S. and NATO forces are using airpower to strike the Taliban and other militants on "the high ground." That frees up the Afghans to "take the fight to the enemy," Mattis said.
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress Tuesday that the Afghanistan security forces are fully engaged in combat operations for the first time during the 16-year-old war and are suffering fewer casualties as they continue to improve their competence on the battlefield.During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis sought to assure lawmakers that President Donald Trump's new strategy for Afghanistan represents the best approach for winning America's longest war.Mattis said that the Afghan forces are becoming bolder in combat because they know U.S. and NATO forces are using airpower to strike the Taliban and other militants on "the high ground." That frees up the Afghans to "take the fight to the enemy," Mattis said.
Death toll rises to 360 in Mexico earthquake
MEXICO CITY — The death toll from Mexico's magnitude 7.1 earthquake has risen by two and now stands at 360.It includes 219 deaths in Mexico City, where 38 buildings collapsed during the temblor.The rest of the casualties came in five states near the capital.National Civil Defense chief Luis Felipe Puente reported the new toll Saturday on Twitter.
MEXICO CITY — The death toll from Mexico's magnitude 7.1 earthquake has risen by two and now stands at 360.It includes 219 deaths in Mexico City, where 38 buildings collapsed during the temblor.The rest of the casualties came in five states near the capital.National Civil Defense chief Luis Felipe Puente reported the new toll Saturday on Twitter.
Tillerson calls for calming of situation on Korean Peninsula
BEIJING — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Saturday for a calming of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but said it was incumbent on North Korea to halt its missile launches.Following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials in Beijing, Tillerson said he believes China has become deeply concerned about the North's missile and nuclear programs and is working hard to convince Pyongyang to re-enter talks, but did not say specifically what form those talks should take."I think the most immediate action that we need is to calm things down," Tillerson told reporters. "They're a little overheated right now.
BEIJING — U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called Saturday for a calming of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, but said it was incumbent on North Korea to halt its missile launches.Following meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials in Beijing, Tillerson said he believes China has become deeply concerned about the North's missile and nuclear programs and is working hard to convince Pyongyang to re-enter talks, but did not say specifically what form those talks should take."I think the most immediate action that we need is to calm things down," Tillerson told reporters. "They're a little overheated right now.
US to Americans: Stay away from Cuba after health 'attacks'
WASHINGTON — The United States delivered an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor America's FBI can figure out who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments.No longer tiptoeing around the issue, the Trump administration shifted to calling the episodes "attacks" rather than "incidents."The U.S. actions are sure to rattle already delicate ties between the longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them.
WASHINGTON — The United States delivered an ominous warning to Americans on Friday to stay away from Cuba and ordered home more than half the U.S. diplomatic corps, acknowledging neither the Cubans nor America's FBI can figure out who or what is responsible for months of mysterious health ailments.No longer tiptoeing around the issue, the Trump administration shifted to calling the episodes "attacks" rather than "incidents."The U.S. actions are sure to rattle already delicate ties between the longtime adversaries who only recently began putting their hostility behind them.
AP sources: US urges no travel to Cuba, cuts embassy staff
WASHINGTON — The United States is warning Americans against visiting Cuba and ordering more than half of U.S. personnel to leave the island, senior officials said Friday, in a dramatic response to what they described as "specific attacks" on diplomats.The decision deals a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime enemies who only recently began putting their hostility behind them.
WASHINGTON — The United States is warning Americans against visiting Cuba and ordering more than half of U.S. personnel to leave the island, senior officials said Friday, in a dramatic response to what they described as "specific attacks" on diplomats.The decision deals a blow to already delicate ties between the U.S. and Cuba, longtime enemies who only recently began putting their hostility behind them.
Small dog rescued alive from earthquake rubble in Mexico
MEXICO CITY -- Rescuers have pulled a small dog alive from the rubble of a building that collapsed in Mexico City after Tuesday's deadly earthquake.Images broadcast on Milenio TV show helmeted members of a Japanese search and rescue team cradling the white dog and petting its head as they bring it down from the wreckage.The rescue took place at an apartment building in a southern neighborhood of the capital.It's one of a dwindling number of collapse sites where crews still have hopes of finding people alive.As of Sunday afternoon, the death toll stands at 319, including 181 in Mexico City.
MEXICO CITY -- Rescuers have pulled a small dog alive from the rubble of a building that collapsed in Mexico City after Tuesday's deadly earthquake.Images broadcast on Milenio TV show helmeted members of a Japanese search and rescue team cradling the white dog and petting its head as they bring it down from the wreckage.The rescue took place at an apartment building in a southern neighborhood of the capital.It's one of a dwindling number of collapse sites where crews still have hopes of finding people alive.As of Sunday afternoon, the death toll stands at 319, including 181 in Mexico City.
Mexico quake death toll rises to 319
MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities say the death toll from Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake is continuing to grow.
MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities say the death toll from Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake is continuing to grow.
New 6.1 magnitude quake shakes Mexico; "Since Sept. 7 it has not stopped shaking"
MEXICO CITY — A strong new earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, toppling already damaged homes and a highway bridge and causing new alarm in a country reeling from two even more powerful quakes this month that together have killed more than 400 people.The U.S. Geological Survey said the new, magnitude 6.1 temblor was centered about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south-southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, which was the region most battered by a magnitude 8.1 quake on Sept. 7.It was among thousands of aftershocks recorded in the wake of that earlier quake, which was the most powerful to hit Mexico in 32 years and killed at least 96 people.There was some damage in Oaxaca but no immediate reports of new deaths.
MEXICO CITY — A strong new earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, toppling already damaged homes and a highway bridge and causing new alarm in a country reeling from two even more powerful quakes this month that together have killed more than 400 people.The U.S. Geological Survey said the new, magnitude 6.1 temblor was centered about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south-southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, which was the region most battered by a magnitude 8.1 quake on Sept. 7.It was among thousands of aftershocks recorded in the wake of that earlier quake, which was the most powerful to hit Mexico in 32 years and killed at least 96 people.There was some damage in Oaxaca but no immediate reports of new deaths.
South Korea says natural North Korea earthquake detected
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's weather agency said a magnitude 3.0 earthquake was detected in North Korea on Saturday around where the country recently conducted a nuclear test, but it assessed the quake as natural.The quake was detected in an area around Kilju, in northeastern North Korea, and about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of where the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3, according to an official from Seoul's Korea Meteorological Administration.China's official Xinhua News Agency said earlier that the country's seismic service detected a magnitude 3.4 quake in North Korea and saw the likely cause as an explosion.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's weather agency said a magnitude 3.0 earthquake was detected in North Korea on Saturday around where the country recently conducted a nuclear test, but it assessed the quake as natural.The quake was detected in an area around Kilju, in northeastern North Korea, and about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of where the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3, according to an official from Seoul's Korea Meteorological Administration.China's official Xinhua News Agency said earlier that the country's seismic service detected a magnitude 3.4 quake in North Korea and saw the likely cause as an explosion.
Shawn Mendes helps raise $100K for Mexico earthquake relief
Shawn Mendes has launched an online fundraiser to help those affected by the Mexican earthquake just days after he escaped safely from the quake ahead of a planned show in Mexico City.The Canadian singer-songwriter and his manager, Andrew Gensler, have gotten things started with a $100,000 donation to the fundraiser on GoFundMe's Crowdrise platform.
Shawn Mendes has launched an online fundraiser to help those affected by the Mexican earthquake just days after he escaped safely from the quake ahead of a planned show in Mexico City.The Canadian singer-songwriter and his manager, Andrew Gensler, have gotten things started with a $100,000 donation to the fundraiser on GoFundMe's Crowdrise platform.
Mexico shocked by news: Girl trapped in rubble didn't exist
MEXICO CITY — Hour after excruciating hour, Mexicans were transfixed by dramatic efforts to reach a young girl thought buried in the rubble of a school destroyed by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
MEXICO CITY — Hour after excruciating hour, Mexicans were transfixed by dramatic efforts to reach a young girl thought buried in the rubble of a school destroyed by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Mexico shocked by news: Girl trapped in rubble didn't exist
MEXICO CITY — Hour after excruciating hour, Mexicans were transfixed by dramatic efforts to reach a young girl thought buried in the rubble of a school destroyed by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
MEXICO CITY — Hour after excruciating hour, Mexicans were transfixed by dramatic efforts to reach a young girl thought buried in the rubble of a school destroyed by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake.
Seoul media say North Korea might test nuke in Pacific Ocean
South Korean media report North Korea's top diplomat says his country may test a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean to fulfill leader Kim Jong Un's vow to take the "highest-level" action against the United States.Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho comments Thursday on the sidelines of a United Nations gathering followed an extraordinary direct statement by Kim in response to President Donald Trump's threat to "totally destroy" the North.South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports that Ri told reporters in New York that a response "could be the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb in the Pacific."Ri reportedly added that "We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong Un."Such a test would be considered a major provocation by Washington and its allies.
South Korean media report North Korea's top diplomat says his country may test a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean to fulfill leader Kim Jong Un's vow to take the "highest-level" action against the United States.Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho comments Thursday on the sidelines of a United Nations gathering followed an extraordinary direct statement by Kim in response to President Donald Trump's threat to "totally destroy" the North.South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports that Ri told reporters in New York that a response "could be the most powerful detonation of an H-bomb in the Pacific."Ri reportedly added that "We have no idea about what actions could be taken as it will be ordered by leader Kim Jong Un."Such a test would be considered a major provocation by Washington and its allies.
Body found at collapsed Mexico school; girl still trapped
MEXICO CITY — A delicate effort to reach a young girl buried in the ruins of her school stretched into a new day on Thursday, a vigil broadcast across the nation as rescue workers struggled in rain and darkness to pick away unstable debris and reach her.The sight of her wiggling fingers early Wednesday became a symbol for the hope that drove thousands of professionals and volunteers to work frantically at dozens of wrecked buildings across the capital and nearby states looking for survivors of the magnitude 7.1 quake that killed at least 245 people in central Mexico and injured over 2,000.Mexico's navy announced early Thursday it had recovered the body of a school worker from the Enrique Rebsamen school, but still had not been able to rescue the trapped child.Rescuers removed dirt bucketful by bucketful and passed a scanner over the rubble every hour or so to search for heat signatures that could indicate trapped survivors.
MEXICO CITY — A delicate effort to reach a young girl buried in the ruins of her school stretched into a new day on Thursday, a vigil broadcast across the nation as rescue workers struggled in rain and darkness to pick away unstable debris and reach her.The sight of her wiggling fingers early Wednesday became a symbol for the hope that drove thousands of professionals and volunteers to work frantically at dozens of wrecked buildings across the capital and nearby states looking for survivors of the magnitude 7.1 quake that killed at least 245 people in central Mexico and injured over 2,000.Mexico's navy announced early Thursday it had recovered the body of a school worker from the Enrique Rebsamen school, but still had not been able to rescue the trapped child.Rescuers removed dirt bucketful by bucketful and passed a scanner over the rubble every hour or so to search for heat signatures that could indicate trapped survivors.
"It makes me ache:" Milwaukee man collects supplies for earthquake-ravaged Mexico City
MILWAUKEE-- Gerardo Mayerstein knows what it is like to survive a powerful earthquake.
MILWAUKEE-- Gerardo Mayerstein knows what it is like to survive a powerful earthquake.
Top diplomat says closing US Embassy in Cuba 'under review'
NEW YORK — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the Trump administration is considering closing down the U.S. Embassy in Havana following unexplained incidents harming the health of American diplomats.Tillerson says "we have it under evaluation" and that shuttering the embassy is "under review." He says the issue is "very serious" regarding the harm some individuals have suffered.Tillerson notes that the State Department has brought home some of the people affected.At least 21 Americans have been medically confirmed to have suffered harm in Havana.
NEW YORK — Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the Trump administration is considering closing down the U.S. Embassy in Havana following unexplained incidents harming the health of American diplomats.Tillerson says "we have it under evaluation" and that shuttering the embassy is "under review." He says the issue is "very serious" regarding the harm some individuals have suffered.Tillerson notes that the State Department has brought home some of the people affected.At least 21 Americans have been medically confirmed to have suffered harm in Havana.
Iraq could use force if Kurdish referendum leads to violence
BAGHDAD — Iraq is prepared to intervene militarily if the Kurdish region's planned independence referendum results in violence, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Saturday.If the Iraqi population is "threatened by the use of force outside the law, then we will intervene militarily," he said.Iraq's Kurdish region plans to hold the referendum on support for independence from Iraq on Sept. 25 in three governorates that make up their autonomous region, and in disputed areas controlled by Kurdish forces but which are claimed by Baghdad."If you challenge the constitution and if you challenge the borders of Iraq and the borders of the region, this is a public invitation to the countries in the region to violate Iraqi borders as well, which is a very dangerous escalation," al-Abadi said.The leaders of Iraq's Kurdish region have said they hope the referendum will push Baghdad to come to the negotiating table and create a path for independence.
BAGHDAD — Iraq is prepared to intervene militarily if the Kurdish region's planned independence referendum results in violence, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Saturday.If the Iraqi population is "threatened by the use of force outside the law, then we will intervene militarily," he said.Iraq's Kurdish region plans to hold the referendum on support for independence from Iraq on Sept. 25 in three governorates that make up their autonomous region, and in disputed areas controlled by Kurdish forces but which are claimed by Baghdad."If you challenge the constitution and if you challenge the borders of Iraq and the borders of the region, this is a public invitation to the countries in the region to violate Iraqi borders as well, which is a very dangerous escalation," al-Abadi said.The leaders of Iraq's Kurdish region have said they hope the referendum will push Baghdad to come to the negotiating table and create a path for independence.
Governor Walker begins trade mission to Japan, South Korea
MADISON — Wisconsin Gov.
MADISON — Wisconsin Gov.
Policeman's body found in Mexico, quake toll 65
JUCHITAN, Mexico — The Latest on Hurricane Katia and a major earthquake in Mexico (all times local):7:10 p.m.Emergency crews in Mexico have recovered the body of a police officer buried in rubble, raising to 65 the death toll from this week's 8.1-magnitude earthquake.The man's body was found in a collapsed passageway between city hall offices and a market in the southern city of Juchitan, the city hit hardest by Thursday night's quake.Federal officials have also confirmed the new death toll of 65.
JUCHITAN, Mexico — The Latest on Hurricane Katia and a major earthquake in Mexico (all times local):7:10 p.m.Emergency crews in Mexico have recovered the body of a police officer buried in rubble, raising to 65 the death toll from this week's 8.1-magnitude earthquake.The man's body was found in a collapsed passageway between city hall offices and a market in the southern city of Juchitan, the city hit hardest by Thursday night's quake.Federal officials have also confirmed the new death toll of 65.
With saxophones and sobbing, Mexicans mourn earthquake dead
JUCHITAN, Mexico — Slow-moving funeral processions converged on Juchitan's cemeteries from all directions on Saturday, so many that they sometimes caused temporary gridlock when they met at intersections.A monster earthquake and a Gulf coast hurricane have combined to take at least 67 lives in Mexico, and no place suffered more than the Oaxaca state city of Juchitan, where 37 died as buildings collapsed in the magnitude 8.1 temblor.The graveyard swelled with mourners and blaring serenades for the dead — the sounds of snare drums, saxophones and sobbing.
JUCHITAN, Mexico — Slow-moving funeral processions converged on Juchitan's cemeteries from all directions on Saturday, so many that they sometimes caused temporary gridlock when they met at intersections.A monster earthquake and a Gulf coast hurricane have combined to take at least 67 lives in Mexico, and no place suffered more than the Oaxaca state city of Juchitan, where 37 died as buildings collapsed in the magnitude 8.1 temblor.The graveyard swelled with mourners and blaring serenades for the dead — the sounds of snare drums, saxophones and sobbing.