Author Archives: OP King

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionSenator Rand Paul (C) poses with friends from the House during a break in proceedings The US government has officially shut down for the second time this year because Congress failed to meet a deadline to vote on a new budget. Senators, however, debated all night, and may still agree the billContinue reading “US government shutdown after Congress fails to vote”

Media captionBank of England Governor Mark Carney The Bank of England has indicated that the pace of interest rate increases could accelerate if the economy remains on its current track. Bank policymakers voted unanimously to keep interest rates on hold at 0.5% at their latest meeting. However, they said rates would need to rise “earlier”Continue reading “Bank of England hints at earlier and larger rate rises”

Image copyrightTITUSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENTImage captionIn his quest to win a stuffed toy, young Mason got stuck inside an arcade machine A young boy became stuck in a machine in an amusement arcade while attempting to win a toy in Titusville, Florida. Mason crawled through the machine’s small door, where a prize would normally fall, toContinue reading “US boy trapped in Florida stuffed toy arcade machine”

The mayor of the Colombian capital, Bogotá, has tried to reassure residents angry over a bin strike that the problem will be solved within 72 hours. Mayor Enrique Peñalosa said that more than 3,750 tonnes of rubbish clogging the city would be cleared soon. The build-up is due to a strike by bin collectors whichContinue reading “Bogotá holds its nose as bin strike drags on”

Image copyrightEPAImage captionRodridgo Duterte came to power in 2016 promising a crackdown on drug dealers The International Criminal Court (ICC) is to open a preliminary inquiry into alleged crimes committed during the Philippines government’s war on drugs, its chief prosecutor says. Fatou Bensouda said it would look at reports of extrajudicial killings. President Rodridgo Duterte’sContinue reading “Philippines drugs war: ICC announces initial inquiry into killings”

Image copyrightREUTERSImage captionOpposition leader Julio Borges warned the government not to set the election date “unilaterally” Venezuelan opposition parties are debating whether to take part in presidential polls set for 22 April. Venezuela’s electoral authorities announced the date on Wednesday just hours after talks between the government and the opposition broke up without agreement. TheContinue reading “Venezuela opposition weighs election run after talks end”

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionAdam Rippon is one of two openly gay athletes at the 2018 Winter Games A gay US figure skater has said he is “open” to meeting Vice-President Mike Pence after the Olympic Games are over. Adam Rippon, 28, declined to confirm reports that he refused a request to meet Mr Pence inContinue reading “Olympics: Gay skater Adam Rippon open to meeting Mike Pence”

Major Asian markets suffered sharp losses on Friday, following another day of steep falls on Wall Street. In a volatile week for global investors, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slid 2.7% during early trading, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 3.6%. Earlier, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by more than 1,000 points for the second time thisContinue reading “Asia stock markets drop sharply after US falls”

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionViktor Ahn (middle) won three gold medals at Sochi 2014 The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by 47 Russian athletes and coaches against a ban on participation in the Winter Olympics. The Russians had argued that they had been wrongfully excluded from the Games by the International OlympicContinue reading “Winter Olympics: Ban on 47 Russian athletes and coaches upheld”

Image copyrightAFPImage captionThe US said it was “appalled” by the escalating violence in the Eastern Ghouta and elsewhere Four days of intense Syrian government strikes on a besieged rebel-held area outside Damascus are reported to have killed more than 200 civilians. A monitoring group and opposition activists said at least 54 people, including 15 children,Continue reading “Syria war: Assault on besieged Eastern Ghouta kills 200 in four days”