Massive power outage strikes Panama ahead of papal visit

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 10:17 AM

A massive power outage hit Panama on Sunday just days before the arrival of Pope Francis, leaving traffic lights inoperable, businesses in the dark, and gas stations unable to pump fuel for some 6 hours. Read more »

British PM turns to Brexit 'Plan B'

Robin Millard, Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 10:07 AM

British Prime Minister Theresa May unveils her Brexit "Plan B" to parliament on Monday after MPs shredded her EU divorce deal, deepening the political gridlock 10 weeks from departure day. Read more »

Russians protest Kuril islands handover to Japan

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 08:40 AM

Hundreds of Russians protested against a feared giveaway of strategic islands to Japan on Sunday, two days before a key summit between the countries' leaders in Moscow. Read more »

'World's oldest man' dies in Japan at 113

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 08:34 AM

"World's oldest man" Masazo Nonaka, who was born just 2 years after the Wright brothers launched humanity's first powered flight, died on Sunday aged 113, Japanese media said. Read more »

Passengers shiver through 16-hour ordeal on Canadian tarmac

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 08:11 AM

MONTREAL - A medical emergency and a mechanical problem left passengers on a United Airlines flight stuck for about 16 hours on the frigid tarmac of a Canadian airport in the plane's barely heated interior, the CBC network reported. Read more »

CIA agent Tony Mendez, hero of film 'Argo', dead at 78

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 08:08 AM

WASHINGTON - Former CIA agent Tony Mendez, who engineered a creative way to smuggle US hostages out of Iran in 1980 and was immortalized in the Hollywood film "Argo," died of complications from Parkinson's Disease, his family said. He was 78.  Read more »

Death toll from Mexico fuel explosion rises to 79: official

Agence France-Presse
Jan 21 06:54 AM

The death toll from a fiery explosion in central Mexico rose to 79 on Sunday as authorities vowed to hold accountable those responsible for a fuel-line leak that drew hundreds of people looking to gather gasoline. Read more »

Trump says no amnesty for 'Dreamers,' signals support in broader deal

David Morgan, Reuters
Jan 21 12:10 AM

President Donald Trump said on Sunday his proposed immigration deal to end a 30-day partial government shutdown would not lead to amnesty for "Dreamers," but appeared to signal support for amnesty as part of a broader immigration agreement. Read more »

Take precaution: DFA warns Pinoys in US vs winter storm

ABS-CBN News
Jan 20 09:42 PM

Filipinos in the midwest and northeast regions in the United States were urged to take caution of a winter storm expected to bring severe weather, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Sunday. Read more »

Trump proposes deal in bid to end US government shutdown, insists on wall

Steve Holland and Jan Wolfe, Reuters
Jan 20 02:38 PM

Insisting on his demand for $5.7 billion to fund a US-Mexico border barrier as part of any bill to fully reopen the government, Trump sought to pile pressure on Democrats by appealing to immigrants they have tried to help. Read more »

Fuel pipeline blaze in Mexico kills at least 67

Yussel Gonzalez, Agence France-Presse
Jan 20 09:09 AM

An explosion and fire in central Mexico killed at least 67 people after hundreds swarmed to the site of an illegal fuel-line tap to gather gasoline amid a government crackdown on fuel theft, officials said.  Read more »

Trump offers protection for immigrants in US in exchange for wall funds

Agence France-Presse
Jan 20 09:06 AM

President Donald Trump Saturday offered temporary protection for people illegally brought to the United States as children and other groups of immigrants facing deportation, in exchange for funding for his controversial border wall.  Read more »

Thousands join US women's marches despite discord

Cyril Julien and Catherine Triomphe, Agence France-Presse
Jan 20 09:04 AM

Thousands of women marched Saturday in the US capital and across the country to convey a now-annual message opposing Donald Trump and supporting women's rights, but internal divisions appeared to steal some energy from the rallies. Read more »

Fuel pipeline blaze in Mexico kills at least 66

Yussel Gonzalez, Agence France-Presse
Jan 20 12:35 AM

An explosion and fire in central Mexico killed at least 66 people after hundreds converged on the site of an illegal fuel-line tap to gather gasoline, officials said, during a government crackdown on fuel theft. Read more »

Rival groups demonstrate in Thailand as election tensions grow

Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panarat Thepgumpanat, Reuters
Jan 19 10:43 PM

Thailand's longstanding political divide is between strongly royalist and pro-military conservatives and "red shirt" populists linked to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Read more »