Breaking News, Latest Philippines Headlines, World, Entertainment, Politics, Weather & Video News
HONG KONG, China (AFP) – A ban on selling most ivory products in Hong Kong came into effect Friday, the culmination of a three-year process to eliminate the once rampant trade in the city. Hong Kong lawmakers in 2018 backed a bill opting for a gradual phasing out of the trade — a move some conservationists at the time criticised as a loophole that could be exploited. The city has been accused of playing an […]
A fire engulfing South Africa’s parliament continued to rage as night fell on Cape Town on Monday, after strong winds reignited the blaze that firefighters had declared under control just hours earlier. A 49-year-old man has been charged over starting the inferno which broke out early Sunday and has devastated the parliament complex, collapsing the roof of the National Assembly and threatening historic treasures. After a struggle that stretched into Sunday night, the fire was […]
A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit remote Japanese islands in the Pacific early Tuesday, but there was no tsunami warning, officials said. The underwater quake, measuring 43.4 kilometres (27.0 miles) in depth, hit at 6:08 am (2108 GMT Monday) near Bonin Islands, locally known as Ogasawara Islands, the United States Geological Survey said. The islands are some 1,000 kilometres south of the main urban area of Tokyo, which administers them. The Japan Meteorological Agency said its […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — New coronavirus cases in China’s locked-down city of Xi’an edged down Monday, official data showed, while local authorities removed two senior officials to “strengthen” their fight against Covid. Beijing has pursued a “zero Covid” approach with tight border restrictions and targeted lockdowns since the virus first emerged, but this strategy has come under pressure with recent local outbreaks. The northern city of Xi’an, home to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors, has become […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) – The Beijing Winter Olympics will be spread over three zones and merge new venues with existing ones from the 2008 Games, including the “Bird’s Nest” stadium. With one month to go, AFP Sport looks at where the Olympics will take place: Beijing The 80,000-seater “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium — whose cross-hatched steel girders produce a nest-like appearance — will stage the opening and closing ceremonies. Other sites from the 2008 Games […]
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — Singapore’s economy grew 7.2 percent last year, rebounding from its worst recession since independence sparked by the coronavirus pandemic, government data showed Monday. The city-state plunged into its worst economic performance in 2020 as businesses and international borders shut down, choking its trade and tourism economic lifeline. Authorities initially imposed tough measures to restrict movement and gatherings but later shifted to a policy of living with the virus as the majority […]
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – US President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in telephone talks on Sunday that Washington and its allies would “respond decisively” if Russia moves to invade its pro-Western neighbor, the White House said. In a readout of the Biden-Zelensky call, White House press secretary Jen Psaki also said the US leader expressed support for diplomatic efforts including planned talks between high-level US and Russian officials set for […]
JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday that a fourth Covid vaccine will be given to people over 60 and health workers amid a surge driven by the Omicron variant. “The Omicron wave is here and we must protect ourselves,” Bennett told a news conference. He said the health ministry had approved the booster jab for people over 60 and health workers. Israel on Thursday authorised a fourth Covid vaccine for […]
Twenty-two people were injured when a shallow earthquake hit southwestern China on Sunday afternoon and shook the popular tourist city of Lijiang, local authorities said. The quake struck near the border between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), which put the magnitude at 5.4 and depth at 38 kilometres (24 miles). The Yunnan Seismological Bureau said 22 people had been injured in the quake, two severely, in Ninglang county. The […]
Japan’s imperial family is facing extinction due to a shortage of eligible emperors, but some experts say the ideas floated in a government inquiry for boosting the dwindling number of royals are out of touch. With women barred from the throne under male-only succession rules, the place of Emperor Naruhito, 61, will one day be filled by his nephew Prince Hisahito instead of his only child Princess Aiko. But if 15-year-old Hisahito does not have […]
MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin was satisfied with his phone call with Joe Biden but warned the US leader against introducing major sanctions amid tensions over Ukraine, the Kremlin said. Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov said the Kremlin was “pleased” overall with the talks, but said Putin warned Biden Moscow needed a concrete “result” from upcoming security talks and warned against introducing major sanctions. “This will be a colossal mistake. We […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A 61-year-old man suspected of starting a fire at a Japanese mental health clinic that claimed 25 lives died in hospital on Thursday, local media said. Morio Tanimoto had been in critical condition due to burns and carbon monoxide poisoning following the deadly attack in Osaka on December 17. Tanimoto, a former patient of the clinic, died without being interrogated by police, public broadcaster NHK said, citing investigative sources. An Osaka […]
