North America

US crosses 800,000 Covid-19 deaths

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, crossed 800,000 Covid-19 deaths on Tuesday, a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University showed. The figure is greater than the entire population of several states, including North Dakota and Alaska. Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, who lead the House of Representatives and Senate respectively, as well as House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and other members of Congress held […]

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At least 62 killed in Haiti gas truck explosion

by Robenson Geffrard PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP) — At least 62 people were killed when a gas tanker truck exploded in the Haitian city of Cap-Haitien on Tuesday morning, a local official said, with overwhelmed medics saying the toll was set to rise. The blast is the latest disaster to hit the poverty-wracked Caribbean nation, riven by gang violence, political paralysis, and acute fuel shortages. “We have now counted 62 deaths,” Deputy Mayor Patrick Almonor said, […]

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California reintroduces mask mandate for indoor public spaces

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Authorities in California said Monday they were reinstating mask mandates in all indoor public spaces to try to curb the resurgence of Covid-19 in recent weeks. The mask mandate, which will come into force Wednesday, applies to all individuals, whether vaccinated or not. Los Angeles, San Francisco and other counties in California reintroduced the mask-wearing rule locally several months ago. But other counties, such as Orange and San Diego, […]

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US tornado deaths rise to 88, Biden to survey damage in Kentucky

by Cyril JULIEN MAYFIELD, Kentucky (AFP) — Kentucky officials voiced relief Monday that dozens of workers at a candle factory appear to have survived tornadoes that killed at least 88 people and left a trail of devastation across six US states. Governor Andy Beshear said 74 deaths have been confirmed in the southeastern state and choked up as he told reporters the fatalities ranged in age from five months old to 86. “Like the folks […]

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Race to find survivors as US tornadoes kill at least 94

by Cyril JULIEN MAYFIELD, United States (AFP) — US emergency workers on Sunday desperately searched for survivors of ferocious late-season tornadoes that killed at least 94 across several states and left towns in ruins, including in the debris of a Kentucky candle factory, a symbol of the widespread devastation. But the state’s governor Andy Beshear warned that the search in that facility in Mayfield — a town almost completely wiped out by the twisters — […]

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Jeff Bezos ‘heartbroken’ over tornado deaths at Amazon warehouse

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) –Amazon chief Jeff Bezos said he was “heartbroken” Saturday after at least six people were killed at an Amazon warehouse in the US state of Illinois when it was struck by a tornado. “The news from Edwardsville is tragic,” Bezos tweeted about the town where the facility was located. “We’re heartbroken over the loss of our teammates there, and our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.” […]

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Powerful tornadoes kill 83 across six US states

  by Cyril JULIEN Agence France Presse MAYFIELD, United States (AFP) — Rescuers were desperately searching for survivors early Sunday after dozens of devastating tornadoes tore through six US states, leaving at least 83 people dead, dozens missing and towns in ruin. President Joe Biden called the wave of tornadoes, including one that travelled more than 200 miles, “one of the largest” storm outbreaks in American history. “It’s a tragedy,” a shaken Biden, who pledged […]

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At least 53 killed in Mexico truck accident on migrant route

  by Gabriela Coutino with Jean Arce in Mexico City Agence France Presse TUXTLA GUTIÉRREZ, Mexico (AFP) — At least 53 migrants crammed into a truck traveling at high speed were killed Thursday in Mexico after the vehicle overturned in the southern state of Chiapas, a major transit point for those trying to reach the United States. Thousands of people attempt the long and hugely dangerous journey, often seeking a life free of violence and […]

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Nicaragua switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China

by Julia Rios with Sean Chang in Taipei MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AFP) — Nicaragua switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China on Thursday, meaning just 14 nations now recognize the democratic island that Beijing has vowed to one day seize. The announcement is a diplomatic coup for China as it tries to keep Taiwan isolated on the world stage and as Taipei strengthens ties with multiple unofficial Western friends such as the United States. China has […]

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US authorizes Pfizer Covid booster for people aged 16 and 17

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday expanded authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid booster to include 16- and 17-year-olds, amid growing concern over the Omicron variant’s ability to overcome immunity conferred by two shots. The FDA’s decision comes a day after the companies released the results of lab tests that showed three doses appeared effective against Omicron, while two doses were probably not enough to stop infection — […]

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Father, son charged with starting huge California forest fire

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — A father and son have been arrested on charges of starting a huge forest fire that burned more than 200,000 acres in northern California this summer, local officials said. David Smith, 66, and Travis Smith, 32, were charged with starting a fire which led to the conflagration known as the Caldor Fire on August 14 near Lake Tahoe, a densely forested area popular with tourists. It took firefighters 67 […]

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US boss apologizes after laying off 900 employees over Zoom

NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The CEO who last week laid off 900 employees in a single Zoom call has apologized after he attracted sharp criticism when the video was posted on social media. Vishal Garg, head of online mortgage originator Better.com, convened employees over the video streaming platform and told them “if you are on this call, you are part of the unlucky group being laid off,” according to a video posted online. […]

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