by Shaun TANDON WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The leaders of close US allies on Tuesday telephoned President-elect Joe Biden and pledged to work together but in an extraordinary break, America’s top diplomat Mike Pompeo insisted that Donald Trump would remain in power. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel all offered congratulations in calls to Biden, who a week earlier edged out Trump in the presidential election. […]
North America
US grants emergency approval to Lilly Covid-19 antibodies
WASHINGTON, United (AFP) — The US Food and Drug Administration on Monday granted emergency approval to a synthetic antibody treatment against Covid-19 developed by Eli Lilly, after the drug was shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits. Bamlanivimab at a dose of 700 milligrams was authorized for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and children aged 12 years and older who are at high risk for progressing to the […]
Trump refuses to concede, Biden leads on Covid
by Sebastian Smith with Angela Weiss in Wilmington WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump, who is refusing to concede election defeat, injected new volatility Monday by firing his defense secretary, while President-elect Joe Biden made good on a promise to focus on leading the country out of the Covid-19 crisis. With construction already starting in central Washington for the January 20 inauguration ceremony, an awkward and potentially chaotic transition period is underway. Trump, […]
‘Kamala represents the future’: US women, minorities celebrate vice president-elect
by Laura BONILLA NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — The first female vice president, and a symbol of American diversity — Kamala Harris has electrified many women and minority voters on the US left, who view her as the future more than Joe Biden. As celebrations rolled on in major cities, excitement for some has shifted from Biden’s election victory to his running mate. “She’s a wonderful role model for young girls,” said Theodora Egbuchulam, […]
Two new cases of Covid-19 in the White House: reports
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two more people close to US President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, media reports said Monday. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson. 69, has contracted the virus, his deputy chief of staff Coalter Baker told NPR. “He is in good spirits and feels fortunate to have access to effective therapeutics which aid and markedly speed his recovery,” Baker said in a statement. According to ABC television, Carson […]
Trudeau calls to congratulate Biden on election win
OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday called US President-elect Joe Biden to congratulate him on his election win, and discussed working together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change. Trudeau, who was one of the first leaders to congratulate Biden on Saturday, less than an hour after US media called it, was also “the first international leader to speak with the president-elect,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement. The […]
Scientist behind mRNA vaccine innovation hails Pfizer breakthrough
by Issam AHMED WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A scientist who invented a technique that paved the way for Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine hailed the interim results announced by the companies Monday as “fantastic” and said the pioneering approach had a bright future. Drew Weissman, an immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania, told AFP: “I can’t remember the last respiratory virus vaccine that has over 90 percent efficacy,” referring to the rate at which […]
Pfizer says Covid-19 vaccine 90% effective in Phase 3 trial
PARIS, France (AFP) — A vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials, the companies announced Monday. Protection in patients was achieved seven days after the second of two doses, and 28 days after the first, according to preliminary findings. “The first set of results from our Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent Covid-19,” […]
Biden vows immediate, science-based action on virus
WILMINGTON, United States (AFP) — President-elect Joe Biden vowed Saturday immediate action to contain the United States’ coronavirus crisis, signalling science would dominate the national response once Donald Trump leaves the White House. Biden’s pledge, in his first national address since defeating Trump, followed three days of record infections in the United States and came as the nation’s death toll surpassed 237,000. Europe’s second-wave woes also deepened, with Greece becoming the latest European nation […]
Biden to name virus team as worldwide cases top 50 million
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The global tally of people infected by the coronavirus shot past 50 million on Monday, as United States President-elect Joe Biden geared up to name the scientists who will lead the country’s response to its disastrous outbreak. The incoming leader made the pledge in his first speech since being projected as the winner of the presidential election, signaling he plans to prioritize the pandemic from the outset. Covid-19 has […]
George Bush toasts Biden, urges Americans to ‘come together’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US president George W. Bush has offered his “warm congratulations” to President-elect Joe Biden, calling the Democrat “a good man, who has won his opportunity to lead and unify our country.” The two-term Republican, in a statement issued by his presidential center in Dallas, also congratulated loser Donald Trump for his “extraordinary political achievement” in winning 70 million votes. Bush’s statement made him one of the country’s most prominent […]
Eta tracks toward Florida Keys after lashing Cuba
by Carlos Batista HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Tropical Storm Eta headed towards Florida on Sunday and was set to strengthen into a hurricane again after slamming Cuba and earlier cutting a deadly path through Central America and southern Mexico. As the storm left Cuba, the US National Hurricane Center said it was “forecast to become a hurricane as it moves near or over the Florida Keys tonight and early Monday.” The NHC warned of dangerous […]





