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by Nina LARSON GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The new coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading at an unprecedented rate, the WHO said Tuesday, urging countries to act swiftly to rein in transmission and protect their health systems. Since the new, heavily-mutated variant was first detected in southern Africa last month, it has been reported in 77 countries, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters. But, he stressed, “the reality is that Omicron is probably in most […]
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, […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s economically important Zhejiang province wrestled on Tuesday with a Covid outbreak that has left half a million people quarantined and some districts under business shutdown. Zhejiang, a major industrial and export hub on the country’s east coast, reported 44 of China’s 51 domestically transmitted coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total since late last week to nearly 200. Although Chinese case counts are miniscule compared to other major economies, […]
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, […]
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AFP) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday urged China to cease “aggressive actions” in the Indo-Pacific, speaking during a visit to the region, as Washington seeks to bolster alliances against Beijing’s rising might. In a speech in Indonesia, Blinken said Washington would work with allies and partners to “defend the rules-based order” and countries should have the right to “choose their own path”. “That’s why there is so much concern […]
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 […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China has reported its first case of the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, state media said Monday. Authorities in the northern city of Tianjin confirmed the case in an individual who entered the country from an undisclosed overseas location, according to the Tianjin Daily newspaper. The asymptomatic patient tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday before further tests “confirmed the detection of the… Omicron variant”, the report said, adding that the person was […]
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — Danish health authorities said Monday a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine would be offered sooner to everyone over 40 to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. “Due to the new and more contagious Omicron variant the Danish Health Authority has decided to push the third jab for everyone aged 40 and above, so they get the vaccine four and half months after the second jab,” the health authority said […]
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil on Monday began requiring a Covid-19 vaccination certificate for foreign travelers arriving in the country, a move initially blocked by President Jair Bolsonaro’s government. A Supreme Court justice ruled Saturday that proof of vaccination would be mandatory to enter Brazil, in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. The national health regulator Anvisa said it had “notified this Monday the border posts, especially at airports, about […]
by James PHEBY LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain on Monday confirmed what is thought to be the first confirmed death after infection with the Omicron variant, as the country launched an ambitious Covid booster shot programme to stop the virus spiralling out of control. On a visit to a vaccination centre in west London, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Omicron accounted for about 40 percent of the cases in the British capital, and hospital […]
by Ella IDE ROME, Italy (AFP) — Rescuers were searching Monday for two missing people among the rubble of collapsed buildings on the Italian island of Sicily, after seven people including a pregnant nurse died in a suspected gas explosion. The blast tore through four residential buildings on Saturday evening in the southern town of Ravanusa, with one survivor describing it “as if a bomb had gone off”. Around 100 emergency workers have been picking […]
(Eagle News) — Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu won the 2021 Miss Universe pageant held in Israel on Sunday, Dec. 12 (Monday, Dec. 13 Philippine time) besting 79 other candidates representing their countries. The 21-year old model and actress won for her answer to the question, “What advice would you give to young women watching on how to deal with the pressures they face today?.” This was the same question asked to the two other Miss […]
