International

Military joins rescue efforts in flood-devastated western Canada

by with Michel COMTE in Ottawa / Philip MCLACHLAN ABBOTSFORD, Canada (AFP) — Canada’s military on Thursday joined rescue efforts for flood devastated communities in westernmost British Columbia province, with thousands evacuated from their homes and a number of motorists missing after powerful mudslides. The Canadian Armed Forces deployed a Hercules transport aircraft, several search helicopters and hundreds of troops to the region, while putting thousands more on standby. Their activities “will include providing assistance […]

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In Ukraine, the latest Covid surge is attacking more children

  by Ania TSOUKANOVA Agence France Presse KIEV, Ukraine (AFP) — Three-month-old Misha has spent 10 days in a Kiev paediatric hospital — including three in intensive care — due to pneumonia triggered by Covid-19. He is one of an influx of young patients to the infectious diseases hospital in Ukraine’s capital, which has seen the coronavirus pandemic hit children much harder in recent months. “It’s difficult when your baby suffocates, it’s very scary,” says […]

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HSBC chief backs Hong Kong’s coronavirus isolation

SINGAPORE (AFP) — The boss of Asia-focused lending giant HSBC backed Hong Kong’s decision to mirror China’s zero-Covid strategy on Thursday despite rising concern within the finance industry over the business hub’s international isolation. Hong Kong has maintained some of the world’s harshest quarantine measures and travel restrictions during the pandemic. The strategy has kept infections low but ensured a business hub that dubs itself “Asia’s World City” has been cut off internationally for the […]

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Three athletes positive for Covid inside Beijing Olympic bubble

  BEIJING, China (AFP) — Three athletes attending training events for the Beijing Winter Olympics have tested positive for Covid-19, Chinese officials said Thursday, with the country on high alert against the coronavirus ahead of the Games. Beijing 2022 organisers have left nothing to chance with the games set to start in February, restricting entry to the capital and insisting on daily virus tests for thousands of athletes who will be kept within a “closed-loop” […]

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Canada death toll set to rise as floods ravage Pacific coast

by Don MacKinnon with Michel Comte in Ottawa ABBOTSFORD, Canada (AFP) — Canada is sending the military to help evacuate and support communities hit by “catastrophic” flooding with the death toll expected to rise after record rainfall on the Pacific coast triggered a state of emergency Wednesday. Officials said downpours in British Columbia this week trapped motorists in mudslides that left at least one dead and four missing, forced thousands or residents to flee their […]

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Hush in South Korea as students sit gruelling exam

by Claire LEE SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — A hush fell over South Korea Thursday as more than half a million students sat the gruelling, high-stakes national university entrance exam, with authorities taking extraordinary measures to minimise distractions. The nine-hour test is crucial not only for securing spots in top universities, but is also considered key for elevated social status, lucrative careers and even marriage prospects. The enormous pressure on students in South Korea’s ultra-competitive […]

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15 shot dead in crackdown on Sudan anti-coup protests

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) — Sudanese security forces shot dead at least 15 anti-coup protesters and wounded dozens more on Wednesday, medics said, in the bloodiest day since the military’s October 25 takeover. The fatalities — all in Khartoum, especially its northern districts — raised to 39 the death toll from unrest since the military seized power, a pro-democracy doctors’ union said. Hundreds more have been wounded. “The day’s massacre reinforces our slogans: no negotiations, no […]

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Spain to offer Covid booster shots to over 60s

ANKARA, Turkey (AFP) — Spain will provide Covid booster shots for those aged 60 and over as well as health staff, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday as infections numbers rise. During an official visit to Turkey, Sanchez said the key to fighting the pandemic is to “continue this successful vaccination strategy in our country”. The Spanish leader did not say when the third vaccine doses would start to be given. Spain has one of […]

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Knife attack in Jerusalem, assailant shot dead: police

  JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli security forces shot dead a teenage assailant who stabbed and wounded two police officers in Jerusalem’s Old City on Wednesday, Israeli police said. The officers suffered minor injuries during the attack by a 16-year-old east Jerusalem resident near a Jewish religious school, the police said. Emergency responders said the attack took place in the Muslim quarter and that the wounded included a man and woman, who were taken to hospital. […]

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Canada sends military to flood-ravaged Pacific coast

by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada is sending the military to help evacuate and support communities hit by “extreme flooding” after record rainfall on the Pacific coast, the government said Wednesday. Downpours in British Columbia this week trapped motorists in mudslides that left at least one dead and two missing, forced thousands to flee their homes, and cut off Vancouver and its port. “In response to extreme flooding across Southern BC, we have […]

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Liverpool terror blast planned for ‘at least’ 7 months: police

  by James PHEBY Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The man who died in a botched bomb attack in the northern English city of Liverpool on Sunday had planned the blast for at least seven months, police said Wednesday. Iraq-born Emad Al Swealmeen, 32, rented a property in the city in April and had made “relevant purchases” for his bomb since “at least” that time, said Russ Jackson, who heads counter-terrorism policing […]

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FedEx relocates pilots from Hong Kong over city quarantine rules

  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Global delivery giant FedEx said Wednesday it was closing its crew base in Hong Kong and relocating pilots overseas because of the city’s strict anti-coronavirus measures. The move is the latest blow to Hong Kong’s reputation as a global logistics hub as strict travel curbs and mandatory quarantine rules keep the city cut off from the rest of the world. “As the global business environment continues to evolve and […]

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