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WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Wednesday authorized the use of boosters of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for people aged over 65, or adults at high-risk of severe disease as well as those in high-exposure jobs. The announcement means tens of millions of Americans are now eligible for a third shot once six months have passed since their second. “Today’s action demonstrates that science and the currently available data continue to guide the […]
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — Argentina on Wednesday made a nearly $1.9 billion payment toward a $44 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. The payment was confirmed to AFP by Argentine officials. Argentina has received $44 billion of a $57 billion loan from the IMF arranged under former president Mauricio Macri. After taking office, his successor Alberto Fernandez refused to accept the rest of the loan. So far this year, Argentina has paid the […]
by Issam Ahmed with Sebastian Smith WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden addressed a Covid-19 summit of world leaders Wednesday with a promise to donate a “historic” extra 500 million vaccines to countries struggling to overcome the pandemic. “This is an all-hands-on-deck crisis,” Biden said. “America will become the arsenal for vaccines as we were the arsenal for democracy in World War II.” The pledge from Biden at the summit, held virtually […]
LOS LLANOS DE ARIDANE, Spain (AFP) — The vast wall of molten lava creeping down the slopes of Spain’s La Palma island has destroyed 320 buildings and over 154 hectares of land, Europe’s volcano observatory said Wednesday. The property damage figure was twice that given 24 hours ago by Copernicus, which uses sky radar imagery to monitor the extent of lava coverage and posted the update on Twitter. The Cumbre Vieja volcano, which erupted […]
A shallow 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Nicaragua early Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said, but there was no risk of a tsunami. The quake hit 48 miles (78 kilometers) southwest of Jiquilillo, the USGS said, revising down its initial measurement of 6.7 magnitude. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that “based on all available data there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.” In its preliminary assessment, the USGS said: […]
by Mujahed Sharaf al-Din AL-JABALAIN, Sudan (AFP) — South Sudanese refugee Dawood Kour fled to Sudan to turn the page on a life of displacement, only to be forced onto the streets once more after floodwaters submerged his rickety shelter. Kour crossed the border in November, fleeing years of conflict in his home city of Malakal — itself prone to flooding. South Sudan became the world’s newest independent nation in 2011, seceding from Sudan. But […]
PARIS, France (AFP) — France denied a report in Britain’s The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday that it would be prepared to give its permanent seat at the UN Security Council to the European Union. Citing a member of the European parliament, the paper said that France would consider exchanging the seat in exchange for support from other EU members for a European army and reforms to the way the bloc formulates its foreign policy. “We […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Tuesday spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to congratulate him on his Liberal Party’s election win, the White House said. The two leaders “underscored the strong and deep friendship between the United States and Canada,” according to a statement. They also discussed “their shared commitment to strengthening the resilience and competitiveness” of their economies and coordinating their pandemic response. Trudeau’s Liberals won Monday’s […]
by Catherine Lai SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP)Two fluffy white terriers wearing neckerchiefs pant quietly as their owner waves a treat and snaps a photo for the dogs’ tens of thousands of Instagram followers. They are among a growing number of pet influencers on social media in Singapore, a trend fuelled by a rise in online shopping and pet ownership during the coronavirus pandemic. Sasha and Piper make regular appearances on their “Lomodoggies” Instagram account, often wearing […]
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) — Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for Covid-19 Tuesday after attending the UN General Assembly in New York that was inaugurated by his president, Jair Bolsonaro, according to an official statement. “The other members of the delegation have been tested and are negative,” said the official Brazilian government press release. Queiroga, who had received a Covid-19 vaccine, was the second member of Bolsonaro’s entourage to test positive for the virus […]
by William WEST MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — A rare quake rattled southeastern Australia early Wednesday, shaking buildings, knocking down walls and sending panicked Melbourne residents running into the streets. The shallow tremor hit east of the country’s second-largest city just after 9:00am local time (2300 GMT) and was felt hundreds of kilometres (miles) away. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 5.8, later revised up to 5.9, and said it struck […]
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Iran is considering the purchase of two million doses of the US-German Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, an official said Tuesday, as the country continues to battle the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak. “A contract is being drawn up with the Iranian foreign exchange office for the import within one to two months of two million doses of the Pfizer vaccine produced in Belgium,” said senior health official Mohammad-Reza Shanehsaz. “At present, six vaccines […]
