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BEIJING, China (AFP) — Two people were killed when a shallow earthquake struck southwestern China in the early hours of Thursday, triggering the second-highest level of emergency response by rescuers in Sichuan province, state media said. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 5.4 but the China Earthquake Networks Centre measured it at magnitude 6.0. Both put it at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (six miles). It struck around 120 […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States said Wednesday that North Korea violated UN Security Council resolutions by firing two ballistic missiles into the sea but reiterated its willingness to engage the nuclear-armed state. “The United States condemns the DPRK’s missile launch. This launch is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions and poses a threat to the DPRK’s neighbors and other members of the international community,” a State Department spokesperson said, referring […]
HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Cuba said Wednesday it would seek World Health Organization approval for two home-grown coronavirus vaccines it hopes to commercialize widely. A vetting process will start Thursday with WHO experts examining the nation’s Abdala and Soberana 02 jabs, said Rolando Perez of state pharma group BioCubaFarma. Perez said the experts would examine the vaccines’ “safety, immunogenicity (the ability of a vaccine to provoke an immune response) and efficacy.” The WHO’s representative in […]
by Ahikam Seri and Ben Simon JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel’s program of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record highs, experts said, citing recent data. Since taking office in June, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has insisted he will aim to avoid any new lockdown, a pledge his government has kept even as the country of roughly 9.3 million people regularly records more than 10,000 […]
STRASBOURG, France (AFP) — The European Union is to donate another 200 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to low-income countries, more than doubling its present pledge, the bloc’s chief said on Wednesday. The extra doses announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen come on top of 250 million shots the EU has already promised to give to other countries, particularly ones in Africa. “I can announce today that the commission will add a new […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Wednesday, the presidential Blue House said, becoming only the seventh country in the world with the advanced technology. A missile was fired underwater from the newly-commissioned submarine Ahn Chang-ho, and flew the planned distance before hitting its target, the Blue House said. President Moon Jae-in supervised the test. South Korea has been advancing its military capabilities as it seeks to counter […]
by Clare BYRNE PARIS, France (AFP) — The French government faces a stand-off with tens of thousands of health workers and carers Wednesday over a new rule requiring them to receive a Covid-19 vaccine or face suspension without pay. Starting Wednesday, hospital staff, ambulance drivers, retirement home workers, private doctors, fire service members and people caring for the elderly or infirm in their homes — some 2.7 million people in total — must be able […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Sydney authorities moved to lift curfews for coronavirus hotpots Wednesday, as infection numbers stabilised and vaccination rates surged. Almost three months after activity in Australia’s largest city was frozen by lockdown orders, state authorities announced easing restrictions for the worst-hit areas. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the 9 pm to 5 am curfew for virus hotspots would be lifted from Wednesday, in what Sydneysiders hope signals the beginning of […]
by Claire LEE SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday, according to the South’s military, as China’s foreign minister visited Seoul — Pyongyang’s second launch in less than a week. Analysts said the timing was an unmistakable signal to Beijing, the North’s key diplomatic ally and main partner for trade and aid — although at times their relationship has been deeply strained. Pyongyang is under a […]
PINGTUNG, Taiwan (AFP) — Fighter jets practised landing on a highway in southern Taiwan on Wednesday as part of an annual live-fire military exercise that simulates defending the island against an invasion by China. Democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by Beijing, which claims the island as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary. Military tensions have risen to their highest in decades under […]
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The Netherlands said Tuesday it would further ease Covid-19 restrictions including an end to social distancing, but will introduce a pass for bars, restaurants and festivals. The pass showing proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a negative test will be needed for people aged 13 and over from September 25, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. Infection rates are falling in the Netherlands, which early in the pandemic had […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Arizona on Tuesday became the first US state to file suit against President Joe Biden’s Covid vaccination mandate for federal employees and businesses with more than 100 employees. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a Republican, announced the filing of the suit against what he described as an “unconstitutional” move by the Democratic president. “The federal government cannot force people to get the Covid-19 vaccine,” Brnovich said in a statement. “The […]
