International

E. Guinea military camp blasts toll rises to 105

by Samuel Obiang MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AFP) — The death toll from four explosions that rocked a military camp in Equatorial Guinea and surrounding areas rose to 105 with the discovery of seven more corpses, state television said Tuesday. A total of 615 people were injured in Sunday’s accidental blasts at the Nkoa Ntoma camp in the country’s economic hub Bata, which devastated buildings at the compound and houses in surrounding districts. President Teodoro Obiang […]

Sputnik V makers demand apology from EU medicines agency

  MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — The makers of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine Tuesday demanded an apology from the EU’s medicines regulator after a senior official warned member states against hastily authorising the jab, comparing emergency rollouts to “Russian roulette”. Several EU countries have already begun distributing Sputnik V ahead of approval in the bloc, a move criticised by board chair of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Christa Wirthumer-Hoche Monday. “We demand a public apology from […]

US daily virus toll below 1,000 for first time in months

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — For the first time in nearly three and a half months, the United States recorded fewer than 1,000 deaths in a day from Covid-19 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University. In 24 hours, 749 people died from the coronavirus, far below the peak of 4,473 deaths recorded on January 12. The daily US death toll has not been below the thousand mark since November 29, when 822 people died […]

Bike-riding Dutch PM pedals towards new term

by Danny KEMP THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — Regularly seen riding his bike to work, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is hoping voters add to his 10 years in the saddle next week. The liberal leader, 54, has sought to project an image of normality, stability and frugality during his time in office, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. Critics however dub him “Teflon” Mark for his ability to dodge scandals, while in Europe he’s known […]

200 peaceful protesters cordoned by Myanmar security forces: UN

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The United Nations said Monday that Myanmar security forces had cordoned some 200 peaceful protesters in Yangon, voicing concern about their safety and demanding they be allowed to leave. “We are deeply concerned about the fate of some 200 peaceful protesters — incl. women — who have been cordoned by security forces in Yangon,” the UN rights office said in a tweet, warning that the cordoned protesters “may be at risk […]

Italy’s virus death toll tops 100,000

by Alvise ARMELLINI ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy on Monday surpassed the grim milestone of 100,000 official coronavirus deaths, amid warnings the spread of new variants is fuelling a fresh wave of infections. Just over a year since it became the first European country to be overwhelmed by Covid-19, Italy’s health ministry recorded another 318 virus-related deaths, taking the total to 100,103. The figure is almost certainly an underestimate of the true toll but is […]

Australian PM plays down Italy vaccine blockade

by Andrew BEATTY SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s prime minister on Friday played down the impact of Italy’s landmark decision to block the export of 250,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses due to be delivered. Scott Morrison insisted the blocked shipment of the AstraZeneca jabs was understandable and would not affect Australia’s vaccine program. “This particular shipment was not one we’d counted on for the rollout, and so we will continue unabated,” Morrison said. Italy explained the […]

Death toll from E. Guinea military camp blasts rises to 98

by Samuel Obiang MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AFP) — The death toll from accidental explosions that rocked a military camp in Equatorial Guinea and the surrounding area rose sharply Monday to 98 with hundreds wounded, the vice president said, as the scale of the disaster became clearer. The blasts on Sunday, involving ammunition stocks and explosives at the camp in the country’s economic hub Bata, devastated buildings at the compound and houses in surrounding residential areas. […]

No holds barred: Meghan and Harry’s historic interview

  by Thomas URBAIN, with Ben SHEPPARD in Washington Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Meghan Markle opened up about battling suicidal thoughts, Prince Harry disclosed a painful rift with his father — and both settled a fair few scores in their history-making interview with Oprah Winfrey. The gloves came off as the pair lifted the veil on their dramatic exit from royal life, holding little back as they alleged racism in […]

US protesters demand justice in trial of officer charged over George Floyd’s death

MINNEAPOLIS, United States (AFP) — Bearing a replica coffin covered in red roses, thousands of people marched Sunday in the US city of Minneapolis, the day before trial proceedings begin for the white police officer charged with killing George Floyd, a Black man. The diverse crowd mostly stayed silent, occasionally chanting “No justice, no peace!” Floyd was 46 when he died of asphyxiation, as then-officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes […]

Drone hits eastern Saudi port, missile targets Aramco facilities: energy ministry

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AFP) — A drone struck a Saudi oil port and a ballistic missile targeted facilities of energy giant Aramco in the country’s east on Sunday, the energy ministry said. “One of the petroleum tank areas at the Ras Tanura Port in the Eastern Region, one of the largest oil ports in the world, was attacked this morning by a drone, coming from the sea,” the ministry said in a statement released by […]

At least 15 dead, 500 injured in E.Guinea blasts: president

MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AFP) — At least 15 people have been killed and 500 injured after a series of powerful explosions hit a military camp in Equatorial Guinea, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said. The explosions were caused by “an accident due to the negligence of the unit in charge of storing explosives, dynamite and ammunition”, the president said in a statement read on state television. © Agence France-Presse