TAIYUAN, China (AFP) –The CEO and founder of Chinese telecom giant Huawei called Tuesday for an open approach from new US President Joe Biden, after the firm was battered by sanctions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration. Ren Zhengfei said his “confidence in Huawei’s ability to survive has grown” despite its travails across much of the western world where it is maligned as a potential security threat. After saying the firm’s “production capacity can be expanded”, […]
International
At least 24 dead in Morocco underground factory flood
RABAT, Morocco (AFP) — At least 24 people died after heavy rain flooded an illegal underground textile workshop at a private house in the Moroccan port city of Tangiers, the state news agency reported Monday. Rescue workers recovered 24 bodies from the basement of the property and rescued 10 survivors, who were taken to hospital, the MAP agency said, citing local authorities. A search of the premises in the northern city was ongoing. One […]
Dubai rolls out vaccines to public transport workers
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai has begun the mass vaccination of public transport workers, with the Gulf emirate aiming to remain open to international tourism despite a surge in cases. The United Arab Emirates, which includes Dubai and six other emirates and has a population of nearly 10 million, has administered 4.4 million doses — one of the best vaccination rates per capita in the world, and second to Israel. The UAE has […]
WHO says don’t dismiss AstraZeneca shot after SAfrica delays jabs
by Nina Larson with AFP Bureaus GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization insisted Monday that the AstraZeneca vaccine was still a vital tool in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic, after South Africa delayed the start of its inoculation programme over concerns about its efficacy against a virus variant. “It is vastly too early to be dismissing this vaccine,” said Richard Hatchett, who heads the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which […]
India glacier disaster leaves 26 dead, workers hunt for survivors
by Jalees ANDRABI TAPOVAN, India (AFP) — Emergency workers in India on Monday raced against time to dig through mud and rocks choking a Himalayan tunnel after a devastating flash flood — thought to have been caused by a chunk of glacier breaking off — killed at least 26 people. More than 170 others were listed as missing after a wall of water and debris barrelled down a tight valley in India’s north early Sunday, […]
COVID-19 vaccines to be provided free for all regardless of immigration status in UK
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Undocumented migrants in Britain will still be able to get Covid vaccines without being subject to status checks, the government said on Monday. Anyone in Britain can register with doctors and access free frontline medical care, regardless of their immigration status. Some data is shared with the interior ministry, which is responsible for border enforcement and investigating irregular immigration, including deporting those with no right to remain. However, […]
Japan protests over China ships off disputed isles
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan said Monday it has protested to China over two incursions into Japanese territorial waters that come after Beijing enacted legislation toughening its response to violations of its maritime territory. Japan and China dispute ownership of the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea that Tokyo calls the Senkakus and Beijing the Diaoyu. The rocky islets are administered by Tokyo, which has regularly protested what it calls the violation of its […]
South Africa suspends vaccinations as worries grow over AstraZeneca shot
by AFP Bureaus GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — South Africa suspended the start of its AstraZeneca inoculation programme over concerns the shot does not work on a new variant, with WHO experts due to meet Monday to discuss the vaccine already facing questions about its efficacy for over-65s. A trial showed the vaccine provides only “minimal” protection against mild to moderate Covid-19 caused by the variant first detected in South Africa, a setback to the global […]
14 dead, 170 missing after Indian glacier breaks off
by Jalees ANDRABI RISHIKESH, India (AFP) — Fourteen people were confirmed dead on Monday and at least 170 others were still missing after a chunk of glacier broke off and unleashed a devastating flash flood in India, officials said. The wall of water barrelled down a valley in India’s Himalayan north on Sunday morning, destroying bridges, roads and two hydroelectric power plants. “There was a cloud of dust as the water went by. The ground […]
Dutch hit by first snowstorm in a decade as Europe shivers
by Danny KEMP Agence France Presse THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The Netherlands and parts of Germany were blanketed on Sunday by a snowstorm that disrupted planes and trains and put some coronavirus testing on hold. Britain was also bracing for heavy snow from what Dutch meteorologists have called Storm Darcy, which is packing winds of up to 90 kilometres (55 miles) an hour. People rushed outdoors to enjoy sledging and playing in the snow […]
200 missing in India after burst glacier causes flash flooding
by Jalees ANDRABI RISHIKESH, India (AFP) — At least 200 people are missing in northern India after a piece of Himalayan glacier fell into a river, causing a torrent that tore through two power plants and swept away roads and bridges, police said on Sunday. Three bodies have been found and a desperate operation has been launched to rescue about 20 people trapped in a tunnel, the Uttarakhand state police chief said. The massive surge […]
Brazilian, S.African virus strains found in Toronto
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Health authorities in Toronto announced Sunday they had discovered the first two known cases of the Brazilian and South African variants of Covid-19 in Canada’s largest city. The patient suffering from the Brazilian variant has been hospitalized, Toronto Public Health (TPH) said in a statement. He had recently traveled from Brazil. The resident with the South African strain had no recent travel history and no known contact with any recently returned […]





