Life

Pfizer/BioNTech jab confirmed to protect 95% in largest study yet

by Patrick GALEY PARIS, France (AFP) — The largest real-world study yet of the Pfizer/BioNTec vaccine on Thursday confirmed that the jab provided more than 95 percent protection against Covid-19, but found that the level dropped significantly when people received just one of the two prescribed doses. The authors of the research from Israel’s national vaccination campaign said it showed real-world proof that the pandemic could be ended by rapid, global vaccination programmes. An analysis […]

Prince Harry and J-Lo lead ‘Vax Live’ concert in Los Angeles

  by Andrew MARSZAL Agence France Presse Britain’s Prince Harry joined pop royalty including Jennifer Lopez at a star-studded concert in Los Angeles Sunday to urge faster and more even global vaccinations, as he voiced support for India during its devastating Covid outbreak. “Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World” featured video messages from the pope and President Joe Biden and in-person appearances from Hollywood stars such as Ben Affleck and Sean Penn. The […]

Cruises eye smoother waters with vaccines, ‘health bubbles’

by Katell PRIGENT PARIS, France (AFP) — With tests, vaccinations and isolation areas, cruise ship companies are hoping for smoother sailing this travel season after fears over Covid-stricken ships rocked the industry last year. Cruise companies have lost tens of billions of dollars while hundreds of thousands of people have lost jobs as countries banned ships from their ports. The industry’s woes started in February last year when the Diamond Princess and its 4,000 passengers […]

Mali woman gives birth to nine babies: government

BAMAKO, Mali (AFP) — A Malian woman gave birth to nonuplets in Morocco on Tuesday and all nine babies are “doing well”, her government said, although Moroccan authorities had yet to confirm what would be an extremely rare case. Mali’s government flew 25-year-old Halima Cisse, a woman from the north of the poor West African state, to Morocco for better care on March 30. She was initially believed to have been carrying septuplets. Cases of […]

Moderna vaccine gets WHO approval for emergency use listing (EUL)

  (Eagle News) – The Moderna vaccine against COVID-19 has been listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). In a statement dated April 30, WHO said that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA 1273) has been approved for listing “for emergency use, making it the fifth vaccine to receive emergency validation from WHO.” With this WHO approval for Emergency Use Listing (EUL), it would allow other countries to “expedite their own regulatory approval […]

S. Africa to ban breeding lions in captivity for hunting

by Susan NJANJI PRETORIA, South Africa (AFP) — South Africa on Sunday revealed plans to ban the breeding of lions in captivity for trophy hunting or for tourists to pet, advocating a more “authentic” experience for visitors. The decision was in response to recommendations contained in a government study into the controversial practice. The panel studied the rules governing the hunting, trade and keeping in captivity of lions, elephants, rhino and leopards. Environment Minister Barbara […]

Tokyo Olympics could be held without fans: Games chief to AFP

  by Natsuko FUKUE / Andrew MCKIRDY Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — This summer’s virus-postponed Olympics could be held behind closed doors, Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto told AFP on Friday, pledging to ensure the Games will be safe. Former Olympian Hashimoto said the Games could only be a success if organisers “completely protect” athletes and people in Japan, and that she is hopeful people will “be glad” the event went ahead. Overseas […]

Oklahoma City, 26 years after the bombing that killed 168 people

As April marks the 26th Anniversary of the bombing of Alfred P Murrah Federal Building, Eagle News Service correspondent Nenita Manaois takes us on a tour of the memorial landmark in Oklahoma City, while also highlighting the area attractions that make this city so unique. Watch it in this report in Eagle News America. The domestic terrorist truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, happened on April […]

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins dead at 90

by Issam AHMED Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — American astronaut Michael Collins, who piloted the Apollo 11 command module while his crewmates became the first people to walk on the Moon, died on Wednesday after battling cancer, his family said. Sometimes called “the loneliest man in history” because of his long solo flight while his colleagues loped across the lunar surface, Collins never earned the same global name recognition as Neil Armstrong […]

Glacier melt is speeding up, raising seas: global study

by Patrick GALEY PARIS, France (AFP) — Nearly all of the world’s glaciers are losing mass at an ever increasing pace, contributing to more than a fifth of global sea level rise this century, according to unprecedented research released Wednesday. Glaciers — vast bodies of frozen water that sit above ground — have been melting fast since the middle of the 20th century, but until now the full extent of ice loss had only been […]

China launches first module for new space station

by Ludovic EHRET / Jing Xuan TENG BEIJING, China (AFP) — China launched the first module of its “Heavenly Palace” space station on Thursday, a milestone in Beijing’s ambitious plan to establish a permanent human presence in space. Billions of dollars have been poured into space exploration as China seeks to reflect its rising global stature and growing technological might, following in the footsteps of the United States, Russia and Europe. The Tianhe core module, […]

Medical oxygen: Why it is lacking and how it is made

by Isabel MALSANG PARIS, France (AFP) — Difficulty breathing is one of the most common severe Covid-19 symptoms, and as photos of people waiting in long lines for oxygen canisters in India and elsewhere attest, supplies of medical oxygen are far from adequate everywhere in the world. – Why the long waits for oxygen in developing nations? – India is only the latest country to confront a lack of medical oxygen supplies. Earlier in the […]