WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A large tornado destroyed homes and claimed at least one life near the US city of New Orleans on Tuesday night, according to media reports. “Large tornado on the ground in New Orleans! Take shelter now!” tweeted the National Weather Service’s local office at 8:35 pm local time (0235 GMT). “Severe damage to homes” was reported in Arabi, an eastern suburb of New Orleans, according to a Facebook post by […]
Other News
COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Iran, Panama, Bulgaria now recognized in PHL
(Eagle News) — The Philippines now recognizes the COVID-19 vaccination certificates of Bulgaria, Panama and Iran. According to acting Palace spokesperson Martin Andanar, this was after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the certificates “for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols, as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement.” Andanar said the three countries were an addition to the other countries, territories and jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination have already been approved […]
At least six children killed in Colombia school bus accident
BOGOTA, Colombia (AFP) – Six children died and over a dozen were injured on Tuesday after their school bus rolled down a cliff in northeastern Colombia, a regional official said. “Unfortunately I have to confirm (the) school bus accident on the Laguna de Ortices-San Andres road, where 6 minors died and there are more than 15 injured,” tweeted Mauricio Aguilar, governor of the mountainous Santander department, where the tragedy occurred. The students had left a […]
Following completion of MRT-3 rehabilitation, President Duterte announces free MRT-3 rides from March 28 to April 30
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte has announced free Metro Rail Transit-3 rides from March 28 to April 30. The President made the announcement during a ceremony that marked the completion of the rail system’s massive rehabilitation. In a statement on Wednesday, March 23, the Department of Transportation said the DOTr Railway sector, the MRT-3 management, and its maintenance provider, Sumitomo-MHI-TESP completed the rehabilitation work last December 2021, two months ahead of schedule. The department […]
Afghan girls head back to school as Taliban end ban
by Jay DESHMUKH and Aysha SAFI Agence France-Presse KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) – Groups of girls headed back to class in the Afghan capital Wednesday after Taliban authorities announced the reopening of secondary schools, more than seven months after seizing power and imposing harsh restrictions on the rights of women to be educated. All schools were closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic when the Taliban took over last August — but only boys and some younger […]
Four Ukrainian children flown to US for cancer treatment
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States announced Tuesday that four Ukrainian children had been flown to an American hospital after their cancer treatment was disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Children are among the most vulnerable in a crisis,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet announcing the evacuation. He added that the four patients, from nine months to nine years in age, were “in need of urgent, highly specialized […]
Chemists cook up way to remove microplastics using okra
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – Extracts of okra and other slimy plants commonly used in cooking can help remove dangerous microplastics from wastewater, scientists said Tuesday. The new research was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, and offers an alternative to the synthetic chemicals currently used in treatment plants that can themselves pose risks to health. “In order to go ahead and remove microplastic or any other type of materials, […]
Sweden gives go-ahead for controversial mining project
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AFP) – Sweden’s government on Tuesday gave its go-ahead for a controversial mining project in the country’s far north, sparking ire from activists who argue it would harm the environment and the indigenous Sami people. Jokkmokk Iron Mines, a British-owned company that filed an application for the Kallak mine in 2013, is eyeing Sweden’s largest-known cache of untapped quartz-banded iron ore as well as rare earth minerals. The company still has to win […]
Biden heads to Europe to bolster West’s unity, toughen Russia sanctions
by Sebastian Smith Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Joe Biden leaves Wednesday for Europe on a mission to bolster Western unity, ramp up unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and attempt to upset the post-Cold War balance of power. The conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin is redefining Biden’s 14-month old presidency as he pivots from domestic woes to leading the transatlantic alliance in the most serious […]
Dutch firm Eneco says no more Russia gas contracts
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) – Dutch energy firm Eneco said Tuesday the company would not enter into new contracts with Russian gas suppliers over the war in Ukraine. In a statement, Japanese-owned Eneco said it would honour existing contracts but “under these circumstances” would not ink new deals with Russian suppliers. The company estimates that some 15 percent of the gas it supplies to its 5.6 million customers comes from Russia. Eneco chief executive As Tempelman […]
EU opens arms to fleeing Ukrainian researchers
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) – The EU is extending an online welcome to Ukrainian scientists and researchers fleeing the war in their country, on Tuesday opening a website pointing them towards jobs and accommodation. The ERA4Ukraine portal aims to be a “one-stop shop for information and support services” for them, a statement said. It builds on an existing online research network used by EU countries and others linked to the bloc’s Horizon Europe funding research. It […]
Easterlies affecting S. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
(Eagle News) — The easterlies are affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, as a result, Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Mindanao will also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms. The weather bureau said the rest of the country will experience the same […]
