PARIS, France (AFP) — Thousands of health workers across France have been suspended without pay for failing to get vaccinated against Covid-19 ahead of a deadline this week, Health Minister Olivier Veran said Thursday. “Some 3,000 suspensions were notified yesterday to employees at health centres and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated,” Veran told RTL radio. He added that “several dozens” had turned in their resignations rather than sign up for the jabs. That […]
Other News
China fully vaccinates more than 1 billion people: official
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China has fully vaccinated more than 1 billion people — 71 per cent of its population — a health official said Thursday. “As of September 15, 2.16 billion vaccine doses have been administered nationwide,” said a National Health Commission spokesman at a press briefing. © Agence France-Presse
Justin Trudeau: liberal star shines less bright
by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Justin Trudeau believed his adept response to the pandemic would help him handily win re-election as prime minister, but going into Monday’s Canadian ballot he suddenly finds himself fighting for his political survival. The first-born son of the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau had swept to power in a landslide in 2015, with a mop of dark curly hair and confident swagger, jumping into crowds to take selfies […]
DOH reports 21,261 additional COVID-19 cases
(Eagle News) — COVID-19 cases in the Philippines climbed to 2,304,192 on Thursday, Sept. 16, after the Department of Health reported 21,261 additional cases. According to the DOH, of the total cases, 177946 were active. Of these, 86.1 percent were mild, 9.2 percent asymptomatic, 0.6 percent critical, 1.4 percent severe, and 2.65 percent were moderate. Recoveries rose to 2,090,228 with the addition of 13,644 recoveries. The COVID-19 death toll is now at 36,018 with the […]
Malaysian holiday island opens as tourism restarts
LANGKAWI, Malaysia (AFP) — Visitors flocked to the Malaysian island of Langkawi Thursday as it became the country’s first holiday hotspot to reopen after a coronavirus lockdown that has hammered the vital tourism industry. Restrictions on local travel had been in place for months and international borders remain largely closed as Malaysia battles its worst Covid-19 wave. But with the outbreak gradually easing, Langkawi, one of tropical Malaysia’s premier holiday destinations, has been chosen for […]
Australian nuclear subs will be banned from New Zealand waters: Ardern
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand will not lift a decades-long ban on nuclear-powered vessels entering its waters in the wake of key ally Australia’s decision to develop a nuclear submarine fleet, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Thursday. Ardern said her Australian counterpart Scott Morrison had briefed her on Canberra’s plan to develop nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain. She described the deal as “primarily around technology and defence […]
ICC approves Philippines ‘war on drugs’ investigation
by Jan HENNOP Agence France Presse THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The International Criminal Court on Wednesday authorised a full probe into Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs”, saying it resembled an illegitimate and systematic attack on civilians. Judges said there was a “reasonable basis” to believe that the crime against humanity of murder had been committed in the crackdown, which has left thousands of people dead. Duterte pulled Manila out of the […]
Australia to acquire US Tomahawk cruise missiles: PM
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Thursday the country would acquire long-range US Tomahawk cruise missiles, as it strengthens military defenses in the face of a rising China. “We will be enhancing our long-range strike capability including Tomahawk cruise missiles to be fielded on the Royal Australian Navy Hobart class destroyers and joint air-to-surface standoff missiles extended range for our Royal Australian Air Force capabilities,” Morrison told reporters in Canberra. […]
DILG: Over 11 million people in NCR benefited from ECQ ayuda
(Eagle News) — Over 11 million people in Metro Manila benefited from the government’s financial assistance distributed to vulnerable households following the imposition of COVID-19 lockdowns last month. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the government spent P11.226 billion, benefiting 11,226,946 individuals, as authorities rounded up the distribution of the cash aid. The government had a budget of P11.256 billion for the cash aid distribution. According to Año, the money left unclaimed will be returned to […]
World leaders will hold closed-door climate meet at UN
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host a closed-door meeting of world leaders Monday on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York to boost climate commitments. The roundtable comes less than six weeks before a major United Nations climate meeting, COP26, in Glasgow, aimed at ensuring the world meets its goal of holding century-end warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “UNGA is the […]
Three killed, dozens injured as shallow quake hits China’s Sichuan
by Jing Xuan TENG BEIJING, China (AFP) — Three people were killed and dozens injured when a shallow earthquake struck southwestern China on Thursday, triggering the second-highest level of emergency response by rescuers in Sichuan province. The quake struck Luxian county before dawn on Thursday around 120 kilometres southwest of the sprawling megacity of Chongqing, which along with its surrounding area is home to around 30 million people. Rescue workers rushed to lift people from […]
UNESCO announces 20 new biospheres in 21 countries
ABUJA, Nigeria (AFP) – UNESCO on Wednesday added 20 new sites in 21 countries to its global network of biosphere reserves, the UN agency’s designation for specially protected regions. New biosphere reserves are designated each year to promote sustainable development, protect terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems and encourage conservation. For the first time, Lesotho, Libya and Saudi Arabia joined the list. In Lesotho, the Matseng Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 112,033 hectares in the northern […]
