CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand authorities declared a state of emergency in the province of Canterbury Sunday, as the region was pounded by heavy rain that could force thousands of people to abandon their homes. Acting Emergency Management Minister Kris Faafoi, who visited the hardest-hit southern parts of the area, said about 3,000 homes were at risk and the army had been mobilized to assist with evacuations if necessary. “The rain is going […]
Other News
“Dante” intensifies into tropical storm
(Eagle News) — “Dante” has intensified into a tropical storm. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said so far, the center of “Dante” was estimated 625 kilometers east of Davao City. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center, and has a gustiness of up to 80 kph and a central pressure of 998 hPa. PAGASA said it is moving north northwest at 15 kph. According to the weather […]
UK approves single shot Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Britain on Friday approved the use of a fourth Covid vaccine, hoping to boost a countrywide inoculation drive to allow its economy to reopen fully despite concerns about a new variant. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the single-shot Johnson & Johnson jab, after previously backing the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna shots. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it “very welcome news and another boost to our hugely […]
MIAA releases list of operational commercial flights for Monday, May 31
(Eagle News) — The Manila International Airport Authority has released its list of operational commercial flights for Monday, May 31: MIAA said flight schedules may be subject to changes. NCR Plus, including Metro Manila, id so far under a general community quarantine but with heightened restrictions. As a result, non-essential travel in and outside the bubble is still prohibited. The Department of Tourism has said, however, that 13 hotels in Metro Manila were already open to the […]
Suns bounce back to level West series with Lakers 2-2
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Chris Paul overcame an injured shoulder and Jae Crowder busted out of a playoff slump Sunday as the Phoenix Suns took a 100-92 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, who lost Anthony Davis to another injury. Paul had 18 points and nine assists while Crowder delivered 17 points as half a dozen players finished in double figures for the Suns, who clawed their way level at 2-2 in the […]
Avalanche in western Canada kills two
MONTREAL, Canada Two people died in an avalanche Sunday in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta province, police said. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said it had been advised by Parks Canada of an avalanche and confirmed that the remains of two people had been found near the town of Jasper. The victims were not immediately identified. The avalanche took place on Mount Andromeda in the Columbia Icefield, a popular climbing destination, according to Steve Young, […]
South Africa steps up virus curbs against third wave
PRETORIA, South Africa (AFP) — President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Sunday that South Africa would re-impose stricter measures against Covid-19 fearing the whole country will soon face a third wave of the pandemic. Four of the nation’s nine provinces, including Gauteng which boasts Johannesburg and Pretoria and has the biggest population, are already battling a third wave of infections, Ramaphosa said. “It may only be a matter of time before the country as a whole will […]
Young powers Hawks over Knicks in NBA playoffs
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Trae Young scored 27 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 113-96 victory over New York on Sunday, pushing the Knicks to the brink of NBA playoff elimination. John Collins added 22 points while Italy’s Danilo Gallinari scored 21 off the bench and Clint Capella added 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Hawks. Atlanta seized a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series with game five […]
Florida shooting leaves two dead, 20 wounded
by Leila MACOR HIALEAH, United States (AFP) — Two people were killed and at least 20 wounded early Sunday when three shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowd outside a concert in the Miami area, police said, the latest shooting in a year that has seen a surge in both gun sales and gun violence. The shots erupted near a banquet and events hall in a strip mall in Miami Gardens, a heavily Cuban community of […]
Nearly 300 rescued in Indonesia ferry accident
TERNATE, Indonesia (AFP) — Search teams are looking for one missing person after rescuing all other passengers from a large ferry that caught fire in Indonesia, an official said Sunday. The KM Karya Indah was heading to Sanana, a remote port in the northeast of the Indonesian archipelago when it was engulfed in flames. Shortly after departing, the ferry caught fire, forcing passengers and crew to jump into the sea to save themselves. […]
Canada extends shelf life of AstraZeneca jab by 1 month
MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Canadian health authorities announced Saturday they were pushing back the expiration date on nearly 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine by one month. Health Canada said in a statement its approval to extend the shelf life of two lots of vaccine from May 31 to July 1 was supported by “scientific evidence.” “This change will ensure that provinces and territories are able to use up their existing inventory and provide […]
DFA reports 5 more COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad
(Eagle News)– Five more overseas Filipinos have tested positive for COVID-19. According to recent data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the additional cases pushed the COVID-19 total among overseas Filipinos to 19720. Four additional recoveries also pushed the recovery total to 12,004. COVID-19 deaths among overseas Filipinos remain at 1,179, with no additional fatality reported. “Compared to last week’s percentages, the total number of COVID-19 recoveries and fatalities saw a slight decrease to 60.87% […]
