NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — An alleged stalker of pop superstar Taylor Swift was arrested after she suffered a break-in at her New York apartment, police said Monday. Hanks Johnson, 52, was charged with criminal trespassing after police responded to an emergency call on Saturday, reporting that someone was breaking into Swift’s home in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan. Johnson was released on his own recognizance following an arraignment in Manhattan criminal court Sunday […]
Other News
Lebanon PM calls on Qatar to rescue nation facing ‘total collapse’
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab called for wealthy Qatar’s help during a visit to the Gulf country on Monday as his nation sinks deeper into economic ruin.Diab has met with several prominent Qatari ministers and officials during the trip which Lebanese media has suggested has been mired in “secrecy”. “Lebanon has reached the brink of total collapse, as a result of decades of corruption and policies that have encouraged a […]
Cape Town fire guts library, moves closer to city
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AFP) — A fire in Cape Town has ravaged part of a university library housing a unique collection of African archives, its director said, as the blaze advanced Monday towards the city centre. The fire, which broke out Sunday in the foothills of the landmark Table Mountain before spreading to the University of Cape Town (UCT), forced hundreds of students to flee on foot. The African studies section of the 1930s […]
All adult Indians to be eligible for virus vaccine from May
NEW DELHI, India (AFP) –India said Monday it will open its Covid-19 vaccination drive to all adults from May 1, as the vast nation battles a massive spike in infections that has overwhelmed its healthcare system. “In a meeting chaired by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, an important decision of allowing vaccination to everyone above the age of 18 from 1st May has been taken,” the health ministry said in a statement. © Agence France-Presse
Japan urges release of journalist in Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar (AFP) — Japan urged Myanmar authorities on Monday to release from prison a Japanese journalist accused of spreading fake news, one of at least 65 reporters arrested during the junta’s crackdown on anti-coup protests. The military has ramped up its attempts to crush dissent following mass demonstrations against its ousting of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, with at least 737 civilians killed and the press increasingly under attack. Yuki Kitazumi was detained […]
Philippines lifts suspension on AstraZeneca vaccine for under 60s
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The Philippines has lifted a suspension on the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for people under 60, an official said Monday, arguing “the benefits outweigh the risk” as the country battles record infections. Several countries suspended use of the drug after it was linked to rare but serious blood clotting. Most have subsequently resumed after the European Medicines Agency, emphasised the benefits of the jab, judging it “safe and effective”. Philippine Health Undersecretary […]
Putin will address international climate summit via video link: Kremlin
MOSCOW, Russia(AFP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin will on April 22 address an international climate summit hosted by the United States, the Kremlin said Monday, despite a sharp deterioration in ties between Moscow and Western capitals. “Vladimir Putin will outline Russia’s approaches within the context of establishing broad-ranging international cooperation aimed at overcoming the negative consequences of global climate change,” the Kremlin said in a statement. © Agence France-Presse
One dead as powerful typhoon brushes past the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — At least one person was killed as a powerful typhoon skirted the Philippines Monday, dumping heavy rain that flooded dozens of villages and forced tens of thousands to leave their homes. Typhoon Surigae packed sustained wind speeds of 195 kilometres (121 miles) an hour at its centre, about 500 kilometres off the Philippines, and was not expected to make landfall in the disaster-prone archipelago, according to the government weather service. But […]
Greece lifts quarantine for some vaccinated travellers
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — Greece said Monday that travellers from the EU and five other countries who are fully vaccinated or have a recent negative Covid test will no longer have to quarantine on arrival. Visitors from the EU, Britain, the United States, Israel, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates will not be subjected to a week-long quarantine, the civil aviation authority said in a statement. Travellers must present proof they are fully vaccinated or […]
12 die, dozens of houses burnt in Nigeria fuel tanker fire
LAGOS, Nigeria (AFP) — Twelve people were killed and dozens of houses burnt when a fuel tanker overturned, spilled its contents and caught fire in central Nigeria, the emergency services said Monday. The accident, which occurred on Sunday in the Agatu area of Benue state, is the latest to hit the oil-rich West African nation in recent months. “Twelve bodies were recovered from the scene of the carnage yesterday, while over 50 houses and shops […]
Canada to roll out big spending in pandemic recovery budget
by Michel COMTE OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canada is expected to channel funds into childcare, wage subsidies and other pandemic recovery measures as the government presents its new budget Monday ahead of possible snap elections. The 2021 budget is the first full fiscal plan from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and is expected to outline Canada’s recovery as virus infections surge. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has promised Ottawa […]
Elephants ‘trample’ rhino poacher to death in S. African park
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — Breeding elephants trampled a suspected rhino poacher to death at the weekend in South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park, an official said Monday. Rangers on routine patrol spotted three poachers who ran into the elephant herd while trying to flee. The rangers later discovered a “badly trampled” man who had succumbed to his injuries, according to South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesman Isaac Phaahla. Another man was also attacked […]





