Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | by Robin MILLARD An exceptionally long La Nina weather phenomenon that intensified drought and flooding is finally ending, the United Nations said Wednesday — but what comes next might bring its own problems. The outgoing La Nina phenomenon, a cooling of surface temperatures that can have a widespread impact on global weather conditions, started in September 2020. However, despite La Nina’s cooling effect, both 2021 and 2022 were warmer than […]
Other News
141 people rescued after vessel runs aground off Bohol
(Eagle News) — More than 100 people were rescued after a vessel ran aground off Bohol on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Wednesday, March 1. According to the PCG, the 141 people on board MV Starlite Saturn, which figured in the maritime incident off Danajon Bank, Calituban, Talibon, are safe and are in good physical condition. The PCG said there were no sightings of oil spillage in the vicinity waters. According to the […]
Moldova offers Ukrainians refuge despite its own struggles
by Sabine COLPART / Chloe ROUVEYROLLES-BAZIRE Agence France-Presse NISPORENI, Moldova (AFP) — Tatiana Bellayar was among tens of thousands of Ukrainians who fled Russia’s invasion a year ago, rushing to find a safe haven by crossing into tiny, impoverished neighbor Moldova. The nation, one of the poorest in Europe, ended up becoming one of the largest recipients per capita of Ukrainian refugees despite being buffeted by its own crises even before the war. “Here, we […]
FBI director says Covid ‘most likely’ caused by Wuhan lab accident
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray said Tuesday his agency believes the Covid-19 pandemic was “most likely” caused by an incident in a laboratory in Wuhan, China. “The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan,” Wray said in an interview with Fox News. The comments come after a report earlier this week said the US Department […]
Train accident in Greece kills at least 26
ATHENS, Greece (AFP) — At least 26 people were killed and another 85 injured after a collision between two trains caused a derailment near the Greek city of Larissa late Tuesday night, authorities said. A fire services spokesman confirmed that three carriages skipped the tracks just before midnight after the trains — one for freight and the other carrying 350 passengers –- collided about halfway along the route between Athens and Thessaloniki. “At least 26 […]
High-level defection: why N. Korean diplomatic family chose freedom
by Sunghee Hwang Agence France-Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — Born into an elite North Korean family with ties to the ruling dynasty, Oh Hye Son grew up believing she was “special” — but then she tasted freedom overseas and decided to defect. Most of the tens of thousands of North Koreans who have escaped repression and poverty at home make an arduous, high-risk journey across the country’s land border with China, where they face […]
4.6-magnitude earthquake strikes off Surigao del Sur early Tuesday, March 1
(Eagle News) — A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Surigao del Sur early Tuesday, March 1. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit at 4:11 a.m. The epicenter was 43 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan. The depth of focus was 22 kilometers. The following intensities were reported: Intensity III – City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur No damage to property nor aftershocks were reported.
Northeast monsoon affecting Luzon and Visayas: PAGASA
(Eagle News) — The northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Eastern Visayas, Sorsogon, and Masbate will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flash floods or landslides due to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible. Cagayan Valley, the rest of Bicol Region, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro, meanwhile, will have cloudy skies with rains Possible […]
Vaccine maker Novavax says ‘substantial doubt’ over future
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Covid-19 vaccine maker Novavax raised doubts Tuesday about its ability to continue its business, announcing plans to cut spending after struggles in rolling out its coronavirus jab. Shares of Novavax plummeted 25 percent in extended trading, after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed analyst estimates. While the firm should have enough money to fund operations, the situation is “subject to significant uncertainty,” it said in a statement. “Given these […]
‘Russia does not count people,’ Zelensky says of brutal Bakhmut fight
by Emmanuel PEUCHOT with Elizabeth STRIY in Bakhmut Agence France-Presse KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — Pressure is mounting on Ukrainian forces as fighting for the eastern frontline city of Bakhmut is getting ever more brutal with Russia losing hundreds of troops a day, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday. As the battle raged, Moscow said it shot down Ukrainian drones targeting civilian sites in Russian territory while another one crashed near the capital. AFP aerial footage released […]
Children’s coffins mark tragedy of Italy migrant shipwreck
by Alessandro Serrano Agence France-Presse STECCATO, Italy (AFP) — The coffins of 65 victims of a devastating migrant shipwreck off Italy’s southern coast were laid out Tuesday in a local sports hall, five of them small and white, containing the bodies of the youngest children that died. Flower bouquets adorned each coffin in the building in Crotone, while a toy blue car had been laid on the smallest, ready for mourners to pay their respects. […]
Short-handed Bucks edge Suns to push NBA win streak to 14
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Milwaukee guard Jrue Holiday scored 33 points as the Bucks shook off the absence of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to edge Phoenix 104-101 and push their NBA winning streak to 14 games. The Sunday matinee was minus some star power as Antetokounmpo sat out with a quadriceps contusion suffered early in Friday’s victory over the Miami Heat. “It’s enough where he can’t play today, but I think we’re also confident […]
