Washington, United States (AFP) — SpaceX conducted a successful test-firing on Thursday of the engines on the most powerful rocket ever built, designed to eventually send astronauts to the Moon and beyond. The test, called a static fire, of the 33 Raptor engines on the first-stage booster of SpaceX’s Starship took place at the private space company’s base in Texas. SpaceX founder Elon Musk said one engine was turned off just before the test began […]
Other News
Macron warns impossible to send Ukraine jets in coming weeks
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AFP) — French President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday that even if Ukraine’s European allies decide to send Kyiv fighter jets they could not be sent in “the coming weeks”. “I’m not ruling anything out … but that doesn’t correspond to today’s requirements,” Macron said after an EU summit in Brussels attended by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russia has launched a renewed offensive in Ukraine’s war-torn east and Zelensky came to London, Paris and […]
Haitian schools becoming targets of violence: UNICEF
UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — Schools in Haiti, previously considered safe havens from the Caribbean nation’s turmoil, have become increasingly targeted by violent groups, UNICEF warned Thursday. The UN agency reported that since the beginning of the school year last October, 72 schools had seen acts of violence — including kidnappings, ransacking and looting — a nine-fold increase over a year ago. “This includes at least 13 schools targeted by armed groups, one school […]
Nicaragua frees 222 dissidents in sudden shift, expels them to US
by Eva Rodriguez Lorenzo Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Over 200 detained members of Nicaragua’s opposition were freed Thursday and expelled to the United States, in a surprise move by the Central American country’s increasingly authoritarian president, Daniel Ortega. After weeks of quiet talks with Washington, Nicaragua allowed the 222 detainees — which include former challengers to Ortega — to board a chartered flight to Washington. US officials said they would allow the […]
Fresh rallies two months into Peru protests
JULIACA, Peru (AFP) — Thousands of Peruvians took to the streets anew Thursday to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte as they remembered civilians who have died in weeks of anti-government protests. Demonstrators came out in several cities to demand an end to the political crisis that has gripped the country since Boluarte’s predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was arrested on December 7. In Juliaca in the southern Puno region, protesters demanded justice for 18 civilians […]
Blockbuster Durant to Suns deal tops busy NBA trade deadline
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant’s blockbuster move from Brooklyn to Phoenix turned the Suns into a major title contender and sparked a flurry of NBA trade deadline deals Thursday by roster-boosting rivals. The 34-year-old superstar joined Suns All-Star guards Chris Paul and Devin Booker plus Bahamian center Deandre Ayton, the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, to create what might be the NBA’s most powerful lineup. Phoenix sent four first-round NBA Draft […]
President Bongbong Marcos appoints Ella Lopez as NTC commissioner
Other appointments made (Eagle News) — President Bongbong Marcos appointed Ella Blanca Lopez as a full-fledged commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission. Lopez was the commission’s officer-in-charge prior to the appointment. She was appointed to the post on Feb. 7. According to the Presidential Communications Operations, the following appointments were also made: Department of Agrarian Reform Romeo Reyes – Director IV Josemari Hernando – Director III Lita Rosales – Director III Bureau of Agriculture and […]
North Korea unveils ‘record’ number of ICBMs at military parade
by Cat Barton and Sunghee Hwang Agence France-Presse SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — North Korea’s Kim Jong Un oversaw a major military parade showcasing a record number of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missiles, state media reported Thursday, including what analysts said was possibly a new solid-fueled ICBM. The parade on Wednesday to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea’s armed forces featured fireworks, military bands and uniformed soldiers marching in unison to spell out […]
WHO chief says heading for Syria following deadly quake
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Thursday that he was heading to Syria which has been hit, along with neighbouring Turkey, by a massive earthquake which has left over 21,000 people dead. “On my way to #Syria, where @WHO is supporting essential health care in the areas affected by the recent earthquake, building on our long-standing work across the country,” the WHO chief tweeted. At the same time, the […]
US announces $85 mn in aid for quake-hit Turkey, Syria
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States on Thursday announced an initial $85 million package for emergency relief after a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. The US Agency for International Development said that the funding will go to partners on the ground “to deliver urgently needed aid for millions of people” including through food, shelter and emergency health services. The funding will also support safe drinking water and sanitation to prevent the outbreak […]
Philippines’ Marcos strikes defense, infrastructure deals in Tokyo
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos hailed new defence and other deals signed with Japan in Tokyo on Thursday, as the nations seek to deepen ties, including on security in response to growing Chinese military pressure. The countries agreed on measures to speed up military deployments for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. They also signed several other deals, ranging from infrastructure loans to cooperation on agriculture and technology. “After our meeting, I can confidently say that […]
Turkey-Syria quake toll nears 20,000 as hopes dim
by Omar Haj Kadour with Fulya Ozerkan in Adiyaman, Turkey with Remi Banet in Antakya, Turkey Hopes faded Thursday of finding more survivors after the earthquake that killed nearly 20,000 people in Turkey and Syria, as the first UN aid reached Syrian rebel-held zones. Bitter cold has hampered the four-day search of thousands of flattened buildings and threatened the lives of many quake victims who are without shelter and drinking water. Relatives were left […]





