VILLEPINTE, France (AFP) — Lithuania has agreed to buy 18 howitzers from France, both sides’ defense ministers announced Monday, as the Baltic country bolsters its arsenal due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Lithuania, a European Union and NATO member, decided to inject an additional 300 million euros ($312 million) into its 2022 defense budget as the Ukraine war ramped up security fears. “Lithuania will buy 18 Caesar MarktII howitzers from France,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas […]
Other News
Human remains found in Amazon search for journalist, expert
by Joao Laet Agence France-Presse ATALAIA DO NORTE, Brazil (AFP) — Human remains have been found in the search for a British journalist and Brazilian indigenous expert who disappeared deep in the Amazon after receiving threats, Brazil’s president confirmed Monday. Relatives of veteran correspondent Dom Phillips and respected indigenous specialist Bruno Pereira meanwhile said authorities informed them two bodies had been found — though police and local indigenous leaders denied that, adding to confusion around […]
US Senate gun measures gain support despite limited scope
by Paul Handley Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two horrific massacres in recent weeks have succeeded in bringing Democrats and Republicans close to the most significant federal legislation addressing US gun violence in three decades. Twenty senators — 10 from each party — reached a deal Sunday to put through legislation that would tighten some rules on gun sales and put more resources toward mental health treatment. The 10 Republicans are just […]
Dancing goalkeeper Redmayne sees Australia to World Cup win in shootout
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — Australia on Tuesday celebrated the antics of dancing goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne whose penalty shootout save against Peru saw them to a fifth straight World Cup finals. The 33-year-old clowned his way along the goal line as Peru’s players prepared to take their penalty kicks and his block of Alex Valera’s shot gave Australia a 5-4 win after the two sides had been deadlocked without a goal for 120 minutes. Australia coach […]
Ukraine forces pushed back from Severodonetsk center
by Anna Malpas with Benoit Finck in Kyiv Agence France-Presse KRAMATORSK, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukraine said Monday its forces had been pushed back from the center of key industrial city Severodonetsk, where President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fighting was taking a “terrifying” toll as casualties soar. With Russia’s 16-week war of attrition pushing Ukrainian resistance to the limit, Kyiv has reiterated its plea for Western nations to provide additional arms to help it contain Moscow’s […]
Over 14% of world has had Lyme disease: study
PARIS, France (AFP) — More than 14 percent of the world’s population has had Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne illness, according to a major review of the available research published on Tuesday. Central Europe had the highest rate of infection with 20 percent, while men over the age of 50 living in rural areas were most at risk, the study in the journal BMJ Global Health found. The condition is rarely fatal, but people […]
Suspected jihadists kill at least 50 in Burkina Faso
by Armel Baily Agence France-Presse OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (AFP) — At least 50 civilians died in an attack by suspected jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, government spokesman Lionel Bilgo said Monday, in one of the bloodiest clashes since a military coup in January. “The army has so far found 50 bodies” after the village of Seytenga was attacked overnight Saturday, Bilgo said, adding that the toll “may rise”. “Relatives (of the victims) have returned to […]
Hollywood stars pen letter calling for responsible gun depictions
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Hollywood stars including Amy Schumer, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo signed a letter published on Monday calling for movies and television shows to depict responsible gun ownership and to limit scenes involving children with firearms. The open letter, penned in response to recent US mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo, was also signed by top producers J.J. Abrams (“Lost”), Shonda Rhimes (“Bridgerton”) and Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy. “Cultural attitudes […]
More than 600 abuse victims in German diocese: report
At least 600 young people were documented as having been abused by Catholic priests in the German diocese of Muenster, but the actual number of victims could be 10 times higher, a report published Monday said. The diocese has official records on 610 abuse victims, according to the report by the University of Muenster — around a third more than indicated by a previous study from 2018. However, historian Natalie Powroznik, who was involved in […]
URGENT: Canada PM Trudeau says contracted Covid a second time
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time in less than five months, he said Monday, adding that he feels fine but is isolating. “I’ve tested positive for Covid-19. I’ll be following public health guidelines and isolating,” the Canadian leader said on Twitter, adding: “I feel okay.” Trudeau, who has received three doses of the Covid vaccine, also tested positive for the virus at the end of January. I’ve […]
Spain in grip of heatwave as France braces for soaring temperatures
Spain was on Monday already in the grips of a heatwave expected to reach “extreme” levels, and France is bracing for one, too, as meteorologists blame the unusually high seasonal temperatures on global warming. The “unusual” temperatures for the time of year follow the hottest May in at least 100 years in Spain, Ruben del Campo, spokesman for the Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) said. He told AFP that the current heatwave would bring “extreme temperatures” […]
Thunderstorm advisory raised over parts of Mindanao
(Eagle News) — A thunderstorm advisory has been raised over parts of Mindanao. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, light to moderate to heavy rain showers with possible lightning and strong winds are being experienced over portions of Davao Occidental (Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Sarangani), Davao del Sur (Santa Cruz), and Sarangani (Glan, Malapatan, Maitum, Kiamba, Maasim). PAGASA said the same conditions are affecting South Cotabato (Lake Sebu) and North Cotabato […]





