by Frankie TAGGART Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Colin Powell, a US war hero and the first Black secretary of state who saw his trailblazing legacy tarnished when he made the case for war in Iraq in 2003, died Monday from complications from Covid-19. The 84-year-old retired four-star general was fully vaccinated, his family said in a statement, making him one of the most high-profile US public figures to die of […]
Tag: US
One dead as US college endures two shootings in a week
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — One person was killed and another seven injured at a US university shooting early Sunday, police said, just days after another firearm incident at the same school left one dead. A student was among those wounded in the attack at around 1:30am (local) at Grambling State University, Louisiana State Police said, with one person in critical condition at hospital. The school tweeted the student was “treated for non-life-threatening injuries”, and […]
US experts recommend Moderna booster for older and at-risk groups
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — An expert committee on Thursday recommended a booster dose of Moderna’s anti-Covid vaccine in the United States for certain at-risk groups, a month after making a similar decision for the Pfizer shot. The opinion submitted by the advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration — composed of researchers, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts — is not binding, but it is rare for the FDA not to follow it. After […]
JUST IN: Former US President Bill Clinton in hospital with non-Covid infection
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former US president Bill Clinton has been hospitalized with a non-Covid-related infection, a spokesman said Thursday evening. Clinton, 75, was admitted to a hospital in Irvine in southern California on Tuesday evening, Angel Urena tweeted. He gave no details other than to say the infection was not Covid-related. “He is on the mend, in good spirits and is incredibly thankful to the doctors, nurses, and staff providing him with […]
Biden promises more vaccines, ties for Africa as Kenya leader visits
by Aurelia End and Shaun Tandon WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced a major new Covid vaccine donation for Africa and promised greater commitment to the continent as he welcomed his first African leader, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta. Meeting at the White House, Biden and the Kenyan president promised to work together on climate change and ending violence on the Horn of Africa, although there appeared to be no headway […]
Pizza giant Domino’s delivers 8,000 jobs in UK and Ireland
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — US pizza delivery giant Domino’s unveiled plans Thursday to create 8,000 new jobs in the UK and Ireland after a strong pandemic performance. The group’s British-based division added in a statement that it had thrived despite the ongoing supply chain crunch, high inflation and a challenging labour market. Domino’s noted, however, that supply chain issues and rising wages were starting to impact the business, adding that labour availability and food […]
US Treasury to study climate change’s impact on communities
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – The US Treasury announced Wednesday it will study how climate change is affecting communities and households in the United States. The department’s Financial Literacy and Education Commission will look into “how households, communities, and the smallest businesses experience financial resilience in the face of climate change and climate transition,” Treasury said in a statement. It will also focus on “how to map climate-related financial risks, and identify which groups […]
‘It was unbelievable’: Star Trek’s Shatner becomes real life astronaut
“Star Trek” actor William Shatner finally became a real space traveler on Blue Origin’s second crewed mission Wednesday, calling it the most profound experience of his life. “It was unbelievable,” said the 90-year-old Canadian, known to the sci-fi show’s legion of “Trekkies” as the daring Captain James T. Kirk, a role he first played more than half a century ago. He was joined on the 11-minute journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere and back again by […]
California’s Alisal Fire burns more than 13,000 acres
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — California firefighters scrambled overnight Wednesday to battle a fast-moving blaze that has scorched more than 13,400 acres and prompted evacuation orders since it started Monday, according to local authorities. Burning in a dry, scrub-filled canyon about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Santa Barbara, the Alisal Fire is just five percent contained, according to the US Forest Service. More than 765 firefighters have been assigned to the blaze, the […]
US to open land borders to vaccinated travelers in November
by Aurélia END WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States will open its land borders with Mexico and Canada in early November to non-essential travelers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a senior White House official announced Tuesday. The official said the administration would give the “precise date very soon” — both for land crossings as well as international air travel, which would be timed to “go together.” The United States had already announced […]
Two dead in shooting at US post office
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Two US Postal Service employees were shot dead Tuesday in a gun attack at a Tennessee post office, authorities said. The suspected shooter opened fire at the East Lamar Carrier Annex in Memphis and then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. US Postal Inspector Susan Link told reporters that both victims, as well as the shooter, were postal service employees. “There is no ongoing threat,” she said. “The FBI is […]
Planet announces plans for new fleet of Earth observation satellites
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (AFP) – Satellite data provider Planet announced Tuesday that it plans to launch a new fleet of orbiting eyes so powerful they can distinguish road markings on the ground. Planet, which already operates 200 Earth observation satellites from space, wants to make the new function available in 2023. The new satellites, called Pelican, could be used for mapping services, such as Google maps; in environmental tasks, such as spotting illegal forest […]





