Foreign
WHO chief warns of 'very worrying increase' in Covid-19 deaths
February 2, 2022, 1:41 pm
GENEVA – There is a “very worrying increase” in Covid-19 deaths around the world and preventing transmission of the virus is still paramount, the head of the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. Addressing a webinar, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last Sunday marked two years since a… Read More
US bracing for massive winter storm
February 2, 2022, 12:56 pm
HOUSTON, Texas -- A winter storm is expected to wreak havoc on a nearly 2,000-mile swath of the US over the next few days, bringing heavy snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures. The National Weather Service issued winter storm watches and warnings Tuesday from as far south as Texas and New… Read More
World's longest 'megaflash' of lightning confirmed over US
February 2, 2022, 12:53 pm
ANKARA -- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Tuesday two "megaflashes" of lightning, which set new world records for both length and duration, in North and South America. The record-breaking lightning bolt stretched 768 kilometers (477.2 miles) across parts of the southern US… Read More
EU, others condemn 'devastating effects' of coup in Myanmar
February 1, 2022, 9:49 pm
BRUSSELS – Top diplomats from the EU, US, UK, Albania, Australia, Canada, Korea, Norway, New Zealand, and Switzerland deplored on Tuesday the “devastating effects” of the military takeover in Myanmar that took place a year ago. “We strongly condemn the military regime’s human rights… Read More
US warns Russia could invade Ukraine 'at any time'
February 1, 2022, 1:06 pm
WASHINGTON – Russia could invade Ukraine "at any time," the US said on Monday amid soaring tensions between the Kremlin and the West. "We feel it's important to be open and candid about the threat from Russia. It's not just words of course. You're seeing specifics that we've been laying out… Read More
15M people under wind chill alerts in US after Nor'easter storm
January 31, 2022, 1:54 pm
NEW YORK – More than 15 million people across the US Northeast, Appalachians and southern Florida are under wind chill alerts Sunday morning as arctic air filters south and east behind the departing Nor'easter, which delivered a mix of heavy snow and gale along much of the US East Coast on… Read More
Hundreds of children recruited by Yemen rebels killed in 2021: UN
January 31, 2022, 12:55 pm
SANAA, Yemen – A total of 562 children recruited by Houthi rebels were killed in fighting in war-torn Yemen last year, a UN report found. The report prepared by UN experts said 562 children aged between 10 and 17 years old died on the battlefield in the period between January and May 2021. “In… Read More
NoKor confirms test-firing of Hwasong-12 ballistic missile
January 31, 2022, 12:21 pm
SEOUL – North Korea announced Monday it test-fired a Hwasong-12 "intermediate and long-range" ballistic missile the previous day. The accuracy of the weapons system "being produced and deployed" has been confirmed, according to Pyongyang's state media. "The evaluation test-fire of Hwasong… Read More
Honduras swears in Xiomara Castro as 1st female president
January 28, 2022, 1:07 pm
BOGOTA, Colombia – Xiomara Castro was sworn in as Honduras' first female president Thursday in a ceremony attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris, who later met with Castro to tackle immigration and other issues between the two countries. "Our relationship with Honduras is an important one,"… Read More
US calls for Security Council meet to address Russia, Ukraine
January 28, 2022, 10:41 am
WASHINGTON – The US called Thursday for the UN Security Council to hold an open session to address the West's concerns that Russia is in the midst of preparations to invade Ukraine. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the session would "discuss a matter of crucial importance… Read More
New version of Omicron spreading rapidly in parts of Asia, Europe
January 27, 2022, 5:42 pm
IZMIR, Turkiye – A new version of the coronavirus Omicron strain detected in parts of Asia and Europe is spreading much faster than the original variant, a member of Turkiye’s Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board has warned. The BA.2 sub-variant can cause a more rapid increase in the number… Read More
Life near eastern Ukraine's front line: 'I don't want war'
January 27, 2022, 12:38 pm
AVDIIVKA, Ukraine -- Since 2014, under the shadow of war, an octogenarian ex-schoolteacher who lives in a roofless house near the line of contact in eastern Ukraine has clung with all his might to the house he once shared with his wife. Oleksandr Panov, 80, lives in Avdiivka, a city in Ukraine’s… Read More
Pope Francis says Ukrainians 'deserve peace'
January 26, 2022, 9:00 pm
VATICAN CITY – Ukrainians “deserve peace,” Pope Francis pleaded in special prayers Wednesday as the threat of war with Russia continued to loom over the former Soviet republic. “I ask you to pray for peace in Ukraine, and to do it often throughout this day,” Francis said at the end of… Read More
More than 50M people currently impacted by urban conflict: UN
January 26, 2022, 2:54 pm
WASHINGTON – More than 50 million people are currently being impacted by fighting inside towns and cities around the world, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday. Speaking at the opening of a UN Security Council debate on how to protect civilians caught up in urban conflict,… Read More
South Korea logs record 13K new Covid-19 cases
January 26, 2022, 2:42 pm
ANKARA – South Korea on Wednesday reported a record number of new Covid-19 cases for the second day running, registering over 13,000 infections amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, local media reported. During the past 24 hours, 13,012 cases were confirmed, up from 8,571 infections a… Read More
Ukraine calls on world to prevent Russia from using blackmail
January 26, 2022, 12:54 pm
KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, called on the international community Tuesday to prevent Russia from using blackmail and threats of a full-scale invasion against the country. Lawmakers convened with this agenda amid continued tensions between Russia and Ukraine.… Read More
NASA’s James Webb Telescope reaches its destination in space
January 25, 2022, 1:25 pm
HOUSTON, Texas – After a month-long journey across the universe, a million miles away from Earth, the largest and most powerful space telescope has reached its final destination. The $10 billion James Webb Telescope arrived at its designated spot between Earth and the sun on Monday, firing its… Read More
Biden, European leaders discuss Russia-Ukraine tensions
January 25, 2022, 12:12 pm
WASHINGTON -- US President Joe Biden held a video call Monday with European leaders discussing the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, said the White House. The leaders included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, French President… Read More
NATO sends more ships, jets amid Russian 'military build-up'
January 24, 2022, 8:16 pm
BRUSSELS – NATO allies are sending more ships and jets to "enhance deterrence and defense" in eastern Europe as Russia "continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine," the organization announced on Monday. "NATO Allies are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships and… Read More
Turkish scientists begin testing drug to treat advanced cancer
January 24, 2022, 5:38 pm
ANKARA – Turkish scientists have begun the Phase 1 studies of a drug developed for patients with recurrent, metastatic, or advanced lung cancer. The Phase 1a study will involve 16 volunteers in total, and the researchers will determine the maximum tolerable dose for patients, while the Phase 1b… Read More
