Geneva (AFP) Sept 17, 2023 The head of the World Health Organization told the Financial Times he was ready to send a new mission of experts to China to investigate the origins of Covid-19. “We’re pressing China to give full access, and we are asking countries to raise it during their bilateral meetings – (to urge Beijing) to co-operate,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the FT. … Continue reading WHO calls on China for ‘full access’ for Covid investigators: FT

Istanbul (AFP) Sept 17, 2023 Turkish divers searched Sunday for the bodies of three firefighters who died when their helicopter crashed into a water reservoir near the western resort city of Izmir. The helicopter went down while picking up water to douse a forest fire on Saturday night. The team included three Kyrgyz nationals and one Turk. One of the Kyrgyz firefighters was rescued and … Continue reading Three firefighters die in Turkey helicopter crash

Sydney (AFP) Sept 15, 2023 Australia said Friday it is permanently cancelling ‘dodgy’ credits for historical greenhouse gas cuts, stopping any future government from using them as a loophole. The country had amassed credits equal to more than a year’s worth of global warming emissions, after exceeding what were widely seen as low-bar targets negotiated before the 2015 Paris agreement. “Their permanent cancellationhttp://dlvr.it/SwCt8k Continue reading Australia closes ‘dodgy’ climate emissions loophole

Derna, Libya (AFP) Sept 16, 2023 Shipments of international aid began to arrive in Libya on Saturday, offering a lifeline to thousands despite dwindling hopes of finding more survivors days after deadly flash floods. Sunday’s disaster submerged the port city of Derna, washing thousands of people and homes out to sea after two dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered by a hurricane-strength … Continue reading Aid arrives in flood-hit Libya but hopes fade for survivors

New Delhi (AFP) Sept 15, 2023 Authorities in India are scrambling to contain a rare outbreak of Nipah, a virus spread from animals to humans that causes deadly fever with a high mortality rate. Here is a look at what we know so far: – What is the Nipah virus? – The first Nipah outbreak was recorded in 1998 after the virus spread among pig … Continue reading India’s Nipah virus outbreak: what do we know so far?

Paris (AFP) Sept 15, 2023 Mohammed VI of Morocco, the North African country’s king for almost two-and-half decades, is an elusive leader who has been thrown into an unusual international spotlight by the devastating earthquake. The monarch, who was reportedly in France when the earthquake struck his country on September 8 but rapidly returned home, has made three public appearances since the disaster but has … Continue reading Mohammed VI: Morocco’s elusive monarch confronting earthquake aftermath

Tripoli (AFP) Sept 16, 2023 Libya’s deadly floods have sparked a surge of solidarity and transcended political differences in a country wracked by division ever since the 2011 revolution that overthrew Moamer Kadhafi. “As soon as we heard about this awful tragedy, people began a spontaneous campaign in Tajoura to help, with no state backing at all,” said Mohannad Bennour in the eastern suburb of … Continue reading Rivalry set aside as Libyans cope with flood disaster

Bangkok (AFP) Sept 12, 2023 A 15-year high in rice prices, prompted by top exporter India’s restrictions on overseas sales, should be a wake-up call on how climate change can disrupt food supplies, experts say. Rice prices jumped 9.8 percent in August, bucking decreases in other staples, the Food and Agriculture Organization said last week. That followed the July decision by India, which accounts for … Continue reading Rice price spike offers preview of climate food disruption

Paris (AFP) Sept 13, 2023 With France slowly weaning itself off its traditional obsession with meat, the top chefs in charge of feeding the sporting masses at the 2024 Olympic Games are emphasising a more vegetarian approach. Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal serves plenty of steaks, burgers and other meat in his restaurants, but his flagship dish for the Games will be muesli with quinoa. “When … Continue reading France goes (a bit) veggie for Olympics

Ineghede, Morocco (AFP) Sept 14, 2023 Mohammed Al Moutawak’s village was destroyed by Morocco’s powerful earthquake and his apple harvest ruined, but he refuses to leave the land that is vital to small farmers like him. Drought and extreme weather have long taken a toll on the North African kingdom’s growers, but the quake spells new challenges that are just beginning to come into focus. … Continue reading ‘Worst enemy’: Morocco quake brings new hardships for farmers