London, United Kingdom | AFP | A European-wide deep freeze that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon led Friday to the postponement of several British sports fixtures this weekend. And while no games in English football’s elite Premier League have yet been called off (pitches at most top-flight clubs …
Read More »Last three years hottest on record: UN
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The last three years were the hottest on record, the United Nations weather agency said Thursday, citing fresh global data underscoring the dramatic warming of the planet. Consolidated data from five leading international weather agencies shows that “2015, 2016 and 2017 have been confirmed as the …
Read More »Philippines storm death toll tops 200, tens of thousands displaced
Manila, Philippines | AFP | At least 200 people have been killed and scores are missing in the southern Philippines after a tropical storm triggered severe flooding and landslides that also wrecked Christmas for tens of thousands of survivors. Tropical Storm Tembin lashed Mindanao island, home to 20 million people, …
Read More »Dense fog disrupts UAE flights ahead of Christmas
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | AFP | Thick fog on Sunday disrupted flights at major airports in the United Arab Emirates as thousands of foreign residents rushed to travel home for Christmas and the New Year. Dozens of flights were cancelled, diverted or delayed at the three main airports in …
Read More »Philippines storm leaves 182 dead and tens of thousands displaced
Manila, Philippines | AFP | Tens of thousands have been forced from their homes by a tropical storm that battered the southern Philippines leaving at least 182 dead, police and aid agencies said Sunday. Tropical Storm Tembin, which triggered flash floods and mudslides as it lashed the nation’s second-largest island …
Read More »Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez to host telethon for hurricane victims
Miami, United States | AFP | Celebrities including Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez and Stevie Wonder are set to appear Saturday night at a telethon for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Appearing from both Miami and Los Angeles, performers will raise funds to provide food, shelter, medicine, electricity and …
Read More »US House approves $36 bn for disasters including Puerto Rico
Washington, United States | AFP | The US House of Representatives on Thursday easily approved a $36.5 billion disaster relief package for hurricane-affected communities like Puerto Rico, and for areas devastated by wildfires including those in California. The measure outlining “supplemental” disaster spending passed 353 to 69, with all votes in …
Read More »Beyonce charity song finally dethrones ‘Despacito’
New York, United States | AFP | Beyonce’s Spanish-language remix of “Mi Gente” for hurricane relief opened Wednesday on top of the US Latin song chart, finally dethroning the global mega-hit “Despacito.” “Mi Gente,” which Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin created from the African dance rhythms of French DJ Willy William, …
Read More »Trump defends Puerto Rico effort, but his tweets draw new criticism
San Juan, Puerto Rico | AFP | President Donald Trump on Sunday defended US efforts to bring relief to storm-battered Puerto Rico, even as one island official said Trump was trying to gloss over “things that are not going well.” A day after Trump launched a Twitter attack against San …
Read More »Jay-Z, J.Lo headline hurricane benefit show
New York, United States | AFP | Rap mogul Jay-Z and pop superstar Jennifer Lopez will headline a concert in New York to raise funds for survivors of hurricanes that have devastated the United States and the Caribbean. Tidal, the streaming service led by Jay-Z, on Wednesday announced the line-up of …
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