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 …
Read More »Florida insurers avoid Hurricane Irma ‘nightmare’
Washington, United States | AFP | Florida insurance companies appear to have avoided what could have been a catastrophic hit after damage estimates from Hurricane Irma on Monday fell sharply due to last-minute shifts in the storm’s trail of destruction. The storm spared cities on Florida’s eastern coast, which analysts …
Read More »Cuban dolphins get helicopter ride to safety from Irma
Havana, Cuba | AFP | A helicopter has lifted six dolphins to safety from an aquarium on a Cuban islet threatened by the approach of Hurricane Irma, Cuban authorities said Friday. Wrapped in moist towels, the six male dolphins from the “Cable Esqui” center on Cayo Guillermo were placed on …
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