‘Isaias’ weakens; may strengthen on path to virus-hit Florida
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Isaias snapped trees and knocked out power as it blew through the Bahamas on Saturday and churned toward the Florida coast, threatening to complicate efforts to contain the coronavirus in places were cases are surging. Sea spray, sand and winds sweep across South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach, Fla., as Palm […]
Fires in Brazil’s Amazon up 28% in July, worrying experts
BRASILIA, Brazil — Fires in the Brazilian Amazon increased 28% in July from a year ago, a state agency reported Saturday. In this Aug. 26, 2019 photo, the land smolders during a forest fire in Altamira in Brazil’s Amazon. The fire is very close to Kayapo indigenous land located on the Bau indigenous reserve. (AP […]
South Africa hits 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, still not at peak
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa on Saturday surpassed 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, representing more than 50% of all reported coronavirus infections in Africa’s 54 countries. FILE – This July 10, 2020 file photo shows Covid-19 patients being treated with oxygen at the Tshwane District Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa has exceeded 500.000 confirmed COVID-19 […]
Astronauts face final leg of SpaceX test flight: coming home
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A pair of NASA astronauts face the final and most important part of their SpaceX test flight: returning to Earth with a rare splashdown. This image made available by NASA astronaut Bob Behnken on Friday, July 31, 2020, shows him inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space […]
Docs cry out for relief, urge return to stricter quarantine
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s medical community on Saturday said the health-care system was being overwhelmed by the continued spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, particularly in the national capital and its surrounding areas, and urged the government to impose a strict lockdown on Mega Manila for at least two weeks this month. In […]
DTI chief to med groups: No to ECQ; we need to live with virus
MANILA, Philippines — Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Saturday said he did not support a call by medical groups to impose an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for two weeks on Mega Manila. The medical groups said that period could be used as a respite for “burnt out” health workers and to refine the country’s strategies […]
Drive-thru communion: Pampanga priests find ways to reach flock
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines —When quarantine rules were eased on May 16, Fr. Mario Sol Gabriel began giving the communion wafers at a “drive-through” service. He handed out the host to devotees who participated in the online Mass from their vehicles parked outside The Lord’s Transfiguration Parish church in Angeles City. ADVERTISEMENT He […]
Stranded in the city: A mother’s story
MANILA, Philippines — It took the four-month-pregnant Lilibeth Avila 20 days before she could embrace her children again. During that time, the Avilas, residents of Valenzuela City, were shuttled to and from temporary shelters along with other initial beneficiaries of the government’s “Hatid Tulong” program, under which persons trapped by travel restrictions brought by the […]
Cory Aquino crowd marks 11th death anniversary online
MANILA, Philippines — Friends and family of the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino quietly observed her 11th death anniversary with a livestreamed Holy Mass aired via Zoom on Saturday morning. Columnist Deedee Siytangco, Cory’s spokesperson during her presidency, said family members, “colleagues and ex-Cabinet members” of her administration were invited to join the Mass celebrated […]
Baguio city jail inmates ‘take no prisoners’ in video game tilt
BAGUIO CITY—The city jail here hosted last week a multiplayer video game tournament, the first such activity to involve its inmates—and also the last. Male detainees were allowed to compete on the July 28 esports tournament sanctioned by officials to help them “defeat boredom and improve their mental health conditions,” according to a social media […]