WORLD

Houston, United States | AFP |  Joe Biden seized the momentum in the race to become the Democratic challenger to President Donald Trump with a string of Super Tuesday victories against leftist rival Bernie Sanders after his candidacy had seemed close to collapse. A self-described democratic socialist who wants to reshape …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | The OPEC club of oil-producing countries meets Thursday in Vienna as they weigh how to react to a sharp drop in global oil demand due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. The extraordinary two-day meeting will see OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, and its …

Paris, France | AFP | A ‘pandemic’ of air pollution shortens lives worldwide by nearly three years on average, and causes 8.8 million premature deaths annually, scientists said Tuesday. Eliminating the toxic cocktail of molecules and lung-clogging particles cast off by burning oil, gas and coal would restore a full …

Washington, United States | AFP | A smartphone app that lets users check the eyes of newborn babies for jaundice may be an effective, low-cost way of identifying which cases need treatment, scientists reported Monday. Jaundice, a liver problem which causes the skin and whites of the eyes to turn yellow, …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to parliament a number of proposed constitutional changes, including amendments that mention God and stipulate that marriage is a union of a man and woman. Putin unleashed a political storm in January by proposing an overhaul of the constitution, the …

Geneva, Switzerland | AFP |  The global death toll from the new coronavirus topped 3,000 on Monday, as airlines cancelled or reduced flights and stock markets swung wildly. Andorra, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Jordan, Latvia, Portugal, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia were among countries that confirmed their first cases, along with Senegal, …

Vatican City, Holy See | AFP | Pope Francis, who is suffering from a cold, has tested negative for the coronavirus, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday, as Italy battles Europe’s worst outbreak. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not respond to a request for comment on the report in the Messaggero newspaper. Francis cancelled a Lent …

Houston, United States | AFP |  Joe Biden’s White House campaign received a dramatic boost Monday when three of his ex-rivals including former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke endorsed him for president on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries. The move marked an unprecedented turn in a fractured, often bitter …

Paris, France | AFP |  Say no to a handshake, refuse every peck on the cheek and definitely avoid hugging. Instead, try a direct gaze, or maybe a hand gesture. Around the world people are changing their habits at work, home and in worship to reduce the risk of contracting the …

Houston, United States | AFP |  Joe Biden’s presidential hopes received a huge shot in the arm Monday after former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed the former vice president ahead of the crucial Super Tuesday primaries. The dramatic turn comes at …