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3 dead, 99 missing in US Florida building collapse
At least 12 people were injured in the incident, two of them in critical condition, the Xinhua news agency reported. It's unclear exactly how many residents were in the building when the incident happened. Surfside officials said they couldn't confirm any number of missing people, but the situation looked dire.
US House Democrats to create select committee to probe Jan 6 Capitol riot
"It is imperative that we seek the truth for what happened," Pelosi told reporters in the Capitol. "The timetable will be as long as it takes," she said, leaving open the possibility that the probe could extend into 2022, a mid-election year, the Xinhua news agency reported. Pelosi did not reveal details about the composition of the committee, or who she'll choose to lead it.
Covid: US sees sharpest decline in life expectancy since WWII
The numbers are even worse for people of colour. On average, whereas life expectancy among white Americans decreased by 1.36 years in 2020, it decreased by 3.25 years in Black Americans and 3.88 years in Hispanic Americans, revealed the research published in the journal of the British Medical Association.
Covid-induced lockdowns had modest effect on PM 2.5: Study
PM 2.5 is the leading environmental risk factor for premature mortality globally. A team led by Washington University in St Louis, US, showed that the reports proclaiming Covid lockdowns drastically reduced pollution were mostly referring to nitrogen dioxide, NO2, a reactive gas emitted from burning fuel.
China unleashes propaganda blitz on eve of CCP centenary
For President Xi Jinping and his hardline supporters in the party, the occasion comes as a much-awaited diversion from burning issues like ethnic strife, the Covid-19 pandemic-induced economic disparities and rising unemployment, pro-democracy demands in Hong Kong and voices for independence in Taiwan, apart from growing criticism from a multitude of neighbours involved in territorial disputes with China.
Biden unveils new anti-crime strategy
"Crime historically rises during the summer and as we emerge from this pandemic, with the country opening back up again, the traditional summer spike may even be more pronounced than it traditionally would be," Biden said in a speech from the White House on Wednesday. "Folks, this (gun violence) shouldn't be a red or blue issue... It's an American issue," he added.
N.Korea rules out possibility of contact with US
North Korea has ruled out the "possibility of any contact" with the US, according to a state media report. Ri also said his Ministry "welcomes the clear-cut press statement issued by the vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, which is to brush off hasty judgment, conjecture and expectation of the US", Xinhua news agency reported.
153 US hospital staff resign or fired over refusing vaccination
In a report on Wednesday, The Texas Tribune said that the Houston Methodist, one of the first facilities to require the vaccine, has terminated or accepted the resignations of 153 workers, Xinhua news agency. In April, Houston Methodist announced the requirement of its staff to get the vaccine by June 7 in order to keep their jobs, reports said.
Turkey won't send additional troops to secure Kabul airport'
Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said that the country will not send additional troops to Afghanistan as part of a plan to secure the Kabul airport since it already has soldiers in the country. "At the moment, we're not in any situation to send (new) soldiers. It is out of the question for us to send any soldiers there in any way now," Akar told reporters at Parliament on Wednesday.
US CDC advisors review heart risks tied to Pfizer, Moderna vaccines
There have been more than 1,200 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in young people who were administered with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, according to presentations published on Wednesday at the meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices. Clinical presentation of myocarditis cases following vaccination has been distinct.
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