Video Player Close Staff members unload a batch of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines from the plane at the international airport of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, Feb. 23, 2021. (Photo by Sun Ning/Xinhua) The cargo was received at the airport in the capital by an official delegation headed by the country's Vice President Raquel Pena. SANTO DOMINGO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Dominican Republic received a shipment of vaccines developed by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac on Tuesday night, authorities said. The cargo was received at the airport in the capital by an official delegation headed by the country's Vice President Raquel Pena. "The arrival of this important batch of vaccines against COVID-19 will strengthen the already started national vaccination plan, and thus bring peace, hope and tranquility to the Dominican family," said Pena. "We hope that these efforts can help the country to finally defeat the virus and that all of us, China, the … [Read more...] about Dominican Republic receives China’s Sinovac vaccine
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Central African Republic remains “very volatile,” warns UN peacekeeping chief
Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Wednesday told the Security Council that despite a successful presidential election and other noteworthy progress, the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to be plagued by violence and volatility. "The situation remains very volatile," said the UN peacekeeping chief while speaking about the security situation in the landlocked country in Central Africa. Lacroix praised the peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA, in providing security to thousands of internally displaced, helping to safeguard democratic order and protecting civilians "in the face of persisting attempts by the armed group coalition to asphyxiate the country." At the same time, insecurity has blocked the passage of more than 1,000 trucks carrying lifesaving supplies, food and medical necessities, to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing violence has also resulted in … [Read more...] about Central African Republic remains “very volatile,” warns UN peacekeeping chief
No Ash Wednesday as Barty knocked out in Aus Open quarters
IMAGE: Australia's Ashleigh Barty reacts during her Australian Open quarter-finals against the Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova at Melbourne Park on Wednesday. Photograph: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images World number one Ash Barty's dream of become the first homegrown Australian Open champion since 1978 was shattered on Wednesday after an extraordinary 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 quarter-final loss to Karolina Muchova. The Czech was a player transformed after taking a medical timeout when she started feeling dizzy in the Melbourne heat and rallied to secure a place in her first Grand Slam semi-final. The 24-year-old will meet the winner of the later quarter-final between Americans Jennifer Brady and Jessica Pegula for a place in the final against Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka. Barty had no complaints about the medical timeout that turned the match on its head. "It's within the rules," Barty said. IMAGE: Karolina Muchova receives medical treatment. Photograph: Quinn … [Read more...] about No Ash Wednesday as Barty knocked out in Aus Open quarters
Bill proposed to require oath-taking by HK district councilors
Several legislative amendments proposed by the government of Hong Kong on Tuesday would require district councilors to swear allegiance to the special administrative region of the People's Republic of China and face disqualification and a five-year ban on running for office if they are found to have violated their oath. Unveiling the bill at a news conference, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai said those who refuse to take the oath, take an invalid oath or were previously ruled as not upholding the Basic Law and being loyal to the HKSAR, will also be disqualified. Under the proposed changes, four councilors will theoretically be disqualified once the bill is passed, Tsang said. Last July, district councilors Leung Fong-wai, Lester Shum Ngo-fai, Tiffany Yuen Ka-wai, Cheng Tat-hung were ruled by returning officers to be ineligible to run for the already-postponed legislative election on the grounds that they failed to meet the standard given … [Read more...] about Bill proposed to require oath-taking by HK district councilors
Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace in Juventus victory over Crotone
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Juventus got back to winning ways by beating bottom club Crotone 3-0 in Serie A. Ronaldo could even have had a hat trick in the first half. Weston Mckennie sealed the result after the break. Juventus moved up to third on the table, eight points behind Serie A leader Inter Milan, having played a match less. It was Crotone’s fifth successive defeat and left it eight points from safety. Juventus was looking for a big win after a disappointing week. The Bianconeri lost at Porto 2-1 in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, days after losing at Napoli 1-0 in Serie A. Ronaldo hadn’t scored for Juventus since the start of the month. He came close on a couple of occasions before breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute when he headed in an Alex Sandro cross. Ronaldo doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time with another impressive header, this time from an Aaron Ramsey cross. The 36-year-old Ronaldo … [Read more...] about Cristiano Ronaldo scores brace in Juventus victory over Crotone