International
Texas reports first measles-related death as outbreak surpasses 130 cases
A child has become the first fatality in a measles outbreak in Texas, in the southern United States, where more than 130 people have been infected, health authorities reported on Wednesday.
“The school-aged child, who was not vaccinated, was hospitalized in Lubbock (northwest Texas) last week and tested positive for measles,” the state’s Department of Health said in a press release.
Since the beginning of the year, 124 measles cases have been reported in western Texas and nine in the neighboring state of New Mexico, raising concerns about the resurgence of this highly contagious disease amid declining vaccination rates. Most cases have been detected in children, with 18 of them requiring hospitalization in Texas.
“Although the multiple measles outbreaks in the United States had not caused any fatalities, it was only a matter of time before one occurred,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University, in an interview with AFP.
“Measles still kills over 100,000 people worldwide each year. This death should serve as a reminder of why the vaccine was developed and how valuable it is. These deaths are almost entirely preventable,” he added.
The epicenter of the outbreak is Gaines County, home to a significant Mennonite population, a Christian sect with a history of vaccine hesitancy. Texas law allows vaccine exemptions for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs.
The outbreak coincides with the beginning of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as Secretary of Health under the administration of Donald Trump, a position that plays a key role in shaping the country’s immunization policies.
International
King Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
King Charles III of the United Kingdom, head of state of Canada, expressed his “deep sadness” along with Queen Camilla on Sunday, after a driver plowed into a crowd on Saturday in Vancouver during a street festival, leaving nine dead.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been shattered by this terrible tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences during this time of distress for so many in Canada,” the monarch wrote in a message on X.
The multiple-hit-and-run incident occurred on Saturday after 8:00 pm (03:00 GMT Sunday) when members of the Filipino community were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, authorities reported.
The street festival commemorates a 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader and took place the weekend before the Canadian elections. “At this time, we can confirm that nine people have died after a man ran into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival last night,” the police said on X.
International
Nine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
Nine people were killed when a driver ran over a crowd during a street festival in the Canadian city of Vancouver, the police reported.
“Several people have died and several others were injured,” the Vancouver police said on X. “The driver is in custody,” they added. The incident occurred when members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, as posted on X by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.
The festival commemorates a 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” added Sim.
International
Cardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
Several cardinals who will participate in the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor said they are approaching the mission with “apprehension,” “responsibility,” and “hope,” while also beginning to outline the profile of the next pope: a “unifier.”
The 12-year pontificate of the first Latin American pope was marked by reforms and a simple style, which earned him strong opposition from the Church’s most conservative sectors, with his predecessor Benedict XVI as a symbol of that resistance.
“The task before us these days is greater than us, and yet it is a duty we must fulfill,” summarized French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline during a mass in Rome on Thursday evening.
A few meters away, Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich admitted to journalists that he approaches the conclave “with a certain apprehension,” but also with “great hope.”
“We feel very small. We must make decisions for the entire Church, so please pray for us,” added the Jesuit cardinal, who was a close advisor to the Argentine pontiff.
He estimated that the conclave would “probably” begin on May 5 or 6, after the nine-day mourning period at the Vatican known as the Novendiales.
King Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead
Nine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
Cardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoEl Salvador formalizes the proposal for the exchange of Venezuelan deportees, according to Bukele
-
International5 days agoFrom the transfer of the coffin to the funeral, three days to say goodbye to Pope Francis
-
International5 days agoA very heterogeneous and divided conclave will elect the new pope
-
International5 days agoModi returns to India and shortens his visit to Saudi Arabia after a deadly attack in Kashmir
-
International2 days ago“A dignified life” for migrants, the plea in Panama in memory of Pope Francis
-
International2 days agoA magnitude 6 earthquake shakes the province of Esmeraldas in Ecuador, bordering Colombia
-
International3 days agoThe Arab League supports Hamas handing over control of Gaza and weapons to the Palestinian Authority
-
International3 days agoThe Pope’s funeral procession through the center of Rome worries the Italian authorities
-
International5 days agoDonald Trump will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in mid-May
-
International2 days agoA Russian general dies in the explosion of a car bomb near Moscow
-
International5 days agoThe Peruvian Public Ministry denounces the former attorney general for an alleged corruption case
-
International5 days agoMaradona’s house arrest is again a focus of tension in the trial for his death
-
International5 days agoA judge orders the Trump Government to restore Voice of America services
-
International3 days agoMigrants want to stay on Mexico’s southern border because of Sheinbaum’s industrial plan
-
International5 days agoThe president of the World Bank underlines his intention to lift his veto on nuclear energy
-
International3 days agoAbout 150,000 people say goodbye to the pope in St. Peter’s Basilica before the funeral
-
International1 day agoTrump and Zelensky hold “very productive” meeting in Rome during Pope’s funeral
-
International3 days agoA group of the poor and a delegation of migrants will participate in the funeral and burial of the pope on Saturday
-
International2 days agoPope Francis’ funeral procession will be a six-kilometer journey through the heart of Rome
-
International1 day agoCardinals seek a “unifier” as they prepare for conclave to elect new pope
-
International5 days agoMarco Rubio reorganizes the State Department to eliminate offices and jobs
-
International2 days agoPreparations for Pope Francis’ funeral, in figures
-
International2 days agoPutin and Witkoff address possible direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine
-
International5 days agoThe Brazilian Supreme Court opens trial against six others accused of leading the coup attempt
-
International3 days agoFrom email to marriage: the day Pope Francis married a Uruguayan couple
-
International3 days agoThe pope’s doctor reveals his last moments of life and that he wanted to “die at home”
-
International2 days agoThe protocol for the funeral of Pope Francis, a delicate diplomatic work
-
International5 days agoA judge in the United States stops the deportation to El Salvador of a hundred Venezuelans
-
International2 days agoSocial networks, protagonists in the farewell to Pope Francis for ‘selfies’ in front of his coffin
-
International2 days agoIndia asks to identify Pakistani citizens in the country to ensure their departure before Sunday
-
International2 days agoIndia destroys the homes of the alleged attackers in Kashmir with excavators
-
International3 days agoA 4.5 magnitude earthquake shakes the coast of the Aegean Sea in Turkey without leaving injuries or damage
-
International12 hours agoNine dead after driver runs over crowd at Vancouver Street Festival
-
International12 hours agoKing Charles III expresses deep sadness after Vancouver festival tragedy that left nine dead