Earthquake in Philippines
Manila, Feb 7: An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted the Davao del Sur province in the Philippines on Sunday, authorities said, adding that damages were expected. The Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) said the quake, which struck at 12.22 p.m. (local time), hit at a depth of 15 m, about 6 km southeast of Magsaysay town, reports Xinhua news agency. The institute said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, will trigger aftershocks and cause damage. The tremors was also felt in Kadapawan City, Koronadal City in South Cotabato and other areas in the Mindanao region. It was not immediately known if there were any casualties or injuries. (IANS)
Pope greets public again
Vatican City, Feb 7: Pope Francis has resumed greeting the public in St. Peter’s Square, seven weeks after he interrupted the Sunday noon ritual to discourage crowds from gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Smiling broadly, Francis appeared at an Apostolic Palace window overlooking the square and greeted a couple of hundred people standing a safe distance apart in the cobblestone square. Most held umbrellas on a drizzly, windy day. “In the square again!” Francis said. He appeared on the first Sunday since the Rome area regained Italy’s “yellow zone” designation, which carries the least restrictions on movement. Normally thousands of pilgrims, tourists and locals would turn out in the vast square on Sundays to hear the pope. (AP)
Global COVID cases top 105.7m
Washington, Feb 7: The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 105.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.30 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 105,724,227 and 2,307,219, respectively. The US is the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 26,908,962 and 461,910, respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 10,814,304. (IANS)