Philippines to re-open to vaccinated foreign tourists
The Philippines will re-open to fully vaccinated tourists from most countries on February 10 and lift quarantine requirements, officials said Friday, nearly two years after closing its borders to contain the coronavirus.
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Judge cancels major US oil and gas exploration sale
A judge on Thursday canceled the sale of oil and gas exploration leases of some 80 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico, after environmental groups sued the Biden administration citing major concerns.
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Favourite son Eto'o is pride of Cup of Nations host city Douala
Samuel Eto'o left for Europe to become one of the greatest African footballers of all time but it was in the city of Douala that he first made his name and where residents continue to idolise the former Barcelona superstar.
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China Unicom says no 'justifiable grounds' for US ban
China Unicom said Friday there were no "justifiable grounds" for a US order that banned the company from operating in the country on national security concerns.
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Not easy being green: China's 'health codes' define Covid-era life
Days after buying over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy in Beijing, university student Yu was stunned to find her prized green health code -- the essential rating needed to enter the city's shops, offices and public transport -- was gone.
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Covid-hit Dupont 'lifts spirits' with Toulouse return after GQ cover shoot
France captain Antoine Dupont is expected to play his first game in seven weeks on Saturday as champions Toulouse welcome Racing 92 in the French Top 14 after the scrum-half suffered a knee issue and contracted coronavirus.
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China quietly locks down area near Beijing with Olympics a week away
Chinese authorities locked down an area neighbouring the capital city of Beijing this week following a handful of reported Covid cases, but made no public announcements about the fresh restrictions with just a week until the Winter Olympics.
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Ex-government workers mine for salvation in Afghan mountains
In the bone-splitting chill of the Afghan mountains, Mohammad Israr Muradi digs through coarse earth spilling from the open mouth of an emerald mine.
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Mladenovic-Dodig win Australian Open mixed doubles title
France's Kristina Mladenovic and Croatia's Ivan Dodig were crowned Australian Open mixed doubles champions Friday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Australian pair Jaimee Fourlis and Jason Kubler.
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Debacle on ice: The strange journey of China's Olympic hockey team
The Chinese men's hockey team were lined up as lambs to the slaughter for the NHL's stars and nearly barred from their own Olympics. Now, against all hope, they just might not get blown off the ice.
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