Explosion Sparks Major Fire At Nippon Steel’s Factory In Hokkaido

TOKYO, Dec 1 (NNN-NHK) – An explosion occurred at a factory in Muroran city, in Hokkaido, northernmost Japan, today, triggering a large fire and scattering concrete debris across the site. According to the local fire department, residents near the North Japan Works of Nippon Steel in Muroran, called emergency services…

Iraq Resumes Iranian Gas Imports After Maintenance

BAGHDAD, Dec 1 (NNN-INA) – Iraq resumed importing natural gas from Iran yesterday, at a rate of five million cubic metres per day, the electricity ministry said, following a brief suspension for pipeline maintenance. Ministry spokesman, Ahmed Musa, said, the restart allowed authorities to bring generating units back online, at…

Sri Lankan President Pledges Full State Support For Recovery From “Worst” Natural Disaster

COLOMBO, Dec 1 (NNN-LNW) – Sri Lankan President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday, described the ongoing extreme weather crisis as the worst natural disaster the country has ever faced, pledging full state support for recovery from the catastrophe. In a special address to the nation, the president said, the government carries…

Death Toll From Floods, Landslides In Indonesia Rises To 442

JAKARTA, Dec 1 (NNN-ANTARA) – The death toll from recent floods and landslides across three provinces on Indonesia’s Sumatra Island has risen to 442, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), said yesterday. BNPB Chief, Suharyanto, said at a press briefing that, North Sumatra recorded the highest number of casualties. “The…

Netanyahu Requests Pardon From President Over Corruption Trial

JERUSALEM, Dec 1 (NNN-XINHUA) – Recalcitrant Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, submitted a formal pardon request to President Isaac Herzog, yesterday, according to a statement from the president’s office. In a letter sent by Netanyahu and his lawyers, a copy of which was seen by Xinhua, Netanyahu stated that, he…

AirAsia Net Profit Plunges 57.61 Percent On Year To 168 Million USD

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30 (NNN-XINHUA) – Malaysia-based Capital A, the owner of low-cost airline AirAsia, saw its net profit tumble 57.61 percent, year-on-year, to 695.38 million ringgit (168.41 million U.S. dollars) in the third quarter ended Sept 30, dragged by foreign exchange losses. The firm said in a bourse filing…

Sri Lanka’s Weather Disaster Death Toll Climbs To 153

COLOMBO, Nov 30 (NNN-LNW) – Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), said last night, 153 people have died due to floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah. A total of 191 people are still missing as search and relief operations intensify across multiple districts, the DMC said. The DMC said,…

Pakistan Reaffirms Support For Palestinian People

ISLAMABAD, Nov 30 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, yesterday, reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people, on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In a message, the prime minister said, the government and people of Pakistan stand with the Palestinians, who, for decades…

Afghan Police Arrested Seven On Charge Of Deforestation In Western Badghis Province

KABUL, Nov 30 (NNN-BNA) – Afghan police arrested seven individuals on the charge of cutting trees and deforestation in the western Badghis province, provincial police spokesman, Sediq Sediqi said, today. All the seven people were busy cutting pistachio trees in Bala Murghab district on Friday night, when police arrested them…

Four Killed In India Residential Building Fire

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 (NNN-PTI) – At least four persons, including one woman, died, and a few others got injured, when a fire broke out inside a four-story residential building, in Delhi’s Sangam Vihar area, a local police said, today. The fire broke out late last night, in a shop,…