Myanmar: Up to 100 missing in jade mine landslide

As many as 200 people were reported to have joined search and rescue efforts  HPAKANT (Myanmar), Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — As many as 100 people are feared missing after a landslide at a jade mine in Myanmar. Rescue teams are desperately searching for people in a nearby lake, with most…

New Zealand’s Health Ministry warns of radioactive material in health items sold online

WELLINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-XINHUA) — New Zealand’s Ministry of Health has  recommended consumers exercise caution when buying alternative health products online. Overseas regulators reported radioactive material in a number of pendants, jewelry items, sleep masks and bracelets, a ministry statement said. The products are claimed to offer protection against radiation…

Covid-19: 335 new cases in Singapore, including record 76 imported infections

There are 76 imported cases of Covid-19 in Singapore on Dec 23, the highest number of new imported infections reported here since the start of the pandemic SINGAPORE, Dec 24 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore reported 335 new Covid-19 cases and one fatality as of noon on Wednesday. This takes the country’s…

UK virus cases top 106,000 in record

LONDON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UK government reported 106,122 new virus cases in the last 24 hours, the first time the daily figure has topped 100,000, as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly.    The UK is one of Europe’s most affected by the virus with 147,573 deaths since the pandemic…

UN Security Council adopts resolution to ease Afghan aid

 UNITED NATIONS, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a US-proposed resolution to help humanitarian aid reach desperate Afghans, while seeking to keep funds out of Taliban hands.    The resolution — a first step by the UN after months of wrangling over how to avert a humanitarian…

Covid-19: US regulator authorizes Merck’s pill

  WASHINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Merck’s Covid pill for high risk adults, a day after giving the green light to a similar pill by Pfizer.    “Today’s authorization provides an additional treatment option against the COVID-19 virus in the form of…

Covid-19: UN General Assembly president tests positive, self-isolating

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 24 (NNN-XINHUA) — Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is self-isolating.    “I have tested positive for COVID19 today. I am isolating at home with mild symptoms,” Shahid tweeted. “I was privileged to…

Weekly COVID-19-related mortality down 9pc worldwide: WHO

GENEVA, Dec 24 (NNN-TASS) — Over 4.1 mln people contracted the coronavirus infection worldwide over the past week, more than 44,000 died, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported.    The number of new infections decreased by 2%, while the number of fatalities declined by 9% compared to the previous seven-day…

Two dead after blast in Indian court building

     NEW DELHI, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two people were killed and two others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an Indian court building on Thursday, police said.   Footage showed police officers carrying the injured out of the building and asking others to leave the premises after the explosion near…

Covid-19: US announces first recorded Omicron-related death

HOUSTON, Dec 21 (NNN-Xinhua) — An unvaccinated man living in Harris County, Texas, is believed to be the first victim having died from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the United States, local media reported Monday. “Sad to report the first local fatality from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. A…