UN seeks US$6.5 million in aid after Philippine typhoon

A ‘help’ sign is painted on the roof beside homes damaged by Typhoon Rai in Siargao Island UNITED NATIONS, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations kicked off a campaign on Friday (Dec 24) to raise US$107.2 million in aid for victims of Typhoon Rai, which ravaged the Philippines last week.…

Cambodia’s ruling party endorses PM Hun Sen’s son as future leader

Cambodian army chief Gen Hun Manet , Prime Minister Hun Sen’s son, was endorsed by the Cambodia People’s Party on Friday to be a future prime ministerial candidate PHNOM PENH, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cambodia’s longtime ruling party voted to endorse Prime Minister Hun Sen’s eldest son as “future prime…

Covid-19: Thailand reports first Omicron cluster, cancels some New Year events

Thailand’s capital city Bangkok canceled government-sponsored New Year activity, including midnight prayers BANGKOK, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thailand reported on Friday its first domestic cluster of coronavirus infections from the Omicron variant in Kalasin province in north-eastern Thailand, officials said. “From the Kalasin cluster, there are 21 new infections,” said…

World Bank pledges $37 mn to help Lebanon teachers

 BEIRUT, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank said it agreed with its partners to repurpose $37 million in funds to help Lebanon’s public school teachers survive a crushing economic crisis.    The World Bank and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office would divert the money from the Lebanon…

Covid-19: Vaccine obligatory in Ecuador from age of 5

  QUITO, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ecuador became the first country to make coronavirus vaccines obligatory for children as young as five, following the arrival of the Omicron variant in the South American country.    “In Ecuador, vaccination against Covid-19 is declared compulsory,” the health ministry said in a statement.    “Compulsory…

Covid-19: Millions of Americans on the move amid Omicron’s Christmas surge

 WASHINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Millions of Americans were on the move Thursday during one of the busiest travel days of the holiday season, as Covid infections with Omicron surpassed the peak of the Delta wave and hospitals ran out of space for patients.   A Christmastime testing crunch compounded…

Russia, China jointly develop high-tech weapons: Putin

MOSCOW, Dec 24 (NNN-TASS) — Russia and China are jointly developing high-tech weapons as they cooperate in the security area, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.    “We cooperate [with China] in the security area,” he said during his annual news conference. “China’s armed forces are equipped with the…

Bangladesh: 39 killed in Jhalakathi ferry launch fire

 JHALAKATHI (Bangladesh), Dec 24 (NNN-BSS) — At least 39 people were killed and more than 70 sustained burn injuries when a passenger launch caught fire in the Sugandha river in Jhalakathi in the early hours of Friday. A total of 39 bodies of passengers have been recovered so far, while…

Hong Kong university removes Tiananmen massacre statue

The University of Hong Kong HONG KONG, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A monument at Hong Kong university that commemorates the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre was removed by workers early on Thursday despite objections by its creator from Denmark.The 8 meters tall Pillar of Shame, which depicts 50 torn and twisted…

Iran nuclear deal talks to resume on Dec 27: Officials

Negotiations restarted in November after a five-month hiatus VIENNA, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Negotiations to revive a 2015 nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers will resume on Monday Dec 27 in Austria’s capital, officials have said.The announcement came on Thursday amid warnings the landmark agreement would become obsolete…