Malaysia reports first case of polio since 1992

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A three-month-old Malaysian infant has been diagnosed with polio, the first case reported in the country in nearly three decades, a top health official said. The baby boy from Tuaran in Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island tested positive for polio on Friday after…

Thailand delays deporting family of Rakhine insurgent leader

Tun Myat Naing is the commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army, which has been fighting the Myanmar army in Rakhine state BANGKOK, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thailand will delay the deportation of the wife and children of the top commander of the Arakan Army insurgent group that is fighting Myanmar’s army…

Firemen hailed as heroes in Delhi horror blaze

The walls of a building stand blackened after it caught fire in New Delhi NEW DELHI, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES0 — Two firemen who rescued 27 people were hailed as heroes Monday after Delhi’s deadliest fire in decades killed 43, prompting outrage that safety regulations were yet again ignored. The blaze…

Pope appoints Philippine cardinal to global Vatican post

Cardinal Luis Tagle VATICAN CITY, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis named Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle to a major global Vatican post in a move likely to increase the Filipino’s chances of one day being elected pope himself. The Vatican said the 62-year-old archbishop of Manila will move to Rome…

Australia braces for more fires as extreme temperatures predicted

Smoke of fire rise next to firefighting vehicles as bushfires burn in Newnes Plateau, New South Wales SYDNEY, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of firefighters were fortifying containment lines on Monday as temperatures were forecast to soar, increasing the danger of a fresh wave of bushfires across Australia’s east coast.…

Tourists stranded as storms batter New Zealand

WELLINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Almost 1,000 tourists were stranded in New Zealand’s South Island on Monday after wild storms cut highways, washed away bridges and flooded the rugged landscape. Meteorologists said up to 400mm of rain was dumped on the South Island over 24 hours by a severe weather…

Update: At least 1 dead after New Zealand’s White Island volcano erupts

WELLINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least one person was killed when New Zealand’s White Island volcano erupted suddenly on Monday, leaving authorities scrambling to treat the injured and find those unaccounted for. New Zealand police said more fatalities were likely.  Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the volcanic island –…

Iran unveils budget of ‘resistance’ against US sanctions

President Rouhani TEHRAN, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday presented to parliament what he called a “budget of resistance” against crippling sanctions imposed by arch-enemy the United States. “Next year, similar to the current year, our budget is a budget of resistance and perseverance against sanctions,”…

Asia: Health experts warn of emerging threat of Nipah virus

LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-CNA) — A deadly virus called Nipah carried by bats has already caused human outbreaks across South and South East Asia and has “serious epidemic potential”, global health and infectious disease specialists said). The virus, identified in 1999 in Malaysia and Singapore, has sparked outbreaks with mortality…

100 people near New Zealand volcano when it erupted, unknown numbers unaccounted for: PM Ardern

WELLINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — About 100 tourists were “on or around” New Zealand’s White Island volcano when it erupted on Monday, and an unknown number are unaccounted for, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “It is very much an evolving situation and of course all our thoughts arewith those affected,”…
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