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,”…

Myanmar leader Suu Kyi departs for genocide hearings amid fanfare at home

YANGON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Myanmar leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi departed on Sunday for the U.N’s top court in The Hague to defend the country against charges of genocide of its Rohingya Muslim minority. Suu Kyi was pictured smiling as she walked through the…

S. Korea vows every possible step to keep nuclear dialogue alive

SEOUL, Dec 9 (NNN-YONHAP) — South Korea will take every possible measure to keep the dialogue momentum between North Korea and the United States alive, the unification ministry said Monday, noting a “grave” situation following Pyongyang’s recent unspecified test at its satellite launching site. On Sunday, North Korea said it…

Samoa: No reprieve as Samoa measles toll hits 70

APIA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A devastating measles outbreak continued to spread in Samoa, data released Monday showed, as the death toll from the epidemic climbed to 70, mostly young children.Official figures showed there were 112 new cases in the 24 hours to Monday morning, despite a massive immunisation drive…
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