International

Tainan official says more survivors found in collapsed building

  (Reuters)– A rescue official said on Tuesday (February 9) that more signs of life have been found in the debris of a building in Taiwan, three days after it collapsed during a powerful earthquake. Local broadcaster FTV reported the possible survivors were located on the 14th floor of the building. Search and rescue work was underway at the site, with rescuers proceeding carefully. “It appears that there are signs of life. So as a […]

Storm Imogen batters Britain with strong winds and rain

JERSEY, Channel Islands, United Kingdom (Reuters) — Storm Imogen sent 100 mile per hour winds and 60-foot waves hurtling towards the British coastline on Monday (February 8), leaving much of southern England and Wales battered. In Devon, families were left trapped inside their homes after collapsed trees blocked their way out. But the damage was more serious for the residents of one apartment building in Bristol, where tree branches had actually come hurtling through their walls […]

Widespread Zika vaccine not likely to be available for years – U.S. official

  (Reuters) — U.S. health officials said on Monday (February 8) that a widespread vaccine to combat the Zika virus will likely not be available for years. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told reporters during a briefing at the White House that initial steps are under way but health officials believe it is “unlikely to have vaccine that’s widely available for a few years.” “The good news […]

White House: ‘Impactful response’ needed in North Korea

REUTERS — Allies of the United States agree that an “impactful response” is needed following a rocket launch in North Korea over the weekend, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Monday. (Febuary 8) “There certainly is an agreement about an impactful response being necessary,” Earnest said at a news briefing. “That means considering a range of economic sanctions that would further isolate North Korea.” The Pentagon confirmed that it will start formal talks with […]

Tainan mayor says number of victims trapped after quake higher than first thought

  (Reuters) — The mayor of the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan said on Monday (February 8) that more people were feared trapped inside the rubble of a collapsed apartment block than first thought. Speaking to journalists beside the building, which was toppled by an earthquake on Saturday (February 6), William Lai said rescuers had corrected upwards the number of people still thought to be inside. “As of now the number of people trapped inside […]

Suicide bomber in Afghan city kills 3, wounds 14

REUTERS — At least three people were killed and 14 wounded on Monday (February 8) when a suicide bomber attacked a bus carrying with Afghan army personnel in northern Afghanistan, officials said. The blast occurred just before 8 a.m. in Dehdadi district, not far from the Balkh provincial capital of Mazar-i-Sharif, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defense. The ministry put the number of wounded at eight, while Munir Ahmad Farhad, a spokesman […]

Taiwan earthquake records 35 dead

The 6.4 earthquake that hit Taiwan claimed 35 casualties as rescue operations continue, with hundreds still missing under the rubble of a 17-storey building. (Eagle News Service Described by Jay Paul Carlos, Video Editing by Jericho Morales, Uploaded by MRFaith Bonalos)

Philippines condemns North Korea’s missile test

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, condemned the long range missile testing of North Korea, saying that said act is a violation of the United Nations Security Council resolution. (Eagle News Service Described by Jay Paul Carlos, Video Editing by Jericho Morales, Uploaded by MRFaith Bonalos)

Thousands of Syrian refugees stranded at Turkey-Syria border

  (Courtesy CCTV) — Thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing the latest offensive in Aleppo and surrounding towns are still stranded in Kilis at the Turkey-Syria border. Though there is a significant aid effort taking place, there are many concerns due to the harsh conditions they are enduring. A major one is the potential spread of disease due to the cold weather. The refugees have been desperately waiting in already overcrowded camps at the border for […]

Japan says it will consider ‘measures’ over North Korea rocket launch

JAPAN’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told journalists on Monday (February 8) that Japan is preparing to decide whether to impose measures against North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) after it launched what it said was a satellite early on Sunday (February 7) morning. North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket carrying what it called a satellite drew renewed international condemnation just weeks after it carried out a nuclear weapon test. Critics of the […]

101 die in Nigeria from Lassa fever outbreak

A growing Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria has killed 101 people, as West Africa battles to contain a flare-up of the virus, according to data from the nation’s health authorities released Saturday. Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) statistics show that reported cases of the haemorrhagic disease — both confirmed and suspected — stood at 175 with a total of 101 deaths since August. “As at today, 19 (including Abuja) states are currently following up […]

Two survivors rescued from rubble of Taiwan quake

  TAINAN, Taiwan (AFP) — Two survivors were Monday rescued from the rubble of an apartment complex in Taiwan felled by an earthquake, after being trapped for more than 50 hours. One man was lifted out by crane, said AFP reporters at the toppled Wei-kuan building in the southern city of Tainan. A woman had also been freed earlier according to rescuers. Local media identified the man as 40-year-old Lee Tsong-tian — rescuers had earlier told how […]