11 killed in Brazil rains
Rio de Janerio, Jan 13: Heavy rains in southeastern Brazil have claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including nine who were killed in landslides in the valley region of Minas Gerais state during Sunday morning, said local authorities. According to the state fire department, landslides killed nine people and left one missing in the city of Ipatinga. The city was hit by both landslides and flooding after a downpour of 80 millimetres of rain per square metre fell in less than an hour. In response, local officials declared a 180-day state of public disaster. (IANS)
Tsunami alert issued after quake hits Japan
Tokyo, Jan 13: Japan on Monday evening warned of a possible tsunami following an earthquake of around 6.9 magnitude, that struck the southwestern region of the country. The 9:19 pm quake measured a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic scale of 7 in part of Miyazaki Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Subsequently, a tsunami advisory was issued for Miyazaki and Kochi prefectures by the weather agency. (IANS)
Thailand approves draft bill to legalise casinos
Bangkok, Jan 13: Thailand’s Cabinet approved on Monday a draft bill legalising casinos with the aim of boosting tourism and a sluggish economy. Some forms of gambling, such as betting on boxing and horse racing, are allowed but casinos remain illegal in the Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told reporters following the cabinet meeting the bill would also help attract more investments and solve issues of illegal gambling “It will benefit society as a whole in the future.” “This is part of the government’s policy to support sustainable tourism, or man-made destinations, which was addressed in Parliament.” (AP)
China launches new warship
Beijing, Jan 13: The Chinese navy has launched an amphibious assault ship which will double up as a drone carrier, integrating the battleship with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a Chinese naval official said. China’s newly launched Type 076 amphibious assault ship will play a key role in boosting uncrewed combat capabilities, a navy commander has said in the first official acknowledgement of the warship’s widely speculated role as a drone carrier. In an interview aired by state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval commander Chi Jianjun said efforts to integrate uncrewed or UAV systems into military training were already underway across the fleet, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Monday. (PTI)
Imran, his wife’s verdict postponed again
Islamabad, Jan 13: A Pakistani court on Monday postponed for the third time the announcement of the verdict in the 190 million pounds Al-Qadir Trust corruption case against former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The Anti-Corruption Court in Islamabad has now set January 17 as the date for announcing the verdict. (PTI)