TOKYO -- The death toll rose to 206 in the central Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa as of Wednesday afternoon, nine days after a series of strong quakes of up to 7.6 magnitude jolted the prefecture and its vicinity, according to local authorities.

The prefectural government confirmed 91 deaths in Suzu City, 83 in Wajima City, 20 in Anamizu Town, five in Nanao City, four in Noto Town, two in Shika Town and one in Hakui City as of 2:00 p.m. local time.

Meanwhile, the number of people unaccounted for dropped to 52 in the hardest-hit prefecture, while at least 567 people have been injured due to the quakes. (Japan-Earthquake-Death Toll)

- - - -

MANILA -- The Philippines and Indonesia on Wednesday agreed to strengthen energy cooperation to safeguard energy security.

Energy ministers of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy cooperation at the presidential palace in Manila, where Indonesian President Joko Widodo was received by his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.

Widodo arrived in Manila on Tuesday night for a three-day official visit. (Philippines-Indonesia-Energy)

- - - -

SEOUL -- Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party, was discharged from a hospital on Wednesday after being stabbed in the neck last week.

Lee told a televised press conference in front of the hospital in Seoul that the war-like politics of killing and eliminating opponents should be ended, expressing his hope that his incident could become an opportunity to end the politics of hatred, and restore the politics of mutual respect and coexistence.

Lee was stabbed in his left neck by a man in his 60s during a visit to the southeastern port city of Busan on Jan. 2. (South Korea-Opposition Party Leader)

- - - -

WELLINGTON -- The past three years have been record setting years in New Zealand summer temperatures, with 2023 confirmed to be the second hottest year on record, scientists said on Wednesday.

The year of 2022 was New Zealand's warmest year on record, surpassing the record set the year before in 2021, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) meteorologist Tristan Meyers said last month.

Global climate scientists said 2023 had Earth's warmest temperatures by an "exceptionally large" margin. 2024 could be even warmer. (NZ-2023-Weather)

- - - -

CANBERRA -- Australia's rate of inflation has fallen to its lowest level in almost two years.

According to official data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday, the consumer price index (CPI), Australia's headline measure of inflation, rose by 4.3 percent in the 12 months to the end of November 2023.

It marks a fall from a 4.9 percent rise in the 12 months to the end of October 2023 and the slowest annual rate of price rises since January 2022. (Australia-Inflation-Drop)

- - - -

KUALA LUMPUR -- Floods in Malaysia have displaced 9,681 people as of 4:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday, with Johor state being the worst hit.

According to the country's social welfare department, 8,180 have been displaced in Johor state, while another 1,501 have been displaced in neighboring Pahang state with the victims being housed in 74 flood relief centers.

The meteorological department has issued warnings of heavy rains due to the northeast monsoon, which typically lasts from October to March, with strong winds and rough seas expected, in northern states and the east coast of the Southeast Asian country. (Malaysia-Floods) Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)