A round-up of today's other world news in brief
Quakes minutes apart hit Taiwan
TAIPEI – Two earthquakes minutes apart rattled Taiwan yesterday, the Central Weather Bureau said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The epicentre of the stronger quake, which struck at 2.05am (1805 GMT) measured 6.3 on the Richter scale, and was located 57km (35 miles) east of Taiwan’s coastal city of Hualien, said the bureau. It was recorded at a depth of 9.3km.
The quake came three minutes after another smaller tremor hit Taiwan’s eastern Ilan county and measured 4.0 on the Richter scale at a depth of 12.9km.
The US Geological Survey only reported one magnitude 6.3 earthquake which it said struck 40 miles east of Hualien and was 15.3 miles deep.
It said there was no immediate tsunami warning but earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within 62 miles of the earthquake epicentre.
– (Reuters)
Cancer report
SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has life-threatening pancreatic cancer, South Korean broadcaster YTN said yesterday, citing information gathered from Chinese and South Korean intelligence sources.
The report fuelled speculation about Mr Kim’s health while raising questions about the future of Asia’s only communist dynasty. It also comes after a gaunt Kim made a rare public appearance last Wednesday at a memorial for his father Kim Il-sung. The stark figure he cast heightened speculation the 67-year-old leader was ill.
– (Reuters)
US surgeon general named
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama nominated an Alabama country doctor, who has three times resurrected her clinic in a fishing village after disasters, to be US surgeon general and help him advocate for healthcare reform.
Dr Regina Benjamin promised to advocate for Mr Obama’s healthcare agenda as “America’s doctor” if she gets the job as chief public spokesperson on health issues, saying her own family and patients have been victims of the failing US system.
“Through floods and fire and severe want, Regina Benjamin has refused to give up. Her patients have refused to give up,” Mr Obama said yesterday.
US surgeons general in the past have issued influential reports on topics including smoking, Aids and mental health.
Dr Benjamin said she not only wanted to serve in the traditional role of surgeon general, encouraging healthy habits, but would press to make medical care more easily available. – (Reuters)