H5N1 bird flu outbreak detected in Laos

H5N1 bird flu outbreak detected in Laos.  (Photo from VNA/VNS)  VIENTIANE – The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Livestock and Fisheries recently reported an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in a Vientiane market. The Lao centre for animal disease research said, of the 65 poultry samples it received from Danxang market in Saythani district, 30 were…

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Casualties in raging Chile forest fires now at 88 at least

BOGOTA, Colombia – At least 99 people have been killed and 1,600 have been left homeless by forest fires in central Chile’s Valparaiso region, authorities said. Chile’s Legal Medical Service, the state coroner said “its forensic institution delivers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.” There are 161 active fires across Chile, according to Alvaro Hormazabal, director…

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Ash clouds cover Indonesia’s Java island towns as Mount Merapi erupts

ISTANBUL – Mount Merapi, Indonesia’s most active volcano, began spewing lava on Sunday, with ash clouds covering some towns on the Java island, a senior official said. The rocks and lava flows spewed by Merapi’s eruption spread over a two-kilometer (1.24-mile) area on the slopes of the volcano, the ABC News reported, citing Agus Budi Santoso, director of…

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Germany proposes a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine

LONDON – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has underscored the critical need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, asserting that Israelis and Palestinians can only live side by side in peace “if one’s security equals the other’s.” “This can only be achieved when everyone is willing to acknowledge the other’s suffering. We must spare no effort…

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Pope calls for global ban on surrogacy

ROME – Pope Francis on Monday called for the practice of surrogate motherhood to be banned worldwide.  “The path to peace demands respect for life, for every human life, starting with that of the unborn child in its mother’s womb, which cannot be suppressed, nor become an object of commodification,” Pope Francis said during a New Year audience…

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South Korea bans dog meat trade 

ISTANBUL – The South Korean Parliament on Tuesday passed a law that will ban the breeding, butchering, distribution and marketing of dogs for meat by 2027. The bill bagged 208 votes and two abstentions, as reported by the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency. Law enforcement will begin in 2027, and violators could face a maximum two years in prison or a fine of up…

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