News In Brief

AP, Islamabad

Asghar Khan, veteran politician and the first Pakistani air force chief after the country gained independence from Britain, has died. He was 96.
Khan was born in Kashmir in northern India in January 1921. He joined India’s Air Force in 1940, then moved to Pakistan where he became the first Pakistani air force chief. Before him, British officers held top military posts in newly independent Pakistan.

UN SC to meet on Iran protests

AFP, United Nations

The United States has requested a UN Security Council emergency meeting on the deadly unrest in Iran to be held on Friday, diplomats said.
Washington asked that the meeting be scheduled at 3:00 pm (2000 GMT) to discuss the protests that began on December 28.

NY building fire death toll now 13

AFP, New York

The death toll from a fire that ripped through an apartment building in New York’s Bronx district last week has risen to 13, after a 27-year-old man died of his injuries, police said Thursday.
The latest victim was identified as Holt Francis. Three other members of his family-wife Karen and their two young daughters-were already confirmed dead in the December 28 blaze, the deadliest in New York in more than 25 years.

6 killed in Myanmar landslide

Xinhua, Yangon

Six people were killed and another one was injured in landslide near a jade mine in Myanmar’s Kachin state on Thursday evening, the Information Ministry said on Friday.
The landslide occurred due to the collapse of a 45.7-meter-high, 60.9 meter-long spoil tip which was formed by waste dug out by Nine Dragons (Mine Ayeyar) mining company at 3:30 p.m. local time.

14 dead in S Africa train mishap

AP, Kroonstad

A passenger train smashed into a truck at a level crossing in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 14 people, injuring 190 and throwing several carriages off the rails.
Flames ripped through the twisted wreckage and choking black smoke rose into the air as desperate passengers clambered out of the train to escape the inferno.