YANGON -- At least 144 people were killed and 732 injured in Myanmar after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake jolted the country on Friday, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported.
Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that the deaths included 96 from the capital Nay Pyi Taw, 18 from Sagaing and 30 from Kyaukse, according to the report. (Myanmar-Quake-Casualties)
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MANILA -- The Philippines' Department of Health on Friday said that it tallied 76,425 dengue cases nationwide from January to March 15 this year, with a 78 percent increase year-on-year.
The department said in a statement that the case fatality rate this year remained lower than last year, but the agency did not provide the dengue deaths figure. (Philippines-Dengue Cases)
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BANGKOK -- Initial reports showed three people were killed and 81 others trapped under a collapsed 30-story building in the Thai capital, after a strong earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told media after inspection on the spot.
Phumtham noted that the earthquake caused strong tremors in many areas of Bangkok, and the government is worried about the impact of aftershocks, which are now under close monitoring. (Thailand-Earthquake-Building)
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CANBERRA -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has visited Governor-General Sam Mostyn to dissolve the federal parliament and formally call a general election for May 3.
Albanese on Friday asked her to initiate the formal process for an election to be held on May 3 to elect members of the 48th Parliament of Australia. (Australia-PM-Election)
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SEOUL -- The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.
Since March 21, infernos had broken out in 11 areas, mostly in the southeastern Gyeongsang province, and five of them were completely extinguished, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters. (South Korea-Wildfire) ■
