While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Dec 22
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More than 1,000 people were displaced as a result of the first quake.
PHOTO: AFP
Strong quake strikes off battered Vanuatu
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu early on Dec 22, the US Geological Survey said, just days after a deadly 7.3-magnitude quake hit near the same island in the Pacific archipelago.
The nation’s main island, Efate, is still reeling from the Dec 17 quake, which killed 12 people as it toppled concrete buildings in the capital and set off landslides.
The latest quake on Dec 22 occurred at a depth of 40 kilometres and was located some 30 kilometres west of the capital Port Vila.
More than 30 dead in Brazil bus and truck collision
via REUTERS
A packed bus collided with a truck and burst into flames early on Dec 21 in Brazil, killing more than 30 people, the fire department said.
After completing the removal of victims from a major highway near the town of Teofilo Otoni in Minas Gerais, the state’s fire department estimated the number of fatalities between 32 and 35, including at least one child.
The exact death toll remains uncertain due to the condition of the bodies, which were burned beyond recognition.
Pope Francis to lead Sunday prayers from residence due to heavy cold
REUTERS
Pope Francis, who has been suffering from a heavy cold, will lead the regular Sunday Angelus prayers from his residence as a precaution, the Vatican said in a statement on Dec 21.
The decision was taken in view of cold weather in Rome and the pope’s commitments in the days leading up to Christmas, it added.
Pope Francis turned 88 on Dec 17 and has suffered bouts of ill health in recent years.
Jesus haunts Palace again as Arsenal close gap at top
EPA-EFE
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus proved a thorn in Crystal Palace’s side once again as the Brazilian forward scored twice in a 5-1 win at Selhurst Park which put his side three points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool on Dec 21.
Jesus netted a hat-trick as Arsenal beat Palace 3-2 in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday having only scored once in his previous 33 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side.
He found Palace to his liking again with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes and almost completed another hat-trick before the break as his header came off the post with Kai Havertz tapping in the rebound to make it 3-1.
Banned Russian skater Valieva stars at Moscow ice gala
AFP
Russian figure skating star Kamila Valieva, serving a four-year ban for doping, received a standing ovation as she stole the show at an ice gala in Moscow on Dec 21.
“Kamila!” fans chanted as bouquets of flowers were thrown onto the ice after her performance of the Mouse Queen in the ‘The Nutcracker’ which runs in Moscow until January 12.
Wearing a golden speckled costume and a small crown on her head, the 18-year-old told journalists she faced the challenge of jumping without preparation for the show.
