Fireworks explosions kill 24 in Mexico

AFP, Titltepec

At least 24 people were killed in a series of explosions Thursday at fireworks warehouses in the town of Tultepec in central Mexico, including rescue workers who died saving others' lives, officials said.

Tultepec, a town of 65,000 people just north of Mexico City, is known for its artisanal fireworks - and a history of deadly accidents.

Record heavy rain hits Japan, 3 more killed AFP, Tokyo

Three people were found dead near rain-swollen rivers in Japan yesterday, officials said, as record downpours prompted authorities to order more than 210,000 people to evacuate their homes, with some areas hit by more than a metre of rainfall. Several people have been reported missing, with landslides reported in some areas and flash floods in others.

Malaysia PM says will not deport Zakir Naik AFP, Putrajaya

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said a controversial Indian Islamic preacher allegedly wanted in his home country for terror-related activities and hate speech will not be sent back. Zakir Naik, a radical television preacher, reportedly left India in 2016 and subsequently moved to largely Muslim Malaysia, where he was granted permanent residency.

UK police hunt'nerve agent' object AFP, Salisbury

Police on Friday raced to find the object that contaminated a British couple with the Soviet-made Novichok nerve agent in southwestern England where a former Russian spy was poisoned with the same toxin four months ago. London blames Russia for the Skripal attack. Russia has strongly denied the accusation.

Trump's environment chief resigns

AFP, Washington

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the departure of his environment chief, Scott Pruitt, who faced ever-growing ethics scandals over his spending and conduct in office. Trump tweeted that Pruitt's deputy, the former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler, would take over Monday as acting head of the agency. Pruitt is multiple investigations.