short takes

16 held for Israel church arson
AFP, TABGHA: A suspected arson attack damaged a revered Christian shrine in northern Israel overnight, and police detained 16 young Jewish settlers for questioning yesterday. The Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shores of the Sea of Galilee is where many Christians believe Jesus fed the 5,000 in the miracle of the five loaves and two fish.
Thailand detects 1st MERS case
AFP, BANGKOK:Thai health officials yesterday said a 75-year-old man from the Middle East was confirmed to have MERS, the country's first case after a deadly outbreak of the virus hit South Korea. The man is from a Middle Eastern country. The results confirmed that he has Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, said Rajata Rajatanavin, Thailand's Public Health Minister, adding the patient had arrived in the kingdom with his family three days ago.
Denmark votes in close polls
AFP, COPENHAGEN: Polls opened in Denmark yesterday in an election that was too close to call, after a three-week campaign focusing on immigration and the economy. Politicians of all stripes campaigned until the last minute amid speculation that the outcome of the race could be decided in Denmark's two former colonies, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
S Korea confirms new PM
AFP, SEOUL: South Korea's parliament endorsed the appointment of Hwang Kyo-Ahn as prime minister yesterday, whose immediate priority will be to tackle a MERS outbreak which has claimed 23 lives. The move came a month after Hwang, a 58-year-old former justice minister, was selected by President Park Geun-Hye to become the prime minister.

short takes

16 held for Israel church arson AFP, TABGHA: A suspected arson attack damaged a revered Christian shrine in northern Israel overnight, and police detained 16 young Jewish settlers for questioning yesterday. The Church of the Multiplication at Tabgha on the shores of the Sea of Galilee is where many Christians believe Jesus fed the 5,000 in the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. Thailand detects 1st MERS case AFP, BANGKOK:Thai health officials yesterday said a 75-year-old man from the Middle East was confirmed to have MERS, the countrys first case after a deadly outbreak of the virus hit South Korea. The man is from a Middle Eastern country. The results confirmed that he has Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, said Rajata Rajatanavin, Thailands Public Health Minister, adding the patient had arrived in the kingdom with his family three days ago. Denmark votes in close polls AFP, COPENHAGEN: Polls opened in Denmark yesterday in an election that was too close to call, after a three-week campaign focusing on immigration and the economy. Politicians of all stripes campaigned until the last minute amid speculation that the outcome of the race could be decided in Denmarks two former colonies, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. S Korea confirms new PM AFP, SEOUL: South Koreas parliament endorsed the appointment of Hwang Kyo-Ahn as prime minister yesterday, whose immediate priority will be to tackle a MERS outbreak which has claimed 23 lives. The move came a month after Hwang, a 58-year-old former justice minister, was selected by President Park Geun-Hye to become the prime minister.