Chinese student found alive in US
after 'cyber kidnapping'
UTAH, Jan 02: A Chinese foreign exchange student has been found freezing but alive in the US after his parents were extorted out of tens of thousands of dollars in a "cyber kidnapping" scam. Kai Zhuang was discovered "very cold and scared" in a tent in rural Utah, Riverdale Police said in a statement. The 17-year-old is believed to have isolated himself after being manipulated by the kidnappers. His parents were then tricked into paying around $80,000 (£62,600). Zhuang is one of a number of foreign students targeted by so-called cyber kidnappers in the US recently, Riverdale Police added in their statement. Police believe Kai was being controlled by the kidnappers as early as 20 December, when he was seen by officers in Provo, Utah, carrying camping equipment. — BBC
Gunmen kill three Manipur villagers
LILONG, Jan 02: At least three people were killed and five seriously injured when gunmen in camouflage fatigues opened fire on villagers in India's restive northeastern state of Manipur, officials said on Tuesday, as sporadic violence continued in the region. At least 180 people have died since fierce fighting broke out between members of the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities in the state in May, following a court order suggesting privileges granted to Kukis also be extended to Meiteis. The latest violence was reported from the Lilong area of Thoubal district on Monday when the group in camouflage fatigues opened indiscriminate fire on locals. "Three people died of bullet wounds while five others are in hospital with multiple injuries," a senior police official told Reuters by phone. — Reuters
Russia pounds Ukrainian cities
KYIV, Jan 02: Russia pounded Kyiv and Kharkiv with missiles on Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said, hours after President Vladimir Putin promised to avenge what Moscow said was a Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod that killed 24 civilian people. Russia barraged the Ukrainian capital with waves of missiles during the morning peak-hour, cutting off power in parts of the city and sending debris from downed weapons falling across the area. "Explosions in the capital," Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram messaging app, urging people to stay safe. Ukraine's air force said earlier on Tuesday it had destroyed all 35 attack drones that Russia launched after midnight targeting several cities in Ukraine, including Kyiv. — Reuters
Volcano eruption: Thousands evacuated
MAUMERE, 02: More than 2,000 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters amid heightened volcanic activities in a volcano in eastern Indonesia, a local official said Tuesday. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara province has erupted several times in recent weeks, including an eruption on Monday that spewed volcanic ash 1.5 kilometres (4,800 feet) above its peak, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG). The agency recorded another eruption from Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Tuesday but ash clouds from the volcano were not observed, it said in a statement. Volcanic ashes from recent eruptions have affected two sub-districts near Lewotobi Laki-Laki mountain, prompting more than 2,200 residents to evacuate to temporary shelters set up by local governments, Benediktus Bolibapa Herin, an official for East Flores district, told AFP on Tuesday. — AFP
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