Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0600 GMT, Jan. 26

SEOUL -- The death toll from a hospital fire, which occurred at the Miryang city in southeastern South Korea, has jumped to 41, multiple local media reported Friday citing the country's firefighting authorities.

The blaze happened at about 7:30 a.m. local time Friday (2230 GMT Thursday) at the Sejong Hospital in Miryang city, South Gyeongsang province. It started from an emergency room on the hospital's first floor. (S. Korea-Fire)

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YANGON -- The Myanmar government has decided to terminate Bill Richardson, a former U.S. state governor, as a member of the Advisory Board for the Committee for Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine state.

According to a press release of the Ministry of the State Counselor's Office late Thursday, the government decided that his continued participation on the board would not be in the best interest of all concerned in view of the difference of opinion that developed. (Myanmar-Advisory Board)

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BANGKOK -- A fire broke out in northeastern Thailand's Khon Kaen airport on Friday, triggering power cut and cancellation of flights before noon, local media reported.

According to Daily News, the airport caught fire early in the morning of Friday. Airport officials found the blaze in the electrical room on the third floor. (Thailand-Fire)

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CANBERRA -- Quantum physicist Michelle Yvonne Simmons has been named Australian of the Year for her work launching Australian "into the space race of the computing era."

Simmons was honoured at a ceremony in Canberra on Thursday night ahead of Australia Day alongside Australia's Local Hero, mathematician Eddie Woo, Senior Australian of the Year Graham Farquhar and Matildas striker Sam Kerr, who was named Young Australian of the Year. (Australia-Physicist) Enditem