ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Highlights Regional Centrality, Economic Integrity

JAKARTA, Aug 8 (NNN-ANTARA) – The general session of the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), kicked off here in Indonesia’s capital yesterday, calling for governments and parliaments in the region to promote regional economic growth and enhance ASEAN’s economic integration. “Amid the uncertainty of global economy, governments, members of parliaments…

Laos Benefits From Joining ASEAN: Laos’ Top Diplomat

VIENTIANE, Aug 8 (NNN-KPL) – Laos has benefited from joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was established 56 years ago, a top Lao diplomat said. Delivering a commemorative message, to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the 10-member bloc and Laos’ accession to the group, Lao…

Typhoon Khanun Forecast To Strike S. Korea This Week

SEOUL, Aug 7 (NNN-YONHAP) – Typhoon Khanun is forecast to strike South Korea later this week, the weather services said today. The typhoon is expected to pass through the Korean Peninsula after landing on the country’s south-eastern coast on Thursday morning, while maintaining strong power, according to the Korea Meteorological…

Two Killed In Military Trainer Aircraft Crash In Eastern Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Aug 7 (NNN-XINHUA) – Two military personnel died, after a trainer aircraft crashed at Sri Lanka’s Air Force Academy, based in Trincomalee city in Eastern Province this morning, the air force said. Director of Media of Sri Lanka Air Force, Dushan Wijesinghe told the media, the PT-6 trainer aircraft…

New Zealand Accelerates Wind, Solar Energy Projects

WELLINGTON, Aug 7 (NNN-XINHUA) – New Zealand is accelerating its shift to clean renewable energy, with fast-track referral of three wind farm projects for approval by consenting panels. If approved, the wind farms would cut about 150 million kg of carbon emissions and create up to 840 construction jobs, Energy…

Foreigners, Including Americans, Held In Afghan Prisons: Media

KABUL, Aug 7 (NNN-ANA) – A number of foreign nationals, including Americans, have been held in Afghanistan’s prisons, local TV TOLOnews reported today. Without revealing the exact number of imprisoned foreigners in Afghanistan, the caretaker government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said, “They have been held in connection with security and…

Sri Lanka To Estimate Damage Caused By Drought To Agriculture

COLOMBO, Aug 7 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka’s Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, today instructed the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board, to estimate the damage caused by the drought to agriculture. The minister said this, following a discussion with representatives of farming communities. Currently, the government’s compensation is only 100,000 rupees…

200 People Suffer Food Poisoning In E. Afghanistan

KHOST, Afghanistan, Aug 7 (NNN-ANA) – At least 200 people were sickened in food poisoning, in east Afghanistan’s Khost province, an official said, today. The incident occurred in Satkai village of Zazai Maidan district, last night, when the villagers attended a charity meal, and all the victims had been taken…

Cambodian King Appoints Hun Manet As New PM

PHNOM PENH, Aug 7 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodian King, Norodom Sihamoni, today appointed Hun Manet as the new prime minister, after incumbent Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, announced he was stepping down. The monarch signed a royal decree to designate Hun Manet, 45, as the new prime minister for a…

Pakistan’s Train Crash Killed At Least 30, Injured Over 100

ISLAMABAD, Aug 7 (NNN-APP) – At least 10 cars of a passenger train derailed in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province yesterday, killing at least 30 passengers, while injuring over 100 others, government and police officials said. While confirming the casualties, Sindh’s Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, said, nine cars have…