California’s Wildfire Burning Rapidly Near Yosemite National Park

LOS ANGELES, Jul 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A fast-moving wildfire grew to 6,555 acres (about 26.5 square km) overnight, near the Yosemite National Park in the western U.S. state of California, prompting mandatory evacuation orders. The wildfire, dubbed the Oak Fire, ignited Friday afternoon, in central California’s Mariposa County, and was…

Feature: Texas Scorched By Heat, Drought

by Xin Jin HOUSTON, Jul 25 (NNN-XINHUA) – Pamila Z., a gardening enthusiast, who has lived in Allen, Texas, for over 20 years, appeared concerned when she checked the thermometer in her backyard. She told Xinhua that the constant extreme heat has been a difficult challenge because she has to…

Australian Aged Care Sector Facing Staff Shortfall Amid COVID-19 Surge In Winter

CANBERRA, Jul 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australian aged care providers have called for urgent action to prevent coronavirus outbreaks in their facilities. According to data released by the Aged and Community Care Providers Association, yesterday, 6,000 aged care residents and more than 3,000 staff at 1,013 facilities were infected with COVID-19,…

India’s Aviation Regulator Began Special Audit After Surge In Technical Snags Incidents

NEW DELHI, Jul 25 (NNN-PTI) – India’s aviation regulator, began a two-month special audit of airlines earlier this week, after spot checks found that, unqualified engineering personnel were certifying carriers’ planes, before their departure, local media reported, yesterday. Over the past few weeks, several aircraft belonging to different Indian airline…

Former Philippine President Arroyo Tested Positive For COVID-19

MANILA, Jul 25 (NNN-PNA) – Former Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has tested positive for COVID-19, her chief of staff, Erwin Krishna Santos, said yesterday. Santos said, Arroyo, currently a member of the House of Representatives, tested positive in an antigen test, on Jul 15, and “immediately underwent self-quarantine.” Santos…

Taliban Delegation To Take Part In Int’l Conference In Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Jul 25 (NNN-ANA) – A delegation of the Taliban government, will take part in an international conference on the theme “Afghanistan: security and economic development” here, today, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, said. The delegation, headed by Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in the Uzbek capital yesterday, the…

Singapore Reported 6,175 New COVID-19 Cases

SINGAPORE, Jul 25 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore reported 6,175 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total tally to 1,659,156. Of the new cases, 666 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, and 5,509 through ART (antigen rapid test) tests, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.…

272 Afghan IDPs Return To Home Provinces From Kabul

KABUL, Jul 25 (NNN-ANA) – A total of 272 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were sent back to their home provinces, from the capital, Kabul yesterday, Deputy Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Affairs, Arsala Kharoti of the Afghan caretaker government, said. With the help provided under a coordinated programme, by the…

Pakistani Authority Monitors Entry Routes Amid Int’l Public Health Emergency Of Monkeypox

ISLAMABAD, Jul 25 (NNN-APP) – The Border and Health Services Pakistan, has been strictly monitoring entry routes to the country, after the World Health Organisation (WHO), officially declared the monkeypox outbreak an international public health emergency, the Pakistani Health Ministry said. Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Abdul…

Kuwaiti Emir Appoints New PM

KUWAIT CITY, Jul 25 (NNN-KUNA) – The Kuwaiti Emir, yesterday appointed Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah as the prime minister and tasking him with forming a new cabinet. As required by the constitution, the prime minister-designate will then inform the National Assembly of his nomination before assuming office, according to the…