Japanese PM To Join Online G7 Summit Over Ukraine Tensions

TOKYO, Feb 21 (NNN-NHK) – Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, will take part in an online meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) countries this week, the Japanese government said today. The talks will be aimed at measures to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine, sources here said. Kishida said,…

India Expects To Conclude Trade Pact With GCC This Year: Commerce Minister

MUMBAI, Feb 21 (NNN-PTI) – India expects to conclude a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in this calendar year, following a similar pact with the UAE which was sealed on Friday, said the country’s commerce minister, in a statement issued here yesterday. The Secretary-General of…

Pakistan To Plant Over 540 Million Trees From Feb To Apr: Official

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, said yesterday that, the country has set a target of planting over 540 million trees, during the current spring season of the year, for dealing with environmental problems. Nationwide spring tree plantation campaign, from Feb to Apr,…

Cyberattacks Target Jordan’s Royal Court, Gov’t In 2021: Minister

AMMAN, Feb 21 (NNN-PETRA) – Jordan’s State Minister for Media Affairs, Faisal Shboul, said yesterday, 897 cyberattacks against the country were recorded in 2021, and all of them were thwarted. The attacks targeted several establishments, including the Royal Hashemite Court, the official body that oversees the preparation and implementation of…

Iran Welcomes Expanding Ties With Central Asian Countries: President

TEHRAN, Feb 21 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, said yesterday, Tehran welcomes constant expansion of relations with all Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan. Raisi made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister, Sardor Umurzakov, according to the Iranian presidency’s website. The two sides are willing…

Afghanistan’s State-Owned Bread Factory Resumes Production: Official

KABUL, Feb 21 (NNN-ANA) – Afghanistan’s state-owned bread factory, Silo-e-Markazi or central silo, located in the national capital, Kabul, reactivated and resumed production yesterday, after decades of production stoppage, chief of the bread producing body, Khayal Mohammad Maher, said. “After hectic efforts, we have reactivated the Silo-e-Markazi, to resume production…

Pakistan Supports IT Sector To Promote Economic, Scientific Development: President

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan’s President, Arif Alvi, said yesterday that, the government has been taking measures to support the country’s information technology (IT) sector, to promote economic and scientific development. “The incumbent government is extending all kinds of support to the IT sector of the country, and various…

Bangladesh Not To Extend COVID-19 Restrictions

DHAKA, Feb 21 (NNN-BSS) – The Bangladeshi government will not extend its COVID-19 restrictions, once they expire on Feb 22 (tomorrow), but mask mandates remain as usual. Cabinet Secretary, Khandker Anwarul Islam, made the announcement yesterday, saying, the existing restrictions related to COVID-19 will end Tuesday (tomorrow). “There will be…

Singapore Reports 15,283 New COVID-19 Cases

SINGAPORE, Feb 21 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore reported 15,283 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total tally to 582,638. Of the new cases, 3,114 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, and 12,169 through ARTs (antigen rapid tests), according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health.…

Five Terrorists, One Soldier Killed In Clash In NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (NNN-APP) – A soldier of the Pakistani army and five terrorists were killed, in a clash in Pakistan’s north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an army statement said, yesterday. The intense exchange of fire took place, when security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan district of the…