Australia Launches “Spread Freedom” COVID-19 Vaccination Push Amid Battle Against Third Wave

CANBERRA, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Australian government launched the next phase of its vaccination campaign, as the country continues to battle the third wave of COVID-19. Health Minister, Greg Hunt, today debuted the government’s new vaccine campaign. Dubbed “spread freedom,” the campaign emphasises the benefits of getting vaccinated against…

New Zealand Reports 85 New COVID-19 Cases

WELLINGTON, Oct 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand reported 85 new cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Health said in a statement today. Of the new cases reported, 80 were community cases in the North Island, and five were imported cases at the border, said the ministry. The total case number…

Exhibition Centre Symbolising Friendship With China Opens In Bangladesh

DHAKA, Oct 24 (NNN-BSS) – The Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC), symbolising China’s friendship with Bangladesh, opened in Purbachal, on the outskirts of the capital city of Dhaka. The construction of the international exhibition centre, a project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, has been completed despite the…

Landslide Kills Three People In Indian-Controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct 24 (NNN-PTI) – Three members of a nomadic family were killed and one was critically injured yesterday, after a landslide hit their makeshift tent, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. The landslide, triggered by incessant rains, hit the family at village Noorpora of Tral, in Pulwama district,…

Roundup: Indonesia Pushes For Mangrove Forest Conservation

by Bambang Purwanto JAKARTA, Oct 24 (NNN-XINHUA) – Indonesia has been working for the restoration of mangrove forests in a number of areas in the country, so as to conserve the world’s largest coverage of mangrove forests. “We are replanting mangroves to protect against waves of sea waters, sea water…

Saudi Launches Sustainability-Oriented Green Initiative Forum

RIYADH, Oct 24 (NNN-SPA) – Saudi’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, inaugurated yesterday, the annual Saudi Green Initiative Forum, in the capital, Riyadh. He announced the introduction of the first package of initiatives, representing investments worth more than 700 billion Saudi Riyals (186.6 billion U.S. dollars).…

Myanmar To Close Schools For One More Week

YANGON, Oct 24 (NNN-MNA) – Myanmar’s Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for COVID-19, yesterday announced further extension of the closure of schools nationwide, until the end of this month. The move was made, in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to make preparations for reopening of…

Best Option To Save Iran Nuke Deal Is To Fully Comply With It: Iranian Expert

TEHRAN, Oct 24 (NNN-IRNA) – The best option to save the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), from collapse is, all the parties to the deal fully comply with the original text of the JCPOA, said Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian…

Brunei To Host ASEAN Summits Via Video Conferencing

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 23 (NNN-ANN) – Brunei is set to host the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits in virtual meetings, via a series of video conferences, amid concerns over the unsettled COVID-19 pandemic situation across the region. Brunei’s Sultan, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, as Chair of ASEAN…

Torkham Border Crossing Linking Afghanistan, Pakistan Reopens

KABUL, Oct 23 (NNN-ANA) – The Torkham border crossing point, which links Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been reopened and those having travel documents can cross it, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said. “The Torkham gate is reopened and those Afghans who have passport and Pakistan visa can…