Volcano In Southwest Japan Erupts, Warning Issued

TOKYO, Oct 20 (NNN-NHK) – An eruption was observed today, at Mt Aso, in Kyushu area, south-western Japan, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), said. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, told reporters in Tokyo that, no injuries have been reported so far, and that local authorities are working to determine whether…

Laos Accelerates Cattle Production For Export To China

VIENTIANE, Oct 20 (NNN-KPL) – The Lao government has urged breeders to expedite the commercial production of cattle for export, notably to China, in anticipation of the upcoming operation of the China-Laos railway. The Lao government is encouraging farmers in all 18 provinces across the country to breed cattle for…

1,862 Houses Damaged After Earthquakes Hit Indonesia’s Bali

JAKARTA, Oct 20 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), said yesterday that, at least 1,862 houses on the resort island of Bali were damaged by earthquakes, measuring 4.8 and 3.8 magnitude, last Saturday. Of the 1,862 houses, BNPB’s spokesman, Abdul Muhari, said, 617 were severely damaged, 1,203 were…

Maldives Achieves 90 Percent Of Tourism Target For 2021

MALE, Oct 20 (NNN-PSM) – The Maldives has achieved 90 percent of the projected tourism arrivals for 2021, data from the Ministry of Tourism reported here. A total of 923,146 tourists have arrived in the Maldives between Jan 1 and Oct 13, Tourism Ministry data showed. This number is 76,854…

Death Toll In India’s Flood-Hit Uttarakhand State Rises To 34

NEW DELHI, Oct 20 (NNN-PTI) – The death toll in India’s flood-hit state Uttarakhand, rose to 34, the state’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami said yesterday, after taking an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas. The chief minister announced a monetary compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees (around 5,329 U.S. dollars),…

Lebanon To Hold Parliamentary Elections In Mar

BEIRUT, Oct 20 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanon’s parliament, yesterday voted to set the date for the parliamentary elections on Mar 27, ahead of the previous schedule in May, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. The earlier date was chosen, in order to avoid clashing with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.…

U.S. Secretary Of Homeland Security Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Full Vaccination

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, tested positive for COVID-19, despite having been fully vaccinated, his spokesperson said yesterday. “Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus, after taking a test, as part of routine pre-travel protocols. Secretary Mayorkas is experiencing only…

Powell’s Death Of COVID-19 Complications Triggers Vaccine Effectiveness Debate In U.S.

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Former U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, died at 84 of COVID-19 complications on Monday, triggering heated debate, over the effectiveness of vaccines in the United States. “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed…

Tunisian FM Meets German Minister To Discuss Strategic Partnership

TUNIS, Oct 20 (NNN-TAP) – Tunisian Foreign Minister, Othman Jerandi, yesterday met with visiting German Minister of State, at the Federal Foreign Office, Niels Annen, to discuss strategic partnership between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry. The Tunisian-German strategic partnership “is witnessing continuous development, that reflects the importance…

Nigerian Troops Kill Over 50 Gunmen In Northwest State

LAGOS, Oct 20 (NNN-NAN) – Over 50 gunmen were killed, during a joint operation by Nigerian troops, in the country’s northwestern state of Kaduna on Monday, an official said. Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs in Kaduna state, said in a statement, an operational feedback to the…