Palestine Welcomes Efforts Of Preventing Admission Of Israel As AU Observer Member

RAMALLAH, Oct 18 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine welcomed efforts to prevent the immediate accession of Israel, as an observer state in the African Union (AU). The AU Executive Council, which concluded its 39th ordinary session, held in Addis Ababa for two days, decided on Friday, to postpone taking a final position…

Japanese Gov’t Keeps Eye On Recent Oil Price Hikes

TOKYO, Oct 18 (NNN-NHK) – Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, called an emergency meeting of Cabinet members, including Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno and Industry Minister, Koichi Hagiuda, to discuss the recent oil price hikes, local media reported. “We are closely watching movements in the crude oil market, as well…

Country-Wide Polio Drive To Be Launched In Afghanistan Early Nov

KABUL, Oct 18 (NNN-ANA) – A country-wide polio vaccination drive will start on Nov 8, in war-affected Afghanistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced today. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF welcome the decision by the Taliban, who support the resumption of house-to-house polio vaccination across Afghanistan, the…

Around 1,040 Candidates To Participate In Japan’s General Election On Oct 31

TOKYO, Oct 18 (NNN-NHK) – Around 1,040 candidates are expected to participate in the general election scheduled on Oct 31, to compete for 465 seats in Japan’s House of Representatives, with campaigning starting tomorrow, according to a Kyodo News tally. Leaders of major political parties began a debate this afternoon…

India Reports 13,596 New COVID-19 Cases

NEW DELHI, Oct 18 (NNN-PTI) – India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 34,081,315 today, as 13,596 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the health ministry’s latest data. The number of new COVID-19 cases registered in 24 hours is the lowest in 230 days, added…

Afghan Local Gov’t Bans Excavation Of Cultural Sites

JALALABAD, Oct 18 (NNN-ANA) – The provincial government of Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar, today said, in a release on its website that, it has banned excavation and digging of historical and cultural sites in the province. “In efforts to protect and preserve historical and cultural heritage sites, arbitrarily digging is banned…

Laos Records Trade Surplus Of 117 Million USD In Sept

VIENTIANE, Oct 18 (NNN-KPL) – Laos recorded a trade surplus of about 117 million U.S. dollars in Sept, according to the latest information from the Lao Trade Portal website. The official data showed a total trade value of 777 million dollars, consisting of exported goods worth 447 million dollars and…

Australian Deputy PM Rules Out Support For Greater 2030 Climate Target

CANBERRA, Oct 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, said, it is “highly unlikely” his party will support an increased 2030 climate target. Members of the National Party, which forms the governing Coalition with the Liberal Party, yesterday met, to hear from Angus Taylor, the minister for energy…

More Pandemic Restrictions Relaxed In Australia, Students Back To School

SYDNEY, Oct 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – Thousands of children back to Sydney’s schools and more restrictions are eased for fully vaccinated adults today, as Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales (NSW) surpassed its COVID-19 vaccinated target. The state entered the second stage easing of restrictions with more than 80…

Brunei Reports Record High Of 504 Daily COVID-19 Cases

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 18 (NNN-ANN) – Brunei reported 504 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday, a record daily rise, bringing the total tally to 10,860. A previous record daily high was reported three days ago, on Oct 15, with 423 new COVID-19 cases. Before the detection of seven local…