Invasive Species Costing Australian Economy Billions: Study

CANBERRA, Jul 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Invasive species cost Australia hundreds of billions of dollars over recent decades, according to a report. The study, which is published by Flinders University researchers today, found that, invasive pests have cost the economy 390 billion Australian dollars (288.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the last…

Thailand’s Daily COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Both Hit Record Highs

BANGKOK, Jul 30 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand yesterday reported 17,669 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, and 165 more fatalities, both setting all-time high records, since the start of the pandemic. The new numbers took the country’s caseload and deaths to 561,030 and 4,562, respectively, according to the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration…

Three Prefectures Near Tokyo Ask For Declaration Of Emergency Over COVID-19

TOKYO, Jul 30 (NNN-NHK) – Three prefectures near Tokyo will jointly request the Japanese central government, to put them into regions under the COVID-19 emergency state, following a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, according to Chiba Governor, Toshihito Kumagai, local media reported, yesterday. Kumagai expressed “a strong…

Philippine President Hails Completion Of China-Funded Bridge, Expressing Gratitude

MANILA, Jul 30 (NNN-PNA) – Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, yesterday, lauded the completion of a China-funded bridge, that highlights the “goodwill of the Chinese people and its government.” The Estrella-Pantaleon (EP) Bridge, over the Pasig river, is a two-way, four-lane V-shaped concrete girder bridge that connects the cities of Makati…

Iran Reports 34,433 New COVID-19 Cases, 3,826,447 In Total

TEHRAN, Jul 30 (NNN-IRNA) – The Iranian health ministry reported yesterday, 34,433 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country’s total infections to 3,826,447. The pandemic has so far claimed 90,074 lives in Iran, up by 292 in the past 24 hours, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education said in…

U.S. “Fully Prepared” To Continue Negotiation With Iran

KUWAIT CITY, Jul 30 (NNN-KUNA) – Washington is fully prepared to continue negotiation with Iran, to return to the Iranian nuclear agreement, visiting U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said here yesterday. Blinken made the remarks, after he met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, to discuss…

India Supports All Afghan Peace Initiatives Leading To Lasting Solution: Minister

NEW DELHI, Jul 30 (NNN-PTI) – The Indian government, yesterday said, it supports all peace initiatives leading towards a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan. The statement was made by India’s junior foreign minister, V Muraleedharan, at the upper house of Indian parliament, locally called Rajya Sabha. “As a contiguous neighbour…

Afghan Fighting Escalates As Taliban Attempts To Capture Herat City

HERAT, Jul 30 (NNN-XINHUA) – Fighting in Afghanistan has further intensified, as Taliban fighters began attacking, to gain more ground in the western Herat province and tighten the noose around the provincial capital, Herat city. The militants, in their latest efforts to achieve the goal, launched an offensive against security…

India Has 351 Polluted River Stretches: Government

NEW DELHI, Jul 30 (NNN-PTI) – The Indian government, yesterday said, the country has 351 polluted river stretches. According to the federal ministry of water resources, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committee (PCC) have been monitoring water quality of rivers…

Iran Willing To Broker Lasting Peace Between Azerbaijan, Armenia: Statement

TEHRAN, Jul 30 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s foreign ministry urged, yesterday, neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia, to overcome tensions and conflicts, and vowed to offer “any kind of assistance” to broker a lasting peace between the two countries. In a statement, published on the ministry’s official website, spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, expressed Iran’s…