Foreign Photo-Journalist Killed In Battle In S. Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Jul 17 (NNN-XINHUA) – A foreign photo-journalist was killed, during clashes between Afghan government security forces and Taliban militants, in restive southern province of Kandahar early yesterday, a provincial government spokesman confirmed. “Danish Siddiqui, an Indian photographer of the Reuters news agency was killed, in Spin Boldak bordering district,…

One Dead In Chopper Crash In India

NEW DELHI, Jul 17 (NNN-PTI) – At least one person was killed and another injured, in a chopper crash, in India’s south-western state of Maharashtra, media reports said, yesterday. The crash reportedly took place in the state’s Jalgaon district. According to the media reports, police officials and local authorities had…

Philippines Receives More Sinovac Vaccines From China

MANILA, Jul 17 (NNN-PNA) – China delivered an additional batch of Sinovac CoronaVac vaccines to the Philippines this morning, to support the Southeast Asian country’s campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic. The fresh shipment of CoronaVac vaccines, procured by the Philippine government from Sinovac Biotech, arrived at the airport in Manila…

Vietnam Reports 3,336 New COVID-19 Cases, 44,186 In Total

HANOI, Jul 17 (NNN-VNA) – Vietnam reported 3,336 new COVID-19 infections yesterday, including 3,321 locally transmitted and 15 imported, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The new infections brought the total tally to 44,186 with 225 deaths. Among the community cases, 2,420 were reported in the southern epicentre, Ho…

Dhaka’s Markets Brim With Sacrificial Animals As Eid Al-Adha Approaches

DHAKA, Jul 17 (NNN-BSS) – As the holy Eid al-Adha is drawing near, cattle markets in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, have been brimming with sacrificial animals. Bangladesh, on Jul 21, will celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. Like in previous years, a large number of animals were…

Myanmar Reports 6,194 New COVID-19 Infections

YANGON, Jul 17 (NNN-MNA) – Myanmar reported 6,194 new COVID-19 infections, yesterday, bringing the tally to 218,739, according to a release from the Health and Sports Ministry. The death toll has increased to 4,536, after 190 new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, the release said. A total…

Brunei Celebrated Royal Birthday As No COVID-19 Local Transmissions Reported For Over 400 Days

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jul 17 (NNN-ANN) – Brunei celebrated Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s 75th birthday on Thursday, with various activities, including a ceremonial parade and an investiture ceremony, as the country recorded over 400 days without local COVID-19 infection cases. The Sultan’s birthday celebration is a national event, which usually…

Indonesia Reports Record COVID-19 Deaths Of Over 1,200

JAKARTA, Jul 17 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia yesterday recorded 54,000 newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 1,205 new deaths, in the past 24 hours, the country’s Health Ministry said. Based on the latest data, the total number of cases in the country is now at 2,780,803, while the COVID-19-related death toll increased…

Making, Sharing And Using Vaccines Priority For APEC Leaders: New Zealand PM

WELLINGTON, Jul 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The top priority for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders is “achieving widespread access for vaccines globally, and working collaboratively to provide them to everyone as soon as possible,” New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, said today. “For the first time in APEC’s history, leaders…

Uzbekistan, Pakistan Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement, Vow Closer Trade Ties

TASHKENT, Jul 17 (NNN-APP) – Uzbekistan and Pakistan have signed a strategic partnership agreement, vowing to boost bilateral trade volume by five times, Uzbek president’s press service announced yesterday. The agreement was signed by Uzbek President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who jointly hosted a bilateral…