New Zealand Launches ‘Advancing Pacific Partnerships 2019’

WELLINGTON, Oct 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Minister of New Zealand Defence, Ron Mark, launched the Advancing Pacific Partnerships 2019 Defence Assessment, today (Tuesday). The minister announced, for the first time, the Pacific Leader Development Programme, which features work with Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu, to create bespoke, country-specific leadership…

New Western Sydney Airport Design To Resemble Australian Forest

SYDNEY, Oct 29 (NNN-AAP) – With major earthworks set to begin next year, the first look at Australia’s Western Sydney International Airport was revealed today (Tuesday). Expected to cost around 3.6 billion U.S. dollars, the groundbreaking design, by London’s Zaha Hadid Architects and Australia’s Cox Architecture firm, was chosen out…

6.6-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Southern Philippines

MANILA, Oct 29 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), has upgraded the magnitude of the earthquake, which struck Cotabato in southern Philippines, from 6.4 to 6.6. The institute said, in an updated report, the inland tremor, which struck at 9:04 a.m., hit at a depth of…

Al-Baghdadi’s Remains Buried At Sea: Reports

WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Daesh leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s remains, were buried at sea, following his death in a U.S. military raid, U.S. media reported. The United States gave al-Baghdadi, who committed suicide in a U.S. commando raid, in northwestern Syria on Saturday night, a burial at sea,…

Egyptian, U.S. FMs Discuss Latest Developments On Nile Dam Issue

CAIRO, Oct 29 (NNN-MENA) – Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry and U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, discussed the latest developments pertaining to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The GERD, which is built by Ethiopia on the Nile River, is causing spat between Cairo and Addis…

UN Voices Concern Over Safety Of Civilians In NE Syria

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The United Nations voiced deep concern over the safety and protection of civilians in northeast Syria, following reports of sporadic fighting, a spokesman said. Some 106,000 people remain displaced, of the over 180,000 previously reported, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio…

U.S. House To Vote On Resolution Affirming Impeachment Inquiry, Procedures

WASHINGTON, Oct 29 (NNN-XINHUA) – The U.S. House of Representatives will vote this week, on a resolution intended to affirm an impeachment inquiry, against President Donald Trump, as well as, relevant procedures, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, on Monday. “This week, we will bring a resolution to the Floor that affirms…

Thailand To Push Forward Digital Development To Strengthen ASEAN Connectivity

BANGKOK, Oct 29 (NNN-TNA) – Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, said, he will lead Thailand to drive digital development in Southeast Asia, as a means to strengthen connectivity among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members. Speaking at the “Digital Thailand Big Bang 2019” in Bangkok, Prayut said, digital…

Essex Truck Death Files Sent To Vietnam For Verification

HANOI, Oct 29 (NNN-VNA) – British authorities, sent Vietnam, records of four victims, among the 39 dead in a refrigerated truck, in the British county of Essex, for identity verification, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said. “Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security received the files to connect information and verify victims’ identity,” the…

Iran Says Death Of Daesh Leader Should End “U.S. Intervention In Middle East”

TEHRAN, Iran, Oct 29 (NNN-IRNA) – “The death of Daesh leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, should end U.S. interventions in the Middle East,” Iran’s government Spokesman, Ali Rabiee, was quoted as saying by Press TV on Monday. “Washington’s policies are the main reason for the proliferation of terror outfits in the…