New Unified Pension Scheme Approved For Indian Gov’t Employees

NEW DELHI, Aug 25 (NNN-PTI) – The Indian government, yesterday, approved the Unified Pension Scheme for federal government employees. Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that, employees could opt between the plan and the National Pension Scheme, which is already in force. A statement issued by the…

Number Of Chinese Tourists To Türkiye Up 102.46 Percent In Jan-Jul

ISTANBUL, Aug 25 (NNN-TRT) – The number of Chinese visitors to Türkiye reached 230,819, in the first seven months of this year, up 102.46 percent, year-on-year, leading the way in Turkish tourism growth, showed data from the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry. Overall, Türkiye recorded 29 million foreign visitors during…

Iran’s Response To Hamas Chief’s Assassination To Be “Calculated, Managed”

TEHRAN, Aug 25 (NNN-ISNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, said yesterday that, the country’s response to the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief, Ismail Haniyeh, would be “precise, calculated and managed.” He made the remarks in an address to reporters, while commenting on his recent phone calls with his…

Iranian New FM Vows Continued Support For Syria, Lebanon

TEHRAN, Aug 24 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, said yesterday that, the country’s newly formed government will continue its support for Syria, Lebanon, and their resistance against Israel’s “aggression.” In separate phone calls with Syrian Foreign Minister, Faisal Mekdad, and Lebanese Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, Araghchi…

Bali Tightens Security Ahead Of 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum

JAKARTA, Aug 24 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia is tightening security on its resort island of Bali, in preparation for the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF), slated for early next month, local police said. Bali police’s operational bureau chief, Soelistijono, informed the local media yesterday that, the security personnel have been coordinating their…

Philippines Grapples With Leptospirosis, Dengue Surge: President

MANILA, Aug 24 (NNN-PNA) – Philippine President, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, yesterday said, his country has been experiencing a surge in leptospirosis and dengue cases, due to “improper garbage disposal and poor waste management.” “Local chief executives must work harder to utilise environmentally sound methods and waste minimisation measures, to protect…

Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force Seized Over 234 Kg Drugs, Five Arrested

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), conducted four operations in different areas of the country, recovering over 234 kg of drugs, and arresting five smugglers, the ANF said, yesterday. During the operations, the ANF recovered drugs, including opium, hashish, heroin and others, the ANF said in a…

Latest Leading Index Shows Malaysia’s Economy Continues To Expand

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia’s economy is anticipated to continue expanding in the upcoming months, with the leading index registering a 3.5-percent positive growth in June, official data showed, yesterday. The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), said in a statement that, the Bursa Malaysia Industrial Index, demonstrated robust…

Centuries-Old Guardian Statue Discovered In Cambodia’s Angkor Archaeological Park

PHNOM PENH, Aug 24 (NNN-AKP) – Archaeologists unearthed a centuries-old sandstone door guardian statue (Dvarapala), at the Banteay Prei temple, in north-west Cambodia’s Angkor archaeological park, the Apsara National Authority (ANA) said, in a news release yesterday. The ANA is the government agency responsible for managing, safeguarding and preserving the…

14 Dead After Indian Passenger Bus Veered Off Road In Nepal

KATHMANDU, Aug 24 (NNN-XINHUA) – Fourteen people died, after an Indian passenger bus, with 43 people on board, skidded off the road, in central Nepal yesterday, local authorities said. “So far, 14 have been killed. The rescue operation is ongoing,” Shukra Chuman, chairperson of the Aanbookhaireni Rural Municipality in Tanahun…