New Zealand PM To Visit Australia

WELLINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-RNZ) – New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said today, he will travel to Sydney on Wednesday, to meet with Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. “The coalition government will be engaging internationally with new urgency and intensity, to invest in relationships, increase prosperity and enhance our security,”…

Nine Killed In Solar Factory Blast In India

NEW DELHI, Dec 18 (NNN-PTI) – At least nine persons died and several others were injured, in a solar factory blast, in India’s south-western state of Maharashtra yesterday, confirmed a local police over the phone. “This blast happened at the time of packing, in the cast booster plant, in the…

Over Three Dozens Pakistan’s TTP Terrorists Held In Afghanistan

KABUL, Dec 18 (NNN-ANA) – Afghan caretaker government has arrested over three dozens militants, affiliated with Pakistan’s outlawed militant outfit, the Tahrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), over the past year, a local media outlet reported yesterday. “More than 35 or 40 persons of Pakistan’s TTP are in our custody,” Tolonews quoted, Abdul…

Seven Killed, Three Wounded In Clash In Philippine Capital

MANILA, Dec 18 (NNN-PNA) – A soldier and six suspected rebels were killed, in a clash before dawn yesterday, in Batangas province, south of Manila, Philippine defence officials said. A four-hour long gunfight between government forces and about 14 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, broke out around 2.00 a.m. local…

Sri Lankan Security Forces Arrested 42 With Drugs, Sharp Weapons

COLOMBO, Dec 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lankan security forces, yesterday, arrested 42 people, who were in possession of various narcotics and sharp weapons, the police announced. A total of 156 police officers, 154 personnel of the army, and 16 officers of the Special Task Force, joined the special raid in…

Nearly 60 Percent Of Japanese Workers Want No Part Of Traditional New Year’s Office Parties: Survey

TOKYO, Dec 18 (NNN-NHK) – Nearly 60 percent of working adults in Japan have no interest in going to New Year’s parties with colleagues, Japanese daily, Mainichi Shimbun, reported, citing a recent survey by a research institute. The online survey, conducted by Shufu Job Soken, a private research institute based…

Bangladesh To Deploy Army Ahead Of National Polls

DHAKA, Dec 18 (NNN-BSS) – Army troops will be deployed in Bangladesh, to assist the civil administration in ensuring security, ahead of the country’s general election, slated for Jan 7, an Election Commission senior official said. Bangladeshi Election Commission Secretary, Md Jahangir Alam, told journalists that, Bangladeshi President, Mohammed Shahabuddin,…

Australian Road Deaths Hit Five-Year High

CANBERRA, Dec 18 (NNN-AAP) – Australian road deaths hit a five-year high this year, the nation’s peak automotive body, said. According to data, released by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) today, there have been 1,253 deaths on Australian roads this year – an increase of six percent from 2022. It…

Bankruptcies In Japan Rose For 19th Month

TOKYO, Dec 18 (NNN-NHK) – Corporate bankruptcies in Japan rose in Nov, for the 19th consecutive month, according to a recent survey by a credit research company. A total of 773 Japanese companies began legal liquidation proceedings in Nov, marking the second consecutive month of year-on-year growth of at least…

At Least 18 People Taken To Hospital In S. Korea’s Hotel Fire

SEOUL, Dec 18 (NNN-YONHAP) – At least 18 people were taken to hospitals, last night, in a hotel fire that broke out in South Korea’s western port city of Incheon. The fire began at about 9:01 p.m. local time (1201 GMT), from the parking lot of the hotel, with three…