US Pres Biden tells Russian counterpart Putin to ‘take action’ against ransomware groups

   WASHINGTON, July 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday and told him to “take action” against ransomware groups operating in Russia, the White Housesaid.    Biden also said the United States will take “any necessary action” to defend Americans and critical…

Update: Taiwan says Haiti police arrested 11 assassination suspects on its embassy grounds

The crowd surrounds the Petionville Police station where armed men, accused of being involved in the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, are being held TAIPEI, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Taiwan on Friday said 11 suspected assassins of Haitian President Jovenel Moise broke into its embassy in an attempt to flee…

Taliban capture key border crossing as Biden defends Afghan withdrawal

  KABUL, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Taliban said Friday they had captured a key border crossing with Iran, hours after President Joe Biden issued a staunch defence of the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.    The group have captured more than a third of the country’s 400 districts since the…

Bangladesh: Fire fighters recover 49 bodies so far from factory fire site in Narayanganj

Firemen carry a charred body in a bag DHAKA, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Forty nine bodies were recovered after a massive fire raged at a factory building of Hashem Food and Beverage Ltd. in Karnagop area of Rupganj in Narayanganj on Friday afternoon, said Bangladesh fire service and civil defence…

China evacuates nationals from Afghanistan amid US pullout

BEIJING, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China sent a flight to bring home 210 of its nationals from Afghanistan, state media reported Friday, as the US military prepares to leave the country and the security situation grows increasingly fraught. The Global Times newspaper published by the ruling Communist Party said the Xiamen Airlines…

Covid-19: Singapore sends medical supplies, equipment to Indonesia

SINGAPORE, July 9 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore sent medical supplies and equipment to Indonesia on Friday amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said. Indonesia on Thursday reported a new daily record of 38,391 COVID-19 infections and 852 more fatalities from the disease, its second-highest daily death toll, official data…

Covid-19: Libya closes border with Tunisia over Delta variant concern

TRIPOLI, July 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Libyan government announced closing its border with neighboring Tunisia over concern about the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Due to the deteriorating pandemic situation in Tunisia amid the rise in infections with the Delta variant, as well as the announcement of the collapse…

Jordan, Israel agree to water deal; more West Bank trade

Jordan is one of the world’s most water-deficient countries and experts say the country has been grappling with one of the most severe droughts in its history AMMAN, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israel and Jordan reached a deal on Thursday for the Jewish state to sell an unprecedented amount of…

Covid-19: Indian gov’t announces US$3 billion fund after first cabinet reshuffle

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday handpicked new and young leaders to nurture and energise the sectors ravaged by the pandemic — from health and education to labour, civil aviation, IT and petroleum NEW DELHI, July 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Indian government approved a new emergency response package worth over 3…

Covid-19: England lifts quarantine rules for vaccinated residents

  LONDON, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UK residents returning to England from the United States and most European countries will soon no longer have to self-quarantine if fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the government announced.    The quarantine change will start from July 19, when the government hopes to remove virtually all…