China says US responsible for breakdown in arms control consultations
Beijing, July 17 - The US side bears full responsibility for the suspension of a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations with China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.
Coral bleaching detected in waters around Taiwan due to heat wave
Taipei, July 17 - Local environmentalists have expressed concern about a large-scale coral bleaching in the southern and eastern waters off the coast of Taiwan, which has been occurring since June due to a prolonged heat wave.
Port of Long Beach records strongest June
Los Angeles, July 17 - The Port of Long Beach, the second busiest port in the United States, said on Tuesday the port achieved its busiest June on record, driven by vibrant consumer spending, potential tariff increases and ongoing labour contract negotiations at
New Zealand’s annual inflation hits 3.3 per cent
Wellington, July 17 - New Zealand's consumers price index increased 3.3 per cent in the 12 months to the June 2024 quarter, following a 4 per cent increase in the 12 months to the March 2024 quarter, the statistics department Stats NZ said
Four in five voters concerned over US spiraling out of control after Trump’s shooting: poll
New York, July 17 - Four in five Americans are concerned about increasing political violence following an assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, and fear that the United States "is spiraling out of control," a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Iran’s new gov’t to emphasise multilateralism in foreign policy: FM
Tehran, July 17 - Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said Tuesday that the new administration's foreign policy would emphasise promoting multilateralism in line with the United Nations Charter and international law.
Mongolia’s Khar-Us Lake added to UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Ulan Bator, July 17 - Mongolia's Khar-Us Lake National Park has been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO, local media reported on Wednesday, citing the UNESCO.
Australian Alzheimer’s discovery could improve drugs
Canberra, July 17 - Australian researchers have made a discovery they say could improve the effectiveness of drugs used to mitigate the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
Hand, foot, mouth disease cases in Japan surge to decade high
Tokyo, July 17 - The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases in Japan is increasing at a record pace, reaching the highest levels seen in the past decade, data from the country's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) showed.
Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda attracts over 3.6 million visitors in first six months of 2024
Yangon, July 17 - The Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the 'Golden Pagoda' in Myanmar, attracted over 3.6 million visitors in the first six months of 2024, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees told Xinhua on Wednesday.
Vietnam records 8.8 million mobile money service users
Hanoi, July 17 - The number of mobile money service users in Vietnam reached more than 8.8 million customers by the end of May, an increase of 3.3 percent over the same period last month, local media cited the latest statistics from the
Philippines waives visa for cruise tourists
Manila, July 17 - The Philippines has launched the cruise visa waiver programme to make entry into the country easier for visa-required foreigners vacationing on board cruise ships, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday.
India and Mauritius deepen ties during EAM Jaishankar’s visit
Port Louis, July 17 - External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday met several political leaders of Mauritius, including former Prime Ministers Paul Berenger and Navin Ramgoolam, on the second and final day of his visit to the island nation.
Nuclear power incompatible with Australia’s renewable rollout: Energy Minister
Canberra, July 17 - A proposal to build nuclear reactors in Australia is incompatible with the country's rollout of renewable energy, the country's energy minister has said.
NITI Aayog vice chairman expects boost for agriculture in India’s growth strategy
United Nations, July 17 - Agriculture is expected to get more importance in India's growth strategy, and this is likely to be reflected in the upcoming budget, according to Suman Beri, the vice chairman of India's NITI Aayog which crafts policies.
Australia’s New South Wales moves to cut ties with construction union
Sydney, July 17 - The Australian state government of New South Wales (NSW) said on Wednesday that actions have been taken to halt the affiliation of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) Construction and General Division with the NSW Labor Party
NASA scientists use AI to analyse rocks on Red Planet
New Delhi, July 17 - In a first, the Perseverance Mars Rover Mission used Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Red Planet to make autonomous decisions based on real-time analysis of rock composition, said mission officials at NASA.
Heavy rain watch issued across South Korea’s metropolitan area
Seoul, July 17 - A heavy rain watch was issued across South Korea's metropolitan area, which was battered by downpours overnight, the interior ministry said Wednesday.
Mexican President urges stepping up gun control in US in wake of Trump shooting
Mexico City, July 17 - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged the US government to better regulate weapons sales following the campaign rally shooting of former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
S. Korean Defence Minister calls for firm readiness against N. Korean threats
Seoul, July 17 - South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik on Wednesday called for firm readiness against North Korea's "provocations", his office said, amid the North's "repeated threat" to respond to anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by South Korean activists.