OECD brands New Zealand as a ‘red tape country’
Wellington, July 11 - New Zealand is a country full of regulatory barriers, said a survey released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Thursday.
Iraq condemns Turkish incursion into Kurdistan
Baghdad, July 10 - Iraq's National Security Council condemned Turkey's military incursion into its Kurdistan region, calling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Hezbollah targets Israeli positions in retaliation to attacks in Lebanon
Beirut, July 11 - Hezbollah has targeted Israeli artillery positions with missiles in response to an air attack that targeted the town of Jinta in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
UN launches response plan to Hurricane Beryl for 2 Caribbean nations
United Nations, July 11 - The United Nations, in collaboration with its partners, has launched a response plan calling for $9 million to support nearly 43,000 people impacted recently by Hurricane Beryl in two Caribbean countries, a UN spokesman said.
Palestinian PM calls for unified government after Gaza ceasefire
Ramallah, July 11 - Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has called for a unified Palestine under a single authority and government once a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.
Italy braces for major heatwave
Rome, July 11 - A major heatwave will hit most major Italian cities this week, with temperatures forecast to be the hottest in the summer so far, according to authorities.
Two-thirds of UNRWA schools have been hit in Gaza: Agency chief
Gaza, July 11 - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has said that since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict began, two-thirds of its schools in Gaza have been hit, some bombed out, and many severely damaged.
Biden calls for NATO allies to step up defence production
Washington, July 10 - US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the way forward for the NATO alliance is for each member country to strengthen their industrial base so that the group can stay ahead of Russia, which has "ramped up domestic
Cyberattackers steal 16.6 million USD from govt department in South Africa
Johannesburg, July 10 - Cyberattackers allegedly stole 300 million South African rand (about 16.6 million US dollars) from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure over the past 10 years, Minister Dean Macpherson said Wednesday.
Thailand’s Election Commission endorses senate election results
Bangkok, July 10 - The Election Commission of Thailand on Wednesday endorsed the results of the senate election after a delay due to complaints over the qualifications of some senators-elect and voting irregularities.
NATO celebrates 75th birthday, gifts Ukraine more air defence systems
Washington, July 10 - US President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced dozens of additional air defence systems for Ukraine to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, a defence alliance of 32 countries of North America and
Vietnam records fastest growing number of millionaires: report
Hanoi, July 10 - The number of millionaires in Vietnam virtually doubled between 2013 and 2023, at the fastest rate globally, to 19,400, VnExpress reported Wednesday, citing a new report by British investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners.
Emerald fair held in Afghanistan’s Panjshir
Bazarak (Afghanistan), July 10 - A fair of emerald and its products opened in Afghanistan's Panjshir province on Wednesday with the aim of promoting investment in the mining sector, spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Hamayon Afghan said.
Around 31,000 evacuated as Monsoon floods devastate Myanmar
Yangon, July 10 - About 31,000 people have been evacuated since the beginning of July due to floods affecting several parts of Myanmar, according to the country's Department of Disaster Management on Wednesday.
Iran, Armenia reaffirm commitment to bilateral agreements
Tehran, July 10 - Iran's President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the previously reached bilateral agreements.
Need India as partner in fight against climate change: Austrian President
Vienna, July 10 - Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said on Wednesday that the country needs India as a partner in a structurally sustainable transformation towards climate neutrality.
603 kg of illegal drugs seized in Myanmar
Yangon, July 10 - Myanmar's authorities have seized 603 kg of methamphetamine in the country's eastern state of Shan, the official Myanmar News Agency, citing a police source, reported on Wednesday.
Belgian King Philippe appoints Bart De Wever to form government
Brussels, July 10 - Belgium's King Philippe appointed Bart De Wever, president of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), to form the federal government on Wednesday.
Ship traffic in Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait suspended: sources
Istanbul, July 10 - Ship traffic in Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait, one of the busiest waterways in the world, was halted in both directions on Wednesday due to a towing failure, according to Turkey's Directorate General of Coastal Safety.
Russian jet scrambles into air as Norwegian plane nears border
Moscow, July 10 - A Russian fighter jet scrambled into the air after Russian airspace control detected an approaching Norwegian aircraft over the Barents Sea, Russian Defence Ministry said Wednesday.