New Zealand’s annual number of homes consented down quarter
Wellington, Jan 11 - New Zealand saw 38,209 new homes consented in the year ending in November 2023, down 24 per cent year-on-year, the national statistics department Stats NZ said on Thursday.
Greece urges vaccination against Covid-19, influenza as cases surge
Athens, Jan 11 - The Greek government has urged an increase in vaccination against Covid-19 and influenza amid a surge of fresh cases in recent weeks.
German train services hit by 3-day strike
Berlin, Jan 11 - Train drivers in Germany have commenced a three-day strike until Friday, severely restricting passenger transport across the country.
Natural disasters cause $250 bn loss globally in 2023
Berlin, Jan 10 - Natural disasters caused losses of around $250 billion across the globe in 2023, German reinsurer Munich Re said in its annual report.
World’s oceans break record for highest temperatures 5 years in a row: Study
Beijing, Jan 11 - The oceanic temperatures in 2023 have once again shattered records, and the warming trend will persist throughout this century, even if greenhouse gas emissions were to be halted, according to a new study published on Thursday.
Sweden fulfilled significant part of responsibilities for NATO bid: Turkey
Ankara, Jan 11 - Sweden has fulfilled an important part of demands by Turkey for the Nordic country's NATO bid, Turkish parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus said.
Rajnath calls on Sunak during UK visit, discuss enhancing defence ties
New Delhi, Jan 11 - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street, London, said officials on Thursday, adding that both discussed enhancing defence ties between the two countries.
Wrongly-accused UK post office managers to be exonerated under new law : PM
London, Jan 11 (IANS) The UK government will introduce new legislation to overturn the convictions of hundreds of post office managers who were wrongly convicted of theft and fraud, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
S.Korea’s air traffic at over 80% of pre-Covid levels in 2023
Seoul, Jan 11 - South Korea's air traffic recovered to over 80 per cent of pre- pandemic levels last year on unleashed pent-up demand for travel following years of Covid-19 virus curbs, the Transport Ministry said on Thursday.
Singapore hopes to recruit auxiliary police officers from India, other Asian nations
Singapore, Jan 11 - An Indian-origin minister in Singapore has said that the city state is considering hiring auxiliary police officers (APOs) from Asian nations like India, China, the Philippines and Myanmar.
UNSC condemns Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, demands immediate end
United Nations, Jan 11 - The UN Security Council (UNSC) has condemned the attacks on ships by Houthi rebels and demanded that they immediately end the assaults in the Red Sea region vital to commerce for India.
German FM vows to offer 15 mn euros to support Lebanon’s army
Beirut, Jan 11 - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has vowed to offer 15 million euros ($16.45 million) to support the Lebanese army amid growing fears of escalating tensions with Israel on Lebanon's southern border.
Holiday gatherings, JN.1 variant fuel Covid-19 spread: WHO
Geneva, Jan 11 - Holiday gatherings and the globally dominant JN.1 variant fueled the spread of Covid-19 across the world in December, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus head of the WHO, said.
Italian Parliament votes to continue to support Ukraine
Rome, Jan 11 - Italy's Parliament has approved a resolution reaffirming the country's support for Ukraine for another year in that country's conflict with Russia.
Israel won’t continue occupying Gaza: Netanyahu
Jerusalem, Jan 11 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel "has no intention" of maintaining the occupation of Gaza or displacing civilians.
Ex-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie exits 2024 WH race
Washington, Jan 11 - Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has exited the 2024 Republican race to the White House, with a parting shot at party rival Donald Trump.
Indian-American in Ohio wants cops to step up action after robberies in store
New York, Jan 10 - An Indian-origin convenience store owner in the US state of Ohio has called for increased police action with robbers frequently targeting his shop despite a robust security system put up by him.
Is GOP Prez contender Vivek Ramaswamy out of steam? Done? Over?
Washington, Jan 10 - Indian American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s presidential campaign may be drawing to a close after bringing national and international attention to this -- as he has said about himself -- "a skinny guy with a funny last name".
UN steps up support for IDPs, returnees in South Sudan
Juba, Jan 11 - The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a UN migration agency, has said that it has stepped up cash-based assistance to more than 4,488 vulnerable returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the fighting in Sudan into South Sudan.
Japan begins work for US base relocation in Okinawa despite local opposition
Tokyo, Jan 11 - The Japanese government has begun ground improvement work for the relocation of a key US military base within Okinawa prefecture after overriding the local government's objection, regardless of the opinions of local residents.