Tokyo, Aug 11 (IANS) Japan’s weather agency issued a heavy rain emergency warning for the southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto on Monday morning, calling for maximum caution as the risk of disasters could rise quickly.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) added Amakusa City to the country’s highest level heavy rain warning list at 9:15 a.m. local time. Warnings are already in effect for the cities of Tamana, Uki, Yatsushiro and Kami-Amakusa, and the towns of Nagasu and Hikawa in the prefecture.We…

Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS) The commander of the US Forces Korea (USFK) has said the role of the US-led multinational UN Command (UNC) will “absolutely” continue to evolve amid regional security challenges, such as deepening alignment between North Korea and Russia. The remark by Gen. Xavier Brunson, who also serves as the commander of the UNC and the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, came as North Korea and Russia have been seeking to strengthen their military cooperation through the deployment …

New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) India on Monday slammed the irresponsible remarks made by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his recent visit to the United States, emphasising that “nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade”. During his US visit over the weekend, Munir has warned that Pakistan will never allow India to choke the Indus River and will defend its water rights at all costs even if the forces will have to destroy any dam that India sought to…

Suva, Aug 11 (IANS) In a significant step towards solidarity with its Indo-Pacific partners, the Indian mission handed over five metric tonnes of cowpea seeds as humanitarian assistance to the Fijian government on Monday. This was the first tranche of the seeds sent to Fiji and was delivered to the island nation in Nadi city. The initiative will enhance farming sustainability, support growers, and boost food security in the island nation.Sharing the information on X, the Indian High Commission i…

Jerusalem, Aug 11 (IANS) The Israeli Health Ministry reported 93 new diagnosed cases of measles, bringing the total in the current outbreak, which began in early April, to 410.The ministry on Sunday estimated that, due to the high hospitalisation rate and community reports, the number of infected people in the current outbreak in Israel ranges from 950 to 1,700.According to the ministry, the number of active diagnosed patients has increased from 120 to 162, including 22 currently hospitalised.Tw…

Chongqing, Aug 11 (IANS) Torrential rains have resulted in the evacuation of more than 15,000 residents in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, local authorities said on Monday.According to the municipal meteorological department, heavy downpours hit 16 districts and counties in Chongqing from 7 a.m. on Sunday to 7 a.m. on Monday. The heaviest precipitation was recorded in Hechuan District, reaching 167 mm.As of 6 a.m. on Monday, over 15,000 people had been evacuated in Chongqing, the munic…

Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS) South Korean Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team said on Monday that they have asked for former first lady Kim Keon Hee to be placed at a detention centre different from the one where her husband and former President Yoon Suk Yeol is held in the event an arrest warrant is issued for her.Min’s team requested a warrant for Kim last Thursday, a day after questioning her over her alleged involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme, meddling in candidate nominations for the …

Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS) North Korea’s Defence Minister No Kwang-chol on Monday warned that Pyongyang would exercise its “self-defence” right in the event of a provocation, denouncing a planned large-scale joint military exercise between South Korea and the United States.The North Korean Defence Minister issued the warning a week before Seoul and Washington are set to kick off their annual summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise from August 18-28, reports Yonhap, quoting Korean Central News A…

Quetta, Aug 11 (IANS) Balochistan on Monday observed the 78th Independence Day, continuing an annual tradition that defies what Baloch human rights groups call Pakistan’s “illegal occupation” of the region. The Baloch struggle for independence has significant historical origins, starting in 1947 when the princely state of Kalat made a short-lived declaration of independence following the partition of British India.Nevertheless, in 1948, Pakistan forcibly annexed the region, a move that has conti…

Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS) South Korea and Vietnam will work to expand bilateral cooperation in the energy industry, including renewable energy and nuclear power, as the two countries aim to bolster ties in trade, security and other sectors, Seoul officials said Monday.The countries’ industry ministries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop joint projects in the renewable energy sector, such as solar power, wind power and energy storage systems, according to Seoul’s Ministry of Trade, …