KABUL -- Mohammad Halim Rafi, the spokesman for the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), has estimated the population of Afghanistan to be as high as 36.4 million, according to a local media outlet, Tolonews.
According to the video message of the official, 51 percent of the country's population is male, and the remaining 49 percent is female, the media outlet added. (Afghanistan-36.4 million-population)
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TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on Japan is "truly regrettable," noting bilateral negotiations will continue toward a mutually beneficial deal.
At a tariff task force meeting, Ishiba said the government will not waver in its defense of national interests in future rounds of trade talks, pledging to do all it can to mitigate the impact of the imminent tariff hike on the export-oriented Japanese economy. (Japan-US Tariffs)
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COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's cabinet has authorized the navy to conduct maritime security operations on commercial ships operating in high-risk zones, according to the Department of Government Information on Tuesday.
The decision followed a proposal from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. (Sri Lanka-Navy)
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KATHMANDU -- Eighteen people including six Chinese nationals went missing in floods triggered by incessant rainfalls on Tuesday morning in northern Nepal.
According to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, six Chinese nationals and eight Nepali nationals went missing as they had been working together on facilities aided by China at Rasuwagadhi border point. (Nepal-Floods-Missing)
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TOKYO -- Four Japanese civil groups have jointly held a memorial rally in Saitama City calling for remembering history, deep reflection and cherishing peace, as Monday marked the 88th anniversary of the historic July 7 Incident.
The organizations, including the Kanto Japan-China Peace and Friendship Association and the Fushun's Miracles Inheritance Association, hosted the commemoration on Monday. (Japan-China-Lugou Bridge-war) ■
