Iraq Retrieves From Lebanon 337 Artefacts Looted After 2003 U.S. Invasion

BAGHDAD, Feb 8 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi authorities yesterday, retrieved from Lebanon, 337 ancient artefacts, which were looted after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Among the retrieved artefacts are 331 cuneiform tablets, dating back to the Akkadian Empire and other early dynasties, more than 4,000 years ago, while…

Turkey Resumes Full Gas Flow To Industrial Plants As Iranian Supply Restarts

ANKARA, Feb 8 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey’s state pipeline operator, announced that, the full flow of natural gas to industrial plants will resume today, after it temporarily limited gas use because of a breakdown on an Iranian pipeline. “We would like to thank our industrialists for their understanding and cooperation in…

New Zealand Supports Farmers, Growers Against COVID-19

WELLINGTON, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealand farmers and growers are getting a helping hand against the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Agriculture Minister, Damien O’Connor, said today. The government allocated 400,000 NZ dollars (265,280 U.S. dollars), to support primary producers with contingency planning and response, if a farmer or grower…

17 Million Vietnamese Students To Return To School

HANOI, Feb 8 (NNN-VNA) – About 17 million students across Vietnam are expected to return to school in the next few weeks, starting today after prolonged online learning, due to COVID-19, according to the country’s Ministry of Education and Training. All 63 Vietnamese cities and provinces will resume in-person classes…

Malaysia Reports 11,034 New COVID-19 Infections, Nine More Deaths

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 8 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia reported 11,034 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight, bringing the national total to 2,925,254, according to the health ministry. Among the new infections, 77 were imported cases, and 10,957 were local transmissions, data released on the ministry’s website showed. A further nine deaths…

Australian Defence Minister Dismisses Reports Of Plan To Depose PM

CANBERRA, Feb 8 (NNN-XINHUA) – Australia’s Defence Minister, Peter Dutton, rejected reports suggesting he is preparing to depose Prime Minister Scott Morrison ahead of the 2022 election. Dutton today insisted, he is behind Morrison, in the lead-up to the election, which is expected to be held in the first half…

Election Campaign Kicks Off In Philippines Amid Pandemic

MANILA, Feb 8 (NNN-PNA) – Campaign for the presidential election, formally kicked off in the Philippines today, three months ahead of the voting on May 9, to choose a new president, that will lead this Southeast Asian country in the next six years. At least 67.5 million Filipinos have registered…

Australian Defence Force Deployed To Ease Pressure On Aged Care System Amid COVID-19 Outbreaks

CANBERRA, Feb 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Australian government deployed military personnel, to aged care homes, to ease a staff shortage crisis, as a result of surging COVID-19 infections. Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, yesterday afternoon announced up to 1,700 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, will be sent in to support the…

Brunei Sees Surging Cases Amid Third Wave Of COVID-19, Urging Early Third-Dose Vaccination

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Feb 8 (NNN-ANN) – Brunei is suffering its third wave of COVID-19, with surging infections in the past several weeks, and the government has urged people to get their third vaccine doses as early as possible. Brunei reported 368 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total tally…

Avalanche Claims 20 Lives In E. Afghanistan

KABUL, Feb 8 (NNN-ANA) – An avalanche has killed 20 people in Dangam district, of the eastern Kunar province in Afghanistan. Fifteen bodies have been recovered, so far, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported, yesterday.– NNN-ANA