Death Toll From Floods In Malaysia Rises To 37

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (NNN-BERNAMA) – The death toll from the massive floods in Malaysia has risen to 37 as of yesterday, authorities said. Selangor state police chief, Arjunaidi Mohamed, said, the death toll in the state has risen to 24, while another nine were confirmed dead in Pahang state.…

UN General Assembly President Tests Positive For COVID-19

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Abdulla Shahid, president of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, said yesterday that, he has tested positive for COVID-19, and is self-isolating. “I have tested positive for COVID-19 today. I am isolating at home with mild symptoms,” Shahid tweeted. “I was privileged…

Iran Accuses West Of Fuelling Tensions In Gulf After GCC-UK Anti-Iran Statement

TEHRAN, Dec 23 (NNN-IRNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry said yesterday that, Western countries have always stoked tensions in the region, in reaction to an anti-Iran joint statement recently issued by foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members and Britain. British Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, met with visiting…

Palestinian Young Man Killed By Israeli Soldiers In West Bank: Medics

RAMALLAH, Dec 23 (NNN-WAFA) – A Palestinian young man was killed last night, by Israeli soldiers, near the West Bank city of Ramallah, medics and eyewitnesses said. Mohammed Eassa Abbas, 26, from al-Ama’ri refugee camp near Ramallah, was shot in the back by Israeli soldiers, on the outskirts of the…

Moscow Hopes For Serious Response To Its Security Proposals: Russian FM

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (NNN-TASS) – Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said yesterday that, Moscow hopes that its proposals on security guarantees will be taken seriously by NATO and the United States. “We will do everything to make sure we are understood, considering the actions we are currently taking, to ensure…

Spain To Bring Back Mandatory Outdoor Masks, Step Up Booster Shots

MADRID, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Spain is to impose the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors and step up booster COVID-19 vaccination, the country’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced yesterday. The measures were announced following a virtual meeting with Spain’s regional leaders. “One measure with very broad consensus among all…

Both Houses Of Indian Parliament Adjourned Sine Die

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 (NNN-PTI) – Both houses of the Indian parliament were yesterday adjourned sine die, a day ahead of schedule, officials said. Speaker of the lower house of parliament, locally known as Lok Sabha, Om Birla, while giving an insight about the work of the winter session, said,…

Mongolia Bans Public Celebration Of White Moon Festival Due To Pandemic

ULAN BATOR, Dec 23 (NNN-MONGOLIA WEB) – Mongolia yesterday banned public celebrations of the traditional White Moon festival, or the Lunar New Year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The government has decided not to widely celebrate the upcoming White Moon, due to the pandemic,” the government’s press office said, in…

Australia To Ramp Up Booster Rollout Amid Surging Omicron Infections

CANBERRA, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, urged the people to “stay calm and get boosted,” amid surging COVID-19 infections. Morrison yesterday met with state and territory leaders, at the national cabinet, to discuss the rapid spread of the Omicron variant in Australia. Following the meeting, he…

Japan’s Initial Budget Projected To Total 950 Billion USD In Fiscal 2022

TOKYO, Dec 23 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese government will compile a draft budget for fiscal 2022, worth some 107.6 trillion yen (941 billion U.S. dollars), a record high for the 10th consecutive year, government officials said yesterday. The government plans to prepare more than 100 trillion yen (875 billion dollars)…