Algeria Confirms First Case Of Omicron Variant

ALGIERS, Dec 15 (NNN-APS) – Algerian health authorities, yesterday, confirmed the detection of the first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, local media reported. A foreign national, who entered Algeria on Dec 10, tested positive on his arrival at the International Airport of Algiers. His sample, which was sent to…

Fighting In Northern Ethiopia Routing Millions Of Families From Homes: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 15 (NNN-ENA) – Calling the situation in Ethiopia’s northern regions unpredictable and volatile, UN humanitarians said yesterday, the hostilities-triggered large-scale evacuation of homes is primarily – and significantly – increasing relief needs. Since Sept, the number of internally displaced people in Afar and Amhara has gone up…

Italian Gov’t To Extend COVID-19 State Of Emergency Until Mar, 2022

ROME, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The Italian government, yesterday, approved a decree, allowing extension of the state of emergency over the pandemic for another three months. Due to expire on Dec 31, the state of emergency was extended until Mar 31, 2022, thus confirming the cabinet’s special powers, in terms…

Sri Lanka To Target Three Billion USD Revenue From Fintech Industry

COLOMBO, Dec 15 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka will aim to scale up its Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Business Process Management (BPM) export industry to three billion U.S. dollars, state media, quoting a government minister, reported. Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development,…

Amazon Web Services, Inc. Launches Region In Indonesia

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), yesterday announced the launch of the AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region. AWS also released an economic impact study (EIS), estimating that the company’s spending on the construction and operation of the new AWS Asia Pacific (Jakarta) Region, will create…

Afghanistan Facing Profound Humanitarian Crisis, UN Warns

GENEVA, Dec 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The people of Afghanistan are facing a profound humanitarian crisis that threatens the most basic of human rights, the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) warned yesterday. In an oral update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, Nada Al-Nashif, UN deputy high…

Second Phase Of Egyptian Reconstruction Plan Kicks Off In Gaza

GAZA, Dec 14 (NNN-WAFA) – The second phase of an Egyptian reconstruction plan kicked off in Gaza, to help rebuild the territory, following an Israeli offensive, earlier this year. Ibrahim al-Shuniqi, head of the Egyptian reconstruction committee, told Palestinian faction leaders and government officials that, the start of the second…

Cuba Tightens COVID-19 Preventive Measures Ahead Of Christmas

by Yosley Carrero HAVANA, Dec 14 (NNN-CAN) – The Cuban government has tightened measures, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 ahead of Christmas. With mask mandates and COVID-19 guidance in place, cultural activities have been scheduled all over the country for the end of the year. The move came, as…

U.S. Forces Kill Three Civilians In Eastern Syria

DAMASCUS, Dec 14 (NNN-SANA) – Three civilians from the same family were killed yesterday, by U.S. forces in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour, the state news agency reported. The U.S. forces conducted a large-scale airdrop in the town of Al-Busayrah and surrounding areas, in the countryside of Deir…

Iran Reports 2,706 Daily COVID-19 Cases, 6,157,519 In Total

TEHRAN, Dec 14 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s health ministry, yesterday reported 2,706 new COVID-19 cases, taking the country’s total infection to 6,157,519. The pandemic also claimed 42 lives in the past 24 hours, taking the overall tally, since its outbreak in Feb, 2020, to 130,764, said the update by Iran’s Ministry…