Maldives Achieves 90 Percent Of Tourism Target For 2021

MALE, Oct 20 (NNN-PSM) – The Maldives has achieved 90 percent of the projected tourism arrivals for 2021, data from the Ministry of Tourism reported here. A total of 923,146 tourists have arrived in the Maldives between Jan 1 and Oct 13, Tourism Ministry data showed. This number is 76,854…

Death Toll In India’s Flood-Hit Uttarakhand State Rises To 34

NEW DELHI, Oct 20 (NNN-PTI) – The death toll in India’s flood-hit state Uttarakhand, rose to 34, the state’s Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami said yesterday, after taking an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas. The chief minister announced a monetary compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees (around 5,329 U.S. dollars),…

Lebanon To Hold Parliamentary Elections In Mar

BEIRUT, Oct 20 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanon’s parliament, yesterday voted to set the date for the parliamentary elections on Mar 27, ahead of the previous schedule in May, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. The earlier date was chosen, in order to avoid clashing with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.…

U.S. Secretary Of Homeland Security Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Full Vaccination

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, tested positive for COVID-19, despite having been fully vaccinated, his spokesperson said yesterday. “Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus, after taking a test, as part of routine pre-travel protocols. Secretary Mayorkas is experiencing only…

Powell’s Death Of COVID-19 Complications Triggers Vaccine Effectiveness Debate In U.S.

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Former U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, died at 84 of COVID-19 complications on Monday, triggering heated debate, over the effectiveness of vaccines in the United States. “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed…

Tunisian FM Meets German Minister To Discuss Strategic Partnership

TUNIS, Oct 20 (NNN-TAP) – Tunisian Foreign Minister, Othman Jerandi, yesterday met with visiting German Minister of State, at the Federal Foreign Office, Niels Annen, to discuss strategic partnership between the two countries, according to the Foreign Ministry. The Tunisian-German strategic partnership “is witnessing continuous development, that reflects the importance…

Nigerian Troops Kill Over 50 Gunmen In Northwest State

LAGOS, Oct 20 (NNN-NAN) – Over 50 gunmen were killed, during a joint operation by Nigerian troops, in the country’s northwestern state of Kaduna on Monday, an official said. Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs in Kaduna state, said in a statement, an operational feedback to the…

Libya Receives First Group Of European Tourists In A Decade

TRIPOLI, Oct 20 (NNN-XINHUA) – A group of more than 100 European tourists, yesterday visited Libya for the first time, since the 2011 uprising, that toppled the former government. The visitors entered Libya from neighbouring Tunisia, and started their 12-day trip from Ghadames, a historic town in south-eastern Libya. “The…

First Cargo Trucks Depart Afghanistan For Europe: Official

KABUL, Oct 20 (NNN-ANA) -The first batch of cargo trucks, carrying commercial products from Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, to Europe, departed on Monday, an official confirmed. The seven-truck convoy has been loaded with 100 tonnes of products, including dried fruit, carpets, saffron and handicrafts, according to Mohammad Abdullah Bilall, director of…

Ukrainian President, U.S. Defence Secretary Discuss Ways To Deepen Cooperation

KIEV, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and visiting U.S. Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, met here yesterday, to discuss ways to deepen practical cooperation between Kiev and Washington, in the field of security and defence, the Ukrainian presidential press service said. The two sides exchanged views on…