Portugal Assumes EU Presidency Aiming Economic Recovery

LISBON, Jan 6 (NNN-XINHUA) – Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, met here yesterday, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, marking the beginning of the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is Portugal’s fourth presidency of the Council. Germany handed over the six-month rotating presidency…

Japan’s COVID-19 Cases Hit New Record, Ahead Of Emergency Declaration

TOKYO, Jan 6 (NNN-NHK) – Japan yesterday confirmed a record 4,912 new daily infections, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 253,437, not including those related to a cruise ship quarantined near Tokyo. The new record figure comes as Japan is moving towards declaring another state of emergency in Tokyo and…

Africa’s Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Pass 2.85 Million

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 6 (NNN-ENA) – The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the African continent reached 2,854,971, as of yesterday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The continental disease control and prevention agency, said, death toll from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reached 67,986,…

Palestine Holds “Intensive Contacts” For Convening Int’l Peace Conference: Official

RAMALLAH, Jan 6 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine is holding intensive contacts, on convening an international conference for peace, a senior official said yesterday. Palestine envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, told “Voice of Palestine” that, “intensifying contacts comes in preparation for an open session, scheduled for the UN Security Council, on…

UK Faces New Lockdown With Tougher Battle Ahead Against COVID-19

LONDON, Jan 6 (NNN-XINHUA) – Millions of Britons woke up yesterday, to face new strict lockdown measures, requiring them to stay indoors as COVID-19 infections continue to spiral upwards. Announcing the lockdown, the third of its kind since the pandemic began in the country, British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, told…

India’s COVID-19 Death Toll Nears 150,000, Tally Rises To 10,356,844

NEW DELHI, Jan 5 (NNN-PTI) – India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 10,356,844 today, as 16,375 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours, said the latest data from the federal health ministry. According to the data, deaths mounted to 149,850, as 201 patients died since yesterday morning. There are…

Hamas Agrees To Hold Palestinian Elections After Four Countries Give Guarantees

GAZA, Jan 5 (NNN-WAFA) – A senior Hamas official said, Hamas agreed to hold general elections in the Palestinian territories, after four countries have guaranteed the success of the elections. The guarantees were given by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Russia, said Taher al-Nono, an aide to Hamas chief, Ismail Haniyeh,…

Roundup: Turkey Sees Over 2.25 Million Positive COVID-19 Cases; Infections In Iran Near 1.25 Million

CAIRO, Jan 5 (NNN-MENA) – Turkey saw the number of COVID-19 cases reaching over 2.25 million yesterday, while Iran’s total confirmed cases approach 1.25 million. Meanwhile, Lebanon announced a 25-day lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. Turkey, the worst-hit country in the Middle East, confirmed 13,695 cases, including…

COVID-19 Situation In Jordan Good, Improving: Health Minister

AMMAN, Jan 5 (NNN-PETRA) – Jordanian Health Minister, Nathir Obeidat, announced that, the COVID-19 situation in the country is good and improving. A field hospital started operations in the capital, Amman, to treat patients, Obeidat said, adding, two others in Irbid and Aqaba will soon be opened and a fourth…

Iran Says Seizure Of South Korean Oil Tanker “Normal” Procedure Over “Technical Matter”

TEHRAN, Jan 5 (NNN-TASNIM) – Iran said that, the seizure of a South Korean oil tanker by Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) earlier in the day, is a “normal” procedure over a “technical matter.” “Like other countries, Iran is sensitive to this kind of violations, especially to the pollution…