Egyptian Defence Minister, Greek Chief Of Staff Discuss Military Ties

CAIRO, Jan 19 (NNN-MENA) – Egyptian Defence Minister, Mohamed Zaki, and the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Konstantinos Floros, discussed strengthening military cooperation between Cairo and Athens. During a meeting in Cairo, the two officials discussed a number of issues of common interest, in light of the…

Philippine President Duterte Praises Safety Of Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine

MANILA, Jan 19 (NNN-PNA) – Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, noted the safety of vaccines development by China’s biopharmaceutical companies, defending his government’s decision to buy them. Duterte said, in a late-night televised national address last night that, China’s vaccines, including those from Sinovac and Sinopharm, are being used in Indonesia,…

Christmas Period Boosts New Zealand Domestic Card Spending

WELLINGTON, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Spending on groceries, furniture and electronics boosted New Zealand’s Dec, 2020 sales, compared with Dec, 2019, but accommodation and fuel spending were low, the country’s statistics department, Stats NZ said, today. Total retail card spending rose 3.5 percent in Dec, 2020, up 250 million New…

13 Killed As Truck Overruns Labourers In India’s Gujarat

NEW DELHI, Jan 19 (NNN-PTI) – At least 13 sleeping migrant labourers were killed, and several others were injured today, after a truck overran them, in India’s western state of Gujarat, police said. All the deceased were labourers hailing from Banswada district in Rajasthan. During the time of the incident,…

Australian PM Tells Disgruntled Tennis Players To “Follow The Rules”

CANBERRA, Jan 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s Prime Minister told tennis players in quarantine, ahead of the Australian Open, to “follow the rules.” The Department of Health and Human Services in the state of Victoria, where the Australian Open will be held from Feb 8 to 21, this morning reported four…

Cambodia Launches Three-Year Economic Diplomacy Strategy

PHNOM PENH, Jan 19 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia launched a three-year economic diplomacy strategy (2021-2023), aiming at enhancing ties in trade, investment, tourism and culture between the kingdom and friendly nations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Prak Sokhonn, said, the strategy would serve as a roadmap for ministries and institutions,…

Pakistan Approves China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine For Emergency Use

ISLAMABAD, Jan 19 (NNN-APP) – The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) approved a vaccine by China’s Sinopharm for emergency use in the country. A handout by DRAP late yesterday read that, Sinopharm, one of the two vaccines approved by the authority, has been given emergency use authorisation after evaluating…

Japan’s Suga Vows To Go Ahead With Olympics, Curb COVID-19 Resurgence In Policy Speech

TOKYO, Jan 19 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese Diet opened yesterday with Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, vowing to go ahead with preparations to hold the Tokyo Olympics this summer, in the face of growing public opposition amid a surge in COVID-19 infections. In his first policy speech at the Diet’s regular…

COVID-19: Malaysian PM Unveils RM15 Billion Package To Help People, Ensure Economic Resilience

Singapore Reports 14 New COVID-19 Cases

SINGAPORE, Jan 19 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) reported 14 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 59,127. Of the new cases, 12 are imported and two are in the community. Both of the local cases are linked to previous cases. Amongst the new cases,…