Pakistani PM Calls For Connectivity With Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, highlighted the importance of joint efforts with Uzbekistan, to promote regional connectivity for economic growth and development of the region. Talking to visiting Uzbekistan Minister for Transport, Makhkamov Ilkham, Khan said, Pakistani seaports provided a great opportunity to Uzbekistan and…

Russian, Turkish FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties, Joint Peacekeeping Centre In Nagorno-Karabakh

MOSCOW, Dec 30 (NNN-TASS) – Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, discussed developments in relation to the joint Russian-Turkish peacekeeping centre in Nagorno-Karabakh, and bilateral ties under U.S. sanctions, during his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Sochi yesterday. “The centre was created as a result of an agreement…

Arab Region Faces Two Scenarios For Economic Growth In 2021: UN Report

BEIRUT, Dec 30 (NNN-NNA) – The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), yesterday projected the growth rate in the Arab region next year, at either 3.5 or 2.8 percent. The ESCWA report, “Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Arab Region,” said that, the actual…

Iran Starts Human Trials Of Indigenous COVID-19 Vaccine; Turkey’s Tally Tops 2.17 Million

CAIRO, Dec 30 (NNN-MENA) – Iran yesterday started human trials of its indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, the tally of Turkey’s cases surpassed 2.17 million, after 15,805 new infections were added. CovIran Barekat, the first Iranian domestic vaccine for COVID-19, entered the stage of human trials, Hojjat Nik Maleki, spokesman of…

FBI Report Indicates Beirut Blasts Caused By 500 Tonnes Of Ammonium Nitrate: PM

BEIRUT, Dec 30 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, revealed, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indicated that Beirut’s blasts were caused by 500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, instead of 2,750 tonnes as stated previously. “Where have the 2,250 tonnes of ammonium nitrate gone?” Diab asked during…

India’s COVID-19 Tally Reaches 10,224,303

NEW DELHI, Dec 29 (NNN-PTI) – India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 10,224,303 today, as 16,432 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours. Sunday was the first time in six months when the number of new cases fell below the 20,000-mark. The latest tally is said to be the…

Turkey Kills 20 YPG Members In Northern Syria

ANKARA, Dec 29 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkish security forces killed 20 members of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), in northern Syria, as they were preparing to carry out an attack on Turkey’s operation zone, Turkey’s Defence Ministry, said. “Our commandos continue to neutralise PKK/YPG terrorists that are trying to…

Iran Urges Foreign Forces’ Exit From Region

TEHRAN, Dec 29 (NNN-IRNA) – Top Iranian security official, yesterday urged foreign forces, to leave the region, semi-official FARS news agency reported. “Security in the region can only be achieved through the removal of external factors” which are against the stability of the region, Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme…

Vietnam’s Industrial Production Up 3.36 Percent In 2020

HANOI, Dec 29 (NNN-VNA) – Vietnam’s national index of industrial production rose 3.36 percent year on year in 2020, according to the country’s General Statistics Office today. The processing and manufacturing sector, the main driver of the surge, went up 5.82 percent, contributing 1.25 percentage points to the overall growth.…

Philippine Capital To Remain Under Partial Lockdown Until Jan 31

MANILA, Dec 29 (NNN-PNA) – Philippine President, Rodrigo Duterte, retained the partial lockdown measures in the country’s capital until Jan 31, next year, as the country braces for a new virus variant, believed to spread more quickly. Duterte said that, Metro Manila will remain under the general community quarantine from…