Iraqi PM Warns Of Collapse Of State Without Financial Reform

BAGHDAD, Dec 20 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, warned of the collapse of social and political systems in Iraq, and overwhelming chaos, if the country does not go through financial reform. Al-Kadhimi made his comments during an extraordinary session of the Iraqi cabinet, to discuss the federal budget…

Five Run Over, Killed By Truck In India’s Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI, Dec 20 (NNN-PTI) – Five people were killed and one injured, by a cement-laden truck, that ran over them, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The truck ran over the people, who had gathered on the road, trying to rescue an accident victim. The tragedy occurred…

Thimphu City Of Bhutan Goes Into Complete Lockdown

THIMPHU, Dec 20 (NNN-XINHUA) – Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, went into complete lockdown starting today, after a 25-year-old woman, who visited a flu clinic at the National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, was found positive for COVID-19. Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering, announced the lockdown within Thimphu city…

Curfew Imposed In Thailand’s Pandemic-Hit Province Near Bangkok

BANGKOK, Dec 20 (NNN-TNA) – A curfew has been declared throughout Thailand’s pandemic-hit Samut Sakhon province, near Bangkok, starting yesterday, in the face of a spread of COVID-19, which has infected 548 people, so far. Provincial governor, Verasak Vichitsangsri, announced the lockdown measures, including the curfew, between 10:00 p.m. and…

New Restrictions Rolled Out As 30 New Cases Added To Australia’s COVID-19 Cluster

SYDNEY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, reintroduced stricter restrictions today, as confirmed cases related to a local COVID -19 cluster continued to grow. The state of New South Wales (NSW) recorded 30 more locally acquired COVID-19 cases last night, and an additional six cases in returned travellers…

At Least Nine Killed In Hospital Fire In SE Turkey

ANKARA, Dec 20 (NNN-ANADOLU) – At least nine patients were killed yesterday, after an explosion of a respiratory machine caused fire, in a private hospital in Turkey’s south-eastern Gaziantep province, Turkish Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, said on Twitter. Gaziantep governorate said, in an earlier written statement, that, eight out of…

Huge Gas Reserve Found In NW China’s Xinjiang

URUMQI, Dec 20 (NNN-XINHUA) – A massive gas reservoir with expected reserves of over 100 billion cubic metres was found in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to PetroChina. A preliminary probe indicates the reservoir, covering an area of 156 million square metres, beneath the middle of the southern…

Egyptian President Discusses Palestinian Cause With Jordanian, Palestinian FMs

CAIRO, Dec 20 (NNN-MENA) – Egyptian President, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, discussed yesterday, efforts to resume the Middle East peace process, with foreign ministers of Jordan and Palestine. During a meeting in Cairo, President Sisi affirmed to the Jordanian and Palestinian foreign ministers that, his country will continue its tireless efforts, to…

Lebanon Signs Cooperation Agreement With WFP To Boost Agriculture

BEIRUT, Dec 19 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanon signed, yesterday, a cooperation agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP), to boost the country’s agriculture sector. Lebanese Agriculture Minister, Abbas Mortada, said, only the agriculture sector is capable of guaranteeing food security for Lebanon while securing access to food at reasonable prices, amid…

Iran, Pakistan To Open New Border Crossing To Boost Trade

TEHRAN, Dec 19 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran and Pakistan will open a new border crossing point to increase trade exchanges, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, said yesterday. The border crossing point between Iran’s south-eastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province and Pakistan’s Gabd, would open today, Khatibzadeh said. During a visit by…