Syrian Gov’t Slams Oil Deal Between Kurdish Militia, U.S. Firm

DAMASCUS, Aug 3 (NNN-SANA) – The Syrian Foreign Ministry, yesterday, condemned a deal signed recently, between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and a U.S. oil company, to modernise the oil industry, in areas controlled by the U.S.-backed SDF, in northeastern Syria. “This agreement is considered an integrated and aggravated…

Iraq Reports 2,447 New COVID-19 Cases, 129,151 In Total

BAGHDAD, Aug 3 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi Health Ministry recorded yesterday, 2,447 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total nationwide infections to 129,151. The new cases included 489 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, 472 in Basra, 294 in Karbala, 211 in Babil, 202 in Erbil, and 175 in Nineveh, the ministry…

Iranian President Voices Hope For Durable Peace In Afghanistan

TEHRAN, Aug 3 (NNN-IRNA) – The Iranian president, on Sunday, expressed hope that dialogue among Afghan political groups will result in durable peace in Afghanistan. In a phone conversation with Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, Hassan Rouhani welcomed the cease-fire in the neighbouring country and expressed hope that a temporary truce…

Israel’s Central Bank Governor Warns Of Further Increase Of Budget Deficit

JERUSALEM, Aug 3 (NNN-MA’AN) – Bank of Israel Governor, Amir Yaron, warned the government against a further increase of the state’s budget deficit, said a statement issued by the central bank. Israel’s annual budget deficit recently reached a record 88.4 billion new shekels (about 26 billion U.S. dollars), mainly due…

Palestine Urges EU To “Adopt Actionable Decisions” Against Israeli Construction Plans

RAMALLAH, Aug 3 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine welcomed a letter, signed by European Union diplomats, to protest against Israel’s construction plans in an East Jerusalem area, urging the EU’s “actionable decisions.” On July 31, representatives and ambassadors of 15 European countries, sent a protest letter to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, on…

India’s COVID-19 Cases Surpass 1.7 Million

NEW DELHI, Aug 3 (NNN-XINHUA) – India’s COVID-19 tally crossed the 1.7 million-mark on Sunday, reaching 1,750,723, announced the federal health ministry. Over 200,000 fresh cases have been detected across the country in the past four days. Sunday is the fourth day in succession when over 50,000 fresh cases are…

At Least 30 Killed In Targeted Attacks In Afghanistan In July

KABUL, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Scores of Afghans have been victimised in the Taliban-led unrest, as violence still lingers in the country, even after a Taliban-United States peace deal agreement was reached in Feb. The Taliban militant group and other insurgent factions conducted scores of targeted attacks against civilians and…

Brunei Reports No New COVID-19 Cases For 87 Days

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug 3 (NNN-ANN) – Brunei reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, with the national tally of cases standing at 141. It marked the 87th consecutive day without new cases since May 7. According to Brunei’s Ministry of Health, no active cases are being treated at…

Governor Of India’s Tamil Nadu State Tests Positive For COVID-19

NEW DELHI, Aug 3 (NNN-UNI) – Banwarilal Purohit, governor of India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, confirmed an official at his office. He was taken to a local hospital, after some employees of his office had tested positive for the virus a couple of…

Three Killed After Ferry Boat Capsized In Southern Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug 3 (NNN-TNA) – Three people were reportedly killed and two others missing, after a ferry boat capsized, near Koh Samui island, in southern Thailand, a provincial governor said yesterday. Divers found the bodies of the three, who apparently drowned and rescued two survivors, after the Raja 4 boat…