Two Killed, 74 Wounded In Firework Factory Explosion In NW Turkey

ISTANBUL, July 4 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Two people were killed and 74 others wounded on Friday, in an explosion at a firework factory in Turkey’s northwestern province of Sakarya. At a televised speech in Istanbul, Erdogan said, among the 189 personnel of the factory, 74 people were wounded, with one of…

Over 10 Million In Beijing Receive COVID-19 Tests

BEIJING, July 4 (NNN-XINHUA) – More than 10.41 million residents in Beijing had received nucleic acid tests, as of Thursday, since the resurgence of domestically transmitted COVID-19 cases, local authorities said yesterday (Friday). Test results from about 10.06 million people had come back, Zhang Qiang, deputy head of the Organisation…

Palestinian Economy May Lose 3.5 Billion USD Annually, If Israel Implements Annexation Plan: Official

RAMALLAH, July 2 (NNN-WAFA) – The Palestinian economy may lose more than 3.5 billion U.S. dollars annually, if Israel implements its plan to annex parts of the West Bank, a senior Palestinian official said. Mazen Ghoneim, head of the Palestinian Water Authority, told official Palestinian television that, the Palestinians will…

Iraq Extends Ban On Regular Flights Until July 15

BAGHDAD, July 2 (NNN-NINA) – The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, on Wednesday, announced the extension of the ban on regular flights in the country, until July 15. The ban includes both domestic and international flights, with the exception of those of emergency, medical evacuation and air cargo, as well as,…

Lebanese Defence Minister Accuses IMF Of Basing Support On Political Considerations

BEIRUT, July 2 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanese Defence Minister, Zeina Akar, accused the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of basing its support for Lebanon on political considerations, LBCI TV channel reported. “The IMF decided not to open up to our government, even if it announces readiness to offer great support, when structural…

At Least 50 Killed, Many Feared Missing In Jade Mine Landslide In Myanmar

YANGON, July 2 (NNN-MNA) – Bodies of at least 50 jade scavengers have been recovered, while many others are still missing, in a landslide in Myanmar’s Kachin state today, U Dollar, an official from the local village administration office, said. Caused by monsoon rains, the landslide occurred at a jade…

Retail Stores In Japan Start Charging Shoppers For Plastic Bags

TOKYO, July 2 (NNN-NHK) – Starting July 1 (yesterday) Japanese businesses and retailers throughout the country began charging a small fee for plastic bags per law from the government. This is considered to be a step forward in helping reduce plastic waste from Japan, and to increase consumer awareness about…

New Zealand Health Minister Resigns Amid Criticism Of Dereliction Of Duty

WELLINGTON, July 2 (NNN-BERNAMA) – New Zealand Minister for Health, David Clark, announced today, he decided to resign as a minister and leave the cabinet. The surprise announcement came, amid months of public outcry on Clark’s dereliction of duty during and after the COVID-19 lock-down. Clark planned to attend a…

Singapore GE2020: Special Voting Hour For Singaporeans On Stay Home Notices And Unwell Voters

SINGAPORE, July 2 (NNN-CNA) – Singaporeans serving stay-home notices (SHN), will be able to leave their homes to vote at their assigned polling stations on Polling Day, but can do so only during a one-hour slot. In announcing the voting arrangements for the July 10 polls – which is happening amid the…

COVID-19 Cases In Tokyo Hit Highest Since State Of Emergency Lifted

TOKYO, July 2 (NNN-NHK) – Tokyo metropolitan government yesterday confirmed 67 new COVID-19 infections, marking the sixth straight day new daily cases in the Japanese capital have topped 50, and the highest number since the state of emergency was lifted in late May. The number is an uptick from 54…