Update: Torrential Rain Pummels Southwest, Central Japan, Widespread Evacuation Orders Issued

TOKYO, July 9 (NNN-NHK) – Downpours continued to inundate wide swathes of southwest and central Japan on Wednesday, leading to the weather agency here issuing its highest alert level for heavy rain in areas in Gifu and Nagano prefectures, before downgrading it later in the day. According to Japan Meteorological…

Australia’s Northern Territory Closes Borders To Pandemic “Hot-Spot” Victoria

CANBERRA, July 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) closed its borders to the state of Victoria “indefinitely” to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Michael Gunner, chief minister of NT, declared all of Victoria a COVID-19 “hot-spot” on Wednesday, following a significant spike in cases across Melbourne, the state capital.…

Nigerian Air Force Kills Several Gunmen, Destroys Camps

ABUJA, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Several gunmen were killed and their camps destroyed, following an air operation in the northwestern Nigerian state of Sokoto, the nation’s air force chief, Sadique Abubakar, said Tuesday. The operation was launched on Monday, as part of efforts to rid the Nigerian northwest region of…

India COVID-19 Death Toll Rises To 20,642 As Total Cases Reach 742,417

NEW DELHI, July 8 (NNN-UNI) – India’s federal health ministry said this morning that, 482 new deaths, besides 22,752 positive cases, were reported during the past 24 hours across the country, taking the number of deaths to 20,642 and total cases to 742,417. “As of 8:00 a.m. (local time) today,…

Palestine Welcomes UNESCO Resolutions To Protect Palestinian Heritage Sites

RAMALLAH, July 8 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine hailed the latest resolutions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), that call for the protection of Palestinian heritage sites from Israeli moves. Member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Hanan Ashrawi said, the decision is important at a time of “increasing…

Daily COVID-19 Cases In Israel Hit Record 1,473

JERUSALEM, July 8 (NNN-MA’AN) – The Israeli health ministry reported 1,473 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, the highest single-day surge, raising the total number in the country to 32,222. The number breaks the previous daily record of 1,115 daily cases recorded on July 4. The ministry also reported eight new…

Mustafa Sentop Re-Elected As Turkish Parliament Speaker

ANKARA, July 8 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkish lawmakers, on Tuesday (yesterday), re-elected Mustafa Sentop, as the country’s parliament speaker. Out of the 600 parliament members, 328 voted for Sentop, in the third round of voting, according to media report. Haluk Koc, candidate from the main opposition Republican People’s Party, got 134…

600 New COVID-19 Infections Recorded In Qatar

DOHA, July 8 (NNN-QNA) – Qatar’s Health Ministry, on Tuesday, announced 600 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections in the Gulf state to 100,945. Meanwhile, 1,005 more patients recovered from the coronavirus, bringing the total recoveries to 94,903, while one more patient died, raising the death toll…

Two Killed, 24 Others Injured In Train Collision In Czech Republic

PRAGUE, July 8 (NNN-CTK) – At least two people were killed and 24 others injured, when two passenger trains collided near Pernink Village, in the northwest of the Czech Republic, on Tuesday. Of those injured, nine had medium or severe injuries, reports said. The trains collided less than one kilometre…

New Study Warns Of Brain Damages Linked To COVID-19

LONDON, July 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A new study found that infection with COVID-19 can lead to brain damages, including delirium and nerve damage. According to the study, at University College London (UCL), since COVID-19 broke out, there appeared to be a “concerning increase” of a rare brain inflammation, known to…