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…

Egypt Seeks UNSC To Push For Final Deal On Ethiopia’s Nile Dam

by Marwa Yahya CAIRO, July 2 (NNN-XINHUA) – Egypt appealed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to intervene in the years-long dispute over Ethiopian’s new hydroelectric dam, to help push for a final deal, before filling its reservoir, said Egyptian experts. In a virtual UNSC session on Monday, Egyptian…

Turkey Vows To Maintain Peace, Security In Syria

ANKARA, July 2 (NNN-XINHUA) – Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said, Turkey will do its best to maintain peace, security and stability in Syria, emphasising political unity and territorial integrity of the neighbouring country as a priority. “Maintaining political unity and territorial integrity of Syria, establishing peace on the ground…

Lebanon’s Palestinian Refugees Protest Against U.S. Mideast Peace Plan

BEIRUT, July 2 (NNN-NNA) – Palestinian refugees in Lebanon demonstrated yesterday, against the U.S. Middle East peace plan, known as the “Deal of the Century,” online newspaper, Elnashra, reported. “This deal aims to eliminate the Palestinian cause and prevent Palestinians from returning to their homeland,” the refugees said, during protests…

Istanbul Accounts For 54 Percent Of New COVID-19 Cases In Turkey: Health Minister

ANKARA, July 2 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkish Health Minister, Fahrettin Koca, said, the past week’s new COVID-19 cases in Istanbul, the largest metropolis in Turkey, accounted for 54 percent of all the increase across the country. This remarkable increase is also observed in the capital Ankara, northwestern Bursa, Central Anatolian Konya,…