Palestine Welcomes U.S. Congress Members’ Letter Over Israeli Demolition Of Palestinian Homes

RAMALLAH, Mar 18 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestine welcomed a letter by 64 U.S. Congress members, to Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, concerning Israel’s home demolition against the Palestinians. Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Executive Committee, said, this letter is an “overdue” oversight of U.S. military aid to Israel.…

Iran’s COVID-19 Death Toll Edges Towards 1,000 Amid Worsening Epidemic Situation

CAIRO, Mar 18 (NNN-MENA) – Iran reported 1,178 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 135 more deaths from the virus, with the death toll edging towards 1,000. Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education announced that, the total number of COVID-19 cases increased to 16,169, as the death toll reached…

U.S. sanctions impair Iran’s ability to fight COVID-19: Iranian FM

TEHRAN, Mar 18 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said, U.S. “unlawful” anti-Iran sanctions have impaired its ability to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. “Unlawful U.S. sanctions (have) drained Iran’s economic resources, impairing its ability to fight COVID-19,” Zarif said on Twitter. The sanctions “literally kill innocents,” he wrote.…

Brunei Inaugurates Cross-Sea Bridge

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Mar 18 (NNN-BBNEWS) – Brunei on Tuesday (yesterday), inaugurated the cross-sea Temburong Bridge, linking the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan with the Temburong district. To curb the spread of COVID-19, Brunei banned all residents from leaving the country and decided to open the Temburong Bridge. The Brunei government…

Smaller, Low-Key Graduation Ceremonies Held In Japan Amid COVID-19 Spread

TOKYO, Mar 18 (NNN-NHK) – Some schools in Japan held scaled-down, low-key graduation ceremonies, with proceedings shortened and participants limited, amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 here. Mar is the last month of the academic year and despite the education ministry on Feb 28, requesting all schools to close…

Iraqi President Urges New PM-Designate To Hold Early Elections

BAGHDAD, Mar 18 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi President, Barham Salih, called on prime minister-designate, Adnan al-Zurfi to hold early elections and carry out comprehensive reforms, to meet the aspirations of the Iraqi people. A statement by the Iraqi Presidency said, Salih asked al-Zurfi to form a new cabinet, when he received…

Covid-19 Infections In Japan Rise To 837

TOKYO, Mar 18 (NNN-NHK) – Japan’s health ministry and local governments said, the number of COVID-19 infections rose to 837 in Japan, as of 6:30 p.m. local time yesterday. The death toll in Japan from the pneumonia-causing virus currently stands at a total of 36 people, according to the health…

Afghan Police Set On Fire 35 Tonnes Of Drugs

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Mar 18 (NNN-XINHUA) – Police in the northern Jawzjan province, set on fire 35 tonnes of illicit drugs, including heroin and hashish, provincial police chief, Abdul Wahid Wajdan said, Tuesday (yesterday). The drugs had been seized over the past one year, the official told Xinhua, adding that, 47…

Nine New Countries Confirm First Cases Of COVID-19

GENEVA, March 17 (NNN-SPA) – The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the number of new people infected by the COVID-19 around the world reached 153,517 cases. It added that the number of deaths worldwide reached 5,735, including 2,469 cases outside China. In a statement, WHO said the nine new…

Bahrain King Patronises Joint Tactical Drill

MANAMA, Mar 17 (NNN-BNA) – King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, patronised the tactical drill, Shield of the Nation 2020, conducted by Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), with live ammunition. Upon arrival, the King was welcomed by the BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa,…