Syrian Army Captures Five Villages In Idlib Within 12 Hours

DAMASCUS, Dec 21 (NNN-SANA) – The Syrian army advanced in battles against the rebels in the northwestern province of Idlib, capturing five villages within 12 hours, a war monitor reported. The Syrian army launched its latest offensive on Thursday morning, targeting rebel positions in the eastern and southeastern countryside of…

Lebanon’s New PM Plans A Government Of Experts

BEIRUT, Dec 21 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanon’s newly-appointed Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, vowed to form a government of experts, to deal with the current economic and political challenges. “I totally understand the demands of the protesters. I only ask them to give us some time, to form an exceptional government capable…

China-Aided Conservatory Starts Construction In Lebanon

BEIRUT, Dec 21 (NNN-NNA) – Construction of a China-aided conservatory, with an investment of 62 million U.S. dollars, was started on Friday. “It is an important landmark in the cultural exchanges between China and Lebanon, under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative,” Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, Wang Kejian…

30 Palestinians Injured In Anti-Israel Protest In Eastern Gaza

GAZA, Palestine, Dec 21 (NNN-WAFA) – At least 30 Palestinian demonstrators were injured on Friday, during clashes with Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel. The injured included eight, who were shot by Israeli soldiers’ live gunfire, Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the Health Ministry…

485 Killed In Protests In Iraq Since Early Oct

BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (NNN-NINA) – The casualty toll in protests since early Oct in Iraq, raised to 485 dead and some 27,000 wounded, an official, Ali al-Baiyati, a member of the Iraqi Independent High Commission for Human Rights, said. Al-Baiyati said, the total number of detainees from the demonstrators reached…

Syrian Constitutional Committee Lacks Consensus On Agenda, Broader Political Process Needed: UN

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 21 (NNN-SANA) – The second session of the Syrian constitutional committee, failed to get off the ground, due to lack of consensus over the agenda, the UN envoy for Syria said. Geir Pedersen, the secretary-general’s special representative for Syria, assured the council, however, that, there are lessons…

Palestinian President Hails ICC’s Decision To Probe “Situation In Palestine”

RAMALLAH, Palestine, Dec 21 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, hailed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to open the way for the Palestinians to sue Israel. He made the remarks at an ongoing session attended by members of the revolutionary council of his Fatah party, in the…

Russian Navy To Receive Five Nuclear Submarines Next Year

MOSCOW, Dec 21 (NNN-TASS) – A Russian shipyard will deliver five nuclear-powered submarines to the Russian Navy in 2020, Mikhail Budnichenko, chief executive officer of the shipyard, said, in an interview published on Friday (yesterday). The Sevmash Shipyard is preparing to deliver the latest fourth-generation ballistic missile carriers, Prince Vladimir…

Indian Navy Chief On Four-Day Visit To Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI, Dec 19 (NNN-PTI) – Indian Navy Chief, Admiral Karambir Singh, will be visiting Sri Lanka on Dec 19-22, sources in the Defence Ministry confirmed today (Thursday). The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance bilateral maritime relations between the two neighbouring countries. During his visit, Singh will hold…

Malaria outbreak kills 19 in Myanmar last year

YANGON, Dec 19 (NNN-MNA) – A total of 19 people died of malaria in Myanmar last year, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports today (Thursday). In 2018, 76,518 malaria infection cases were registered in Myanmar, showing a sharp drop of mortality rate, compared to past years. The national…