Iraqi Caretaker PM Denounces U.S. Sanctions On Iraqi Figures

BAGHDAD, Dec 16 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, condemned the inclusion of Iraqi figures, in a list of U.S. sanctions, despite their role in combating the extremist Daesh group. “We reject and denounce the inclusion of the names of Iraqi leaders and figures, known for their…

Israel Bans Christians In Gaza From Reaching West Bank, Jerusalem For Christmas

GAZA, Palestine, Dec 16 (NNN-WAFA) – Israel banned the Christian minority, who live in the Gaza Strip, from visiting Christian holy sites and churches in the West Bank and Jerusalem, to celebrate Christmas, a spokesman for the Christian community said, Sunday. Israeli media reported that, Israel bans 500 Christians in…

Jordan, USAID Sign 745 Million USD Grant Deal

AMMAN, Dec 16 (NNN-PETRA) – The Jordanian government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), on Sunday signed an agreement, under which the latter will transfer 745 million U.S. dollars in cash, as a grant to support Jordan’s economy. The agreement was signed by Jordanian Minister of Planning…

Two Policemen Killed In Daesh Attack In Northern Iraq

BAGHDAD, Dec 16 (NNN-NINA) – Two policemen were killed on Sunday, in an attack by Daesh militants, in Iraq’s northern province of Kirkuk, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said. In a separate incident, security forces raided a hideout at a house, on the border between Iraq’s…

Jordan, Japan Discuss Strategic Partnership

AMMAN, Jordan, Dec 16 (NNN-PETRA) – King Abdullah II of Jordan, on Sunday, met with Japanese Defence Minister, Taro Kono, to discuss the strategic partnership between the two countries, and means of enhancing cooperation, especially in defence. During the meeting in Amman, the Jordanian leader expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued…

Iran’s IRGC Monitors Foreign Vessels In Gulf

TEHRAN, Iran, Dec 16 (NNN-TASNIM) – The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), have powerful presence in the Gulf, Commander of the IRGC’s Navy, Ali Reza Tangsiri, said, on Sunday. The IRGC Navy checks and monitors foreign vessels entering the Gulf, and questions them about their nationality,…

Palestinian PM Not To Wait For U.S. “Deal Of The Century”

RAMALLAH, Palestine, Dec 16 (NNN-WAFA) – Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, on Sunday said that, Palestine rejects the U.S. peace plan, or the “Deal of the Century.” The plan is a “U.S. project that we reject,” the prime minister said, in a ceremony marking national teacher’s day in the West…

China’s Grid Corporation Acquires 49 Percent Shares Of Oman’s Electricity Company

MUSCAT, Dec 16 (NNN-ONA) – The State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), on Sunday, signed an agreement with Oman’s Electricity Holding Company (Nama Holding), to acquire 49 percent of it’s shares. SGCC president, Xin Baoan said the move is a milestone in electricity cooperation between the two countries. The contract…

Update: Philippines Quake Kills One Child, Injures Several

DAVAO, Dec 16 (NNN-PNA) – The strong earthquake which struck near the Philippine city of Davao on Sunday, killed a child, damaged buildings and caused several injuries, officials said. The magnitude 6.8 quake centred 61 km southwest of Davao in Mindanao, at a depth of 28.2 km, the U.S. Geological…

One Killed, One Injured In Attacks In Iraq

BAGHDAD, Dec 16 (NNN-NINA) – An Iraqi civil society activist was shot dead and another was wounded, by unknown gunmen, in central Iraq on Sunday, an Interior Ministry official said. Gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on civil society activist, Haqi Ismael, while he was driving, in Baghdad’s northeastern neighbourhood of…