Japanese Gov’t Relaxes Ban On Arms Exports Amid Criticism

TOKYO, Dec 23 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese government, yesterday, lifted its ban on exports of arms and ammunition, manufactured under license from foreign companies to their countries, and conditionally to third countries. The controversial change was brought up under the revised Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology,…

Indian Opposition Lawmakers Protest Against Their Suspension From Parliament

NEW DELHI, Dec 23 (NNN-PTI) – Opposition parties in India, yesterday, staged a protest here against the recent record suspension of 146 lawmakers from the two houses of parliament. The protest, called by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), was attended by leaders from Congress, left parties, Dravida Munnetra…

Analysts Foresee Softening Car Sales In Malaysia Next Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Analysts foreseen softening car sales in Malaysia next year, due to the expiry of sales and service tax (SST) exemption, the implementation of fuel subsidy rationalisation, the introduction of the new luxury tax, and higher inflation in the country. UOBKayHian said, in its recent…

Three Killed, Eight Injured In Vehicle Accident In West Java

JAKARTA, Dec 22 (NNN-ANTARA) – Three people died and eight others were injured, in a vehicle accident in Indonesia’s West Java yesterday. “A truck was speeding down a downhill road, out of control, then beat some motorbikes and stopped after hitting a house and a shop,” head of the Cianjur…

Tunisian President, Indonesian FM Met On Ties, Cooperation

TUNIS, Dec 22 (NNN-TAP) – Tunisian President, Kais Saied, met yesterday, with visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, on bilateral ties and cooperation. During the meeting, Saied stressed Tunisia’s desire to further strengthen and diversify relations with Indonesia in economic, cultural, and scientific sectors, according to a statement by the…

UN Expresses Concern Over Israeli Evacuation Order In Southern Gaza

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – The United Nations, yesterday, expressed concern over the Israeli order for the evacuation of civilians in southern Gaza. The Israeli military on Wednesday, designated a new area covering about 20 percent of central and south of Khan Younis city, for immediate evacuation. Prior to…

UN Security Council Renews Mandate Of Disengagement Observer Force In Golan For Six Months

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – The UN Security Council, yesterday, renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan, for six months until Jun 30, 2024, and requested that the force have the required capacity and resources to safely fulfil its mandate. Unanimously adopting…

Roundup: Israel Vows To Continue Fighting In Gaza Amid Ceasefire Talks

JERUSALEM/GAZA, Dec 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – Israel announced yesterday, its determination to continue its military operations in the Gaza Strip, effectively rejecting Hamas’ statement that, the release of hostages would only occur, if Israel agrees to end the war. Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, the deadly conflict between the two parties escalated…

U.S. Forces Transfer “Stolen Syrian Oil” To Bases In Iraq

DAMASCUS, Dec 22 (NNN-SANA) – A 44-tanker convoy, carrying oil, stolen from Syrian oil fields, departed Syria’s north-eastern al-Hasakah province, for U.S. bases in neighbouring Iraq, yesterday. According to local sources, the convoy exited the Yarubiya countryside, on the Iraqi-Syrian border, through the unauthorised Mahmoudiya crossing, The incident came, days…

Iraq Donates Fuel To Gaza

BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (NNN-NINA) – Iraq yesterday, donated 10 million litres of fuel to the Gaza Strip. “A ship carrying 10 million litres of gas oil has sailed through the international water towards the Suez Canal,” Iraqi military spokesman, Yahya Rasoul, was quoted as saying. Rasoul said, the Iraqi government…