Africa’s COVID-19 Cases Rise To 88,172

ADDIS ABABA, May 20 (NNN-ENA) – The number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases across Africa rose from 84,634 Monday afternoon, to 88,172 as of Tuesday afternoon, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The continental disease control and prevention agency, which noted that the virus has…

Japanese Gov’t To Provide Cash Hand-Outs To Students In Need Amid Pandemic

TOKYO, May 20 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese government is planning to offer financial aid to students here, who are struggling due to the pandemic, with the Cabinet on Tuesday approving the programme. The Cabinet agreed to offer students who are suffering financially up to 200,000 yen (1,900 U.S. dollars) in…

Thai National Carrier To Seek Restructuring Via Bankruptcy Court

BANGKOK, May 20 (NNN-TNA) – Thailand’s national flag carrier, Thai Airways International Plc, will seek restructuring via a bankruptcy court, after the Thai Cabinet Tuesday approved a rehabilitation plan for the troubled state enterprise. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, agreed to the plan, proposed by the…

Indonesian Capital Extends Partial Lock-down Again As Cases Leap

JAKARTA, May 20 (NNN-ANTARA) – The Indonesian capital, Jakarta, which is hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, on Tuesday, decided to prolong a large-scale social restriction as the number of virus infections spikes in the country. Jakarta’s governor, Anies Baswedan, announced that, the partial lock-down is extended for another 14…

Japan’s Kobe City To Return Giant Panda To China As Lease Expires

TOKYO, May 20 (NNN-NHK) – The Japanese city of Kobe will return a giant female panda, rented from China for breeding purposes, as the lease agreement is set to expire in July, the city said. Tan Tan, the 24-year-old panda, has the equivalent age of between 60 and 70 in…

Thousands Evacuated As Heavy Rain, Gusts Hit India’s Odisha, Bengal Ahead Of Cyclone Amphan

NEW DELHI, May 20 (NNN-PTI) – Authorities in the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal evacuated, and subsequently moved thousands of people to relief camps, ahead of super cyclone Amphan. The super cyclone that is likely to weaken into extremely severe storm is expected to make landfall in West…

Iran Says U.S. Attempts To Extend UN Arms Embargo “Fruitless”

TEHRAN, May 20 (NNN-IRNA) – Iranian top security official, said on Tuesday that, the United States has failed to gather support, to renew a UN Security Council’s arms embargo against Iran. “Fruitless efforts of the U.S., to continue the Iran weapon sanction, have provoked a strong reaction from Russia ……

Sri Lankan President Pays Tribute To War Heroes On 11th Anniversary Of War Victory

COLOMBO, May 20 (NNN-SLNEWS) – Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, paid tribute to thousands of soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in a 30-year civil conflict against Tamil Tiger rebels, as the country commemorated its 11th year anniversary of war victory, yesterday. In a war memorial event held in Sri Lanka’s…

Singapore To Exit COVID-19 Circuit Breaker, Resume Activities In Three Phases

SINGAPORE, May 20 (NNN-CNA) – The current COVID-19 Circuit Breaker measures will be exited and the banned activities will be resumed in three phases, starting from June 2, Singapore’s Ministry of Health said. Singapore started the Circuit Breaker on Apr 7, when all non-essential workplaces were closed temporarily. The Multi-Ministry…

Trial Against Former Malaysian PM Najib Resumes, Stepson Might Turn Witness

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (NNN-XINHUA) – The trial against former Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, resumed on Tuesday, as the prosecution indicated his stepson, Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, could be a witness, to give evidence in relation to state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Lead prosecutor, Gopal Sri Ram…