Middle East & North Africa

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran said Saturday it has begun mechanical tests on its newest advanced nuclear centrifuge, even as the five world powers that remain in a foundering 2015 nuclear deal with Iran attempt to bring the U.S. back into the agreement.

Iran’s IR-9 centrifuge, when operational, would have the ability to separate uranium isotopes more quickly than the current centrifuges being used, thereby enriching uranium at a faster pace. The announcement carried on state TV came on Iran’s 15th annual “Nuclear Day.”

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Natanz nuclear site suffered a problem Sunday involving its electrical distribution grid just hours after starting up new advanced centrifuges that more quickly enrich uranium, state TV reported. It was the latest incident to strike one of Tehran’s most secure sites amid negotiations over the tattered atomic accord with world powers.

State TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for Iran’s civilian nuclear program, announcing the incident.

DJIBOUTI, April 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Djibouti president Ismail Omar Guelleh is coasting to a landslide in presidential elections held on Friday, April 9.

According to provisional results showed that the incumbent President won more than 98% of the vote.

He was largely expected to win given that his main opponent was a largely unknown businessman, Zakaria Ismail Farah.

President Guelleh after casting his ballot told the press that he was upbeat of victory.

DAMASCUS, Apr 10 (NNN-SANA) – Director of “Stone Industry Association” in Russia , Dmitri Mediansev, said, the restoration works for archaeological Arch de Triumph, in the city of Palmyra, will start on Nov 12, 2021.

“ During the past two days, some field actions were done.. we inspected the site and undertook outlining projects, in cooperation with General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums in Syria,” Mediansev said, following a meeting held between Syrian ruin experts and their Russian counterpart, at the National Museum of Damascus.

10 Apr 2021; MEMO: Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission announced on Friday that the date for holding early general elections next October is "certain and will not be reversed."

10 Apr 2021; MEMO: Tunisian President Kais Saied has asserted: "Tunisia needs a respectable national parliament and a fully responsible ministry (referring to the government)."

This came in a speech delivered by Saied during his participation in the commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of Martyrs' Day in Tunis on Friday morning.

(Reuters) - Iran imposed a 10-day lockdown across most of the country on Saturday to curb the spread of a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, state media reported.

The lockdown affects 23 of the country’s 31 provinces, health ministry spokesman Alireza Raisi said. Businesses, schools, theatres and sports facilities have been forced to shut and gatherings are banned during the holy fasting month of Ramadan that begins on Wednesday.

10 Apr 2021; MEMO: The Saudi Ministry of Interior has decided to fine anyone attempting to perform Umrah without obtaining a permit with 10,000 Saudi riyals.

(Reuters) - Iran imposed a 10-day lockdown across most of the country on Saturday to curb the spread of a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, state media reported.

The lockdown affects 23 of the country’s 31 provinces, health ministry spokesman Alireza Raisi said. Businesses, schools, theatres and sports facilities have been forced to shut and gatherings are banned during the holy fasting month of Ramadan that begins on Wednesday.

10 Apr 2021; MEMO: Turkey's president today extended his condolences to the British Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the loss of Prince Philip, the duke of Edinburgh, Anadolu Agency reports.

"Upon the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, spouse of Queen Elizabeth II, I convey my deepest condolences on behalf of my country and the Turkish nation," Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote on Twitter.