Iran Says Its Forces Shot Down Ukrainian Passenger Plane Due To Human Error

DUBAI, Jan 11 (NNN-WAM) – Iran said on Saturday (today), it unintentionally shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane, due to human error, after initially denying it brought down the plane, in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on US targets in Iraq. Wednesday’s crash heightened international pressure on Iran after…

Robber Kills Three In Shooting Spree In Central Thailand

BANGKOK, Jan 11 (NNN-TNA) – The Thai police launched a manhunt for a robber on Friday, who killed three, including a two-year-old boy, and injured four others, at a gold shop in Lop Buri, central Thailand. The gunman, who wore black from head to toe, arrived alone at the gold…

United States Declares New Sanctions On Iranian Officials And Exports

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The US slapped new sanctions on Iran, to cut off “billions of dollars” of support to the country, as tensions continued. The sanctions target some of Iran’s export sectors and eight senior Iranian officials, involved in “destabilising” the US’ activities in West Asia and a…

Bomb Attack Targets Worshippers At Pakistan’s Quetta Mosque, Killing 14

ISLAMABAD, Jan 11 (NNN-APP) – At least 14 people have been killed and more than 20 others wounded, in a bomb attack on a mosque, during sunset prayers in the southwest Pakistan city of Quetta. “Currently we have 20 injured, and 14 people were killed,” said Waseem Baig, spokesman for the city’s main…

Rain Helps Alleviate Drought In New South Wales

VICTORIA, Jan 11 (NNN-XINHUA) – Weather brings relief to New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, but fire danger is far from over. Residents in most of Victoria’s bushfire-stricken areas are welcoming an extended reprieve, after the latest threat appears to have wrought less carnage than feared, as just a man…

15 Die In Road Mishap In North India

NEW DELHI, Jan 11 (NNN-PTI) – At least 15 people died and more than 25 injured, in a mishap involving a passenger bus and a truck, late on Friday night, in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, confirmed a local police official. The passengers died due to burn injuries, after…

Over 100 Indonesian Nationals With Alleged Terrorist Links Remain In Syria: Minister

JAKARTA, Jan 11 (NNN-ANTARA) – Over 100 Indonesian nationals, who allegedly have linkages with terrorist activities in Syria, are still in the Middle East country, and the government is mulling repatriating some of them. “We have many FTF’s (foreign terrorist fighters). We must return them home. In Syria, there are…

Russian Ambassador To Lebanon Urges End Of U.S. Presence In Iraq

BEIRUT, Jan 11 (NNN-NNA) – Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Zasypkin, said, the U.S. presence in the region is illegitimate and should end immediately, a local media outlet reported Friday. “America is occupying Iraq and its presence there does not have any strategic benefit. The presence of the U.S. forces…

14 Soldiers Injured In Clashes With Protesters In Tripoli

BEIRUT, Jan 11 (NNN-NNA) – The Lebanese army said, on Friday, that 14 soldiers were injured, in the clashes a day earlier, with protesters, who closed roads in a town north of Tripoli, against increased power rationing. The soldiers were injured by stones and petrol bombs protesters threw at them.…

Iran Nuclear Deal Must Be Respected: French FM

PARIS, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) – All parties must respect the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and resort to diplomacy and negotiations, when resolving the latest Middle East tensions, the French foreign minister said on Friday. “The best way (to defuse tensions) is diplomacy, negotiations and respect of (the) agreement,” said Jean-Yves…