Iraq, Pakistan Vow To Strengthen Ties, Promote Regional Stability

BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (NNN-NINA) — Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, discussed with his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, here yrsterday, ways to strengthen bilateral ties and promote regional stability. According to a statement from the Iraqi presidency, both leaders emphasised the importance of “aligning positions and strengthening coordination” to contribute…

UAE, French Presidents Vow To Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

ABU DHABI, Dec 22 (NNN-WAM) – President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with French President, Emmanuel Macron, here, on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues of mutual interest. The two leaders reviewed the historical and strategic partnership between their countries…

Malaysian Court Turns Down Former PM’s Appeal For House Arrest

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Najib Razak, failed in his appeal to be moved to house arrest, after the High Court here ruled against his application yesterday. High Court judge, Alice Loke Yee Ching, ruled that, the additional materials submitted by Najib in support of…

5.3-Magnitude Quake Hit New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea – GFZ

PORT MORESBY, Dec 22 (NNN-PINA) – An earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.3, jolted the New Britain region, Papua New Guinea, at 2307 GMT on Sunday, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said. The epicentre, with a depth of 10 km, was initially determined to be at 5.66 degrees…

Urgent: 15 Killed, 19 Injured Following Bus Crash In Indonesia’s Semarang City

JAKARTA, Dec 22 (NNN-ANTARA) – At least 15 people were killed and 19 others injured, after a long-distance bus crashed at a toll road exit, in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, early today, the local search and rescue authority said.– NNN-ANTARA  

Nearly 2.8 Million Afghan Refugees Return From Iran And Pakistan This Year: UNHCR

KABUL, Dec 21 (NNN-BNA) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported that, nearly 2.8 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan and Iran, so far, this year. In a statement, the UN refugee agency warned of mounting humanitarian and protection challenges, noting that, many of…

Cambodia Says Thai Army Bombed Bridge Inside Cambodian Territory

PHNOM PENH, Dec 21 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia said yesterday that, the Thai military had used an F-16 fighter jet, to bomb a concrete bridge inside Cambodian territory. “At 10:58 p.m. (on Dec 19), the Thai military deployed an F-16 fighter jet, to drop two bombs, destroying the civilian O’ Jik…

Turkish Intelligence Chief Met Hamas Delegation In Istanbul

ANKARA, Dec 21 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation Director, Ibrahim Kalin, met with Hamas Political Bureau member and chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, in Istanbul yesterday, to discuss implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. During the talks, the Hamas official said, Hamas is adhering to the ceasefire terms and outlined…

Zionist Israel Murders Two Palestinians In West Bank, Two Others In Gaza; Death Toll – 70,925: Officials

RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, Dec 21 (NNN-WAFA) – Two Palestinians were murdered by the Zionist Israeli forces, in separate incidents in the northern West Bank yesterday, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said. According to the ministry in Ramallah, a 16-year-old, Rayan Mohammed Abdel Qader Abu Mualla, was murdered in Qabatiya. His body is…

Some Local Militias In Iraq Agree To Disarm, Transition To Politics

BAGHDAD, Dec 21 (NNN-NINA) – Head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Faiq Zidan, said yesterday that, several armed factions have agreed to surrender their weapons to the state and transition into political entities. Zidan thanked “the leaders of the factions, for responding to his advice to cooperate in enforcing…