DPRK Slams U.S. Over Remarks On Human Rights Issues

PYONGYANG, Dec 22 (NNN-KCNA) – The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Saturday, lashed out at the U.S. criticism of its “human rights” issues, saying, Washington was “pouring oil over burning fire.” An unnamed foreign ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying that, the U.S. State…

Indonesian Sailors Rescue Stranded Whale In Central Java

JAKARTA, Dec 22 (NNN-ANTARA) – Sailors on Saturday, helped a whale get back into the sea, after being stranded in a river, in Indonesia’s Central Java province, an official said. The whale with some injuries, was said to have swum into a river, in Ujungmanik village of Cilacap district, when…

Cambodia Celebrates Sea Festival In Southwestern Kampot Province

PHNOM PENH, Dec 22 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodia held its eighth annual Sea Festival in southwestern Cambodia’s Kampot province on Saturday, attracting hundreds of thousands of festival-goers. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, said, with beautiful coastline and numerous cultural heritage sites, Cambodia has become one…

Japanese PM Holds Phone Talks With U.S. President On Iran

TOKYO, Dec 22 (NNN-NHK) – Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, held a phone conversation with U.S. President, Donald Trump, late Saturday night, to brief him about the outcome of the Japanese prime minister’s talks with Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, local media reported. During the conversation, which lasted about 75 minutes,…

Kazakhstan, Turkey To Expand Military Cooperation

NUR-SULTAN, Dec 22 (NNN-CAN) – Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed a bill into law, that boosts military cooperation with Turkey, the press service of the head of state said, in a statement. According to the bill, the two countries would promote cooperation in military training and education, joint exercises, cartography,…

Yemeni Army Launches Offensive Against Houthi Rebels In Saada

SANAA, Dec 22 (NNN-SABA) – The Yemeni army said, it launched an offensive against the Houthi rebels, in the northern province of Saada, and captured several strategic highland sites. The offensive took place on Friday in Baqim district, and was backed by the Saudi-led coalition fighter jets, the army said.…

Lebanon’s Newly-Appointed PM Urges All Political Parties, Protesters To Cooperate

BEIRUT, Dec 22 (NNN-NNA) – Newly-appointed Lebanese Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, urged all political parties and civil society protesters, to join efforts to save Lebanon from its difficult situation. “We cannot wait any longer. We need a government of experts. It is time for serious work,” Diab was quoted as…

Four Policemen, Daesh Militant Killed In Daesh Attack In Iraq’s Salahudin

BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (NNN-NINA) – Four policemen and a Daesh militant were killed on Saturday, in an attack by the extremist Daesh militants, in Iraq’s central province of Salahudin, a security source said. The attack took place in the evening, when the militants attacked a police outpost, guarding oil pipelines…

Top DPRK Leader Holds Meeting To Discuss Boosting Military Capability

PYONGYANG, Dec 22 (NNN-KCNA) – The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong Un, presided over a meeting of top military officials, in an effort to enhance the country’s military capability, it was reported today (Sunday). The meeting “discussed and decided organisational and structural measures…

At Least 21 Dead After Bus Collides With Tractor-Trailer In Guatemala

MEXICO CITY, Dec 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – At least 21 people died after a bus collided with a tractor-trailer on Saturday, in the northeastern department of Zacapa, Guatemala, the nation’s Public Ministry announced. According to authorities, the accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, on Kilometre 172 of the Atlantico…