Ecuador Reports Over 1,500 Arrests Since Declaration Of “Internal Armed Conflict”

QUITO, Jan 16 (NNN-XINHUA) – Ecuador’s security forces have arrested 1,534 people, since President Daniel Noboa declared a state of “internal armed conflict” on Jan 8, the Presidency reported yesterday. Of that total, 158 individuals are accused of “terrorism,” said the Presidency, in an updated report posted on its social…

Iraq Aims To Join WTO To Boost Trade, Development: President

BAGHDAD, Jan 16 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, said yesterday that, his country wants to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to boost its trade system and achieve sustainable development. He spoke during a meeting with Saqr al-Muqbel, the Saudi representative to the WTO, who leads a team…

U.S. Navy Shot Down Anti-Ship Missile Fired From Yemen: Central Command

SANAA, Jan 16 (NNN-SABA) – The U.S. navy airforce shot down an anti-ship cruise missile, fired by the Houthis in Yemen, towards a navy battleship, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement, yesterday morning. The missile, which was fired at approximately 4:45 p.m. (1345 GMT) on Sunday, towards a…

Mounting Challenges Ahead As Belgium Assumes EU Council Presidency

BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (NNN-XINHUA) – Belgium has taken over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), for a challenging six-month term in 2024. The road ahead is no easy feat, with the European Parliament entering an election period in June, intensifying the urgency for the presidency to…

Nauru To Sever “Diplomatic Relations” With Taiwan

YAREN, Nauru, Jan 16 (NNN-PINA) – The Republic of Nauru announced yesterday that, it will recognise the one-China principle and sever “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan. In a post on Facebook, the government of Nauru said that, it will follow the UN Resolution 2758, which recognises the People’s Republic of China…

Iraqi PM Reiterates Determination To End Int’l Coalition’s Presence

BAGHDAD, Jan 16 (NNN-NINA) – Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, yesterday reiterated that, Iraq wants to end the presence of the U.S.-led international coalition in the country. Al-Sudani made the remarks, during his meeting with the Dutch Ambassador to Iraq, Hans Sandee, whose country is scheduled to assume the…

Palestinian Death Toll In Gaza Exceeds 24,285: Ministry

GAZA, Jan 16 (NNN-WAFA) – The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 24,285, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said, yesterday. The ministry said in a press statement that, the Israeli army killed 132 Palestinians and wounded 252 others in the Strip during the past…

Sri Lanka To Recruit More Security Personnel At Airports

COLOMBO, Jan 15 (NNN-XINHUA) – Sri Lanka plans to increase the number of airport security personnel up to 1,325, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation said in a press release, yesterday. Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, said in the press release that, currently there…

Four Died From Suffocation In Flower Shop Fire In Vietnamese Capital

HANOI, Jan 15 (NNN-VNA) – Four people died from suffocation, at a fresh and silk flower shop, in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, early this morning, local media reported. The four-floor house, located on Hang Luoc street, in the city’s Old Quarter area, burst into flame at about 4:40 a.m. The house,…

Australian Foreign Minister To Visit Middle East

CANBERRA, Jan 15 (NNN-AAP) – Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has announced that she will visit the Middle East. In a statement released today, Wong said, she would visit the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It will be Wong’s first trip to the Middle East…