Russia: Military drill moved further from Irish shore

Russian ships take part in exercises in the Baltic Sea in October 2021  DUBLIN, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian military exercise has been moved further from the Irish coast, after pressure from politicians and fishermen. It has been moved outside of the Republic’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The ‘live-fire’…

Pres Biden demands Taliban free last US hostage in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden called on the Taliban to “immediately release” the man believed to be its last American hostage, withholding any hope of recognizing the militants’ rule in Afghanistan until he is free.    The announcement came on the eve of the two-year anniversary of…

French army says nearly 60 ‘terrorists’ killed in Burkina Faso

  PARIS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nearly 60 “terrorists” have been killed in Burkina Faso by local forces assisted by French forces deployed in the country, France’s military said, as a bloody insurgency rages.    “On four occasions between Jan 16 and Jan 23, 2022, groups of terrorists were located, identified…

US, UK ramp up sanctions pressure on Russia over Ukraine

  WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Britain on Sunday flagged new and “devastating” economic sanctions against Russia, as Washington and its NATO allies step up efforts to deter any invasion of Ukraine.    Fears of an imminent invasion have grown in recent days, despite denials from Moscow…

Covid-19: US deaths up to 2,259 per day

LONDON, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — The seven-day average of COVID-19 deaths in the United States is increasing at a worrying rate, hitting 2,259 on Wednesday, the highest level since last winter’s surge.    Meanwhile, daily cases have dropped by 13 percent during the same period, down to 639,723 per day,…

Covid-19: Thousands of Czechs protest against curbs

PRAGUE, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of Czechs massed in Prague’s Wenceslas Square on Sunday, waving flags and chanting slogans against COVID-19 restrictions, even as infections surge. Protesters mainly objected to harsher restrictions for the unvaccinated, including a ban on eating in restaurants. “The state should listen to the people’s…

French Pres Macron tells Iran’s Pres Raisi nuclear talks need to speed up

PARIS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi that a deal lifting sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear activities is still possible but talks need to accelerate, Macron’s office said. France, Germany and Britain, known as E3, and…

UN report says Taliban have killed scores of former Afghan officials, others

UN report says Taliban and its allies are believed to have killed scores of former Afghan officials WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A UN report says the Taliban and its allies are believed to have killed scores of former Afghan officials, security force members and people who worked with the international military…

US worried North Korea could return to nuclear and ICBM tests, urges dialogue

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is concerned North Korea’s escalating missile tests could be precursors to resumed tests of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, a senior US official said, while urging Pyongyang to join direct talks with no preconditions. North Korea conducted its largest missile test since 2017 on Sunday,…

Sudan: Demonstrations rage to demand civilian rule, punishment for protester killers

People in Khartoum chant slogans during anti-coup protests that have rocked the country since a military coup in October KHARTOUM, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Thousands of protesters on Sunday took to the streets in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and other cities to demand civilian rule and urge the authorities…