US places ban on Cuban defence chief

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The State Department announced it was barring Cuba’s defence chief from entering the US, citing what it called human rights violations in supporting the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The department said General Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba…

Indonesia floods: Singaporeans in Jakarta advised to prepare for possible further flooding

A man carrying his belongings across floodwaters at the Jatinegara area after heavy rain in Jakarta JAKARTA, Jan 3 (NNN-CNA) — Singaporeans in Jakarta are advised to prepare for the possibility of further flooding and should heed the advice of local authorities, the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta said. At least 43…

Singapore monitoring China pneumonia outbreak, will implement temperature screening at Changi Airport

SINGAPORE, Jan 3 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) said it is aware of the outbreak of a cluster of severe pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China, and is monitoring the situation closely. “As a precautionary measure, MOH has alerted all medical practitioners to be vigilant to look out for suspected cases with…

Gambia president launches own party after rift with ruling coalition

Adama Barrow BANJUL, Jan 3 (NNN-AFRICANEWS) — Gambian President Adama Barrow launched his own political party in the capital, Banjul, confirming what political watchers had predicted for the West African country.The move frees him from the coalition that helped him win the presidency three years ago in the country. The…

Turkish airliner makes emergency landing in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — A Turkish airline’s passenger plane TK45 en route from Cape Town to Istanbul made an emergency landing on Thursday evening in Johannesburg, South Africa, causing no injuries. While climbing out of Cape Town’s runway, the flight crew failed to retract the plane’s landing gear, said…

Bolivia seeks to enhance ties with Spain after expelling its diplomats

Bolivia’s Foreign Minister Karen Longaric  LA PAZ, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Bolivia’s interim government said it plans to send a high-level envoy to Madrid in a bid to strengthen ties after it expelled two Spanish diplomats earlier this week. In an interview with a local newspaper, interim Foreign Minister Karen…

Sudan: 18 killed in military plane crash in West Darfur

18 people killed when a Sudanese military transport plane crashed in West Darfur KHARTOUM, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — A Sudanese military plane crashed on Thursday shortly after taking off from El Geneina airport in West Darfur State, killing 18, said the army. The Antonov 12 plane “crashed five minutes after…

Iran: Khamenei vows “severe revenge” for Soleimani’s killing

TEHRAN, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday vowed “severe revenge” after the United States killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic republic’s Quds Force, in an air strike in Baghdad, Iranian state TV reported. Those who shed the blood of General Soleimani…

Greece, Cyprus, Israel condemn Turkey’s decision to deploy troops in Libya

ATHENS, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Greece, Cyprus and Israel condemned Turkish parliament’s approval of troop deployment in war-torn Libya. “This decision constitutes a gross violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), imposing an arms embargo on Libya and seriously undermining the international community’s efforts to find a…

Update: Australia braces for horror bushfire weekend

A firefighter in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala SYDNEY, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Australia is once again bracing for extreme fire conditions on Friday, with widespread evacuations amid warnings that conditions could significantly deteriorate over the weekend. Strong winds and temperatures above 40 degrees celsius were forecast for…