US and Iran must protect cultural sites, UNESCO says after Trump threat

PARIS, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Both Iran and the United States must observe a convention obliging states to preserve cultural sites, the UN’s cultural agency said, after President Donald Trump threatened to target Iran’s cultural heritage. UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay highlighted that both Tehran and Washington had signed a 1972…

Australia fires: RSAF Chinooks to bring relief supplies, help with evacuation

SINGAPORE, Jan 7 (NNN-CNA) — Two Chinook helicopters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will be used to bring in firefighting and relief supplies and to help evacuate people from areas affected by the Australian bushfires. The Chinooks took off from Oakey, Australia with 42 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers bound…

Singapore Red Cross pledges S$100,000 for victims of Australia bushfires, Jakarta floods

SINGAPORE, Jan 7 (NNN-CNA) — The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged S$100,000 to support relief and recovery efforts for those affected by bushfires in Australia and the flooding in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, the organisation said. Australia is experiencing what has been touted as the worst wildfires it has…

US-Iran tension: UK reduces embassy staff in Iran, Iraq; Australia troops to remain in Iraq

LONDON/CANBERRA, Jan 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain has reduced staff at its embassies in Tehran and Baghdad to a minimum level due to escalating tensions following the US killing of a top Iranian military leader. The withdrawal of the diplomats is a precautionary step rather than based on specific intelligence of…

At least 16 killed in bus crash in Peru

Bodies covered with blankets at the site of the accident of a passenger bus that collided with other vehicles and rolled over in Arequipa LIMA, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 16 people were killed and another 40 injured when a bus crashed on Monday morning into a number of…

Turkish FM arrives in Algeria to discuss Libyan crisis

ALGIERS, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday evening arrived in Algeria for a two-day visit to mainly discuss the developments in Libya, official Algeria Press Service (APS) reported. The Turkish foreign minister was welcomed by his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum at the airport, APS said.…

UN chief concerned over events surrounding Venezuela’s election

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following with concern the events surrounding the election of the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, his spokesman said. “The secretary-general calls on all actors to take immediate steps to lower tensions and to work towards a peaceful and…

Japan: Tokyo 2020 unveils 20 official Olympic and Paralympic posters

Reporters visit the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Official Art Poster Exhibition in Tokyo TOKYO, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics on Monday unveiled 20 official art posters, two of which feature calligraphy of Chinese characters. Twelve posters are based on the theme of the Olympic…

Saudi Arabia hosts Red Sea, Gulf of Aden states council charter signing

Participants pose for a group photo during the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Arab and African countries of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting for the signing of the Charter of the…

Kiribati on right side of history by resuming diplomatic ties with China: Pres Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kiribati’s President Taneti Mamau b in Beijing BEIJING, Jan 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Kiribati’s President Taneti Mamau and his country stand on the right side of history by resuming diplomatic ties with China. Xi made the…