New Zealand police suspend volcano body search

WELLINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Zealand police on Tuesday called off the search for two people missing after the White Island volcanic eruption. There were 47 people, mainly Australian tourists, on the island when it erupted on Dec 9, and 25 remain in hospital. Many are still in a…

US: House speaker not ready to name team for Pres Trump Senate trial

Nancy Pelosi WASHINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — House speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she is not yet ready to name her team for President Donald Trump’s trial in the US Senate on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.“The House cannot choose our impeachment managers until we know…

Tens of thousands flee as Syrian forces continue Idlib advance

Some 200,000 people fled their homes since Nov 1, when Russian and Syrian jets stepped up attacks in the region IDLIB (Syria), Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tens of thousands of civilians have fled parts of Syria’s northern Idlib province towards the border with Turkey as Russian-backed Syrian forces gain ground…

Daesh in Iraq: Militants ‘getting stronger again’

Daesh was uprooted after a long fight in Iraq, but it was never completely defeated BAGHDAD, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — There are growing indications that the Daesh group is re-organising in Iraq, two years after losing the last of its territory in the country. Kurdish and Western intelligence officials said…

US, North Korea talks ‘more important than anything’, South Korea tells China

South Korean President Moon Jae-in (left) shaking hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping ahead of their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing BEIJING, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — It is “more important than anything” to keep up the momentum for talks between the United States and…

China hands over modern eye surgery equipment to Zambia

LUSAKA, Dec 24 (NNN-XINHUA) — China handed over modern eye surgery equipment to a Zambian hospital aimed at improving eye surgery in the southern African nation. The equipment was donated to the Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital under the “Bright Journey” program being conducted by Chinese doctors who have been…

Somalia’s militant group Al-shabaab torch four tractors at construction site in northern Kenya

NAIROBI, Dec 24 (NNN-XINHUA) — Somalia based al-Shabaab militants raided a construction site in Kenya’s northern county of Mandera and burnt down four construction equipment. The equipment that was destroyed at a construction site near Kenyan border with Somalia, included an excavator, flat roller machine, shift foot roller and a…

Mayor says landslides kill at least 15 in Burundi’s capital

BUJUMBURA, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The mayor of Burundi’s capital says at least 15 people have been killed by landslides caused by heavy rains over the weekend. Bujumbura Mayor Freddy Mbonimpa said another 30 people were injured and dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed in the landslides earlier in…

US: Boeing chief fired in bid to restore confidence following two air crashes

WASHINGTON, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Boeing has fired its chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, in a bid to restore confidence in the firm after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max plane. More than 340 people died in the disasters, prompting accusations that Boeing put profit before safety. Families of the victims welcomed Muilenberg’s…

Algeria: Military chief Ahmed Gaid Salah dies

 ALGIERS, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Algerian strongman military chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, known for telling veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign, has died aged 79, official media say. One of the last veterans of the 1954-62 independence war against France still in power, Gen Salah, head of the army since 2004, died of…