Algeria appoints new government amid political crisis

ALGIERS, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algeria appointed a new government on Thursday, as the country faces its biggest political crisis in decades and a raft of economic problems caused by falling energy revenues.President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected last month and appointed Abdelaziz Djerad as prime minister on Saturday. They have…

Turkey’s parliament approves military deployment to Libya

The Turkish parliament has approved a bill to send troops to Libya ANKARA, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey’s parliament has approved a bill to deploy troops to Libya in support of the embattled United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), paving the way for increased military cooperation despite criticism from…

Arab League warns against deployment of foreign fighters in Libya

Permanent representatives of the Arab League take part in an emergency meeting CAIRO, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Arab League urged the warring sides in Libya not to do anything that might enable the deployment of foreign fighters in the North African country and worsen its conflict.The Arab League’s council,…

Venezuela: Riot in jail leaves at least 10 inmates dead

CARACAS, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gang fighting at a jail in Venezuela leftat least 10 inmates dead, an NGO reported. At least four grenades were detonated in clashes that began Monday evening in the northwestern state of Zulia, said the NGO, a human rights group called Una Ventana a la…

Iraq: Pro-Iran protesters leave US embassy in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pro-Iran demonstrators left the besieged US embassy in Baghdad after the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force ordered them to withdraw a day after their dramatic incursion. Thousands of Iraqi supporters of the largely Iranian-trained Hashed had encircled and vandalised the embassy compound Tuesday, outraged by US…

Austria’s conservatives, Greens agree to form government

VIENNA, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Austria’s conservatives led by SebastianKurz agreed to form an unprecedented coalition government withthe Greens, capping almost three months of negotiations. “We have succeeded to unite the best of both worlds… It is possible toprotect the climate and borders,” said Kurz, whose People’s Party (OeVP)again gained…

India fire: One firefighter killed, 18 people rescued after 8-hour operation at Delhi factory

NEW DELHI, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A firefighter was killed and 14 others were injured when a battery factory collapsed in northwest Delhi’s Peeragarhi following an explosion due to a fire that broke out early on Thursday morning. As many as 18 people were rescued from the building, including two…

8 dead, several missing in Australian bushfires this week

SYDNEY, Jan 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Eight people have been confirmed deadas the result of bushfires in southeast Australia this week, with severalothers still missing and hundreds of homes lost. Seven people in the state of New South Wales (NSW) were killed, while oneperson perished in the state of Victoria, police…

North Korea ends test moratoriums, threatens ‘new’ weapon

SEOUL, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared an end to moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and threatened a demonstration of a “new strategic weapon” soon. Analysts said the announcement, reported by state media, amounted to Kim putting a missile “to Donald…

Indonesia New Year flood death toll doubles to 18: official

JAKARTA, Jan 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from floods that hit Indonesia’s capital region jumped to 18, authorities said, as torrential rains on New Year’s Eve caused landslides and left vast swathes of the megalopolis submerged. Tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, and the…