Syria War: Airstrikes and shelling kill 24 civilians in Idlib province

Syrian government aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Maasaran DAMASCUS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twenty-four civilians were killed by air strikes and artillery fire in the opposition-held Syrian province of Idlib on Tuesday, first responders say. Nine people, including three children, died when warplanes bombed the town of Talmenes, the White…

Australia declares state of emergency for New South Wales amid bushfires and record temps

SYDNEY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Australia’s most populous state declared its second state of state of emergency in two months on Thursday as extreme heat and strong winds were expected to fan scores of uncontrolled bushfires.Firefighters were given broad powers to control government resources, force evacuations, close roads and shut…

Kenyans warned over ‘terror threats’ during festivities: Police

NAAIROBI, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s police boss has urged people in the country to be cautious of “terror” threats during Christmas and new year celebrations, in comments carried live by privately-owned K24 TV. Hillary Mutyambai urged more vigilance in places of worship as well as on public transport. The…

Algeria swears in new president as opposition debates response

ALGIERS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been sworn in as the president of Algeria, as the Hirak protest movement debated its response to his offer of dialogue to end a months-long political crisis.Mounted guards in traditional red tunics, white turbans and hooded cloaks lined the way into the…

US: After 21 years, Clinton no longer the last president to be impeached

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Donald Trump made history as the third US president to be impeached just a day ahead of the 21st anniversary of Bill Clinton’s indictment by American lawmakers. The roles were reversed on Dec 19, 1998: the president was a Democrat impeached by a Republican-controlled House…

Large number of protesters detained; mobile, internet services suspended to curb protests in India

NEW DELHI, Dec 20 (NNN-PTI) — Senior opposition leaders, a largenumber of students and activists were detained on Thursday by police on their way to two mega demonstrations against the new citizenship law as prohibitory orders and restrictions on internet and mobile phone services in parts of Delhi-NCR region inconvenienced…

Latin America as deadly as Middle East for journalists, RSF annual report

PARIS, Dec 19 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Forty-nine journalists were killed across the world in 2019, Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday, the lowest death toll in 16 years. The “historically low” number mostly died covering conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan, the Paris-based watchdog said, which warned that “journalism remains a…

Brazil probe into Petrobras widened to Maersk shipping contracts

BRASILIA, Dec 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian authorities targeted Maersk and other companies for allegedly paying bribes to get an edge in securing shipping contracts with state oil firm Petroleo Brasileiro, in the latest phase of a sprawling graft probe. Federal prosecutors said in a statement that Denmark’s Maersk, the world’s…

Italy faces complaint at UN over ‘abusive’ Libya asylum returns

GENEVA, Dec 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Campaigners filed a complaint with the UN against Italy over a teenage migrant who was sent back to Libya in 2018 along with other migrants, where he was shot, beaten and subjected to forced labour. The Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) lodged the case with…

Mexico: 14 killed in fiery family mini-bus crash

GUADALAJARA (Mexico), Dec 19 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A mini-bus carrying a family to a holiday beach getaway in Mexico crashed into a lumber truck on Wednesday and caught fire, killing 14 people including five children, authorities said. Many of the victims were trapped inside the burning mini-bus, whose charred chassis could…