US urges coalition to take back Daesh detainees, boost funding

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members of the coalition fighting the Daesh group to take militant detainees back to their countries and step up their funding to help restore infrastructure in Iraq and Syria, parts of which were severely damaged by conflict. “Coalition…

Australia braces for heavy winds, lightning amid bushfire threat

Fire crews are battling to manage blazes ahead of predicted heat MELBOURNE, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Australia braced on Friday for strong winds that could whip up bushfires in two states over the weekend and add to a toll of more than 270 homes destroyed and 1 million hectares of land…

MH17 calls ‘show ties between Russian officials, rebels’

The plane was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over a rebel-held area of eastern Ukraine THE HAGUE, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Investigators looking into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine released intercepted phone calls on Thursday showing close links between “high-ranking” Russian…

Italy declares state of emergency in Venice after flood

A dock, partially flooded, lies damaged in Venice VENICE, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Italy declared a state of emergency for Venice after an exceptional tide surged through churches, shops and homes, causing millions of euros worth of damage to the UNESCO city. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the Cabinet had approved…

Four killed, scores wounded in Baghdad protests – police, medics

Iraqi demonstrators run for cover as they clash with Iraqi security forces during the ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least four protesters were killed and more than 65 wounded on Thursday in clashes with Iraqi security forces who were trying to push them back…

Bolivia interim president rules out Morales election bid

LA PAZ, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s interim president Jeanine Anezon Thursday ruled out exiled leader Evo Morales from standing in newelections as thousands of demonstrators marched through La Paz in support of the socialist icon and against the new, acting leader. Columns of people streamed into the seat of…

Israeli warplanes resume airstrikes on Gaza after rockets firing

GAZA, Nov 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Israeli warplanes resumed airstrikes early Friday on facilities that belong to the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in response to new rockets fired into Israel. Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft struck training facilities that belong to al-Quds Brigades in…

UN Security Council renews mandate of peacekeeping force in Abyei

The Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution extending the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). UNITED NATIONS, Nov 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Security Council on Thursday renewed the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Abyei, a territory contested by Sudan and South Sudan, by six…

Mexico to strengthen monitoring on Gulf coast to battle piracy

MEXICO CITY, Nov 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — Mexico will reinforce military surveillance along its Gulf coast following recent incidents of piracy, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said. “We are beginning to deal with that … it’s a plan by the Naval Ministry that will include control of the ports, all of…

UN chief sends personal envoy to Bolivia amid political uncertainties

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a personal envoy to Bolivia to offer UN support following the resignation of Evo Morales as Bolivian president. “The secretary-general has asked Mr. Jean Arnault to engage, as his personal envoy, with all Bolivian actors and offer United Nations…