Kabul control slips in Afghanistan amid US talks with Taliban

WASHINGTON, Feb1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Kabul government is steadilylosing its grip over parts of Afghanistan even as American forces intensifytheir air campaign against insurgent groups, a US government watchdog said. The latest grim assessment of Afghanistan’s security situation comes as theUS pursues talks with the Taliban and urgently seeks a…

Saudis, UAE, Yemen ask UN to pressure Houthis

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Yemen’s governmentand its allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates asked the UNSecurity Council to turn up the pressure on Houthi rebels touphold a ceasefire deal. In a letter sent to the council, the three governments accused the Houthisof violating the ceasefire in…

France wants UN to address new threats from terror financing

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France is preparinga UN Security Council resolution that would step up measures to counterthreats from terrorism financing, the French ambassador said. The draft resolution, which is expected to be a centerpiece of France’spresidency of the council in March, will take a broad approach to…

NGOs call on EU to stop sending migrants back to Libya

PARIS, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Oxfam and 53 other organisations accused EU governments of being complicit in the “tragedy” of migrantscrossing from Libya to Italy, saying more than 5,300 people had died in theMediterranean in the past two years. In an open letter, the NGOs called on European governments to…

Lebanon announces government after 8-month delay

BEIRUT, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Lebanon announced a government line-up Thursday, ending an eight-month wait that had heightened fears of a major economic collapse. The new cabinet, unveiled during a press conference at the presidentialpalace, includes 30 ministers from Lebanon’s rival political clans. The new line-up is to see four…

Bangladesh: PM Hasina seeks Malaysia’s help to send back Rohingyas

DHAKA, Feb 1 (NNN-BSS) — Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Malaysia to exert pursue on Myanmar to create a congenial atmosphere so that the forcibly displaced Rohingyas can go back to their homeland. She raised the issue Thursday when the outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Nur Ashikin binti…

Amnesty condemns ‘disgraceful’ US ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy

MEXICO CITY, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Amnesty International said the United States is violating international law by sending asylum seekersback to Mexico to await their court dates, a policy it condemned as“disgraceful, mean-spirited and unlawful.” Esmeralda* with her daughter Sara* in Chiapas, Mexico. photo courtesy of UNHCR Speaking a day after…

President Vizcarra urges Peruvians to work together for greater economic growth previous

LIMA, Feb 1 (NNN-ANDINA) — President Martin Vizcarra on Thursday urged Peruvian citizens to work together with a modern and efficient State —that relies on solid institutions and better public services— in order to achieve greater economic growth that is competitive, productive, and sustainable. “We have to take advantage of…

GABON: PRES ALI BONGO RETURNS TO MOROCCO, AFTER SWEARING IN NEW GOVERNMENT

LIBREVILLE, Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gabon’s President Ali Bongo returned to Morocco Wednesday only a day after arriving back in Libreville after months abroad recovering from a stroke. During his one-day visit to Gabon, Bongo swore in 38 ministers of a new government. The ceremony at the beachside presidential palace…

Gabon’s Coup: Government Says Bid Thwarted As President Abroad; Soldiers Arrested

l IBREVILLE, Jan 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of soldiers sought to take power in Gabon on Monday while the country’s ailing president was abroad, but the government declared the bid had failed and the rebels had been arrested. Soldiers burst into state radio offices at dawn and called on…