Afghanistan launches new export route to India through Iran

KABUL, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Afghanistan began exports to India through an Iranian port on Sunday, official said, as the landlocked, war-torn nation turns to overseas markets to improve its economy. Officials said 23 trucks carrying 57 tonnes of dried fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral products were dispatched from western…

Algerian police use tear gas as rare anti-government protests enter third day

ALGIERS, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Algerian police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators on a third straight day of rare political protests against plans for rarely seen President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to extend his 20-year rule by seeking a fifth term. Thousands have taken to the streets of the…

U.S.-backed SDF hands over 280 Iraqi, foreign detainees to Iraq

BAGHDAD, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have handed to Iraq 280 Iraqi and foreign detainees in recent days, Iraq’s military said in a statement. An Iraqi military colonel said that 130 people were transferred on Sunday, adding to the 150 transferred on Thursday. They included the…

Update: Would-be Bangladeshi plane hijacker had toy gun – police

DHAKA (Reuters) – A Bangladeshi passenger on a Dubai-bound flight who threatened to blow up the plane and tried to force his way into the cockpit was carrying a toy gun and no explosives, police said on Monday. Police are investigating how the man had been able to board the…

Bahrain top court upholds jail sentence against three relatives of prominent activist

MANAMA, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bahrain’s highest court upheld three-year jail sentences against three relatives of a prominent exiled political activist, a rights group said on Monday. The Court of Cassation rejected the appeal of Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei’s three family members, the London-based human rights group Bahrain Institute for Rights…

Ghana opposition picks ex-president Mahama to run in 2020

ACCRA, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ghana’s former president John Mahama has scored a landslide primary victory to become the opposition candidate in the West African country’s 2020 elections.  Mahama was the overwhelming favourite among seven candidates, winning 95 percent of 213,487 votes cast on Saturday, making him the flagbearer of…

Israel releases Muslim cleric arrested after Jerusalem holy site unrest

Palestinian head Council of the Waqf Abdel Azeem Salhab JERUSALEM, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Israeli police on Sunday arrested and later released a senior Muslim cleric who helps administrate a sacred compound in the Old City, two days after he re-opened a mosque sealed by Israel during a Palestinian uprising…

Indonesian president vows US$30 bln transfer to villages if re-elected

Indonesian President Joko Widodo JAKARTA, Feb 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pledged to raise the funds the government transfers to villages across the world’s fourth most populous country to nearly US$30 billion over the next five years if he wins a second term in April. Widodo, who…

Philippines: Stop making death threats to priests – Pres Duterte

MANILA, Feb 25 (NNN-PNA) — Amid concerns raised by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle that priests have been receiving death threats from persons claiming to be working for the Presidential family, President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned impostors to lay off or face him. Duterte made this remark during the campaign rally of the…

President Abbas: Any Palestine settlement plan not based on international legitimacy will fail

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), Feb25 (NNN-WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas said that any plans that are not based on the resolutions of international legitimacy will not succeed as long as they do not result in an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Addressing the first Arab…