Security chief in south Libya town assassinated: Ministry

TRIPOLI, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Armed men have murdered a security official in southern Libya, the UN-backed government said, a day after forces opposed to it said they had entered his town. The interior ministry of the internationally-recognised unity government branded the murder of General Ibrahim Mohamad Kari, security head…

Sri Lanka sends bone fragments from mass grave for US analysis

COLOMBO, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bone fragments from one of the biggest mass graves found in Sri Lanka since its civil war ended nearly a decade ago have been sent to the US for analysis, officials said. The remains of dozens of men, women and children were found at the…

Vanuatu to ban disposable diapers in bid to reduce pollution

PORT VILA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Pacific nation of Vanuatu has announced plans to ban disposable diapers in a move it says will significantly reduce pollution. Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu announced the ban at a conference in Port Vila, saying plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups, plastic drinks stirrers and types…

Vatican: Pope demands action at landmark church summit on child sex abuse

VATICAN CITY, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pope Francis opened a landmark Vatican summit on fighting child sex abuse, calling for “concrete measures” and handing top Catholic bishops a roadmap to tackling paedophilia in the church. “The holy people of God looks to us, and expects from us not simple and predictable…

Trump and Kim to have one-on-one meeting at Vietnam summit

WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump will have a one-on-one meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong during their summit in Vietnam next week, a US official said. The two leaders, who met for the first time in Singapore last June, are due to hold talks in…

Australian who rammed and killed 6 pedestrians jailed for life

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Australian man who drove a car into dozens of pedestrians on a busy shopping street in central Melbourne in 2017, killing six, has been jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 46 years, the Victorian state Supreme Court said. James Gargasoulas, 29,…

Johor Bahru port limits issue can be resolved more quickly than water issue: Malaysia foreign minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (NNN-BERNAMA) — The Johor Bahru port limits issue between Singapore and Malaysia can be resolved more quickly compared to the issue over water, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said. He mentioned eight issues concerning both countries, including the Instrument Landing System procedures for Seletar Airport, as well…

Concerned EU to seek clarification on Romania justice law change

BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Commission is greatly concerned about the latest changes to Romanian judicial legislation through a government emergency decree and will ask Bucharest to explain itself, the Commission said.  The Romanian government’s decree on Tuesday prompted criticism from the president that the move would weaken…

Myanmar: State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi expected at U.N. in Geneva next week

GENEVA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been criticized by the West over the government’s treatment of Rohingya Muslims and other human rights concerns, is scheduled to speak at the United Nations in Geneva next week, a U.N. official said. Her itinerary…

Petrol suppliers cut price to encourage Nigerians to travel to vote again

ABUJA, Feb 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nigerian fuel suppliers have cut the price of petrol to encourage people to travel to vote in presidential elections this Saturday after the poll was delayed by a week, the information minister said. The electoral commission announced the delay early last Saturday just Nigeria’s 84…