Taliban demand new constitution for Afghanistan at rare talks, minus government

MOSCOW/KABUL, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Taliban demanded a new constitution for Afghanistan and promised an “inclusive Islamic system” to govern the war-torn country at a rare gathering with senior Afghan politicians in Russia Tuesday that excluded the Kabul government. The insurgents’ manifesto, outlined in Moscow before some of Afghanistan’s…

Iran ready to help rebuild Syria: FM

TEHRAN, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iran is ready to help rebuild Syria, the Islamic republic’s top diplomat said as he hosted his Syrian counterpart in Tehran. Mohammad Javad Zarif, whose country has been a staunch ally to Damascus throughout Syria’s devastating war, met Walid Mouallem for closed-door talks at the…

UN experts say North Korea shielding missiles at airports

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korea’snuclear and ballistic missile programs remain intact and Pyongyang is using airports and other facilities to shield its weapons from possible US military strikes, according to a UN panel of experts. The panel said in a report that sanctions against North Korea were…

Jolie demands Myanmar’s genuine commitment over Rohingyas

COX’S BAZAR (Bangladesh), Feb 6 (NNN-BSS) — Hollywood megastar Angelica Jolie demanded Myanmar’s “genuine commitment” to end continued violence against Rohingyas creating conducive environment in Rakhine state to resolve the world’s worst refugee crisis as she wrapped up her two day visit to their crammed makeshift settlements here. “I urge…

Mexican Lawmaker Survives Attack in San Luis Potosi

Since proposing a cockfighting ban on Jan. 7, a lawmaker for the Labor Party, Pedro “El Mijis” Carrizales Cesar Becerra has received numerous death threats. MEXICO CITY, Feb 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — A lawmaker for Mexico’s Labor Party, Pedro “El Mijis” Carrizales Cesar Becerra, is recovering from a attack in San Luis…

Bolivia: Pres Evo Morales Supervises Rescue After Deadly Landslide

LA PAZ, Feb 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — President Evo Morales supervised evacuation efforts Monday of those wounded after a landslide in the Armas de Choro bridge sector north of La Paz, Bolivia, which killed at least six people and injured 17.“We are supervising the tasks of rescue and evacuation in helicopters of…

Pope: Vatican Open to Mediating in Venezuela if Both Sides Ask

THE VATICAN, Feb 6 (NNN-TELESUR) — Pope Francis said that the Vatican would be willing to mediate in Venezuela if both sides asked, as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had written a letter to him. Francis, speaking to reporters aboard his plane returning from a trip to Abu Dhabi, also confirmed…

Peru President: Maduro not Venezuela’s legitimate president

LIMA, Feb 6 (NNN-ANDINA) — President Martin Vizcarra affirmed that Nicolas Maduro is not the legitimate Head of State of Venezuela anymore, adding he hopes internal problems in Venezuela will be resolved soon. In this sense, the Commander-in-Chief emphasized that Peru —as well as other governments in the Americas and…

Lima Group ends emergency meeting on Venezuela with 17-point declaration

LIMA, Feb 6 (NNN-ANDINA) — The Lima Group member states that convened in Ottawa, Canada, released a declaration reiterating their support for Juan Guaido as the Interim President of Venezuela and embracing the self-proclaimed leader’s request to join this multilateral body. The Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa…

Salvadoran Police to Protect Almost 1,600 Polling Stations

SAN SALVADOR, Feb 2 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The National Civil Police (PNC) in El Salvador on Friday confirmed that it will deploy about 23,000 troops to protect nearly 1,595 polling stations during the Feb 3 elections. The police high command announced that the licenses are suspended until elections conclude. About…