Last Daesh holdout on verge of defeat in east Syria

SDF battle commander Ciya Furat (C) answers the press near the Omar oil field in the eastern Syrian Deir al-Zor province on February 16, 2019. Photo courtesy Fadel Senna NEAR BAGHOUZ, Syria/BEIRUT, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces will capture Daesh’s last enclave in eastern Syria “in…

UK and Russia hold first talks in over a year

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during the 55th Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on February 16, 2019. Photo courtesy Twitter LONDON, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Junior foreign ministers from Britain and Russia met in Germany on Saturday in the highest-level contact between the two countries since an alleged…

Malaysia PM Mahathir’s Bersatu party expanding to Sabah

Photo courtesy Bernama images KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 15 (NNN- Bernama) — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has agreed to spread its wings to Sabah, Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today. Dr Mahathir, who is the Prime Minister, said the Sabah chapter of Bersatu would be established soon and…

2019 will be critical for climate action, says UN

Joint briefing on 2019 Climate Summit. Photo courtesy of UN Photo/Loey Felipe United Nations, Feb 15 (NNN) – The year 2019 will be a critical year for the international community to take effective action on climate change, said UN General Assembly President, Maria Espinosa on Thursday, during a briefing to…

Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit To Focus More On Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Economic Ties

Saudi Arabia, Mecca, Feb 12 — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, passes by the Hajar al-Aswad (Black Stone), an Islamic relic which, according to Muslim tradition, dates back to the time of Adam and Eve, during his visit to the Grand Mosque. Photo courtesy of /SPA/dpa KUALA…

UK parliament votes against PM’s Brexit motion

LONDON, Feb 15 (NNN-XINHUA) – The British House of Commons on Thursday voted against a motion tabled by Prime Minister Theresa May reiterating its support for government Brexit approach. MPs voted in the largely symbolic votes by 303-258 against the motion which also reiterates that MPs note the ongoing Irish…

New round of China-U.S. trade talks starts in Beijing

Aides gesture as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, left, Chinese Vice Premier and lead trade negotiator Liu He, second right, and U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, second left, line up for a photo before the opening session of trade negotiations at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo courtesy PTI…

India: Bomb kills 40 Indian paramilitary police in convoy

A scene of the spot after militants attacked a CRPF convoy in Goripora area of Awantipora town in Pulwama district. At least 18 CRPF jawans were reportedly killed in the attack.Photo courtesy PTI Photo Srinagar, Feb 15 (NNN- PTI) At least 18 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama…

Saudi Arabia “regrets” its inclusion on EU blackist

RIYADH, Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA-ANADOLU) — Saudi Arabia on Thursday voiced its “regret” over its inclusion on the European Union’s revised list of countries considered to be “high risk” in terms of terrorism financing and money laundering, Anadolu Agency reported, quoting a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency (SPA). “Saudi Arabia notes…

Thailand appreciates Malaysia’s efforts towards peace in its southern provinces, says envoy

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Thailand appreciates Malaysia’s role and contributions as a facilitator for the ongoing peace process in the kingdom’s several restive southern border provinces, says its ambassador to Malaysia Narong Sasitorn. “The situation on the southern provinces are complex and the whole process takes time. We…