US, West blast Taliban over reported ‘summary killings’ of ex-security forces

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States led a group of Western nations and allies in condemnation of the Taliban over the “summary killings” of former members of the Afghan security forces reported by rights groups, demanding quick investigations. “We are deeply concerned by reports of summary killings and enforced…

Covid-19: Finnish foreign minister tests positive

HELSINKI, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has tested positive for COVID-19, the ministry said on Saturday evening. According to a press release, 63-year-old Haavisto has shown no symptoms and currently works in his residence. The Finnish government and parliament have been informed of Haavisto’s conditions, Paivi…

UN extends mandate for int’l forces fighting piracy off coast of Somalia

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations (UN) Security Council renewed for an additional three months its authorization for states and regional organizations cooperating with Somalia to use all necessary means to fight piracy off the coast of the East African country. Unanimously adopting Resolution 2608, the council…

Oxford High School shooting suspect’s parents arrested following manhunt

James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of a teen accused of killing four students in a shooting at Oxford High School, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges on Saturday OXFORD (Michigan, US), Dec 5 (NNN-XINHUA) — The parents of a 15-year-old suspect accused of killing four and injuring seven…

Morocco foils smuggling of about 9 tonnes of cannabis

RABAT, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Moroccan police have foiled an attempt to smuggle 8.99 tonnes of cannabis near Casablanca, the police said Saturday in a statement. The drugs were carefully hidden in large blocks of marble of about 10 tons each, intended for export to an African country, it added.…

US violence: Police shoot and kill knife-wielding suspect at Florida university, authorities say

MELBOURNE (Florida, US), Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police fatally shot a man wielding a knife inside a Florida university residence hall Friday night, authorities said. The man was killed when he lunged at a police officer and a Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) security officer and they discharged their weapons,…

Iran’s proposals lead to pause in Vienna nuke talks, mounting uncertainty

A meeting of the Joint Commission on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna, Austria VIENNA, Dec 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The talks aimed at reviving the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal adjourned in Austria’s capital Vienna on Friday, and diplomats returned to their capitals for consultations before they will…

Havana’s Film Festival opens amid Covid-19 pandemic

HAVANA, Dec 5 (NNN-XINHUA) — The second phase of the 42nd International Festival of New Latin American Cinema kicked off in the Cuban capital of Havana on Friday, after being postponed in March 2021 due to surging coronavirus infections. Without the traditional snaking lines outside movie theaters, the event runs…

Biden-Putin talks set for Tuesday amid Ukraine tension

MOSCOW, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden are scheduled to hold talks by video conference on Tuesday, the Kremlin said, as tensions rise over Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the conversation will take place in the evening Russia time and the…

At least 20 drown as bus carrying wedding guests swept into flooded river in Kenya; 12 rescued

NAIROBI, Dec 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 20 people drowned on Saturday when a bus travelling to a wedding in Kenya was swept away by fast-flowing waters as it tried to cross a flooded river. Onlookers screamed as the yellow school bus hired to take a church choir and other…