Palestinian-Israeli negotiations impossible if Israel implements Trump plan unilaterally: UN official

JERUSALEM, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Negotiations between Palestine and Israel would become impossible if Israel moves unilaterally to implement parts of the U.S.-proposed peace plan, said UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov. Mladenov made the remarks at the 13th annual international conference of the Institute…

Greek parliament ratifies updated defense cooperation agreement with US amid protests

ATHENS, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Greek lawmakers ratified on Thursday an updated agreement with the U.S. on defense cooperation, while thousands of protesters were chanting slogans outside the parliament building opposing it, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. A total of 175 MPs in the 300-member strong assembly voted in…

All children kept hostage rescued, accused killed in north India

NEW DELHI, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — All the 23 children and a woman taken hostage were safely rescued and the accused killed in a police operation that lasted nearly ten hours in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, senior cops told media persons early on Friday. Those kept hostage included…

Algerian protests blunted without a shot fired in anger

ALGIERS, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — While uprisings across North Africa and the Middle East have been quelled by deadly force, Algerian authorities are on the way to becalming a powerful protest movement without a shot fired – at least for now. Thousands still march, but protests are smaller than those…

Trump Middle East Plan: Palestinians reject ‘conspiracy’

 RAMALLAH, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Palestinians have dismissed US President Donald Trump’s new Middle East peace plan as a “conspiracy”. It envisages a Palestinian state and recognition of Israeli sovereignty over settlements in the occupied West Bank. Trump said Jerusalem would remain Israel’s “undivided” capital, but the Palestinian capital would “include areas of…

Coronavirus: Whole world ‘must take action’, warns WHO

The new coronavirus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally GENEVA, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) —The “whole world needs to be on alert” to fight the coronavirus, the head of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme has said. Dr Mike Ryan praised China’s response to the deadly outbreak, saying:…

China virus death toll rises to 170, more than 1,700 new cases

WUHAN (China), Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The nationwide death toll fromChina’s viral epidemic has leapt to 170, the government said,with more than 1,700 new infections confirmed. Thirty-seven of the 38 new deaths came in hard-hit Hubei province, theepicentre of a contagion that is causing mounting global fear. Another death occurred…

Suspension of Libyan oil exports costs 500 mln USD: NOC

TRIPOLI, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — The suspension of oil exports due to the closure of oil fields and ports has cost more than 500 million U.S. dollars so far, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said. “On 28 January 2020, oil production reached 288,181 barrels per day. Total value of losses…

77 migrants, rescued at sea, brought to Malta

Migrants wait to disembark in Floriana, Malta VALLETTA, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — A total 77 migrants rescued by the humanitarian vessel Alan Kurdi were brought to Malta on Wednesday evening. The migrants were transferred to an Armed Forces of Malta patrol boat and disembarked at Malta army’s Hay Wharf base…

Somali, US forces destroy al-Shabaab camp in southern region

MOGADISHU, Jan 30 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somali and US forces destroyed an al-Shabaab camp in an airstrike Wednesday in the militants’ stronghold in the southern region. No civilians has been killed or wounded in the attack after the allied forces stepped up military operations in and around al-Shabaab-controlled town of Jilib,…