Mali plans to increase the size of its army to rein in jihadists

Malian Armed Forces soldiers are pictured during anti-insurgent operation BAMAKO, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali will increase the size of its army by about 50% in a recruitment drive this year aimed at uprooting jihadist groups, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse said. The plan is to hire 10,000 new soldiers in…

Portuguese president wants EU unity in talks with UK over future relationship

 Boris Johnson has said he will not extend the transition period beyond 31 December 2020 LISBON, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said that he hopes there will be unity among the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) in the negotiations of the future…

UN welcomes constructive dialogue between ASEAN, China: Sec-Gen Guterres

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the UN welcomes the constructive dialogue between the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, while noting that ASEAN plays a key role in the regional peace and security architecture. “The United Nations also welcomes…

Peru: Death toll rises to 20 in gas truck blast

A fireman walks past the tanker truck that exploded in a Lima neighborhood LIMA, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — The death toll from last week’s gas tanker truck explosion in Peru’s capital Lima climbed to 20, after four more victims succumbed to their injuries, the Health Ministry said. Among the deceased…

UN Security Council concerned over escalation of violence in Yemen

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Security Council on Thursday voiced serious concern over the significant escalation of violence in Nehm and Jawf, Yemen, and its impact on civilians, thousands of whom have been displaced in recent days. In a press statement, the council members underlined their disappointment at…

Egypt says tripartite US-hosted Nile dam talks still ongoing

CAIRO, Jan 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the tripartite US-mediated talks over the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River are still ongoing. The current meetings, kicked off on Jan 28, were scheduled to conclude on Jan 29 with a comprehensive agreement. Egypt’s foreign…

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…