Spain: Death toll rises to 11 as Storm Gloria ebbs

Storm Gloria ebbs BARCELONA, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a violent storm that has wrought havoc across huge swathes of Spain’s eastern and southern coastline rose to 11, with rescue workers still searching for four people. The latest victim was a 50-year-old man who was fishing in…

Search suspended for South Koreans, Nepalis hit by avalanche

The valley in the Annapurna mountain region where the avalanche struck KATHMANDU, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The search for four South Korean trekkers and three Nepalis swept away by an avalanche in the Himalayas almost a week ago was suspended Thursday as conditions made further operations too risky. The trekkers…

Greek island mayors press government to lighten migrants overload

ATHENS, Jan 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mayors of three Greek islands bearing the brunt of intensely overcrowded refugee and migrant camps demanded the transfer of thousands to the country’s mainland during a meeting with the new migration minister. During a second day of protests over the plight of the camps and the…

Singapore confirms first case of Wuhan virus

SINGAPORE, Jan 24 (NNN-CNA) — Singapore on Thursday announced a confirmed case of the Wuhan virus, a new coronavirus that has sickened hundreds of people and killed at least 25.  In a media briefing, the Ministry of Health said the patient is a 66-year-old Chinese man. The Wuhan resident, who arrived in Singapore…

More than 200 migrants voluntarily deported from Libya in January: IOM

TRIPOLI, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it voluntarily deported more than 200 migrants from Libya to their countries of origin so far in January. “Under the EU (European Union)-IOM Joint Initiative, IOM Libya has so far facilitated the return of 222 migrants this month,”…

Gazan factions urge World Holocaust Forum to stop Israeli violations against Palestinians

GAZA, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Palestinian factions in Gaza called on the participants of the World Holocaust Forum held in Jerusalem to stop the Israeli practices and violations against the Palestinian people. In a joint statement circulated during a demonstration in front of the UN headquarters in western Gaza City,…

Venezuelan president invites UN, EU to accompany conciliation talks with opposition

CARACAS, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro invited delegates from the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN) and the governments of Argentina, Mexico and Panama to accompany his government’s conciliation talks with the opposition. During an anti-imperialist rally in Caracas, Maduro called on the regional governments and…

Palestinian, Russian presidents meet on Israeli-Palestinian situation

Palestinian Pres Mahmoud Abbas and Russian Pres Vladimir Putin BETHLEHEM, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday evening in the southern West Bank city of Bethlehem, briefing him on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian situation. The two leaders discussed the “Deal of…

India once again rejects US Pres Trump’s offer to mediate in Kashmir issue

NEW DELHI, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — India once again rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate in the Kashmir issue, saying it had to be “bilaterally” resolved with Pakistan. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that there was no role for any third party…

US VP Pence says White House to release Mideast peace plan next week

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (C) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) at the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem JERUSALEM, Jan 24 (NNN-Xinhua) — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced Thursday during a visit to Jerusalem that the White House plans to release its plan for peace in the Middle…