Hong Kong protesters seek international support on rights

HONG KONG, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hong Kong protesters rallied outside diplomatic missions on Thursday to urge foreign governments to follow the United States and pass human rights bills to raise pressure on Beijing and support their pro-democracy campaign. U.S. President Donald Trump signed legislation last month requiring the State…

Indonesia police question suspected militants arrested in Papua

A filepic showing a car burned in September’s riot at a damaged office building of Jayawijaya’s regent in Wamena, Papua JAKARTA, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indonesian anti-terrorism officers are interrogating eight suspected Islamic militants arrested in the province of Papua on suspicion that they were planning an attack, a police…

Nigerian air force destroys camp of Boko Haram

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)  LAGOS, Dec 20 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said that it has wiped out one of terror group Boko Haram’s camp in the northeastern Nigerian state of Borno. The operation by the NAF also led to the death of several Boko Haram fighters,…

UN FAO says “dangerous” desert locust swarming across Ethiopia, Horn of Africa

Desert locusts threatening crops in Somalia and Ethiopia in the worst outbreak in 25 years ADDIS ABABA, Dec 20 (NNN-XINHUA) — The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that a “dangerous desert locust situation” is developing across the Horn of Africa amid continuing locust breeding in eastern Ethiopia…

Syria War: Airstrikes and shelling kill 24 civilians in Idlib province

Syrian government aircraft reportedly bombed the town of Maasaran DAMASCUS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twenty-four civilians were killed by air strikes and artillery fire in the opposition-held Syrian province of Idlib on Tuesday, first responders say. Nine people, including three children, died when warplanes bombed the town of Talmenes, the White…

Australia declares state of emergency for New South Wales amid bushfires and record temps

SYDNEY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Australia’s most populous state declared its second state of state of emergency in two months on Thursday as extreme heat and strong winds were expected to fan scores of uncontrolled bushfires.Firefighters were given broad powers to control government resources, force evacuations, close roads and shut…

Kenyans warned over ‘terror threats’ during festivities: Police

NAAIROBI, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenya’s police boss has urged people in the country to be cautious of “terror” threats during Christmas and new year celebrations, in comments carried live by privately-owned K24 TV. Hillary Mutyambai urged more vigilance in places of worship as well as on public transport. The…

Algeria swears in new president as opposition debates response

ALGIERS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been sworn in as the president of Algeria, as the Hirak protest movement debated its response to his offer of dialogue to end a months-long political crisis.Mounted guards in traditional red tunics, white turbans and hooded cloaks lined the way into the…

US: After 21 years, Clinton no longer the last president to be impeached

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Donald Trump made history as the third US president to be impeached just a day ahead of the 21st anniversary of Bill Clinton’s indictment by American lawmakers. The roles were reversed on Dec 19, 1998: the president was a Democrat impeached by a Republican-controlled House…

Large number of protesters detained; mobile, internet services suspended to curb protests in India

NEW DELHI, Dec 20 (NNN-PTI) — Senior opposition leaders, a largenumber of students and activists were detained on Thursday by police on their way to two mega demonstrations against the new citizenship law as prohibitory orders and restrictions on internet and mobile phone services in parts of Delhi-NCR region inconvenienced…