Iraqi health minister

* Myanmar's National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) has pledged to continue to strive towards the participation of eight remaining non-ceasefire signatory ethnic armed organizations in political dialogue, while strengthening the ceasefire already achieved with 10 armed organizations. * Cuba's economy is expected to expand 1.5 percent in 2019 after a 1.2-percent growth in 2018 which is below the government's previous forecast of 2 percent, said the country's economy minister on December 21. * The 77th Mekong River joint patrol led by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand concluded Friday (December 21) at Guanlei Port, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province. * Japan's cabinet on December 21 approved a record-high JPY101.46 trillion (US$913 billion) budget plan for fiscal 2019, with soaring social security costs and military spending weighing on the country's already-fragile fiscal health. * US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Iraqi Prime … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: December 22

* India celebrated the "International Literacy Day" on September 8 to spread literacy and education among the masses, the poor, downtrodden and the destitute. * Tens of Syrian refugees returned from Lebanon to their homeland Sunday (September 9) by bus under strict supervision of Lebanon's general security through Aboudiya crossing point, the National News Agency reported. * A total of 35 people have been confirmed dead, two others in state of cardiopulmonary arrest and three remain missing in the wake of a powerful earthquake that rocked Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan days ago, local authorities said on September 8. * Tianjin Airlines has changed to larger passenger aircraft on its Tokyo-Tianjin air route to evacuate Chinese passengers stranded at Japanese airports in wake of a typhoon and earthquake. * Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on September 8 underlined the potential for further cooperation. * Egyptian President Abdel … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: September 9

Iraqi security forces are deployed in a street in the southern city of Basra yesterday. — AFP Photo Viet Nam News BASRA — One person was killed and 25 injured, some seriously, yesterday as Iraqi security forces opened fire on protesters as clashes broke out in the southern city of Basra, a day after six people were killed in demonstrations over poor public services. An AFP journalist reported gunshots and tear gas were fired by security personnel directly at demonstrators, who had gathered in their thousands outside the regional government headquarters. The measures failed to disperse protesters, who responded by hurling Molotov cocktails and letting off fireworks at the security forces. Security forces later stopped firing in the direction of protesters and instead fired shots in the air and used tear gas. "One demonstrator was killed and 25 others wounded, including some seriously," said Mehdi al-Tamimi, head of the … [Read more...] about Iraq forces open fire on protesters during new clashes, one dead