Climate change becomes Italians’ first concern
ROME, Dec 25: Climate change jumped on top of the issues most concerning Italians at global level, surpassing the threat of terrorism, a survey by a leading domestic research institute showed on Monday. It was the first time environment-related topics ranked first among the country's major international worries, Milan-based Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) said in its report. — Xinhua
Sudan anti-govt protests claim 37 lives
CAIRO, Dec 25: Amnesty International says it has "credible reports" that Sudanese police have killed 37 protesters in clashes during anti-government demonstrations that erupted last week across much of the country. In a statement late on Monday, the London-based rights group said the use of lethal force by security forces against unarmed protesters was "extremely troubling" given that more protests were planned on Tuesday. — AP
Coastguard rescue thirteen
migrants off Walmer coast
WALMER, Dec 25: A boat carrying 13 people thought to be migrants has been picked up off the coast of Kent. Lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter were involved in the rescue operation two miles from Walmer. Those on board were not thought to be wearing life jackets when they were rescued. They were brought to shore at about 04:30 GMT, the BBC understands. — BBC
English-speaking separatists
kidnap 15 in Cameroon
BANGOURAIN, Dec 25: A regional governor in Cameroon says armed English-speaking separatists attacked a French-speaking town, killing one person, kidnapping 15 others and burning 86 homes in the country's restive North West region. Governor Augustine Awah Fonka said the attack on Monday was the second on the town of Bangourain. — AP
Attackers hit Libya ministry
TRIPOLI, Dec 25: Gunfire and at least one explosion rocked Libya's foreign ministry on Tuesday as attackers stormed the building in the capital Tripoli, witnesses and government media said. The assault was carried out by several "terrorist attackers", according to the Libyan unity government's official TV channel, which cited foreign and interior ministry sources. Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the building, witnesses said. — AFP
Turkey issues arrest warrants
for 30 coup suspects
ISTANBUL, Dec 25: Turkish prosecutors issued warrants on Tuesday for the arrest of at least 30 suspects, including 24 former military doctors, over their alleged links to a group accused of masterminding a failed coup in 2016. Anti-terror teams launched simultaneous operations in five provinces across the country to catch the suspects, the state-run Anadolu Agency said. — Xinhua
52 people die of dengue in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Dec 25: Fifty-two people have died and over 48,000 affected by the dengue virus in Sri Lanka, so far this year, the government information department said in a report Monday. Quoting the Epidemiology Unit, the report said that the highest number of dengue cases had been reported from the capital Colombo District with over 9,500 cases. — Xinhua
Actor Spacey faces sexual assault charge
NEW YORK, Dec 25: Oscar-winning US actor Kevin Spacey is facing a felony charge for alleged sexual assault of a teenager in a restaurant in 2016, prosecutors said on Monday. Spacey will be arraigned at Nantucket District Court on January 7 on a charge of indecent assault and battery, according to the district attorney of Cape and Islands, Massachusetts. — AFP
