Briefly

EGYPT

Arab League rejects intervention in Libya

The Arab League affirmed on Tuesday its commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Libya, rejecting any foreign intervention in the war-torn country. In a statement following an emergency meeting to discuss the Libyan situation, the Arab League emphasized the support of the Libyan political process through the full implementation of the Skhirat Agreement of 2015. The bloc highlighted the importance of involving neighboring countries in international efforts aimed at helping Libyans settle their internal crisis. The meeting expressed grave concern over the military escalation, which is exacerbating the worsening situation in Libya and threatening the security and stability of Libya's neighbors and the region as a whole, including the Mediterranean.

ISRAEL

Researchers predict El Nino in 2020

Israeli and German researchers predicted that the weather phenomenon El Nino could occur again in the Pacific region by the end of 2020, the Bar Ilan University, or BIU, reported on Tuesday. While commonly used models do not currently show any signs of an upcoming storm, the research team predicted that El Nino would occur next year, the report said. El Nino, which occurs once every few years, is manifested by the rise in the temperature of the Pacific Ocean west of Peru and Ecuador in South America, for several months. It can happen at irregular intervals around Christmas and result in empty fishing nets and torrential rainfall in Peru, as well as extended droughts in parts of South America, Indonesia, Australia and Africa.

MEXICO

7 detained in killing of US women, children

Prosecutors in Mexico said a total of seven suspects have now been detained in connection with the Nov 4 slaughter of nine US-Mexican dual-national women and children. Federal prosecutors said three men were arrested in recent days and charged with organized crime for drug offenses, though none apparently yet faces homicide charges. They said four other suspects are being held under a form of house arrest. The name of one suspect announced by federal prosecutors on Monday partially matches the police chief of the town of Janos, Chihuahua, near where the killings occurred.

INDONESIA

Overnight rains cause massive floods

Torrential rains since New Year's Eve pounded the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and its peripheral areas, causing massive floods on Wednesday. One teenager in central Jakarta reportedly died of an electric shock in the floods. State-owned electricity firm PLN has temporarily shut down electricity in 724 flood-hit areas in the city to prevent any electricity-related accidents. At least 10 flights from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta were reportedly canceled.

UNITED KINGDOM

Man charged after painting damaged

A 20-year-old man is being held in custody pending his next court hearing after being charged with damaging a Picasso painting at the Tate Modern gallery in London. London police said on Tuesday that Shakeel Ryan Massey of northwest London had been charged with criminal damage. He appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on Monday. Police said the attack on the artwork happened Saturday. Police did not specify the painting, but British media said it was Bust Of A Woman, which depicts photographer Dora Maar in a semiabstract style wearing a hat and green clothes.

Xinhua - Agencies