Both sides in Libya conflict accept ceasefire

TRIPOLI, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Both sides in Libya’s conflict agreed to a ceasefire that started early Sunday following weeks of international diplomacy and calls for a truce by power-brokers Russia and Turkey. The oil-rich North African country has been wracked by bloody turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising killed long-time…

At least 11 dead as storms sweep through US south

WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Severe storms sweeping the southern US killed at least 11 people, authorities said, as tornadoes and high winds upturned cars, destroyed homes and left tens of thousands without power. The storms hit parts of the south on Friday and moved eastand north on Sunday, according…

Colombia eradicated 100,000 hectares of coca in 2019, Pres Duque reports

BOGOTA, Jan 11 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Colombia, a top source of coca, the base ingredient in cocaine, eradicated more than 100,000 hectares of the crop last year, President Ivan Duque said. The Andean country has come under repeated pressure from the United States, an important destination for cocaine shipments, to reduce…

Chileans condemn OAS secretary general’s visit

SANTIAGO, Jan 11 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The Communist Youth of Chile (JJCC) described OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro as an accomplice to serious human rights violations in Chile. The youth branch of the Communist Party of Chile (PC) argued that Almagro defended President Sebastian Piñera’s actions against the widepread popular…

US: Pelosi signals Trump impeachment charges may go to Senate next week

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Democratic-led US House of Representatives will send formal impeachment charges against President Donald Trump to the Senate as early as next week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, has been engaged in a three-week cat-and-mouse game…

‘Phase Two’ China trade deal may come after US election: Pres Trump

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Negotiations for the second phase of a pending US-China trade deal will begin promptly but the outcome may wait until after this year’s elections, President Donald Trump said. Trump’s remarks come days before Beijing’s trade envoy is due in Washington to sign a “phase one”…

Ivory Coast child found in plane undercarriage was 14-year-old schoolboy

ABIDJAN, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A child stowaway found dead in the undercarriage of a plane that landed in Paris has been identified as a 14-year-old Ivorian schoolboy, the transport ministry said. A statement named him as Ani Guibahi Laurent Barthelemy, born on Feb 5 2005 in Yopougon, a rundown district of Abidjan, Ivory…

French premier to unveil new proposals in pension overhaul standoff

Demonstrators burn tires as they block the entrance of the industrial area of Le Havre’s harbor, in northwestern France, to protest the government’s pension overhaul, on Jan 10 PARIS, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France’s premier will present new proposals on Saturday on the government’s hotly-contested pensions overhaul, seeking to appease…

US sharply reduces flights to Cuba

WASHINGTON, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Friday sharply reduced flights allowed to go to Cuba in a bid to reduce tourism revenue to the communist island. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that charter flights would only be allowed to fly to Havana, not other airports – a…

Libya and Iran top agenda in Merkel-Putin meeting

MOSCOW/BERLIN, Jan 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Confrontation between Washington and Tehran over the US killing of a top general and turmoil in Libya are set to dominate talks in Moscow on Saturday between the leaders of Russia and Germany. Russia’s Vladimir Putin will hold talks with German Chancellor AngelaMerkel in Moscow…