French unions block ports as pension strikes lose steam

People march in Paris, the 43rd day of nationwide multi-sector protests and strikes against the government pensions reform PARIS, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French trade unions blocked ports and disrupted power production, searching for a way to force President Emmanuel Macron to ditch a planned pension overhaul as the impact…

Bolivia: Exiled ex-pres Morales retracts vow to create armed civilian militia

LA PAZ, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Exiled former Bolivian president Evo Morales backtracked from a vow to create armed civilian militias similar to notorious ‘colectivos’ in Venezuela, were he to be allowed back to his homeland. Morales caused outrage with his comments last weekend, with interim President Jeanine Anez saying…

Fiji opens evacuation centres as Cyclone Tino hits

 Damage from cyclone Tino to Oinafa Jetty on the Fijian island of Rotuma SUVA, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fiji opened evacuation centres and warned of “destructive force winds” Friday as a cyclone bore down on the Pacific island nation for the second time in three weeks. Two people were missing…

Brazil reports third death from suspected poison craft beer

SAO PAULO, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A third person has died in Brazil of suspected poisoning from a batch of craft beer contaminated with a toxic chemical used in antifreeze and other products, police in the state of Minas Gerais said. In a statement, police said the man died on…

More than 2,000 migrants from Honduras enter Guatemala with Mexico in their sights

At least 2,200 people have entered Guatemala in a fast-growing US-bound caravan from Honduras GUATEMALA CITY, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 2,200 people have entered Guatemala in a fast-growing US-bound caravan from Honduras, authorities said. Mexico’s government is bracing for the arrival of hundreds of Central Americans on its…

11 US troops injured in Jan 8 Iran missile attack in Iraq

US soldiers inspect the site where an Iranian missile hit at Ain al-Asad air base in Anbar province, Iraq WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States treated 11 of its troops for symptoms of concussion after an Iranian missile attack on an Iraqi base where US forces were stationed, the US military said,…

Pentagon gets request to build 435km of Mexican border wall

Segments of the first border wall being built between US and Mexico WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Pentagon has received a request from within the Trump administration to build roughly 435 kilometres of wall on the border with Mexico and is evaluating its cost and viability, a senior Defence…

US Senate approves new North American trade deal

US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve a new North American trade pact, handing President Donald Trump a second back-to-back trade win just as his impeachment trial was beginning in Washington. After a brief debate, lawmakers voted 89-10 in favour…

Moroccan airline to launch 1st non-stop flights between Casablanca, Beijing

RABAT, Jan 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Moroccan national airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) launched on Thursday the first non-stop flights between Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca and Beijing Daxing International Airport. The flight will be operated by B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 302 seats, including 26 in business…

US to decide on Africa presence in two months, says top officer

WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Stateswill make a decision on the level of its presence in Africa, particularly inthe Sahel region, in about two months, Washington’s top military officer said. Washington has some 7,000 special forces on rotation in Africa carryingout joint operations with national forces against jihadists,…