UK: ‘Nervous’ PM Johnson promises Brexit and less immigration ahead of election

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson LONDON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was nervous about his narrowing lead in opinion polls ahead of Thursday’s election but pledged to deliver a “transformative” Brexit on Jan 31 that would allow lower immigration.The Dec 12 election will decide…

Gambian president vows to punish traffickers after boat disaster

BANJUL, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gambian President Adama Barrow has pledged to punish human traffickers following the deaths of dozens people who drowned this week when their boat attempting to reach Europe capsized off Mauritania.“To lose 60 young lives at sea is a national tragedy and a matter of grave…

South Africa: Four dead after rock collapse at gold mine

PRETORIA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four mine workers were killed and one was seriously injured after a rock fall at a South African gold mine on Friday, the company and a mining union said on Sunday. The collapse at the Village Main Reef’s Tau Lekoa gold mine in North West…

Uganda floods: At least 16 people dead – Red Cross

Red Cross volunteers are assisting with relief and recovery efforts in Uganda KAMPALA, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flooding in Uganda has claimed at least 16 lives, the Red Cross says, as the region reels from weeks of rain.Rescuers have been recovering the bodies of victims swept to their deaths by…

French government says it is determined on pension reform as strikes continue

France President, Emmanuel Macron PARIS, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The French government said it would see through planned pension reforms but said the new system that has sparked nationwide strikes would be introduced gradually and public concerns would be addressed.Transport systems were paralyzed for a fourth day on Sunday as…

Cameroon asks UN, foreign donors to help with reconstruction

YAOUNDE, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Diplomats, U.N. agency heads, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) converged this week to discuss rebuilding towns and villages scarred by the separatist war in Cameroon.Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, who convened the meeting on behalf of the government, pleaded with the international community to help reconstruct…

North Korea conducts ‘very important test’: KCNA

SEOUL, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Korea said Sunday it had carried out a “very important test” at its space launch centre, as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks. The announcement of Saturday’s test at the Sohae satellite launch site camejust hours after US President Donald…

Pres Trump thanks Iran as American freed in prisoner swap

WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) –– President Donald Trump had rare positive words for Iran, thanking the US foe for a “very fair”negotiation to successfully pull off a prisoner swap that saw an Americanreleased from Iranian detention amid soaring tensions. The exchange, which took place in neutral Switzerland, involved a Princeton…

Migrants in Bosnia refuse to move from forest camp

A migrant is seen next to placards at the migrant camp in Vucjak near Bihac, Bosnia and Herzegovina VUCJAK (Bosnia), Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bowing to international pressure, Bosnian authorities agreed on Friday to dismantle a makeshift refugee camp of freezing snow-covered tents, but some migrants living there have been…

Mauritanian coast guard intercepts boat carrying 180 migrants – IOM

NOUAKCHOTT, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A boat carrying up to 180 migrants was intercepted by the Mauritanian coast guard on Friday, the U.N. migration agency said, less than two days after 62 migrants drowned when their vessel sank in the same waters en route from Gambia. The boat is understood…