US vaping-related deaths rise to 48, cases of illness to 2,291

WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US health officials on Thursday reported one new case and one more death from a respiratory illness tied to vaping, taking the total death toll to 48. As of Dec 4, 2019, there were 2,291 cases of hospitalised cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and…

Brazil’s Bolsonaro urges Mercosur to push on with reforms

BENTO GONCALVES (Brazil), Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro urged South America’s four-nation trade bloc Mercosur to push ahead with reforms “without accepting ideological setbacks,” in a swipe at Argentina’s incoming leftist government. Far-right Bolsonaro made the remarks at the start of a meeting with leaders from Argentina,…

In rare legal test, Myanmar faces genocide hearings at The Hague

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) THE HAGUE, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi will head a team of lawyers to hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague next week to defend the country against accusations of genocide against the Rohingya Muslims.…

Iraq: 2 mortar rounds hit air base housing US troops

BAGHDAD, Dec 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Two mortar rounds hit an air base that houses U.S. troops in Iraq’s central province of Salahudin, a provincial police source said. The incident took place on Thursday evening when the two mortar rounds landed in Balad air base, some 80 km north of the…

Iranian top commander says Iran self-sufficient in producing military hardware

Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri TEHRAN, Dec 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — Chief of Staff of Iran Armed Forces Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said that the Islamic republic has achieved self-sufficiency in building military equipment needed to defend the country. Iran is becoming less dependent on foreigners in producing defense-related hardware thanks to…

Delay in USMCA not to impact Mexican economy: finance minister

MEXICO CITY, Dec 6 (NNN-Xinhua) — A delay in the ratification of a revised North American free trade agreement will not have any impact on Mexico’s 2020 trade outlook, Finance Minister Arturo Herrera said. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has been approved by Mexico’s Congress, but needs to be ratified…

US Sec of State Pompeo brings Iran pressure campaign to Morocco

RABAT, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Morocco discussedefforts to isolate Iran, officials said Thursday, as Secretary of State MikePompeo paid a visit to the kingdom. Pompeo had been due to have an audience with King Mohammed VI but themeeting was dropped, apparently after the top US diplomat…

Mexico: 23 kidnapped from rehab clinic

IRAPUATO (Mexico), Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen kidnapped 23 people from a rehabilitation clinic for drug addicts in central Mexico, later freeing 13 of them, some with injuries, officials said. Witnesses said the large group of gunmen arrived at the rehab clinic inIrapuato, in the state of Guanajuato, in several…

Middle East: US considering troop boost to counter Iran

WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States said it wasconsidering deploying fresh forces in the Middle East to counter Iran, with an official saying some 5,000 to 7,000 troops could head to the region. Testifying before Congress, John Rood, the under secretary of defense forpolicy, said that the United…

180 more Daesh militants surrender in Afghanistan province

KABUL, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Over 600 Daesh militants, including Pakistanis, Central Asians and Iranians, surrendered over the past two weeks in Afghanistan, said the country’s Defense Ministry.  Days after Afghan officials announced clearing the long-held bastions of Daesh in the country’s east, along the disputed Durand Line border with Pakistan,…