Russia refused request to hand over MH17 suspect: Netherlands

Volodymyr Tsemakh, suspected of involvement in the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 plane in 2014, reacts inside a defendants’ cage during a court hearing in Kiev, Ukraine Sept 5, 2019. AMSTERDAM, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia has refused a Dutch request to hand over a suspect in the…

Ethiopia PM soldiers on with new party despite opposition from top ally

Abiy signed on behalf of the ODP which he leads ADDIS ABABA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is pressing on with plans of the new Prosperity Party (PP) despite an open opposition by a close ally and Minister of Defence Lemma Megerssa.Abiy met with leaders of…

Nato Summit: PM Boris Johnson to call for unity at UK Summit

 LONDON, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) —UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to call for Nato unity, amid growing tensions within the military bloc. A summit to mark the founding of the 29-member defence alliance 70 years ago begins near London on Tuesday. The two-day gathering is overshadowed by a bitter row…

Chile’s economic activity sees biggest plunge in decade

SANTIAGO, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chile’s economy contracted 3.4% in October from the same month a year ago, the central bank said, posting the single biggest drop in a decade as weeks of violent protests began sending shockwaves through the Chilean economy. Riots in Chile began on Oct 18 over…

UNICEF condemns killing of children in Libya

Migrant children walk outside a detention centre located in Tripoliy TRIPOLI, Dec 3 (NNN-XINHUA) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) condemned airstrikes that killed children in the south of the Libyan capital Tripoli and the southern town of Um Al-Aranib. “UNICEF is deeply saddened with the reports that children have been killed and…

Chinese mining activities in Nigeria not beneficial – Minister

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite ABUJA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Federal Government has frowned on China’s domination of the Nigerian mining sector, noting that the development had not helped the country’s economy.Chinese businessmen and firms, alongside other Asians, are the major players in the exploitation of…

US restores tariffs on steel from Brazil and Argentina

WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump has said he will restore tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Brazil and Argentina. “Brazil and Argentina have been presiding over a massive devaluation of their currencies,” Trump said. Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said he would seek talks with Trump.…

US ambassador to Zambia in hot waters over gay comments

Daniel Foote, US ambassador to Zambia LUSAKA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US ambassador to Zambia has said he has been threatened over his comments on the sentencing of a gay couple, deepening a diplomatic row.Daniel Foote said he was “horrified” by the jailing of Japhet Chataba and Steven Samba.A…

South Africa: Pres Ramaphosa backs life sentence for rapists

South Africans protests against the rise of violence against women PRETORIA, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is working on measures that will see convicted rapists handed life sentences and given the “harshest of labour in prison”. This is in response to a spate…

France cancels offer of boats to Libya under pressure from NGOs

A Libyan coastguard ship PARIS, Dec 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French officials confirmed they had cancelled the delivery of semi-rigid inflatable Sillinger crafts to Libya after eight NGOs filed a lawsuit against the move, criticising Libya’s treatment of migrants.Lola Schulmann of Amnesty France—one of the NGOs involved in the case—said she…