Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia ready for talks with Ukraine, but with no preconditions, diplomat insists

MOSCOW, Feb 12 (NNN-TASS) — Russia is ready to engage with Ukraine, but there should not be any preconditions for talks that should be based on the existing reality, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said in an interview with Zvezda television. “Yes, according to the classics, any hostilities end up…

Peru: Seven police killed in ambush by suspected Shining Path rebels

LIMA, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Seven police died Saturday in an ambush while traveling in a coca-growing valley in southern Peru, the national police said. The attack took place in La Convencion province in the Cusco region, in a wide valley known as VRAEM (the acronym stands for Valley of…

Suspected terrorists kill 10 Niger soldiers in ambush: ministry

NIAMEY, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least ten soldiers died in an ambush by a group of “armed terrorists” in southwestern Niger, close to the Mali border, the defence ministry said. The toll from Friday’s attack could rise as 16 people are still missing and 13 soldiers were wounded, a…

Portugal: Thousands join teachers’ protests demanding higher pay and better working conditions

 LISBON, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of teachers from across Portugal marched through the streets of Lisbon on Saturday in the latest round of protests demanding higher pay and better working conditions. More than 150,000 people took part in the rally, according to the National Federation of Teachers (FENPROF), the…

Heatwaves: Argentina issues health warnings amid record heat

Heat map showing temperatures rising to 45C in Argentina BUENOS AIRES, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Suffering under the worst heat wave in more than six decades, Argentina has issued health warnings to nine southern and central provinces, the National Meteorological Service, said. This is the eighth heat wave to hit…

US adds six China entities tied to balloon programme to export blacklist

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Commerce Department blacklisted six Chinese entities for supporting Beijing’s military modernisation efforts, particularly relating to aerospace programmes including airships and balloons. The move came a day after US lawmakers unanimously denounced China’s use of a suspected spy balloon that flew over North America last week.…

Somalia reopens UK Embassy after 32 years

LONDON, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Somalia has reopened its embassy in the UK after 32 years, in a ceremony attended by ambassador Abdulkadir Ahmed Kheyr, Olympic champion Mo Farah and Somali-Canadian model Sabrina Dhowre, among others. The embassy in London is expected to provide consular services to the nearly 500,000-strong…

Presidents Biden, Lula vow to defend democracy in Americas

WASHINGTON, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said at the White House that the two biggest countries in the Americas have successfully seen off attacks on their democracies and will now work together on fighting the climate crisis. “Both…

Seven whales wash up dead on Cyprus

NICOSIA, Feb  12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Cyprus government is investigating how seven whales mysteriously washed up dead on the rugged shoreline of the island’s north coast, authorities said.       There were reports another three whales from the same species had been found dead on beaches further east in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern…

Moldova PM resigns for lack of “support and trust at home”, prompting quick successor

CHISINAU, Feb 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moldova’s government collapsed after the prime minister resigned as the ex-Soviet country grapples with crises in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but a new premier was swiftly lined up. Natalia Gavrilita, 45, did not elaborate on the reason for her resignation, a day…