US-China trade hits record high despite rising tensions

WASHINGTON/BEIJING, Feb 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Trade between the US and China hit a record high last year even as their diplomatic relations deteriorated. Imports and exports between the two countries totalled $690.6bn (£572.6bn) in 2022, official figures show. Relations between the countries have hit new lows in recent days after…

EU to host donor conference on Syria, Turkiye quake aid

BRUSSELS, Feb 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU plans to host a donors conference in March to mobilise international aid for Syria and Turkiye following this week’s devastating earthquake, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said.    “We are now racing against the clock to save lives together. Soon we will provide…

US gun violence: Gunman killing 23 at El Paso Walmart in 2019 pleads guilty to 90 charges

Mourners created a makeshift memorial for victims of the massacre at an El Paso Walmart in 2019 HOUSTON (Texas, US), Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — The gunman who killed 23 people including eight Mexicans in 2019 at a Walmart mall in the largely Latino border city of El Paso in the…

Somalia: UN appeal for $2.6 billion to support millions amid historic drought and famine fears

MOGADISHU, Feb 9 (NNN-UNNS) — Humanitarians are seeking $2.6 billion to assist some 7.6 million people in Somalia this year, the UN and partners announced on Wednesday, together with the Federal and State authorities.  Somalia is in the midst of the longest and most severe drought in its history, following five…

Algeria recalls ambassador to France

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers ALGIERS, Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Wednesday ordered the immediate recall of Algerian Ambassador to France Said Moussi for consultation, according to a statement from the president’s office. The recall comes to protest “the secret…

Morocco rescues 167 Spain-bound migrants in Mediterranean, Atlantic

RABAT, Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Moroccan navy rescued 167 Spain-bound migrants in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from Jan 28 to Feb 7, official news agency MAP reported Wednesday. The migrants have attempted dangerous crossings and encountered problems while boarding several makeshift boats, kayaks, jet skis, and even swimming,…

2 children dead after bus crashes into daycare center in Canada

OTTAWA, Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Two preschool children are dead and several others injured after a city bus crashed into a daycare center Wednesday morning in Laval, north of Montreal, Canada. The city bus rammed into the Sainte-Rose Daycare in Laval shortly around 8:30 a.m. local time, local media said.…

Cuba confirms first bird flu cases

HAVANA, Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — Cuba has reported its first cases of avian influenza, local media said Wednesday. The virus was detected in wild birds at a zoo in Havana, Cuba’s National Center for Animal Health was quoted as saying by online news outlet Cubadebate. Measures to minimize the spread…

4 dead after storm hits Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 9 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least four people, including a two-year-old girl, were killed after a severe storm triggered flooding and landslides in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro and its metropolitan area, authorities said Wednesday. According to local disaster reduction authorities, the storm dumped an…

Three dead in Argentina climbing highest peak in Americas

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Americans and a Norwegian died over the past four days while climbing Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, Argentine police said. US mountaineer Ayn Vincent Day, 41, died on Wednesday after going against the advice of his guide and summiting the nearly…