Update: Morocco building collapse death toll rises to 22

RABAT, Dec 11 (NNN-XINHUA) — The death toll from the collapse of two residential buildings in the Moroccan city of Fez has risen to 22, the public prosecutor said, revising an earlier figure of 19. The incident occurred late on Tuesday in the Al-Mustaqbal neighbourhood when an unoccupied building collapsed,…

Uganda: 10 dead, 3 injured after taxi crashes into parked trailer in Bugiri district

A police truck evacuates accident victims from a crash scene in Busowa town, Bugiri District BUSOWA (Uganda), Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 10 people have died, and three others were left injured in a Wednesday morning grisly road crash at Busowa Town Council along the Busia Highway in Bugiri…

Update: Venezuela demands end to ‘illegal and brutal interventionism’ by US – Pres Maduro

CARACAS, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela’s embattled President Nicolas Maduro demanded an end to US intervention in his country, months into a large-scale naval deployment near the Caribbean nation that has sparked fears of military attack. “From Venezuela, we ask and demand an end to the illegal and brutal interventionism…

French special forces helped Benin after attempted coup: military

COTONOU, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French special forces provided support to Beninese troops who put down an attempted coup at the weekend, the head of the country’s republican guard said on Wednesday. Dieudonne Djimon Tevoedjre said Beninese troops were “truly valiant and faced the enemy all day”, after a group…

Salvadoran military officers face trial for 1981 massacre

    SAN SALVADOR, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of Salvadoran military officers will face trial for a 1981 massacre that targeted leftist guerrillas and killed nearly 1,000 civilians, a victims’ advocacy group said. Soldiers from the Atlacatl Battalion executed 986 people, including 558 children, in northeastern El Mozote and…

US seized ‘very large’ tanker near Venezuela, Pres Trump says; Caracas described it a ‘blatant theft’

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said Wednesday, which Caracas deemed a ‘blatant theft’ amid escalating tensions between the countries. The move comes during a huge US naval build-up in the Caribbean, which Venezuela’s…

Ethiopia announces elections for June next year

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Parliamentary elections in Ethiopia will be held on June 1 next year, the electoral commission said, despite the country still enduring armed conflict. Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa, with some 130 million inhabitants, but ongoing fighting in its two most…

Morocco: Collapse of two 4-storey buildings in Fes city kills 19

RABAT, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two four-storey buildings collapsed Wednesday in the Moroccan city of Fes, killing at least 19 people, according to a provisional toll reported by the country’s official news agency. “Sixteen other people were wounded, with varying degrees of gravity,” the MAP agency reported, adding that search…

Colombian leader calls for Venezuelan transitional government

BOGOTA, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a general amnesty paving the way for a transitional government in neighboring Venezuela. He made the call Wednesday on the same day that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Petro said President Nicolas…

US House poised to reinforce Europe, rebuke Pres Trump over anti-NATO rhetoric

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US lawmakers are set to vote on a sweeping annual defense bill bolstering European security, in a direct rebuke of President Donald Trump’s threats to walk away from the continent and his statements casting doubt on NATO’s future. The House vote comes on the heels…