Hundreds protests in Tunisia on anniversary of revolution

 TUNIS, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Hundreds rallied for and against Tunisian President Kais Saied in central Tunis on Friday, on the eleventh anniversary of the start of a revolution that sparked the Arab Spring uprisings.   Saied in July this year sacked the government, froze parliament and seized far-reaching powers.…

US says will discuss Russia proposals but warns on Ukraine

 WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is willing to discuss security proposals put forward by Russia but disagrees with parts of them and will impose “massive consequences” over any “aggression” on Ukraine, a senior official said.   “We are prepared to discuss them. That said, there are some…

World Bank announces US$93bn to boost recovery in world’s poorest countries

  WASHINGTON, Dec 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Bank (WB) has announced a US$93 billion replenishment package of the International Development Association (IDA) to help low-income countries respond to the COVID-19 crisis and build a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future.   The financing brings together $23.5 billion of contributions…

4 children die after intense fire rips through London home

Firefighters work at the scene in Sutton, south London, where four children have died following a fire at a house LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four children have died after a fire ripped through a home in south London, authorities said. About 60 firefighters descended on the home in a…

Malagasy prosecutor seeks life imprisonment for five accused of coup attempt

President Andry Rajoelina ANTANANARIVO, Dec 17 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Malagasy public prosecutors called for life imprisonment for five of the 20 people accused of plotting a coup against President Andry Rajoelina, including two Frenchmen, while the defence insisted their clients were innocent. A stern look under his glasses draped in…

US oil company charged in October California spill

Workers in protective suits clean the contaminated beach in Corona Del Mar after an oil spill off the southern California coast in October LOS ANGELES, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A United States oil company and two subsidiaries have been charged for a crude oil spill that wrought environmental havoc in southern Californian…

Remaining US and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti released

Kidnapped missionaries affiliated with US-based group Christian Aid Ministries were freed following weeks of negotiations with 400 Mawozo, one of Haiti’s most powerful gangs PORT-AU-PRINCE, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of Canadian and US missionaries kidnapped in October by a gang in Haiti has been released, local police said, after weeks…

Rwanda: French court jails ex-driver Muhayimana for 14 years over genocide

PARIS, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A French court on Thursday sentenced a former hotel driver to 14 years in jail over complicity in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide for involvement in transporting Hutu militiamen who massacred hundreds of Tutsis. French-Rwandan Claude Muhayimana, 60, was found guilty of complicity in genocide and in crimes against…

Former Bolivian Foreign Ministry official arrested over 2019 uprising against Evo

LA PAZ, Dec 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A former top-ranking official from Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry has been placed under arrest for his alleged involvement in the reception from Argentina of tear gas and other military supplies in the events surrounding the resignation of former President Evo Morales and the accession to…

Venezuelan exports grow 30% compared to 2020

CARACAS, Dec 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The president of the Venezuelan Association of Exporters (AVEX) Ramón Goyo announced a 30% increase in sales abroad compared to 2020 figures, which has allowed producers to make up for a sharp decrease in domestic consumption. Goyo also explained that products currently are those from…