Nine dead in Dominican Republic plane crash: airline

   SANTO DOMINGO, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nine people, including Puerto Rican music producer “Flow La Movie” died Wednesday when a private plane crashed at the Las Americas airport in the Dominican Republic capital SantoDomingo, the aircraft’s owner Helidosa said.    Helidosa “regrets the tragic accident on one of its…

Covid-19: Zoo in Chile tests experimental vaccine on lions and tigers

SANTIAGO, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At the Buin Zoo on the outskirts of Chilean capital Santiago, a veterinarian sporting a tiger-striped face mask administers an experimental COVID-19 vaccine to a tiger in a cage, as another zoo worker feeds the animal chunks of raw meat via a pair of long…

France and Germany seek fresh peace talks with Russia

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R), France’s President Emmanuel Macron (C) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) at The European Council Building in Brussels, Belgium BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The leaders of France and Germany sought to revive talks with Russia while keeping up pressure on Moscow to deter what…

UK inspectors slam detention facilities for migrants

UK inspectors slam detention facilities for migrants LONDON, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Migrants who crossed the Channel to Britain from northern France are being held in sub-standard conditions, despite government promises to improve accommodation, inspectors said on Thursday.  The findings by the Inspectorate of Prisons and independent volunteer monitoring groups came after visits…

Tunisia, Algeria sign 27 bilateral agreements

TUNIS, Dec 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — In the presence of Tunisian President Kais Saied and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 27 bilateral agreements were signed during a ceremony held on Wednesday at the palace of Carthage in Tunis. “These partnership agreements concern a wide range of areas including justice, public institutions,…

78 illegal immigrants rescued, 1 body found off Tunisian coast: ministry

TUNIS, Dec 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Tunisian Maritime Guard on Wednesday rescued 78 illegal immigrants and recovered the body of another off the country’s southeastern coast. According to a statement released by the Tunisian Ministry of Defense, the recovered body belonged to an Egyptian national. These illegal immigrants’ boat, sailing…

EU slaps sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner

BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian private military contractor Wagner Group, as well as on eight individuals and three other energy companies in Syria accused of helping finance the mercenaries in Ukraine, Libya, and Syria.The EU accused the Wagner Group, whose members are…

French Pres Macron to meet Mali junta leader in Bamako over Russia, polls

Colonel Assimi Goita and French President Emmanuel Macron BAMAKO, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit Mali for a two day-visit on Dec 20-21.While in the Malian capital of Bamako, he will hold talks with transitional President Assimi Goita.According to Africa Intelligence group, the two…

Covid-19: South African Pres Cyril Ramaphosa being treated for covid

PRETORIA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa is receiving treatment after testing positive for Covid-19, his office says. In a statement, it says the 69-year-old has mild symptoms and is isolating in Cape Town. South Africa has seen a surge of infections since the new Omicron variant…

Canada offers up to $40bn to compensate indigenous children

OTTAWA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canada has pledged up to C$40bn in compensation for indigenous children and families who suffered discrimination while in foster care. In September, a top court upheld a 2016 ruling that the government underfunded First Nations services compared with those for non-indigenous children. It ordered C$40,000…