Venezuela says US terrorist designation a ‘ridiculous lie’

CARACAS, Nov 25 (BSS/AFP) – Venezuela on Monday rejected the US terrorist designation of an alleged drug cartel on its territory as a “ridiculous lie” aimed at paving the way for an “illegitimate” military intervention. A major US military build-up near Venezuela has led to speculation that President Donald Trump…

Biggest Dutch shipbuilder in court over Russia sanctions

THE HAGUE, Nov 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A trial opened against leading Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards, which is suspected of having broken sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The company, based in Gorinchem near the port of Rotterdam, is accused of having continued to deliver goods and technology…

Sudan’s displaced and exhausted doctors treat fellow El-Fasher survivors

AL DABBAH (Sudan), Nov 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Overwhelmed health workers rushed from patient to patient in makeshift tents in Sudan, trying to help even though they too had barely escaped the fall of El-Fasher to paramilitary forces. “We’re not in good shape,” said Ikhlas Abdallah, a general practitioner who arrived…

Pres Trump touts ‘extremely strong’ US-China relations after Pres Xi call

US President Donald Trump will visit China in April at President Xi Jinping’s invitation WASHINGTON, Nov 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump has touted relations with China as “extremely strong” following a call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who told Trump that Taiwan’s “return to China” is a key…

Canada’s Barrick says ends gold mines dispute with Mali

Loulo-Gounkoto gold mining complex BAMAKO, Nov 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Canadian giant Barrick announced it had reached an agreement with Mali’s government, ending their dispute over one of the world’s largest gold deposits which a Bamako court had placed under temporary administration earlier this year. In mid-June, a Mali court ruled…

Ethiopian volcano erupts after 12,000-year dormancy

ADDIS ABABA, Nov 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A volcano in Ethiopia’s northeastern region erupted for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending thick plumes of smoke up to 14 kilometres into the sky, the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) said. The Hayli Gubbi volcano, located in Ethiopia’s Afar region…

Uzbekistan: Rhino horn sales, shark protection on global wildlife talks agenda

SAMARKAND, Nov 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Global wildlife talks open Monday, with debates set to take on questions ranging from protection of sharks, a bid to allow limited rhino horn sales and a push to restrict the trade in eels. More than 180 nations are to join conservation experts in Uzbekistan’s…

Honduras Nov 30 presidential election campaign ends in hail of accusations

TEGUCIGALPA, Nov 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The three main presidential candidates in Honduras traded fraud accusations as they wrapped up campaigning on Sunday ahead of the Nov 30 election, amid international fears about ensuring a free and fair vote. More than six million people are eligible to cast ballots in the…

Belgium prepares for three days of national strikes, starting Monday

BRUSSELS, Nov 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Belgium faces closed schools and disrupted train and air travel as unions call for three days of strikes starting Monday to protest the government’s proposed spending cuts and labour law changes. The strikes are taking place in three waves. Trains and public transport begin striking…

Somalia: Rising from the ashes Mogadishu’s building boom

MOGADISHU, Nov 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mogadishu is rising, literally, from the ashes of decades of war. Pavements remain scarred by bullet holes and ruined buildings still line many streets, but the city’s cacophony is now one of construction, not destruction. The east African nation saw civil war in the 1990s…