EU sanctions 10 Myanmar junta officials, 2 firms

BRUSSELS, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union announced sanctions on 10 Myanmar junta officials and two conglomerates linked to the military over the coup and bloody crackdown on protesters in their country. The individuals “are all responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Myanmar/Burma, and for repressive…

Massive increase of migrant children at Mexico-US border: UNICEF

A migrant shelter in El Chaparral, Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico PANAMA CITY, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of migrant children trying to reach the United States from Mexico has increased ninefold since the beginning of the year, UNICEF said. The rise from 380 to 3,500 youngsters registered at reception…

St Vincent leader asks UN for ‘generous’ volcano donations

The view from the Belmont Observatory in Saint Vincent as the La Soufriere eruption continues UNITED NATIONS, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines pleaded for countries to donate generously following a series of devastating volcanic eruptions in the Caribbean nation. “Please help St Vincent and…

Saudi women’s activist wins top Europe rights award

STRASBOURG (France), April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul was awarded a top European rights prize on Monday in recognition of her fight for women’s rights in the kingdom, including her efforts to end a ban on women driving. The Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, named after the former…

Russian army says killed ‘up to 200 militants’ in Syria bombing

MOSCOW, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia’s defence ministry said Monday it had killed “up to 200 fighters” in Syria during air strikes on a “terrorist” base northeast of Palmyra, where fighters were planning attacks ahead of presidential polls next month. “After confirming data through multiple channels on the location of…

EU warns 150,000 Russian troops massed around Ukraine

BRUSSELS, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that Russia has massed over 150,000 troops along the Ukrainian border and in the annexed Crimea peninsula. “It is the highest Russian military deployment at Ukrainian borders ever,” Borrell told journalists after talks involving Ukraine’s foreign minister, refusing…

Freedom index finds journalism blocked in 130+ countries

PARIS, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said that journalism was at least partly blocked in nearly three-quarters of the 180 countries surveyed. Its World Press Freedom Index found 73 countries “totally blocked or seriously impeded” journalism, while it was “constrained” in 59 others,…

Libya, Algeria discuss security cooperation

TRIPOLI, April 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met with Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum here on Monday to discuss security cooperation between the two countries. “The meeting, which was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, discussed enhancing coordination and political consultation on various issues of common…

Libya’s National Oil Corporation declares state of force majeure in major oil port

TRIPOLI, April 20 (NNN-Xinhua) — Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared Monday the state of force majeure in the port of Hariga, one of the largest oil ports in the country. The NOC said the state of force majeure was declared as a result of the Central Bank of…

Russian fighter intercepts US, Norwegian military planes over Barents Sea

MiG-31© MOSCOW, April 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Russian MiG-31 fighter intercepted US and Norwegian patrol planes above the Barents Sea on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Radars detected two air targets approaching the Russian border over the Barents Sea, and a MiG-31 jet belonging to the Russian Northern Fleet…