Yearender: Myanmar’s peace process expected to move forward in New Year

Myanmar’s ruling National League for Democracy party has set up a committee for talks with ethnic political parties in December 2020 YANGON, Dec 25 (NNN-XINHUA) — The peace process in Myanmar is expected to move forward in 2021 after the general elections held in November this year gave the ruling National League for…

US Pres Trump warns Iran over rocket strike on embassy in Iraq

WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump warned he would hold “Iran responsible” in the event of a fatal attack on Americans in Iraq, as the first anniversary of the killing of a top Iranian general in a US air strike approaches. “Our embassy in Baghdad got hit…

Covid-19: One million vaccinated as US eyes return to normal next summer

WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than a million Americans have received the first dose of their Covid-19 vaccines, a senior official said, as the US eyes a return to normal by next summer. The news comes as the winter surge in cases rages across the country, where the virus…

Covid-19: EU transport boss criticises France on UK truck delays

BRUSSELS, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU transport commissioner warned that 10,000 European truckers were struggling to return from Britain and criticised France for imposing coronavirus restrictions on them. Several countries around Europe and the world imposed bans on travel from the UK this week after the discovery of a…

Ethiopia ethnic violence: Gunmen kill dozens in attack, says rights body

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gunmen killed more than 100 people in an attack in western Ethiopia, the national human rights body said, the latest in a series of deadly assaults in the area. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), a government-affiliated but independent body, said in a statement…

Covid-19: Hard-hit Mexico gets first coronavirus vaccines, first in Latin America

MEXICO CITY, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico became the first Latin American country to receive coronavirus vaccines for mass immunization against a disease that has had a devastating impact across much of the region. The government started inoculations on Thursday after the first 3,000 doses produced by US pharmaceutical giant…

US Pres Trump pardons more allies and Kushner’s father, sparking fresh outrage

WASHINGTON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump issued new pardons for allies including the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner and two people caught up in the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election that brought him to power. The pardons added to a long list he…

Brexit: Sterling, equities rise as talks reach endgame

LONDON, Dec 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The pound extended gains Thursday and equity markets mostly rose as Britain and the European Union finally homed in on a Brexit trade deal, while traders brushed off concerns about the US stimulus package after Donald Trump slammed it. After months of painful, stuttering talks,…

Domestic violence: 3 police officers shot dead in central France

The police operation in Puy-de-Dome, in central France, is still underway PARIS, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three French police officers were shot dead and a fourth wounded when a man opened fire as they arrived at a house in a remote village in response to a call about domestic violence…

Brexit: EU rejects UK fish offer but door still open for deal

BRUSSELS, Dec 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The EU has rejected the latest UK offer on fishing but is ready to pursue a post-Brexit trade deal even beyond the end of the year, diplomats said. According to sources in a meeting of ambassadors, EU negotiator Michel Barnier said he could not guarantee there…