IOM says over 650,000 illegal immigrants currently in Libya

TRIPOLI, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that there are over 650,000 illegal immigrants currently in Libya, many of whom lack medical care and basic needs. “According to DTM (Displacement Tracking Matrix), at least 654,000 migrants from 40 countries of origin are currently present in…

Russia: 8 Ukrainians killed in bus-truck accident; 2 others injured

MOSCOW, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — A minibus collided with a truck in the wee hours of Thursday in the northwest of Russia’s Pskov Region, killing eight people and injuring another two, local media reported. All the deceased are Ukrainian citizens, and the injured include a Ukrainian and a Belarusian, according…

Immigration across US-Mexico border plunges 74.5 pct in 9 months

Central American migrants carrying a homemade US flag walking in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico MEXICO CITY, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — Immigration across the US-Mexico border plunged 74.5 percent from May 2019 to January 2020, in the wake of a bilateral agreement to curb migrant flows, Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard…

Plane crash kills 4 in Colombia

BOGOTA, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least four people were killed on Wednesday when a twin-engine aircraft crashed north of Colombia’s capital Bogota, the national civil aviation agency said. The plane took off minutes earlier before the crash, the agency said. An investigative team was dispatched to the scene to…

Spain: World Mobile Congress cancelled over Covid-19 fears

Mobile World Congress, held each year in Barcelona, brings together the world’s biggest wireless companies MADRID, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Organisers of the World Mobile Congress said they have cancelled the world’s top mobile trade fair due to fears stemming from the coronavirus Covid-19, following an exodus of industry heavyweights. The…

Russia to retaliate if US abandons Open Skies treaty: diplomat

MOSCOW, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia will be forced to retaliate if the United States decides to withdraw from the Treaty on Open Skies, a senior Russian diplomat said. However, it is premature to discuss what the retaliation would involve as Washington has not yet announced the withdrawal, said Vladimir…

Brazil, Paraguay sign free trade agreement for vehicle sector

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 13 (NNN-XINHUA) — Brazil and Paraguay signed an agreement to boost trade of autos and auto parts between the two countries. The agreement was announced Tuesday during the most recent Mercosur Summit held in December 2019. Brazil had signed similar agreements with both Argentina and Uruguay…

Critical support for former child soldiers in South Sudan at risk from lack of funding: UNICEF

Children just released from an armed group in Pibor show off their new backpacks JUBA, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UNICEF warns that 900 former child soldiers about to be released in South Sudan could be left in limbo unless new funds are secured. Critical reintegration programmes for children released from…

UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for lasting ceasefire in Libya

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution on Libya confirming the conclusions of the recent Berlin conference on Libyan reconciliation and the need for a lasting ceasefire in the country. The text, drafted by the United Kingdom, was approved with 14 votes…

UNICEF “saddened” by injury of 3 children in Libya blast

TRIPOLI, Feb 13 (NNN-XINHUA) — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) deplored the injury of three children in a blast near a school in Abu Issa village, west of the Libyan capital Tripoli. “UNICEF is deeply saddened at reports that three students were injured due to an explosion near Al…