Libya’s UN-backed government suspends participation in Geneva peace talks

TRIPOLI, Feb 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya’s unity government announced it would halt its participation in UN talks aimed at brokering alasting ceasefire in the war-torn country where a fragile truce has beenrepeatedly violated. The pull-out came after a barrage of rocket fire hit a port in the capitalTripoli — the…

Update: 14 test positive among US plane evacuees from Japan cruise ship

The Diamond Princess was placed in a 14-day quarantine in early February WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fourteen people who had tested positive for the new coronavirus were among more than 300 US citizens and family members evacuated by plane from a quarantined ship in Japan, the US State Department said.…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro celebrates crime index falls to its lowest level in more than a decade

BRASILIA, Feb 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro celebrated after a crime index showed homicides fell to their lowest level in more than a decade during the first year of his term. Brazil had 41,635 killings in 2019, down 19% from the prior year and the least number of…

Brexit: France warns UK of bitter trade negotiations

French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian MUNICH (Germany), Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France has warned Britain to expect a bruising battle with the EU in post-Brexit trade negotiations.French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian predicted the two sides would “rip each other apart” as they strove for advantage in the negotiations.He…

World leaders issue warning over broken Libya truce

MUNICH (Germany), Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — World powers and regional actors overseeing Libya, meeting at the Munich Security Conference, have warned against the deteriorating situation in the North African country. The German foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said those who break the UN arms embargo on Libya must be held accountable.…

Costa Rica seizes five tons of cocaine bound for Holland in largest ever drug bust

A police officer is seen in front of packages containing cocaine seized during an operation in the Caribbean SAN JOSE, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Costa Rica seized more than five tonnes of cocaine bound for the Dutch port of Rotterdam in the country’s largest ever drugs bust, officials said. Authorities…

North Macedonia parliament dissolves, sets poll date, after EU shuns talks

SKOPJE, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — North Macedonia’s parliament dissolved itself on Sunday and set April 12 for an early election, eight months ahead of the end of the current term, in what is seen as a major test for the pro-EU policies of former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s Social Democrats.…

Bosnian police tussle with migrants protesting over camp conditions

Migrants protest in front of the refugee camp Miral in Velika Kladusa VELIKA KLADUSA (Bosnia0, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bosnian police scuffled with hundreds of migrants who tried to break out of an overcrowded camp during a protest over conditions at the facility and their treatment by authorities in nearby…

Libya faces financial crisis due to oil blockade: PM

A view of Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Company in Ras Lanuf TRIPOLI, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya will face a financial crisis and a budget deficit in 2020 because of a blockade of oil terminals and oil fields by groups loyal to eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, the head…

US: Mississippi braces for floods as Pearl River hits 37-year highwater mark

Mississippi on the brink of near-record flooding as Pearl River swells with days of rain JACKSON, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mississippi urged thousands of people in the Pearl River flood plain to evacuate as the river reached its highest level in 37 years near the state capital and was not…