Merkel, Erdogan, Putin discuss diplomatic solution for Libya: Government spokesman

BERLIN, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed efforts to reach a diplomatic solution for the Libyan conflict in two separate phone calls with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, a government spokesman said.  “A further exchange was agreed to strengthen diplomatic efforts,” the…

2019 was hottest year on record for Russia

Moscow’s average temperature for 2019 had hit 7.6-7.7 degrees Celsius MOSCOW, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — This year was the hottest ever registered in Russia, the country’s weather chief said, as climate change pushes global temperatures to record highs. “This year in Russia was the hottest for the entire period of instrumental…

EU seeks reset in trade talks with US, says trade chief Hogan

DUBLIN, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union’s new trade commissioner, Irishman Phil Hogan, said he would seek a reset of EU/US trade relations on a number of contentious issues when he meets his US counterpart for the first time next month. The Trump administration imposed tariffs on European steel and…

France waits on Macron as pension strike stretches on

PARIS, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — French union leaders upped their calls on Monday (Dec 30) for President Emmanuel Macron to give ground on a planned pension overhaul, despite signs that support is flagging for a gruelling transport strike now in its 26th day. Macron will address the nation Tuesday in…

Mauritius closes main airport as cyclone Calvinia approaches

PORT LOUIS, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mauritius closed its main airport and shops and other businesses in the capital also closed as the tropical cyclone Calvinia approached. The Indian Ocean island’s meteorological service said Calvinia had remained almost stationary for some time at about 120 kilometres east of Mahebourg, a small…

Somalia: Al-Shabaab militants claim huge Mogadishu bomb attack

MOGADISHU, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Al-Shabaab militants have claimed responsibility for Saturday’s massive car bomb in the Somali capital Mogadishu that killed 81 people, including two Turkish citizens. The attack hit a busy checkpoint in the southwest of the city, leaving vehicles charred and twisted at a crossroads in the…

Nicaragua releases dozens of political prisoners

MANAGUA, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega’s government released 91 opposition prisoners held following a deadly crackdown on 2018 protests in the Central American country. Among those released was Belgian-born student leader Amaya Coppens, her family and a local rights organisation said. The Interior Ministry said a total…

US state sacks prison guard trainees for Nazi salute

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirty apprentice prison officers in the eastern United States will be fired for making a Nazi salute in a group photo, the state governor said. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice condemned the photo “in the strongest possible terms” and in a statement said: “This kind…

Texas gun laws saved lives in church attack: Trump

HOUSTON, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump said gun laws in the state of Texas saved lives when a church security officer shot dead a gunman who killed two during a service. The Sunday shooting at a church service in the Fort Worth Suburb of White Settlement was…

Morocco: 5 fishermen missing after boat sank off coast

RABAT, Dec 31 (NNN-Xinhua) — As many as 5 fishermen were missing after a fishing boat sank on Sunday off the Atlantic coast of Moroccan city of Safi, local authorities said. The fishing boat “Boualam” left the port of Safi Sunday dawn with five men on board, before it capsized…