French warship to spearhead European mission in Gulf from next year

The Frigate Courbet PARIS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A European operation to ensure safe shipping in the Gulf region, scene of attacks on merchant vessels this year, will get underway next month when a French warship starts patrolling there, a French armed forces spokeswoman said. The French government has pushed…

Cuba to reform at its own pace despite US sanctions: Economy Minister Gil

Cuba will continue to enact economic reforms at its own pace regardless of the pressure exerted by a US embargo: Economy Minister Alejandro Gil HAVANA, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Cuba will continue to enact economic reforms at its own pace regardless of the pressure exerted by a US embargo, Economy…

IMF approves release of US$498.4 million for Ecuador

WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund approved a delayed loan tranche for Ecuador, releasing nearly US$500 million under a three-year aid program. The IMF board gave the go-ahead for a US$4.2 billion loan in March to help support the oil-rich nation’s economic reforms, but massive protests led…

France’s Macron to mark Christmas with troops on Africa visit

Last year French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated with French troops in Chad ABIDJAN, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — In keeping with tradition, President Emmanuel Macron will celebrate Christmas with French soldiers posted abroad, travelling this year to Ivory Coast as Paris seeks to strengthen regional ties against militants. Far from protest strikes…

Iran’s Rouhani to meet Japan PM amid tension with US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the 74th United Nations General Assembly TOKYO, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Hassan Rouhani will make the first visit to Japan by an Iranian head of state for two decades on Friday, as Tokyo seeks to mediate…

US deports Mexicans far from border, may send others to Guatemala

A government official talks to Mexican deportees after their arrival on a flight from the U.S., at Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport in Guadalajara, Mexico WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States began flying Mexican deportees to the interior of Mexico and a senior US official said…

Croatia to pick a president in tight three-way race

Incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic is Croatia’s first female president ZAGREB, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A nationalist folk singer and a leftist former premier are challenging Croatia’s conservative president in a close election race on Sunday that could loosen her camp’s grip on power. The Adriatic nation, which is set to host…

Britain’s new parliament votes on Johnson’s Brexit deal

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) and Britain’s main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn during the State Opening Of Parliament LONDON, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain’s freshly-elected parliament prepared on Friday to move past years of partisan wrangling and initially approve Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce deal with the European…

Two firefighters killed battling Australian bushfires

 Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, died when their firetruck overturned while they were fighting the NSW bushfires south-west of Sydney on Thursday night. SYDNEY, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Australian firefighters were killed and three injured when their truck crashed as they battled out-of-control blazes in New South…

Belgian court convicts Rwandan official for genocide

BRUSSELS, Dec 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Brussels court found a former Rwandan official guilty of genocide after hearing of his role in the 1994massacres in his country. Fabien Neretse, who protested his innocence, is the first person to beconvicted in Belgium on such a charge and he now faces a…