Presidents Putin and Zelensky in first talks to revive Ukraine peace efforts

MOSCOW, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The leaders of Russia and Ukraine willmeet on Monday for talks on the conflict in east Ukraine, in what could be astep forward in ending Europe’s only active war. The summit in Paris will mark the first time Russia’s Vladimir Putin meetsface-to-face with Ukraine’s new…

I ‘will win’ impeachment fight – US Pres Trump

Pres Donald Trump WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A defiant President Donald Trump predicted he “will win,” after the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives gave the green light for impeachment.“The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win!” Trump tweeted on Thursday.Speaker…

Poland: Police seize record cocaine haul worth half a billion dollars – PM Morawiecki

WARSAW, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Police in Poland have seized a record two-ton haul of cocaine worth around half a billion dollars, likely destined for sale across Europe, the Polish prime minister said. “This is the largest smuggling attempt in at least the last 30 years,” Premier Mateusz Morawiecki told…

Dozens of Gambian migrants die as boat sinks off Mauritania coast

NOUAKCHOTT, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 62 migrants travelling on a makeshift boat have drowned off the coast of Mauritania, in the worst loss of life this year along the increasingly travelled western Atlantic migration route to Europe. Eighty-three survivors managed to swim to shore after their boat, which…

Pro-paramilitary demonstrators flood Iraqi protest camp, rattling anti-government protesters

BAGHDAD, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Crowds backing a paramilitary force close to Iran flooded the Iraqi capital’s main protest camp on Thursday, rattling anti-government demonstrators who have denounced Tehran’s role in their country.Their flash-protest hinted at a new effort to delegitimize or intimidate the regime change movement and came after…

US Navy sailor kills two in shooting at Pearl Harbor base, takes own life

While gun violence is common in the US, shootings at military facilities in the country are relatively rare HONOLULU, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A U.S. Navy sailor shot and killed two people at the historic military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, military officials said, before fatally shooting himself.The shooter died…

US and Sudan to exchange ambassadors

WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Sudan will send ambassadors to each other’s countries for the first time in more than two decades.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok made the announcement during Hamdok’s visit to Washington.It has been 23 years since…

‘At least 18 dead’ in clashes in northern Mozambique

MAPUTO, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 18 people have died in clashes between militants and the country’s defence and security forces over the past five days in Mozambique’s gas-rich northern province of Cabo Delgado, media reports say.Twelve of the dead are reported to be insurgents, one was a member…

UN: Half of Zimbabwe’s population now starving

HARARE, Dec 6 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Drought, flooding and economic problems in Zimbabwe have plunged 7.7 million people into severe hunger. This represents half the population, in what is the worst hunger crisis for more than a decade. This has prompted the World Food Programme (WFP) to rapidly expand an already…

Experts discuss control of illicit arms trade in West Africa

ACCRA, Dec 6 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — More than 30 arms control officials from five West African countries and international experts gathered in Accra to discuss ways to firm up the control of illicit arms trade in the region.They were from Ghana, Zambia, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia with the experts from…