Update: Bad weather in southwest France claims third victim

The Garonne river’s overflooded bank following strong winds and heavy rains in Bordeaux BORDEAUX (France), Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fierce storms in southwest France have claimed a third victim, authorities said, after a man in his forties was found dead in his submerged car two days after going missing. Deputy…

US expelled two Chinese diplomats on spying claims: Report

The US and Chinese flags WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States quietly expelled two Chinese embassy officials in September after they drove onto a sensitive military base in Virginia. The New York Times reported on Sunday, which cited multiple people with knowledge of the episode, said it appeared to…

US trade negotiator hails ‘remarkable’ deal with China

Robert Lighthizer (centre) chats with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, looking on WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US-China trade deal is “remarkable” in scope but it won’t solve all the problems between the world’s two biggest economies, the top US negotiator said. “This is…

General election 2019: PM Johnson to welcome new MPs to Westminster

Prime Minister Boris Johnson LONDON, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address his new intake of Conservative MPs as they arrive in Westminster to take their seats in Parliament.Many of the 109 new MPs won in areas traditionally held by Labour in Thursday’s election, which saw the…

Botswana bans hunters after killing of research elephant

Botswana’s government has revoked the licences of two professional hunters who shot dead a research elephant and then destroyed its collar that gave it protected status GABERONE, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Botswana’s government has revoked the licences of two professional hunters who shot dead a research elephant and then destroyed…

West African leaders meet over Niger Army Base attack

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou received the bodies of the dead soldiers on Friday  NIAMEY, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) —Leaders from west African countries fighting the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel have held a short prayer service in Niger beside the graves of 71 soldiers who were killed last week during an attack on…

Brazil: Bodies of 7 men found in vehicle in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 16 (NNN-XINHUA) — Authorities found the bodies of seven men inside a vehicle in southern Rio de Janeiro state early Sunday, the Military Police said. The victims were discovered in the town of Angra dos Reis, in a vehicle parked outside the local Fire Department. Authorities…

Argentina: New government hikes export taxes on disgruntled farmers

People grab lettuce during a farmers’ protest against low prices outside the Casa Rosada BUENOS AIRES, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES0 – Argentina’s new government has hiked export levies on soy, wheat and corn, according to an official decree, hitting farmers in the grains exporting nation to raise the revenue needed to…

Albania earthquake: Arrests over deaths in collapsed buildings

Several buildings collapsed in the coastal city of Durres TIRANA, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nine people have been arrested in Albania on suspicion of murder and abuse of power over the collapse of buildings in last month’s earthquake.Two of those arrested on murder charges owned hotels that collapsed in the…

Kenya: Newly married couple commits suicide over wedding debt; blame guests for coming without gifts

In a letter, they blamed those who attended their wedding without gifts NAIROBI, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Kenyan families in Kisumu are mourning their two children who together committed suicide 4 days after their beautiful wedding. According to Sources, the newly married couples allegedly killed themselves because of the…