Turkish drone fuels tension over Cyprus gas claims

The Bayraktar TB2 armed drone is now at Gecitkale airbase in Famagusta  NICOSIA, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Turkish military drone has arrived at a base in Turkish-backed northern Cyprus to help controversial gas exploration projects near the island. A Turkish military official said the drone would escort its drilling…

Egyptian Pres Sisi says Cairo preparing meeting between South Sudan’s warring leaders

Pres Kiir and Pres Sisi SHARM EL SHEIKH (EGYPT), Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said that his country has been arranging a meeting that brings together South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar to discuss forming a government of forces affiliated with both sides. Sisi made the remarks during…

China and Europe are partners not rivals, says Chinese FM

BRUSSELS, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — China and Europe are partners, not rivals, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a speech here. “In recent years, we have heard an argument suggesting that China has become a rival of Europe in the economic field and should be subjected…

Germany starts nationwide celebrations for Beethoven’s 250th birthday

BONN (Germany), Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — The anniversary year of the 250th birthday of composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven was officially opened with a festive concert in his hometown, the German city of Bonn on Monday. About 300 projects, including thousands of events, will be implemented under the brand…

British PM to present Brexit bill to MPs on Friday: spokesman

LONDON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government intends to present a bill to parliament on Friday to enable Britain to leave the European Union next month, his spokesman said. “We plan to start the process before Christmas and will do so in the proper constitutional way in…

November 2019 was second hottest on record: US

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Last month was the second hottest November in the 140-year global climate record, a US government agency said, adding that polar sea ice also shrank to near-record lows. The average global land and ocean surface temperature for November 2019 was 1.66 degrees Fahrenheit (0.92 degree…

Venezuelan Pres Maduro to relaunch Petrocaribe program in 2020

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C), Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel (L), Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (R), and First Secretary of the Communist Party Raul Castro (2-R) during the closure of the 17th Summit of ALBA (the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America), in Havana, Cuba HAVANA, Dec 16 (NNN-TELESUR)…

Zambia wants U.S. Envoy withdrawn over jailing of gay couple

FILE PICTURE: President Edgar Chagwa Lungu (right) talks to American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote (centre) during a meeting at State House on Thursday, August 23, 2018. LUSAKA, Dec 16 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — The Zambian government has written to Washington to withdraw its envoy Daniel Foote following his controversial remarks over…

Nigeria: Lecturer, 10 other victims kidnapped by Boko Haram beg for freedom

ABUJA, Dec 16 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — A college lecturer and 10 other persons who were recently kidnapped by Boko Haram has appeared in a video, shared by their abductors, asking the Nigerian government to come to their rescue. The abductees said they are mostly Christians and from Yobe State. They want…

Zimbabwe vice president’s wife arrested for suspected fraud, money laundering

Marry Mubaiwa,wife of vice-president Constantine Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga, was arrested by Zimbabwe’s anti-graft commission. HARARE, Dec 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwean authorities arrested the wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on charges of money laundering, fraud and violating exchange control regulations, the country’s anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) said. Marry Mubaiwa was…