US warns N.Korea of consequences for ‘Christmas gift’

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States on Wednesday warned North Korea of consequences if it makes good on threats of a spectacular weapons test in the New Year, while offering flexibility if it stays in talks. Frustrated by the lack of sanctions relief after three summits with…

Chile missing C-130 plane: Floating debris found

Debris were found floating in the area where the plane went missing on Monday PUNTA ARENAS (Chile), Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Chilean officials say they have located debris believed to be from an air force plane that went missing on Monday. They said the wreckage was found floating 30km from…

Niger military camp attack leaves ‘at least 71 dead’ : defence ministry

Nigerien commandos during military exercises in Ouallam NIAMEY, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 71 people were killed in a militant attack on a Niger military camp in the western Tillaberi region near the Mali border, the defence ministry said. “The terrorists bombarded the camp with shells and mortars. The…

Brazil sends polar ship, military aircraft to search for lost Chilean plane

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Brazilian government said it had sent a polar ship and a military aircraft to Antarctica to help search for a Chilean plane that vanished on Monday with 38 people on board. In a statement, Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Ministry also expressed its “consternation…

Libya’s UN-backed government welcomes US sanctions on senior official of east-based army

Mahmoud Al-Werfalli TRIPOLI, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Interior Minister of the UN-backed government of Libya Fathi Bashagha on Tuesday welcomed the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to impose sanctions on senior commander of the east-based rebel army Mahmoud al-Werfalli. The U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday announced imposing sanctions on al-Warfalli for…

US, EU congratulate Ukraine on success of Normandy Four summit

KIEV, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — The U.S. Embassy congratulated Ukraine on reviving the peace talks while the European Union’s representative office in Ukraine hoped that the Normandy Four summit would open up new opportunities for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, Interfax Ukraine news agency reported. “We congratulate Ukraine on…

Tunisian president meets Libya’s UN-backed PM on enhancing relations

Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Tunis  TUNIS, Dec 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tunisian President Kais Saied met with Libya’s UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to discuss strengthening bilateral economic ties and political consultation. The two leaders discussed ways to remove the various…

Update: Five killed in hotel attack in Somali capital; all attackers also died – police

Al-Shabaab fighters MOGADISHU, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five people were killed in a jihadist attack on a hotel in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, police said Wednesday, adding that the victims were three civilians and two members of the security forces. All five jihadist fighters who stormed the hotel also died during…

Final push in Britain’s Brexit election

LONDON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain’s political leaders were to criss-cross the country on Wednesday’s final day of general election campaigning as a key poll showed the outcome could be hanging in the balance. Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour main opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn were set for whistlestop…

US hopes North Korea abides by commitments: Sec of State Pompeo

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope that North Korea would not carry out a nuclear or long-range missile test while Pyongyang demands US concessions by year-end. Pompeo said that the United States was working to “try to…