Malians rally to support army as 20 bodies found in village

Malians rally to support army as 20 bodies found in village The Malian army is currently struggling to quell jihadist activities in the country BAMAKO, Nov 16 (NNN-GNA) — Thousands of people took to the streets of Mali’s capital Bamako on Friday to support the West African country’s army, which…

Heavy snow leaves one dead, 300,000 homes without power in France

PARIS, Nov 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Heavy snowfall across a large swath ofsoutheast France has left one person dead and cut power to some 300,000homes, with icy conditions snarling train and road traffic Friday. A 63-year-old man was killed Thursday evening in the Isere departmentafter a snow-laden tree fell on him…

Italy: St Mark’s closed as Venice faces more floods

VENICE, Nov 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Flood-hit Venice braced for anotherexceptional high tide, with the mayor ordering St Mark’s square closedafter Italy declared a state of emergency for the UNESCO city. Luigi Brugnaro ordered the iconic square closed ahead of the latest seasurge of around 1.6 metres (over five feet) mid-morning…

After Swede killer’s pardon, Sri Lanka frees 267 more prisoners

Sajith Premadasa, campaigning for this weekend’s presidential election, said he would try to overturn the pardon given to the killer of a Swedish teen COLOMBO, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 250 Sri Lankan convicts aged over 65 have been given amnesty just days after the president sparked outrage by pardoning…

Catalan ex-minister Ponsati arrested in Scotland

Former Catalan minister Clara Ponsati, accompanied by her lawyer Aamer Anwar, leave court after she received bail after an extradition hearing EDINBURGH, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A former Catalan minister wanted in Spain for rebellion has vowed to fight against extradition after being arrested in Scotland where she is working…

Taliban still holding Western hostages: Spokesman

A photo combination shows kidnapped Australian Timothy Weeks (top), and American Kevin King. KABUL, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Taliban spokesman said the insurgents were still holding two Western hostages, as officials stayed tight-lipped over the outcome of an apparent prisoner swap announced by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani earlier this…

In swipe at US, BRICS hit out at protectionism

(From right) Presidents of Brasil – Jair Bolsonaro, Russia – Vladimir Putin, China – Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Africa – Cyril Ramaphosa pose for a family photo as they arrive for the BRICS summit in Brasilia, Brazil.    BRASILIA, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Five of the biggest…

US vaping-related deaths rise to 42, cases of illness to 2,172

ATLANTA, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US health officials on Thursday reported 2,172 confirmed and probable cases and 3 more deaths from a mysterious respiratory illness tied to vaping, taking the death toll to 42, so far this year. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,051 confirmed…

UK: Protest forces PM Johnson to cancel election campaign

LONDON, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled a planned campaign visit to a bakery in southwest England on Thursday after protesters gathered outside. Johnson was due to visit the bakery in Glastonbury as part of a tour to drum up support ahead of a snap election…

US urges coalition to take back Daesh detainees, boost funding

WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members of the coalition fighting the Daesh group to take militant detainees back to their countries and step up their funding to help restore infrastructure in Iraq and Syria, parts of which were severely damaged by conflict. “Coalition…