Portugal’s PM-designate Antonio Costa pledges continuity for new gov’t

Portugal’s PM-designate Antonio Costa LISBON, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Portuguese Prime Minister-designate Antonio Costa pledged continuity and stability for his new minority government. Costa announced the lineup of the new government after meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Palace in Lisbon and winning his approval. Costa…

At least 15 killed in Mexico armed clashes, a day after 13 policemen killed in ambush

MEXICO CITY, Oct 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — At least 15 people were killed Tuesday in a gunfight between Mexican military and armed men in the southern state of Guerrero, authorities said. The shootout occurred around 5 p.m. after local police received an emergency call which reported the presence of a group…

Mexican president downplays alarm over dengue

MEXICO CITY, Oct 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador denied an increase in the number of dengue cases around the country was the cause for alarm. “It is nothing out of the ordinary, dengue is not something that cannot be controlled,” Lopez Obrador said a day after…

Fuel prices, transit fares drop to pre-protest levels in Ecuador

QUITO, Oct 16 (NNN-Xinhua) — Fuel prices and transit fares in Ecuador dropped to their previous levels, following more than 10 days of violent anti-government protests against the elimination of fuel subsidies. At gas stations in Quito, a gallon (3.785 liters) of gasoline was selling for 1.85 U.S. dollars, and…

Mozambique counts votes after polls seen as test of peace deal

People casting their votes in the presidential, parliamentary and provincial election MAPUTO, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Vote counting has begun in Mozambique after key parliamentary, presidential and provincial elections that President Filipe Nyusi said should help anchor peace in the southern African nation.  Acceptance of the results of Tuesday’s elections are seen…

EU, Britain scramble to reach Brexit deal before summit

LUXEMBOURG, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — British and EU negotiators on Tuesday scrambled to put together a draft text for a Brexit deal with just two days to go before a key European summit. Both sides voiced cautious optimism that an accord could be reached this week, though European ministers warned…

Mexican Senate set to pass bill to legalize marijuana in next few days

MEXICO CITY, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico’s Senate will vote for a bill to fully legalize marijuana in the next few days, marking a major step toward changing the country’s approach to the drug by removing it as a source of income for violent drug gangs. President Andres Manuel Lopez…

Brazil probes whether ‘ghost ship’ carrying Venezuelan oil involved in spill

  RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A huge oil spill off Brazil’s northeastern coast may have involved a “ghost ship” carrying Venezuelan oil in breach of US sanctions, an expert close to the probe into the disaster said. Brazil has accused its South American neighbor of responsibility for…

Mexico: Pres Obrador defends security plan as families mourn slain cops

Police officers patrol at a road after fellow police officers were killed during an ambush by suspected cartel hitmen in El Aguaje, in Michoacan state MORELIA (Mexico), Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended his strategy for fighting the violent crime racking Mexico, as relatives mourned 13 police…

UN ends Haiti peacekeeping operations, urges end to crisis

A UN van enters into the Logistic Base of the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) in Port-au-Prince UNITED NATIONS, Oct 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN Security Council ended 15 years of peacekeeping operations in Haiti on Tuesday, voicing regret that the country is still saddled with…