Paraguay: 1 killed, 1 missing in prison fire

ASUNCION, Dec 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — At least one prisoner was dead and another missing after a fire broke out Saturday at the Tacumbu National Penitentiary in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, the Ministry of Justice reported. The fire occurred in the Baldoseria and Guamperia sectors at the Paraguay’s main prison,…

EU members agree to lift air, maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria, Romania

BRUSSELS, Dec 31 (NNN-XINHUA) — European Union (EU) member states reached a unanimous agreement on Saturday to eliminate air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania, paving the way for the two countries to gain full access to the Schengen area, according to the Council of the EU.…

US: 122 anglers rescued from ice floe in northern Minnesota lake, no injuries reported

Authorities in Minnesota have warned fishers to be wary of unusually thin ice for this time in the winter MINNEAPOLIS (Minnesota, US), Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 100 people stranded while fishing on an ice chunk that broke free on a Minnesota lake were rescued on Friday, authorities said. The anglers…

Nicaragua: Police officers arrest 4 more Catholic priests, bringing number to 12 over 3 days

SAN JOSE, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaraguan police detained four more priests early on Saturday, bringing the total number to 12 over the past three days, according to a high-ranking member of the Catholic Church. Priests Mikel Monterrey, Gerardo Rodriguez and Raul Zamora, along with Monsignor Miguel Mantica, the son…

US: Huge waves to hit California coast for third day, bringing flooding and life-threatening conditions

LOS ANGELES, Dec 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Massive waves and coastal flooding are wreaking havoc for a third day in many of California’s coastal communities, where extreme conditions have forced water rescues, washed away cars and injured a handful of enthralled onlookers. The unusually large surf – often towering over 20…

South Africa: Cape Town cautions against challenging sea conditions

CAPE TOWN, Dec 31 (NNN-SANEWS) — With the full moon, stronger rip currents and possible swells, the City of Cape Town has cautioned beachgoers to exercise extreme caution.   The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department urged beachgoers to be particularly alert over the coming days. With the…

Peru’s PM: 2024 will be year of economic relaunch and unblocking of major works

LIMA, Dec 31 (NNN-ANDINA) — .Prime Minister Alberto Otarola declared that 2024 will be the year of economic relaunch, citizen security, and the unlocking of major public works required by the country. He affirmed that the Executive Branch has ordered the presence of more police agents on the streets nationwide, so…

Chilean gov’t extends agricultural emergency

SANTIAGO, Dec 30 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chile’s Government announced it was extending the agricultural emergency stemming from a water deficit due to poor rains, it was reported in Santiago. With this measure, authorities may keep up the aid to producers from Atacama to Magallanes until Sept. 30, 2024.  The contingency plan…

Cuba and China to promote 10 new joint scientific projects

HAVANA, Dec 30 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Cuba’s Science, Technology and Environment Ministry (CITMA) announced that Cuba and Chinese scientific institutions will be conducting 10 new joint projects. The entities will be focusing on a great number of fields, including those related to food, nanotechnology and nanosciences, automation, health and climate…

Tunisia extends state of emergency for another month

TUNIS, Dec 30 (NNN-XINHUA) — Tunisian President Kais Saied has extended the state of emergency across the country for an additional month, according to the official Journal of the Republic of Tunisia. The state of emergency, which grants authorities special powers, including the ability to ban gatherings, censor media, and…