Serbia votes in double-header elections

BELGRADE, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Serbians headed to the polls Sunday in elections that will likely see populist President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling party extend its rule, as the strongman promised stability and vowed to curb inflation after months of protests. Even though Vucic will not be on the ballot in…

Argentina: 13 dead as sports club roof collapses in powerful storm as skating competition underway

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A powerful storm led to the deaths of at least 13 people Saturday in the Argentina port city of Bahia Blanca when the roof of a sports club collapsed, authorities said. The heavy rains and wind that pummelled Bahia Blanca caused the roof to…

Germany-born panda twins bid farewell to Zoo Berlin

Meng Xiang (right) and Meng Yuan – known locally by their German names Pit and Paule – sit in their enclosure at Berlin Zoo BERLIN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) — Months after celebrating their fourth birthday, the first-ever twin panda cubs born in Germany embarked on their journey to China on…

Uganda reopens key bridge renovated by Chinese contractor

K River Katonga Bridge on Kampala Masaka Highway KAMPALA, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Uganda has reopened a key bridge on an international highway connecting it to four other countries. The Katonga bridge, destroyed by flash floods in May, was restored and upgraded by Chinese Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The bridge…

Italian, British and Albanian leaders talk on irregular immigration

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (L), Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama (R) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meet at the Palazzo Chigi, the official seat of Italy’s government ROME, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — The leaders of Italy, Britain and Albania said here on Saturday that confronting irregular immigration in…

Argentina: 2 killed in light plane crash

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — A light plane crashed in southern Argentina Saturday, killing both of the people on board, local media reported. The crash occurred at an airfield in the city of Cutral Co, in Neuquen province, about 1,210 km southwest of Buenos Aires, said local media, citing…

Algeria joins Guided Trade Initiative to boost pan-Africa trade

ALGIERS, Dec 17 (NNN-XINHUA) — Algeria’s Minister of Trade and Export Promotion Tayeb Zitouni declared on Saturday his country’s accession to the Guided Trade Initiative, as part of its effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. The announcement was made at a forum held in Algiers…

US restricts visas for over 100 Guatemala lawmakers for ‘undermining democracy’

Police officers stand guard outside Guatemala’s Congress building WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States announced visa restrictions on nearly 300 Guatemalan citizens due to what it described as “anti-democratic actions” of officials and “other malign actors,” accused of attempting to annul the election won by President-elect Bernardo Arévalo.The…

Roadside blast kills 4 in Kenya’s border region

Soldiers patrolling the streets of Kotile town on the Garissa-Lamu-Somalia border in Kenya NAIROBI, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least four people were killed and two others wounded in a roadside blast in Garissa County, Northeast Kenya on Friday, the police said.The police said the vehicle in which the deceased…

At least 61 asylum seekers drown after shipwreck off Libya: IOM

A group of migrants rescued by crew members of a ship operated by Doctors Without Borders off the coast of Libya TRIPOLI, Dec 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 61 refugees and asylum seekers, including women and children, have drowned following a “tragic” shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration…