French court jails Rwandan ex-doctor 24 years over 1994 genocide

PARIS, Dec 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Rwandan doctor Sosthene Munyemana was jailed for 24 years by a French court for his involvement in the 1994 genocide of Tutsis.

The 68-year-old former gynaecologist was found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and participation in a conspiracy to prepare these crimes.

His lawyers said they planned to appeal the verdict.

The public prosecutor had sought a sentence of 30 years, arguing that the “sum total” of his choices showed “the traits of a genocidaire”.

China's cold snap reaches Shanghai with chilliest year-end in 40 years

SHANGHAI, Dec 21 (Reuters) - China's financial hub Shanghai was set to record its chilliest period in December in four decades, spurring authorities to issue warnings for low temperatures and wind, while northern cities battled icy conditions forecast to ease only next week.

The city's lowest temperatures on Thursday will be minus 4 to minus 6 degrees Celsius (21 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit) in Shanghai's suburbs, and temperatures will remain below zero all day throughout the city, the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau said in a post on its Weibo social media account.

Americans freed by Venezuela in US prisoner swap land at Texas base

CARACAS/WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Some of the Americans who were freed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in a U.S. prisoner swap have landed at a U.S. military base in San Antonio, Texas, a Reuters witness said.

The individuals were freed on Wednesday in exchange for the U.S. release of an ally of Maduro, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who was granted clemency by U.S. President Joe Biden and returned to Venezuela on Wednesday. Maduro also agreed to release at least 20 opposition-linked prisoners from prison.

USA: Descendants fight to maintain historic Black communities. Keeping their legacy alive is complicated

DAUFUSKIE ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Sallie Ann Robinson proudly stands in the front yard of her grandmother’s South Carolina home. The sixth-generation native of Daufuskie Island, a once-thriving Gullah community, remembers relatives hosting meals and imparting life lessons on the next generation.

“I was born in this very house, as many generations of family have been as well,” said Robinson, a chef and tour guide. “I was raised here. These woods was our playgrounds.”

Prague’s Charles University shooter neutralized — police

PRAGUE, December 21. /TASS/: The person that opened fire at Prague’s Charles University has been neutralized, the police said on the X platform, adding that there are casualties and dozens of injured.

"The shooter has been neutralized! The [Department of Philosophy] building has been evacuated. There are several casualties and dozens on injured," the statement says.

According to the seznam.cz website, the attacker was killed during the police operation.

Lavrov slams 'klepto' German authorities for plans to seize Russian assets

TUNISIA, December 21. /TASS/: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described the German authorities as "kleptomaniacs" while commenting on the German Prosecutor General's Office’s call to seize Russian assets.

"They are kleptos. We realized this a long time ago. They have been duplicitous all along in political terms, you know: in the sense of defaulting on agreements and trying to deceive someone. Now they have turned out to be kleptocratic in the literal sense of this word," Lavrov told a news conference following his visit to Tunisia.

Texas begins flying migrants from US-Mexico border to Chicago, with 1st plane carrying 120 people

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has begun flying migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to Chicago after the city took a tougher stance on the buses that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has been sending north since last year.

The first flight of 120 migrants arrived Tuesday, according to Abbott’s office.

Belgium: EU finance ministers agree on new fiscal rules

BRUSSELS, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) finance ministers reached a consensus on Wednesday regarding new budget regulations following compromises between the two factions led by France and Germany within the bloc.

The established targets of a maximum 60 percent debt-to-GDP ratio and a maximum 3 percent deficit remain unchanged. However, modifications have been introduced to permit EU members to gradually reduce deficits and debts from 2025 over four to seven years.

Oil, gas exploration: Tanzania seeks Riyadh expertise

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec 21 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — Tanzanian VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has stated that Tanzania and Saudi Arabia can collaborate in the oil and gas sector, drawing from the experience of the Middle Eastern country in that field.

Dr Mpango made the remarks during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Yahya Ahmed Okeish, on Tuesday.

Tanzania has a significant ambition to elevate its global economy in the oil and gas industry. Currently, the country is leading the race in East Africa, followed by Uganda and Kenya.

Majority of Pakistanis perceive CPEC positive for Pak economy: Report

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (APP): As 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a report titled Perceptions on CPEC in Pakistan, was revealed in the 8th CPEC Media Forum, hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan and organized by China Economic Net and Pakistan-China Institute.

Data from the report indicate that there is widespread agreement among Pakistanis that CPEC will help revive economic activity in Pakistan.

Kuwait's new emir accepts cabinet's resignation

KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait's new Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accepted cabinet's resignation on Wednesday, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, would continue as a caretaker government to handle urgent matters until a new one is formed, KUNA added.

Earlier Wednesday, Sheikh Mishal officially assumed the role of emir at an oath-taking ceremony at the National Assembly.

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