Iran agrees to hand over downed jet’s black boxes to Ukraine
AFP, Montreal
Iran pledged Wednesday at a meeting of UN civil aviation agency to hand over black boxes from downed Flight 752 to Ukraine or France for analysis – a move welcomed by Canada and Ukraine.
Iran’s representative at the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal, Farhad Parvaresh, said the devices would be sent to Kiev, sources confirmed to AFP.
Opposition’s street protests losing appeal in Venezuela
AP, Caracas
When a re-energized opposition leader Juan Guaidó returned to Venezuela from a world tour that saw him meet President Donald Trump, he turned to a well-worn page in the opposition’s playbook for ousting socialist President Nicolás Maduro-he called a street protest.
But after only a modest number of supporters showed up Tuesday and they were scattered mid-march, ducking tear gas fired by heavily armed security forces, analysts say it is time for Guaidó and his international backers to refine their approach.
UN condemns increasing threat from terrorism
in Africa
AP, United Nations
The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the increasing threat to peace and security in Africa from terrorism Wednesday and urged all countries “to consider mobilizing more predictable resources and expertise” to strengthen African efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism. A Chinese-sponsored presidential statement approved by all 15 council nations also urged the 193 U.N. member states and the United Nations system to take measures “to address all drivers of violent extremism conducive to terrorism.”
Philippine President to undergo ‘precautionary’ coronavirus test
AFP, Manila, Philippines
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will be tested for the new coronavirus, an official said Thursday, as two key government buildings were being disinfected over an exposure scare.
The Philippines has seen a jump this week in cases, including people who recently attended events with Senate lawmakers and government officials, potentially exposing them.
