News in Brief(15-5-2018)

FE Team | Published: May 14, 2018 21:55:01

European spy chiefs warn of hybrid threats from Russia
BERLIN, Apr 14: European intelligence chiefs warned Monday that Russia is actively seeking to undermine their democracies by disinformation, cyberattacks and more traditional means of espionage. The heads of Britain and Germany's domestic intelligence agencies, as well as the European Union and NATO's top security officials, pinpointed Moscow as the prime source of hybrid threats to Europe, citing attempts to manipulate elections, steal sensitive data and spark a coup in Montenegro. — AP
Armenia's new PM meets Putin
MOSCOW, Apr 14: Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with Armenia's new prime minister for the first time after former protest leader Nikol Pashinian was elected to the post. Nikol Pashinian, an opposition figure who spearheaded weeks of nationwide protests, was elected by parliament last week. He and his supporters had pressured the country's long-term leader, Serzh Sargsyan, to step down rather than seek a power grab. Sargsyan's ten-year rule was marred by widespread corruption. — AP
Australian breaks world record with Everest summit
KATHMANDU, May 14: An Australian climber reached the top of Mount Everest Monday, becoming the fastest person to summit the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents. Steve Plain conquered Everest 117 days after he reached the peak of Mount Vinson-the highest mountain in Antarctica-breaking the previous seven-summit speed record by nine days. "Steve reached the summit this morning with Jon Gupta and Pemba Sherpa," Iswari Paudel of Himalayan Guides Nepal, which organised logistics for Plain's Everest ascent said.—AFP
Colombia rebels declare ceasefire
HAVANA, May 14: Colombia's last active rebel group on Monday declared a five-day ceasefire for the country's presidential election. The announcement from the National Liberation Army came after peace talks resumed Thursday in Havana, Cuba. "The ELN will stop military activities from zero hour, May 25, to 24:00 on the 29th to provide favorable conditions permitting Colombian society to express itself in the elections," the group said, using its Spanish acronym. —AFP
12 perish in Ghana road crash
ACCRA, May 14: Reports here early Monday said 12 travelers lost their lives late Sunday in a road crash at Akwatiakrom near Sunyani 400 km north of Ghana's capital. The Ford Mini bus which they were travelling on to Kumasi 280 km north of the from Sunyani collided with a cargo truck diving in opposite direction. The accident left 11 males including the driver of the bus and a female dead.—Xinhua