South Africa energy crisis: Use electricity sparingly, urges Cabinet

PRETORIA, April 29 (NNN-SANEWS) — Cabinet has called on South Africans to use electricity sparingly as part of the Demand Side Management (DSM) initiatives. This as Cabinet called on the nation to lower electricity usage, especially during periods of high energy consumption, typically from 5pm to 9pm, as part of…

Spain, Portugal smash April temperature records

MADRID, April 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mainland Spain and Portugal have broken temperature records for April, officials said, as both nations wilt in an unusually early heatwave that has raised the risk of wildfires. The mercury hit 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the airport in Spain’s southern city of…

UAE first ‘gaming’ resort to cost US$3.9b: Casino operator

DUBAI, April 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Arab Emirates’ first “gaming” resort will open in four years and cost US$3.9 billion to build, US casino operator Wynn has said, unveiling new details of the flashy project. The resort will feature “exceptional entertainment and gaming amenities”, Wynn Resorts said on its…

Nicaragua expresses willingness to enhance ties with India

MANAGUA, April 29 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada expressed the Sandinista government’s willingness to continue strengthening ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation with India.     According to a press release, the bilateral ties between Managua and New Delhi are being strengthened in multilateral forums on the basis of…

Iranian president to visit Syria ‘in near future’

BEIRUT, April 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will visit Damascus “in the near future”, on the first such trip to Syria since the country’s civil war began, Iran’s foreign minister said on Friday.    Syria’s pro-government Al-Watan newspaper reported that Raisi would visit Damascus on Wednesday.    “We have drawn…

Russia won’t isolate itself, will expand relations with friendly countries: Pres Putin

PETERSBURG (Russia), April 29 (NNN-TASS) — Russia won’t isolate itself, but rather will expand relations with friendly countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the Council of Legislators on Friday.   “We are not going to isolate ourselves. On the contrary, we will expand pragmatic, equitable, mutually beneficial…

US Army temporarily grounds pilots after deadly crashes

WASHINGTON, April 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US Army’s chief of staff on Friday grounded all pilots who are not involved in critical missions until they complete required training, after four helicopters crashed in a matter of weeks.    Two AH-64 Apache helicopters collided in Alaska on Thursday, killing three soldiers and…

Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closed

SYDNEY, April 29 (NNN-XINHUA) — After almost 52 years of operation, the Liddell Power Station, located in the Australian state of New South Wales(NSW), was powered down on Friday. Australia’s electricity generator and retailer AGL issued a statement confirming the shutdown of the coal-fired power plant, saying the site would…

1 dead, 3 missing in ship collision in Philippines

MANILA, April 29 (NNN-XINHUA) — Two foreign-flagged vessels collided off Corregidor Island in the Philippines, leaving one person dead and three missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Saturday. The PCG said one of the vessels, Sierra Leone-flagged MV Hong Hai 189, a dredger with 20 crew, capsized as…

Mexican president tests negative for COVID-19 after 3rd infection

MEXICO CITY, April 29 (NNN-XINHUA) — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that he completed his COVID-19 treatment with a negative test result for the virus. Reappearing at his daily press conference on Friday after almost a week in isolation, the president said that doctors recommended he rest and…