Russia says economy will adapt to sanctions by 2024

     MOSCOW, March 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia’s economy will have finished adapting to Western sanctions by 2024, Moscow’s prime minister said, saying that his country had survived the international attempts to isolate it. After the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine last year, Moscow’s economy was hit with a flurry of…

Private energy sector participation could improve South Africa’s growth outlook – IMF

PRETORIA, March 24 (NNN-SANEWS) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes that South Africa’s implementation of structural reforms, combined with fiscal consolidation, could help boost private investment, employment and growth. IMF officials held a series of meetings with South Africa this month as part of their routine economic surveillance function,…

South Africa, Belgium kick off official talks

PRETORIA, March 24 (NNN-SANEWS) — President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa and Belgium’s respective histories, which share some similarities, should form a basis for greater dialogue between the two countries. Delivering his opening remarks during official talks at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Ramaphosa said that the two countries have…

Army convoy brings food to blockaded Burkina city

DJIBO (Burkina Faso), March 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An army convoy has delivered desperately-needed supplies to a northern Burkina Faso city that has been blockaded by jihadists for months, locals and security sources said Wednesday. Jihadists have dynamited bridges and mounted deadly attacks against previous supply convoys headed to the cut-off…

Sweden’s Parliament endorses country joining Nato

STOCKHOLM, March 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Sweden’s lawmakers overwhelmingly voted on Wednesday in favour of the country joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato). The vote was 269 in favour and 37 against. Forty-three lawmakers were absent. Two of the eight parties represented in the country’s Parliament (Riksdag) — the Left…

International drug trafficking network dismantled in Italy

ROME, March 23 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Anti-drug forces of the Arma de Carabinieri of Italy dismantled an international drug trafficking network operating in the north of the country, as a result of investigations started in 2018, a statement says.     A note published Wednesday on the official site of that gendarmerie…

Zimbabwe to offer public servants 100% pay rise

HARARE, March 23 (NNN-KBC) — Zimbabwe has awarded civil servants a 100% salary increment as part of efforts to improve their welfare, the government-owned daily The Herald reports. However, the increase just about keeps pace with Zimbabwe’s high inflation, which stands at 92.3% according to latest figures. This means the…

Kenya heightens border surveillance after Marburg virus outbreak in Tanzania

NAIROBI, March 23 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya’s Ministry of Health has activated border surveillance and response mechanisms after Tanzania confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease. The Ministry has also directed all County Health Officials to be vigilant to identify and isolate any suspect cases for proper and timely management. Acting Director…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine needs $411 bn for reconstruction, recovery, says World Bank

WASHINGTON, March 23 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery needs have grown to $411 billion, just over a year since Russia’s invasion, the World Bank said.    The assessment, made jointly by Ukraine’s government, the World Bank, the European Commission and the United Nations, is an increase from the $349 billion…

Mexico strives to preserve autonomy in ties with US, says FM

MEXICO CITY, March 23 (NNN-XINHUA) — As Mexico and the United States grow more economically integrated, the challenge and goal for Mexico will be to preserve its “relative autonomy” and protect its own interests, said Mexican Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard. “What would I say regarding the immediate future? Well,…