Cuban FM praises full resumption of visa services at US embassy

HAVANA, Jan 5 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez considered the full immigrant resumption of visa processing at the US embassy in Havana as a necessary and correct step.     The Cuban foreign minister pointed out on Twitter this immigrant visa processing resumption does not include non-immigrant visas, which…

Kenya: Ignore the propaganda, GMO foods are safe – President Ruto

NAIROBI, Jan 5 (NNN-KBC) — President William Ruto defended his decision to lift a ban imposed on importation of genetically modified foods into Kenya. According to the President, biotechnology foods are safe for human consumption and have no negative impact on people’s health whatsoever, and as such there should be…

Update: Bomb cyclone smashes into California

LOS ANGELES, Jan 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A bomb cyclone smashed into California on Wednesday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain that was expected to cause flooding in areas already saturated by consecutive storms. Authorities issued ominous warnings of threats to life and property for a vast stretch of the most…

Deadlock deepens in US House speaker showdown

WASHINGTON, Jan 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The deeply riven US House of Representatives was engulfed in crisis for a second day running Wednesday as fresh rounds of voting failed to produce a winner in the race for speaker. Conservative hardliners have been blocking establishment pick Kevin McCarthy in a humiliating standoff…

California declares state of emergency over powerful winter storm

LOS ANGELES, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency throughout the most populous state in the United States, to support the ongoing response to a powerful winter storm. “California is mobilizing to keep people safe from the impacts of the incoming storm,” and the…

Libya condemns Israeli minister’s visit to Jerusalem holy site

TRIPOLI, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Libyan Foreign Ministry condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s controversial visit to the flashpoint holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. “This is an attempt to change the current historic and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque… a provocation to the feelings…

Colombian gov’t suspends ceasefire with ELN guerrillas

BOGOTA, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The Colombian government has decided to suspend ceasefire with the National Liberation Army (ELN), after the guerrilla group denied it was part of a bilateral ceasefire agreement announced by Colombian President Gustavo Petro on New Year’s Eve. “In view of the position taken yesterday (by…

UN chief appoints new commander of peacekeeping force in DR Congo

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appointed Lieutenant General Otávio Rodrigues De Miranda Filho of Brazil as the new force commander of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Miranda Filho succeeds Lieutenant General Marcos de Sá…

UN releases US$7 mln to help 423,000 people impacted by insecurity in Mali

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — The UN Central Emergency Response Fund on Wednesday released US$7 million for people suffering insecurity in Mali’s north, a UN spokesman said. “Humanitarian needs in Mali are dire, as the country faces a multidimensional crisis,” said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General…

European countries cull poultry to fend off avian flu

ROME, Jan 5 (NNN-Xinhua) — Poultry farmers across Europe have been forced to cull their flocks in the latest effort to slow the spread of the highly-contagious avian influenza on the continent. On Wednesday Swedish authorities announced they would cull around 165,000 chickens at a single farm in the southern…