Covid-19: New York City exempts athletes, performers from vaccine mandate

NYC mayor Eric Adams NEW YORK, March 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — New York City on Thursday provided exemptions of COVID-19 vaccine mandate to professional athletes, performing artists and their accompanying individuals while the decision drew criticism from various groups. New York City Mayor Eric Adams excluded professional athletes, performing artists and…

Canada, UK launch FTA negotiations

OTTAWA, March 25 (NNN-Xinhua) — Trade officials of Canada and the United Kingdom announced they will proceed with negotiations toward a comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). According to a news release, Mary Ng, Canadian Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, and the United Kingdom’s…

Zambia’s ex-foreign minister arrested, assets seized over graft

Zambia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Joe Malanji LUSAKA, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested former Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Malanji over money laundering charges.The anti-money laundering agency also seized Malanji’s two helicopters on Wednesday.The 56-year-old is suspected of having used proceeds of crime to upgrade his…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: European Union seeks Africa’s support

European ambassadors at a press briefing in Tanzania  DAR ES SALAAM, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union delegation in Tanzania has called for Africa’s support in what they have termed as atrocities being committed by Russia in Ukraine.Eight ambassadors representing Poland, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Pres Zelensky says ‘real’ threat Russia will use chemical weapons in Ukraine

BRUSSELS, March  25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday there is a “real” threat that Moscow will use chemical weapons in Ukraine, accusing Russia of having already used phosphorus bombsagainst civilians in the country. “The threat of full-scale use by Russia of chemical weapons on the territory of…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Over half of Ukrainian children displaced by war – UN

 GENEVA, March 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than half of all children in Ukraine have been displaced from their homes since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Feb 24, the United Nations said.   “One month of war in Ukraine has led to the displacement of 4.3 million children – more than half of…

IMF due in Tunisia on Friday for talks: Trade union official

Tunisians demonstrate against the government TUNIS, March 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An International Monetary Fund delegation will arrive in Tunisia on Friday for talks with the government and other groups, a top trade union official said, as fears rise over the North African country’s risk of default. After meeting representatives of…

First cruise ship in three years with over 700 passengers docks in Tunisia

Tunisian authorities lay on camels for passengers on the first cruise ship to dock since 2019, hopeful that it signals the start of a post-Covid recovery in tourism LA GOULETTE (Tunisia), March 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A cruise ship docked in a Tunisian port on Wednesday for the first time since…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Pres Putin tells Europe to pay for gas in rubles

 MOSCOW, March 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Vladimir Putin said Russia will only accept payments in rubles for gas deliveries to “unfriendly countries”, which include all EU members, after Moscow was hit by unprecedented sanctions over Ukraine. Immediately after his announcement, the ruble — which has plummeted since the start of…

UN warns of hunger and food insecurity in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 24 (NNN-TELESUR) — The United Nations estimated that 4.6 million people, more than a third of Haiti’s population, will suffer from hunger this year. However, some of its citizens said that they fear the situation will worsen.“Fewer and fewer people are able to make large purchases and this figure is…