Cuba and Gambia affirm willingness to boost bilateral links

HAVANA, March 1 (NNN-ACN) — Gambia and Cuba confirmed their willingness to further boost their over-40-year bilateral diplomatic relations.The announcement came out of a meeting between Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez and the general secretary of Gambia’s Presidency Sulimatta Touray.On his X account, Minister Rodriguez said that the two sides…

U.S. Congress passes stopgap funding bill to avert gov’t shutdown one day ahead of deadline

WASHINGTON, March 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — U.S. Congress on Thursday passed another stopgap funding bill to extend government funding to avert a partial shutdown, just one day ahead of the Friday deadline. The Senate voted 77-13 Thursday night to approve the bill, which cleared the House by a vote of 320-99…

UN chief condemns killing of Palestinians waiting for aid in northern Gaza

UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing of more than 100 Palestinians waiting for aid in northern Gaza, said his spokesman. “The secretary-general condemns the incident today (Thursday) in northern Gaza in which more than 100 people were reportedly killed or injured while seeking…

Brazil passes 1 mln cases of dengue fever

BRASILIA, March 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — Brazil has registered a total of 1,017,278 probable cases of dengue fever and 214 confirmed deaths from the disease, while another 687 deaths are under investigation, according to the latest report by the Health Ministry. The incidence rate of dengue fever in the South American…

5 nations offer personnel to help Haiti fight gang violence: UN

UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (NNN-XINHUA) — Five countries are committed to providing personnel for an international police force to help Haiti battle gang violence, a UN spokesman said. The world body received Benin’s official confirmation on Wednesday of their intent to support the Multinational Security Support mission with 1,500 uniformed…

Cuba’s more than 400% fuel price rise to take effect Friday: government

HAVANA, March 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A more than 400-percent fuel price hike will take effect in Cuba this week, a month later than initially planned, the government of the cash-strapped island nation said.   Finance Minister Vladimir Regueiro announced via government mouthpiece Granma that the higher prices will enter into force…

Russian government to ban gasoline exports from March 1

MOSCOW, March 1 (NNN-TASS) — The Russian Cabinet introduces a temporary ban on gasoline exports from March 1 to Aug 31 of this year and increases the standard values of diesel fuel sales in commodity exchange trading from 12.5% to 16%, the government said on its Telegram channel. Relevant decrees…

Guinea: Trade unions suspend nationwide strike after release of union leader

Press union leader Sekou Jamal Pendessa had been jailed last month for protesting CONAKRY, March 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Trade unions in Guinea have called off a nationwide protest after the government fulfilled one of their key demands by releasing detained press union leader, Sekou Jamal Pendessa.Pendessa was jailed last month…

Meningitis outbreak kills 17 students in Nigeria

Meningitis causes inflammation of the outer layers of the brain and spinal cord ABUJA, March 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — At least 17 schoolchildren across five schools in Nigeria’s north-eastern Yobe state have died after an outbreak of meningitis, authorities have confirmed.Among the deceased are students in primary schools and others in…

Zambia declares national emergency over drought

Zambia has been experiencing poor rain across the country LUSAKA, March 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has declared a national disaster to tackle the prolonged drought affecting the country.Addressing the nation on Thursday afternoon, Hichilema said 84 districts out of a total of 116 were affected.Zambia has been…