Kenya: We are working smart to tame unemployment – President Ruto

KITALE (Kenya), Jan 18 (NNN-KBC) — The Kenyan Government is deliberately implementing programmes and policies that will create jobs for the youth. President William Ruto said there is need for urgent, intentional and strategic measures to address unemployment in the country. He said the Government has identified the Affordable Housing…

South Africa: Presidential Economic Advisory Council discusses measures to support economic growth, job creation

PRETORIA, Jan 18 (NNN-SANEWS) — Despite the progress made in putting in place fiscally, socially and environmentally sound economic policies, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) has noted that significant challenges remain. “In its assessment of the current economic environment, the PEAC highlighted fiscal risks, the poor performance of state-owned…

OPEC predicts robust oil demand growth in 2025

VIENNA, Jan 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Wednesday forecast “robust” global oil demand growth of 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025, backed by strong global economic recovery and “continued solid economic activity in China.” OPEC predicted in its first assessment of…

Uruguay launching new Covid-19 vaccination campaign: Health Minister

MONTEVIDEO, Jan 18 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Uruguayan authorities have launched a vaccination campaign against Covid-19 as the malady is spreading nationwide with a “moderate intensity,” it was reported in Montevideo. The Health Ministry said 330,000 booster vaccines have become available. The campaign will begin on Jan. 29 in residential areas. The…

Heavy snowfall, freezing rain wreak havoc across Europe

BRUSSELS, Jan 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — Extreme weather conditions involving heavy snowfall and freezing rain hit many countries across Europe, causing flight cancellations and delays and disrupting road traffic. In Belgium, departures from Brussels Airport in Zaventem were temporarily halted at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday as workers needed to clear the runways…

NAM Summit: Kenya, Tanzania commit to fostering regional integration, cross-border diplomacy

KAMPALA (Uganda), Jan 18 (NNN-KBC) — Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has affirmed Kenya’s commitment to work with all member states in strengthening the East African Community’s (EAC) integration and prosperity. Mudavadi, the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, has said that all member states must rally together and envision…

AU calls on Ethiopia, Somalia to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — The African Union (AU) called on Ethiopia and Somalia to exercise restraint and take steps to de-escalate the current tensions amid deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries. The call was made by the AU’s Peace and Security Council in a statement that followed…

UN voices concern over four drought-affected northern regions of Ethiopia

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — UN humanitarians said on Wednesday they are increasingly concerned about the deteriorating situation in the drought-affected north of Ethiopia, including the Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. “We need to scale up the response to support 4 million people in these regions as the…

6 dead, 2 children missing in Bolivia floods

LA PAZ, Jan 18 (NNN-XINHUA) — Six people are dead and two minors are missing after heavy rains this week sparked flooding in the Bolivian town of Tipuani in the department of La Paz, authorities said. Flooding has led to the death of an elderly person who was unable to…

Russia protest: Crowds clash with riot police as activist jailed

BAYMAK (Bashkortostan, Russia), Jan 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russian riot police fired tear gas and hit protesters with batons in Bashkortostan on Wednesday after a rights activist was sentenced to four years in a penal colony. Footage showed supporters of Fail Alsynov clashing with police – some throwing snowballs – near the…