Brussels, Belgium | Xinhua | The European Union on Thursday imposed more sanctions on Russia over its conflict with Ukraine, including a ban on gold imports and the tightening of export controls on high-technology goods. The “reinforced, prolonged EU sanctions against the Kremlin send a strong signal to Moscow: we will …
Read More »Iran says to gradually eliminate dollar in trade with Russia
Tehran, Iran | Xinhua | Iran’s chief banker said the U.S. dollar will be gradually eliminated from Iranian-Russian economic transactions, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday. The trade volume between Iran and Russia stood at 4 billion U.S. dollars, which can be conducted through the Iranian currency rial and …
Read More »Biden tests positive for COVID-19
Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | U.S. President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday. Biden, who was fully vaccinated and twice boosted, is experiencing very mild symptoms, according to a statement from the White House. He has begun taking Paxlovid and will isolate at the White House and continue to …
Read More »Spain rejects EU proposal to cut gas consumption by 15 pct
Madrid, Spain | Xinhua | The Spanish government rejects the plan announced Wednesday by the European Commission to cut gas consumption by 15 percent in the coming months in view of the possibility that Russia will cut gas supplies to Europe, Teresa Ribera, minister for ecological transition, has said. “Whatever happens, …
Read More »Italian PM resigns
Rome, Italy | Xinhua | Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday officially resigned, remitting his mandate to the hands of the president, and putting an end to his national unity government after 17 months in office. “President Sergio Mattarella has received Mario Draghi, who … has reiterated the resignation of …
Read More »UBA Group expands to EMEA, launches banking operations in DIFC, Dubai
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | United Bank for Africa has extended its operations to the United Arab Emirates with the official launch of its new branch at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The lender will operate under the Category 4 license and will be regulated by the Dubai Financial Services …
Read More »Iran says nuke program “peaceful,” no weaponry pursuit
Tehran, Iran | Xinhua | Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Wednesday that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and its nuclear technology program is “peaceful.” “Iran possesses high nuclear capabilities, and, as we have mentioned many times, Iran’s nuclear technology is completely peaceful and under the constant supervision …
Read More »🔴 STEEPLECHASE: Chemutai finishes 11th
Eugene, USA | THE INDEPENDENT | Peruth Chemutai finished 11th at the World Championships in 9:21.93, falling short of the performance that gave her Olympic glory at the Steeplechase in Tokyo last year. Inspector of Police Chemutai, who is the first Ugandan woman to win an Olympic gold medal, …
Read More »Ranil Wickremesinghe elected as new president of Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka | Xinhua | Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected as the new president of Sri Lanka in an election held in parliament on Wednesday. Soon after winning the election, Wickremesinghe addressed the parliament, calling on all legislators including the opposition parliamentarians to unite and work together with him to …
Read More »U.S. House passes bill on marriage equality
Washington, U.S. | Xinhua | The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on marriage equality on Tuesday in a 267-157 vote, with 47 Republicans joining all Democrats in supporting the measure. The Respect for Marriage Act, which calls for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, will face an …
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