World

English councils warn of insolvency amid soaring SEND deficits: The Guardian

LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 20 councils in England have warned they are at risk of insolvency due to overspending on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, according to a recent report by The Guardian.

World

France's Le Pen: I'm out of the running for the 2027 race, but will fight on

PARIS (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said on Monday that a court's decision to bar her from office for misuse of European funds ruled her out of the 2027 presidential election, adding she had no confidence in an appeal being heard before the vote.

World

Kenya holds promotional forum for 4th Global Digital Trade Expo

NAIROBI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A promotional conference for the fourth Global Digital Trade Expo was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday, with participants including senior government officials, diplomats and business executives.

World

Leftist Gonzalez slightly ahead in Ecuador presidential race-polls

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Leftist Luisa Gonzalez is narrowly leading incumbent President Daniel Noboa in two polls ahead of a April 13 run-off race, the surveys showed on Monday, after Noboa barely notched a win in the first round.

World

US embassies globally tell suppliers to comply with Trump ban on diversity policies

MADRID (Reuters) - The Trump administration has warned local suppliers to U.S. embassies and consulates as well as recipients of U.S. grants worldwide that they must comply with its ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programmes or risk losing payments.

World

Hong Kong, Guangdong hold ceremony to mark 60 years of Dongjiang water supply

HONG KONG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held here on Monday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Dongjiang water supply to Hong Kong, along with the opening of Dancing Water Drops Exhibition.

World

Zelenskiy says Russia has committed over 183,000 war crimes in Ukraine

KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on Monday for Russia to be punished for more than 183,000 alleged war crimes documented by Ukraine since Moscow's 2022 invasion, saying justice was needed to prevent "evil from proliferating."

World

Zambia issues new banknotes, coins

LUSAKA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's central bank on Monday launched new banknotes and coins, which the government said marks another step in the evolution of the country's currency.

World

Namibia's financial system remains stable, with positive economic prospect: central bank

WINDHOEK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's financial system remains stable with strong liquidity levels and adequate capital buffers, the Bank of Namibia said on Monday.

World

Feature: "Daddy is going to save lives"

MANDALAY, Myanmar, March 31 (Xinhua) -- "Do you know what Daddy is going to do?"

World

China, Zambia ink macadamia nut export deal

CHILANGA, Zambia, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China and Zambia on Monday signed an agreement on the export of macadamia nuts to the Asian country.

World

6.0-magnitude earthquake jolts off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara, no tsunami warning issued

JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province on Monday evening without triggering large waves, the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported.

World

Ethiopia launches cholera vaccination for 1 mln at-risk people

ADDIS ABABA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has launched a cholera vaccination campaign in the southwestern part of the country, targeting about one million people at risk.

World

1st LD Writethru: Fire engulfs Tesla dealership in Rome, arson suspected

ROME, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A fire broke out at a Tesla dealership on the outskirts of Rome early Monday, destroying at least 17 electric vehicles, local authorities confirmed.

World

Slovenia posts lowest deficit, debt levels in five years

LJUBLJANA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia's budget deficit and public debt in 2024 fell to their lowest levels in the past five years, the country's statistical office said on Monday.

World

Experts meet in Kenya to boost Africa's flower exports

NAIROBI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- African floriculture experts gathered in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday to discuss strategies for boosting the continent's flower exports, enhancing market access, and improving supply chain efficiency.

World

Shanghai to establish international jewelry fashion hub

SHANGHAI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai plans to establish an international jewelry fashion hub in Huangpu District, aiming to develop a dynamic center for gold and jewelry trade, design, consumption, innovation and professional services.

World

Italy investigates drone flyovers of EU facility, spying suspected

MILAN (Reuters) -Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible espionage and terrorism after a drone flew several times over an EU research centre in northwestern Italy, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Monday.

World

Italy's fertility rate hits record low in 2024

ROME, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Italy's fertility rate fell to the lowest level ever recorded in 2024, the country's main statistical entity said on Monday.

World

Greenland's incoming leader looks forward to visit from Danish prime minister

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Greenland's incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that he was looking forward to a visit from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this Wednesday, and that Greenland had been wishing for this visit.