The first laboratory in Latin America and the Caribbean to be able to detect ciguatoxins, the toxins responsible for the most significant non-bacterial seafood poisoning, recently became fully operational in Cuba, the result of close cooperation between the IAEA and local partners. Naturally occurring, ciguatoxins are responsible for ciguatera poisoning, responsible for tens of thousands of seafood poisoning cases every year. The new lab will provide analytical services to other…
Dozens of journalists marched in Khartoum on Monday to demand an end to a crackdown on press freedom amidst the most sustained challenge to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir since he took power in a 1989 coup.Protesters have been taking to the streets frequently across Sudan since Dec. 19. The protests were initially triggered by price rises and cash shortages but evolved into demonstrations against Bashir and his National Congress Party.Monday's…
RABAT Thousands of teachers flooded the streets of the Moroccan capital on Sunday to demand better conditions after a nighttime protest dispersed by riot police left dozens wounded.Teachers on temporary contracts have been on strike since March 3 demanding permanent employment arrangements that would improve their rights and benefits, especially over retirement.On Saturday night baton-wielding riot police used water cannons to disperse a protest by several thousand young teachers who…
VATICAN CITY Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for the victims of attacks in Nigeria and Mali, and for the success of talks underway in Nicaragua aimed at solving a yearlong political crisis in the country."Let's pray for the numerous victims of the recent inhuman attacks in Nigeria and Mali. May the Lord welcome these victims, heal the wounded, console loved ones and convert cruel hearts," Francis said.At least 134 people…
Eight children were killed on Saturday in the Sudanese city of Omdurman when an unidentified object they found exploded, a police spokesman told AFP. Seven children were killed on the spot, while the eighth one died of wounds at a hospital, Gen. Hashim Abdelrahim said. He said the children, who were thought to be searching for scrap that they later sell, came across a "strange object" that "exploded" when they…
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) is hosting a high-level panel discussion organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Middle East Center for Economics and Finance (CEF) on banking supervision and oversight.The event, scheduled for March 24-28, 2019, would gather representatives from central banks and monetary agencies of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Dr. Mohammad Y. Al-Hashel, Governor of CBK, said the panel's objectives are capacity building,…
South Sudan's committee overseeing the fragile transition from civil war has approved almost $185 million in spending on vehicles, food and home renovations while the country's peace deal suffers from an alleged lack of funds, according to internal documents seen by The Associated Press.As the East African nation emerges from a five-year conflict that killed almost 400,000 people and displaced millions, experts warn that the government's lack of financial transparency…
It is not every day that a bicycle is viewed as an important tool for building peace, but in some remote and hard-to-reach areas of South Sudan, like Lopa, Ikotos, Torit East, Kidepo Valley, Chukudum, Kimotong and Riwoto Counties in the country's Eastern Equatoria region, any item that eases transport is very welcome.Peacemakers in the region will now have their peace-making journeys made lighter, thanks to the support of peace…
