TOKYO, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has praised China's style of diplomacy, saying it is "much better" than the "double standards" held by the West.

Museveni said in an interview with Nikkei that he sees "double standards" in the Western response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, and China's approach of not interfering in others' domestic affairs is "much better," the news outlet reported on Thursday.

He rejected allegations that "Beijing expands its influence by drawing smaller economies into 'debt traps'."

NAIROBI, Mar 18 (NNN-KBC) – The World Bank approved 85.77 billion shillings (about 750 million U.S. dollars), to help accelerate Kenya’s ongoing inclusive and resilient recovery, from the COVID-19 crisis.

The World Bank said in a statement released yesterday that, the Development Policy Operation (DPO), will help Kenya strengthen fiscal sustainability, through reforms that contribute to greater transparency and the fight against corruption.

LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces pressed their assault on Ukrainian cities Friday, with new missile strikes and shelling on the edges of the capital Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, as world leaders pushed for an investigation of the Kremlin’s repeated attacks on civilian targets, including schools, hospitals and residential areas.

The early morning barrage of missiles on the outskirts of Lviv were the closest strike yet to the center of the city, which has become a crossroads for people fleeing from other parts of Ukraine and for others entering to deliver aid or fight.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republicans responding to the myth of widespread voter fraud are turning to a new tactic to appease voters who believe the claims: election police.

The efforts to establish law enforcement units dedicated to investigating election crimes come as Republican lawmakers and governors move to satisfy the millions of voters in their party who believe former President Donald Trump’s false claims that widespread voter fraud cost him reelection in 2020.

BERLIN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The German government said on Friday that the Bundestag (lower house of Parliament) has approved to double a planned one-time heating allowance for low-income groups to offset the effect of rising energy prices.

Entitled single households are now to receive 270 euros (299 U.S. dollars) instead of 135 euros. Two-person households are to get 350 euros, while students are to receive 230 euros, according to a government statement.

17 March 2022; MEMO: An Emirati-flagged cargo ship carrying cars has reportedly sunk off the coast of Iran's Assaluyeh port in the southern Bushehr province, Anadolu News Agency reports.

According to the local port authority, the heavily loaded cargo sunk early on Thursday, 30 miles from the Assaluyeh port, situated on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf.

A team was immediately dispatched to rescue the 30-member crew onboard the ship, Anadolu Agency learned.

  MAPUTO, March 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The death toll from a cyclone that lashed northern Mozambique last week has risen to 53, authorities in the northern Nampula province said.

  The last official toll was 22 but 31 more bodies have been found in Mossuril district in the wake of Cyclone Gombe, local authorities said late Wednesday.

  The area on the Indian Ocean coast is largely inaccessible now as road links have been disrupted by felled trees.

NEW YORK (AP) — Facing stiff resistance in Ukraine and crippling economic sanctions at home, Russian President Vladimir Putin is using language that recalls the rhetoric from Josef Stalin’s show trials of the 1930s.

Putin’s ominous speech on Wednesday likened opponents to “gnats” who try to weaken the country at the behest of the West — crude remarks that set the stage for sweeping repressions against those who dare to speak out against the war in Ukraine.

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be “stuck on the ground” unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded.

“We have reached a pivot point,” Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press. “How well we pivot is on us.”

MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/: Russia’s COVID-19 case tally rose by 34,442 over the past day to 17,518,699, the anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Friday.

In relative terms, the growth rate reached 0.2%.

As many as 5,513 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Russia over the past day, up 10.1% from a day earlier. The number of hospitalized patients increased in 49 regions, while in 36 other regions the figure decreased. A day earlier, 5,008 people were rushed to hospitals.

BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone conversation with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Friday, with both sides agreeing to promote Belt and Road cooperation.

The two sides should engage in high-quality joint Belt and Road construction, speed up the construction of major projects such as highways, airports and special economic zones, and expand cooperation in emerging fields such as finance and digital economy, Xi said. 

QENA, Egypt, Mar 18 (NNN-MENA) – Egypt is holding more cultural festivals and artistic activities at its various archaeological sites, with the aim of promoting ancient heritage and attracting tourists, according to Egyptian officials.

In Feb and Mar, at least five cultural and artistic activities were held in Upper Egyptian provinces, that boast the majority of the country’s antiquities and temples.

The last event was concluded last Saturday, at the Abydos temple, in Sohag Province.