Breaking News: Cuba Signals Readiness for Dialogue With U.S., Insists on Sovereignty and Respect

By: Michael Mike

Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel has reaffirmed his country’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States in an effort to address long-standing disputes, while stressing that any engagement must be anchored on equality, mutual respect and full recognition of national sovereignty.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with members of the Political Bureau, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers on Friday in Havana, the Cuban leader revealed that officials from both countries have recently held discussions aimed at easing tensions and identifying practical solutions to contentious bilateral issues.

Díaz-Canel said the talks form part of the historic diplomatic approach that has guided the Cuban Revolution since its inception—one that supports dialogue while firmly defending the island’s independence and political system.

According to him, the discussions were designed to examine areas of disagreement between the two nations and determine pathways for resolving them through negotiation. He noted that the exchanges also seek to gauge whether both governments are prepared to take concrete steps that would improve relations and deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.

The Cuban president added that another key objective of the engagement is to explore possible areas of cooperation, particularly in addressing shared challenges that affect regional security and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.

He cautioned against speculation surrounding the talks, emphasizing that the Cuban leadership traditionally refrains from responding to public conjecture about sensitive diplomatic processes.

“This is a complex and delicate process that must be handled with seriousness and responsibility,” Díaz-Canel said, noting that rebuilding understanding between the two countries requires sustained effort and careful diplomacy.

The Cuban government, he said, has consistently maintained that any progress in relations must be based on strict adherence to international law, reciprocity, and respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of the Cuban state.

Relations between Havana and Washington have long been marked by political tension and ideological differences. However, the latest engagement suggests a cautious attempt by both sides to reopen channels for dialogue and possibly chart a less confrontational path forward.

Breaking News: Cuba Signals Readiness for Dialogue With U.S., Insists on Sovereignty and Respect

Bauchi Attacks: UNICEF, Gombe govt support displaced women, children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, on Friday supported internally displaced persons especially women and children sheltering in a camp in the state.

The displaced persons are from communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State, following attacks by bandits on their villages.

The victims are currently staying in a camp located in Kashere town of Akko Local Government Area, Gombe State.

Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said the intervention aimed to prevent disease outbreaks and improve conditions in the camp.

She expressed concern over poor sanitation and stressed the need to strengthen hygiene practices to safeguard the health of women and children.

“UNICEF is here especially to support immunisation and health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, including deliveries at a nearby facility where services are available.

“Today we distributed hygiene and dignity kits because sanitation is very poor here and hygiene must improve to prevent cholera and other diseases.

“We have given almost 600 dignity and WASH kits to be used judiciously to improve hygiene at the camp,” she said.

Rafique said vaccination had also begun for many children who had not previously received routine immunisation.

She explained that several zero-dose children at the camp were now being covered under the immunisation programme.

According to her, children who had never attended school were also being supported through plans to establish temporary learning facilities.

“So we will establish a safe learning space so these children can begin learning and continue when they return to their communities,” she said.

Rafique commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi states for supporting displaced persons.

She also praised the host community for helping to manage the camp and maintain order among residents.

Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abdulrahman Shuaibu, said health interventions were ongoing to support displaced families.

Shuaibu said the agency had supplied free medicines to improve access to treatment for residents at the camp.

He noted that children’s health remained a priority, with several zero-dose children already vaccinated.

According to him, two children had died in the camp while two babies had been delivered since the displaced families arrived.

Shuaibu said that about 300 children had received routine immunisation as of Thursday.

He added that 33 children previously classified as zero-dose had also been vaccinated.

The state government, he said, was working with UNICEF to provide therapeutic food for malnourished children.

Chairman of the camp committee, Umar Badiko, said the displaced families arrived on Feb. 24 after attacks on their communities.

He explained they fled from Digare, Mansur, Yelo and Gwana wards in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

Badiko said children accounted for between 3,000 and 4,000 of the camp’s 7,000 residents.

He warned that the high number of children increased the risk of disease outbreaks.

According to him, UNICEF’s intervention helped prevent serious health crises in the camp.

He said poor hygiene and widespread open defecation had earlier raised fears of disease outbreaks.

Badiko lamented the shortage of sanitation facilities at the camp.

He said only 20 toilets currently served the entire population of about 7,000 displaced persons.

He appealed for urgent construction of additional toilets to discourage open defecation and improve sanitation.

Some displaced women commended the governments of Gombe and Bauchi stated, as well as UNICEF, for supporting them.

They said food supplies, medicines and medical services were being provided free at the camp.

However, some mothers with malnourished children appealed for urgent assistance to treat the condition and reverse the effects of malnutrition.

Bauchi Attacks: UNICEF, Gombe govt support displaced women, children

Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Gombe

By: Zagazola Makama

The Gombe State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers following a tip-off from credible intelligence, sources said on Friday.

Police sources said the suspects were apprehended on March 10 at about 10:00 p.m. by operatives working in conjunction with local hunters.

The arrested suspects were identified as Mohammed Abubakar, 29; Mohammed Bello, 23; and Mohammadu Ali, 25, all residents of Galda Village, Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State.

According to the report, the suspects were planning to carry out a kidnapping in an unspecified location in Bauchi State. Upon interrogation, they allegedly confessed to the planned crime.

Police said investigations were ongoing to uncover further details and apprehend any other accomplices involved in the plot.

Police arrest three suspected kidnappers in Gombe