Russia says ‘no progress’ towards extending grain deal

GENEVA, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Russia warned Wednesday that “no progress” had been made towards meeting the conditions it has set for extending a Ukraine grain exports deal aimed at easing the global food crisis. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been in place since last July and allows Ukrainian…

Argentina to pay for Chinese imports in yuan instead of dollars

 BUENOS AIRES, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Argentina will pay for Chinese imports in yuan instead of US dollars in order to preserve its dwindling foreign reserves, Economy Minister Sergio Massa said. The South American country will be able to “program a volume of imports in yuan worth (the equivalent of)…

Covid deaths down 95 percent this year: WHO

GENEVA, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The WHO said Wednesday that Covid-19 deaths had dropped by 95 percent since the start of the year — but warned the virus was still on the move. The World Health Organization said Covid-19 was here to stay and countries would have to learn how…

Ex-Brazil President Bolsonaro appears before police in riot probe

Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing in connection to the Jan 8 riot BRASILIA, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro is testifying to federal police about his conduct around the Jan 8 attacks on government buildings by his supporters in capital Brasilia following his election loss.Bolsonaro arrived at the…

Iran court orders US, Obama to pay $313m for ‘terrorist’ attacks

Former US President, Barack Obama TEHRAN, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Iranian court has ruled the United States government and a number of individuals and entities, including former President Barack Obama, must pay compensation for 2017 attacks carried out by the armed group ISIL (ISIS).The court in the capital issued…

Sudan crisis: Ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir held at army hospital

Deposed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir KHARTOUM, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Deposed Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is being held at a military hospital in Khartoum after fighting between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out and engulfed the prison where he was being held.Al-Bashir and about 30 other…

Kenya asks Sweden for technical support ahead of Climate Summit

Flag of Kenya STOCKHOLM, April 27 (NNN-GNA) — Kenya is seeking the expertise of Swedish scientists to help prepare adequate focal points for the upcoming Climate Summit.Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya who is visiting Swedish capital Stockholm has asked the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)…

US Pres Biden to make landmark visit to Papua New Guinea: Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko

PORT MORESBY, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Pres Joe Biden is set to become the first sitting US president in at least a century to visit Papua New Guinea, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko said Thursday, revealing plans for a brief but symbolic trip. Biden plans to stop in Port Moresby in…

EU will support peace negotiations in Colombia: Envoy

BOGOTÁ, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The European Union will support upcoming peace talks between the Colombian government and dissident factions of the disarmed FARC guerrillas, the bloc’s diplomacy chief said. “I am impressed by what President (Gustavo) Petro wants to do with his ‘total peace’ project,” said Josep Borrell, who…

Haiti gang violence expanding at ‘alarming rate’, UN warns

UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Gang violence in Haiti is spreading at “an alarming rate”, the UN warned, repeating its unanswered call for an international force to help restore order in the crisis-torn country. From lynchings and rooftop snipers to the murder of children, a “shocking increase” in violent…