Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine, Russia ‘interested’ in securing nuclear plant – IAEA

VIENNA, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kyiv and Moscow have shown “signs that they are interested” in creating a security zone around Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Ukraine threatened by shelling since Russia invaded its neighbour, the UN atomic watchdog said. Shelling around the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern…

Indonesia, Norway ink deal to reward rainforest protection

Indonesia is home to Asia’s largest expanse of rainforest OSLO/JAKARTA, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Indonesia and Norway signed a deal to reward deforestation reduction months after the collapse of a similar US$1 billion agreement that was part of an UN-backed global initiative criticised for its ineffectiveness. Protecting trees is key…

Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, Suriname biggest culprits in tropical forest loss linked to industrial mining: Study

LONDON, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Industrial-scale mining for materials such as coal, gold, and iron ore is spurring tropical deforestation, with once-impenetrable forest cleared for mines and access roads, new research shows. In the first study to quantify the impact of industrial mining on tropical forest loss, an international team…

Mexican president welcomes US ‘tone’ on energy dispute as Sec of State Blinken visits

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard MEXICO CITY, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador struck a conciliatory note on a major dispute with the United States over Mexican energy policy, saying Washington had adopted a “different tone” and respectful attitude…

Fight against AIDS, TB and malaria bounced back post-COVID – but not enough: Report

GENEVA, Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Efforts to tackle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria began to recover last year after being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but the world is still not on track to defeat these killer diseases, according to a report. In its 2022 report, the Global…

Scottish police make three arrests over protests following queen’s death

EDINBURGH (Scotland), Sept 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Scottish police said they had made three arrests in Edinburgh relating to breaches of the peace – causing a disturbance – on Sunday and Monday as Queen Elizabeth’s coffin was moved around the city. Elizabeth died on Thursday in her holiday home at Balmoral, in the…

UN: 50 million people stuck in ‘modern slavery’ – in forced labour, forced marriage

GENEVA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifty million people around the world are trapped in forced labour or forced marriage, the UN said, warning that their ranks had swelled dramatically in recent years. The United Nations had set a goal to eradicate all forms of modern slavery by 2030, but instead…

UN Chief calls for solidarity in South-South Cooperation

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 12 (NNN-XINHUA) — At a time of unprecedented challenges and upheaval, “solutions lie in solidarity,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a message commemorating the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. “South-South and triangular cooperation are critical for developing countries to mitigate and adapt to climate…

UN decries Russia’s ‘intimidation’ of its citizens opposing the Ukraine war

GENEVA, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The UN’s acting human rights chief decried on Monday the “intimidation” of people in Russia voicing opposition to the Ukraine war, warning it was undermining fundamental freedoms. Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, deputy UN rights chief Nada Al Nashif decried the “intimidation, restrictive…

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Moldova axes plan to resume Russia-bound flights

CHISINAU, Sept 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The national air carrier of Ukraine’s neighbour Moldova has cancelled plans to resume Russia-bound flights, it said. Air Moldova had announced on Friday that it would resume flights to Russia, which were halted over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. But in a statement late Sunday it said that “Moldova’s…