WHO chief vows ‘profound transformation’ of agency after abuse scandal in 10 countries

  GENEVA, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The World Health Organization’s chief promised a “profound transformation” of the global body following allegations of rape and other sexual abuse by its staff in the Democratic Republic of Congo.   An independent commission of enquiry released a devastating report on Sept 28 that found…

UN launches cash plan to prop up Afghan economy

  GENEVA, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations launched a funding programme aimed at preventing the Afghan economy from collapsing during the winter by getting cash flowing through the local economy again.   The UN Development Programme has set up a trust fund through which governments can channel finance via…

Covid-19: Latin America will take ‘many years’ to recover from pandemic damage, says IMF

   WASHINGTON, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — It will take “many years” for Latin American and Caribbean nations to recover from the economic damage inflicted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the IMF warned.    “They should anticipate a long and winding road ahead, with setbacks along the way, as the damage brought by…

US: Woman dead after shooting by prop firearm on Alec Baldwin movie set; a man also injured

A woman has died after being shot during the filming of a movie starring Alec Baldwin LOS ANGELES, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A woman has died after being shot during the filming of a movie starring Alec Baldwin, US law enforcement officers said. The incident happened on a set in…

Pres Biden: US would defend Taiwan against China

US President Joe Biden participates in a CNN town hall at Baltimore Center Stage in Baltimore, Maryland BALTIMORE, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President Joe Biden on Thursday said the United States would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked by China, which considers it part of its territory. “Yes,” he…

Ethiopia hits Tigray region in third day of air strikes: Government

Ethiopian government soldiers ride in the back of a truck on a road near Agula, north of Mekele, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia ADDIS ABABA, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopia carried out an air strike on the city of Mekelle for the third day this week, a government…

Haitian gang leader threatens to kill ‘these Americans’ in video online

A sign reading “Bible Training Centre, Strive to receive praise from God” is seen at the Christian Aid Ministries compound PORT-AU-PRINCE, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Haitian man asserting that he represents a gang who kidnapped a group of American and Canadian missionaries said in a video posted on YouTube on Thursday…

Europe reels from powerful ‘Aurore’ storm; 4 dead in Poland, 4 injured in Netherlands

A house destroyed after being hit by storm Aurore in Plozevet, western France PARIS, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Storm “Aurore” swept across parts of northern Europe on Thursday, leaving four dead in Poland and causing substantial damage in Germany, France, the Netherlands and elsewhere. All four deaths in Poland occurred in…

Britain warns China against dangerous military moves around Taiwan

Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Britain’s defence minister called on China to find a peaceful way to settle its dispute with Taiwan, warning that Chinese incursions into the Taiwanese air defence zone were dangerous and could spark conflict. Western capitals and Taipei are on alert…

At United Nations, Afghan women appeal: Don’t let Taliban in

Left to right: Former Afghan diplomat Asila Wardak, former Afghan politician and peace negotiator Fawzia Koofi, Afghan journalist Anisa Shaheed and former Afghan politician, Naheed Fareed speak to reporters outside the U.N. Security Council UNITED NATIONS, Oct 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of Afghan women urged the United Nations to…