High-stakes US-China trade talks resume as deadline approaches

WASHINGTON, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — With a March 1 deadline fastapproaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations next week toprevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for theglobal economy. China’s economy already has shown signs of slowing, while the trade warhas shaken the confidence of US businesses,…

Saudi investments to aid cash-strapped Pakistan

DUBAI, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A record investment package being prepared by Saudi Arabia for Pakistan will likely provide welcome relief for its cash-strapped Muslim ally, while also addressing regional geopolitical challenges, analysts say. At the heart of the investment is a reported $10 billion refinery and oilcomplex in the…

Yemeni conjoined twins die in blockaded Sanaa: rebels

The twin boys shared a kidney and a pair of legs but had separate hearts and lungs SANAA, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Newborn Yemeni conjoined twins whoseplight sparked a plea for urgent medical treatment overseas died in SanaaSaturday, rebels in the blockaded capital said. Abdelkhaleq and Abdelrahim were born outside…

Malaysia’s toppled leader Najib to go on trial over 1MDB scandal

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Malaysia’s toppled leader Najib Razak will go on trial this week over an extraordinary financial scandal that contributed to the downfall of his long-ruling coalition and reverberated around the world. The former prime minister and his cronies are accused of stealing US$4.5 billion from Malaysian sovereign…

Tunisia govt, teachers reach deal to end strike

TUNIS, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES)– The Tunisian government and a teachers’ union reached a deal Saturday to end a months-long strike that has disrupted schools across the country. “We have reached an agreement with the government on all of our demands,” the head of the secondary school teachers’ union, Morched Idriss,…

DR Congo Ebola death toll passes 500: Health ministry

KINSHASA, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — More than 500 people have died from the latest outbreak of Ebola in DR Congo, but a vaccination programme has prevented thousands more deaths, the country’s health minister said. “In total, there have been 502 deaths and 271 people cured,” said a health ministry bulletin,…

Syria War: SDF will attack Daesh enclave once civilians out – Official

QAMISHLI (Syria), Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is poised to attack the last Daesh enclave in its area of operations once civilians still inside have been evacuated, an SDF official said. The besieged Daesh enclave centred around Baghouz on the eastern bank of the Euphrates…

Brazil: Pres Bolsonaro improving after pneumonia, surgery

SAO PAULO, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has beaten fever caused by pneumonia after his abdominal surgery two weeks ago, his hospital said. The president, 63, “has no fever and has made good clinical and post-operative progress,” Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in Sao Paulo said in its…

Radio journalist shot dead in Mexico’s latest media killing

MEXICO CITY, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A Mexican radio journalist was shot dead Saturday in a restaurant in Tabasco state, east of the capital, the latest victim in what has become one of the world’s deadliest countries for the press. Jesus Ramos Rodriguez was killed in the town of Emiliano…

Turkey condemns China’s treatment of Uighurs

ANKARA, Feb 10 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Turkey condemned China’s treatment of its Muslim ethnic Uighur people as “a great embarrassment for humanity,” adding to rights groups’ recent criticism over mass detentions of the Turkic-speaking minority. “The systematic assimilation policy of Chinese authorities towards Uighur Turks is a great embarrassment for humanity,”…