Weather, climate disasters surge fivefold in 50 years: UN

Extreme weather like widespread drought is causing economic losses amongst farmers across the world. GENEVA, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United Nations warned that weather-related disasters have skyrocketed over the past half-century, causing far more damage even as better warning systems have meant fewer deaths. A report from the UN’s…

Climate crisis triggers spike in lightning strike deaths in India

Lightning strikes over residential apartments during a thunderstorm on the outskirts of New Delhi 3 Sep 2021 NEW DELHI, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Faizuddin is still traumatised from the lightning strike that killed his three friends as they took selfies atop a 400-year-old fort in India, where climate change is making…

Covid-19: Pandemic-hit Indonesian borrowers to gain extension of credit relief rules until 2023

Pandemic-hit Indonesian borrowers to gain extension of credit relief rules until 2023 JAKARTA, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A relaxation of banking rules that make it easier for Indonesian borrowers hurt by the pandemic to restructure their loans will be extended until March 2023, the country’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) said.…

Japan: PM Suga to step down as LDP leader this month, after just one year in power

TOKYO, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Friday he will not run for re-election as party leader this month, effectively ending his tenure after just one year, his party’s secretary general said. Suga announced his intention to resign at an emergency meeting of senior members of…

Taliban close to forming new government in Afghanistan: Sources

KABUL, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Taliban were expected to form a government as early as Friday with the new regime under intense international scrutiny over its vow to rule Afghanistan with greater tolerance, especially on women’s rights. The announcement of a new administration could be made after Friday afternoon…

Japan resumes hunt for dolphins and smaller whales

TOKYO, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Japan has resumed hunting for dolphins and smaller whales off the village of Taiji in Wakayama prefecture.On Wednesday, the first fishermen set out in the whaling village to begin the hunt, which is expected to last until March, according to animal rights activists.As soon as…

US looking at land routes to continue Afghanistan evacuations

Afghan refugees arrive at Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC WASHINGTON, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States is exploring ways to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies looking to leave Afghanistan including via land routes, US officials said, reasserting a commitment to help eligible people who were not airlifted…

Covid-19: Egypt to produce 1 billion Sinovac vaccines a year

Some 7.5 million Egyptians have had at least one vaccine CAIRO, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Egypt said it plans to manufacture one billion doses a year of China’s Sinovac vaccine, claiming it would become the Middle East and Africa’s “biggest vaccine producer”.Under the deal with the Chinese pharmaceutical company, a…

South Africa says it’s ‘not in a position’ to receive Afghan refugees

The country has been asked to temporarily host Afghan refugees in neighboring Pakistan PRETORIA, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — South Africa said that it is “not in a position” to host Afghan refugees who fled the country after the Taliban took control of Kabul on Aug 15.“The South African government is…

Covid-19: Taiwan receives first batch of politically charged Pfizer vaccines

TAIPEI, Sept 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Taiwan received its first batch of Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccines on Thursday, a delivery organised by two tech giants and a charity because of diplomatic pressure from China. The 930,000 doses are the first of 15 million jabs acquired by Foxconn and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company…
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