Micronesian leaders threaten to leave Pacific forum

Chinese President Xi Jinping (second left) sits opposite Micronesian President David Panuelo during their meeting in Beijing, China KOROR (Palau), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The leaders of five Micronesian nations have threatened to withdraw from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) unless they get to choose the head of the regional grouping,…

26 countries urge Western sanctions lifting to tackle COVID-19

Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun UNITED NATIONS, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — China and 25 other nations called for the immediate lifting of sanctions by the United States and Western countries to ensure an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking on behalf of the 26 countries at…

Covid-19: One in 10 may have caught virus, as world heads into ‘difficult period’ – WHO

GENEVA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Roughly one in 10 people may have been infected with the coronavirus, leaving the vast majority of the world’s population vulnerable to the COVID-19 disease it causes, the World Health Organization said. Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert, was addressing the agency’s Executive Board,…

Kyrgyz protesters take government house, free ex-leader after after post-vote clashes

BISHKEK (Kyrgyzstan), Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Protesters seized Kyrgyzstan’s seat of government and freed a jailed former president on Tuesday after demonstrations against an election marred by vote-buying accusations spiralled into violent clashes with police. Opposition supporters hit the streets of the capital Bishkek the previous evening to demand the…

IMF approves aid for world’s 28 poorest countries

WASHINGTON, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund approved new emergency aid for 28 of the world’s poorest countries to help them alleviate their debt and better cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement, which follows a similar measure passed in mid-April for 25 countries, is…

Covid-19: India and South Africa ask WTO to waive rules to aid drug production

GENEVA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — India and South Africa want the World Trade Organization (WTO) to waive intellectual property rules to make it easier for developing countries to produce or import COVID-19 drugs, a letter to the WTO shows. In their letter dated Oct 2 the two countries called on…

India conveys support for safe, sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas back to Myanmar

NAY PYI TAW (Myanmar), Oct 6 (NNN-BSS) — India has conveyed its support for ensuring safe, sustainable and speedy repatriation of forcibly displaced persons from Myanmar’s Rakhine State and announced for deepening economic and trade ties between the two countries. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla expressed the support during…

EU backs Nigerian or South Korean for WTO job: diplomats

BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — EU member states have thrown their weight behind two women candidates to lead the World Trade Organization, one from Nigeria and the other from South Korea, diplomats said. European envoys gave their support to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, and Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s…

Covid-19: Zambian miners ‘quarantined by Chinese employer freed’

Chinese managers are reported to have left the mine when a delegation of govt officials arrived LUSAKA, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A group of Zambian miners held by their Chinese employer for five months as a safety measure against coronavirus have been released, the Lusaka Times website reports. Their release…

Djibouti, nation of one million, is building the largest free trade zone in Africa

Djibouti launches Africa’s largest free-trade zone DJIBOUTI, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Djibouti is capitalizing on its strategic location on one of the world’s busiest trade routes to build Africa’s largest free trade zone area. The Horn of Africa nation controls the Bab el-Mandeb (“Gate of Tears” in Arabic) which is…
Load More