UNITED NATIONS, USA | XINHUA | The Security Council on Thursday returned to its own chamber for an in-person meeting, the first time in almost seven months after a lockdown from the coronavirus. At the beginning of the meeting on Mali, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, who chaired the meeting as …
Read More »European lawmakers back 60 pct CO2 emissions reduction by 2030
Brussels, Belgium | XINHUA | The European Parliament has shown support for a climate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent by 2030 from the 1990 levels, according to the voting results announced by the parliament on Wednesday. In the plenary voting late on Tuesday, the new target …
Read More »Italy reimposes anti-COVID-19 restrictions, extends state of emergency until Jan. 31
Rome, Italy | XINHUA | Strict anti-COVID-19 measures including the mandatory use of face masks everywhere will be reintroduced in Italy, starting on Thursday, in an effort to curb a rising trend in infections registered in the latest weeks. The decision was announced on Wednesday by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, …
Read More »France’s Macron mulling more anti-coronavirus restrictions as infections hit all-time high
Paris, France | XINHUA | French President Emmanuel Macron is mulling more restrictions to contain the coronavirus epidemic as the country recorded nearly 19,000 new infections on Wednesday, an all-time high for new daily cases. “The epidemic continues to increase. The virus continues to circulate rapidly for several weeks,” Macron …
Read More »The fly that stole the show at VP debate
Washington, USA | THE INDEPENDENT & XINHUA | U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris went toe to toe in their sole debate as part of the 2020 race in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday night, as both dodged questions key to the election. …
Read More »Attempt of U.S., other countries to smear China’s human rights record fails again at UN
United Nations | Xinhua | The attempt of the United States and some other countries to smear China’s human rights record failed again on Tuesday after numerous countries spoke in support of China at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. The United States, Germany, …
Read More »UN chief calls for more investment in universal health coverage
United Nations | Xinhua | UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday called on governments to invest more in universal health coverage. COVID-19 has shown that universal health coverage, strong public health systems and emergency preparedness are essential, he said in a video message for the launch of his policy brief …
Read More »Biden says next debate should not be held if Trump still has COVID-19
Washington, US | Xinhua | 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the next debate should not be held if his Republican opponent, U.S. President Donald Trump, still has COVID-19. “Well, uh, I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate,” Biden told reporters after …
Read More »Trump halts COVID-19 relief talks until after election
Washington, US | Xinhua | U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has asked his administration’s negotiators to withdraw from COVID-19 relief talks with Democrats until after the presidential election in November. “I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we …
Read More »World trade to fall by 9.2 percent in 2020: WTO
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | World merchandise trade is expected to fall by 9.2 percent in 2020, followed by a 7.2-percent rise in 2021, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Tuesday in its revised trade forecast. In April, the WTO had predicted a decline in the volume of world …
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