WTO urges reform amid global economic challenges

WTO urges reform amid global economic challenges

The World Trade Organization pushed for reform at a high-level ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi on Monday, warning that economic headwinds and geopolitical tensions are threatening global commerce and multilateral trading systems. The WTO's 13th ministerial conference, scheduled to run until Thursday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is the first in two years. The AFP news agency reports that the WTO is hoping for progress, […]

February 27, 2024 15

World

Israeli offensive threatens Gaza relief, says Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned that an all-out Israeli offensive on Rafah would spell the end of UN-led humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza.

February 27, 2024 56

Environment

Japan to release more Fukushima water into Pacific

Japan will begin a fourth discharge of treated, radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from Wednesday. The owner of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, TEPCO, has been releasing the water in batches since August last year. Chris Gilbert reports from Tokyo.

February 27, 2024 21

Africa

Nigerian workers plan cost-of-living strike

Nigerian labour unions will embark on a two-day strike on Tuesday against the spiralling cost of living. According to the BBC, inflation in Africa's largest economy is at almost 30% whilst the local currency, the naira, is rapidly depreciating. Electricity shortages are compounding the hardship. The African Development Bank has warned that conditions are ripe for social unrest.

February 27, 2024 5

World

Rights experts call for arms embargo on Israel

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and experts have warned countries against the “transfer of weapons or ammunition to Israel” as this could violate international humanitarian law if these weapons are used contrary to the Geneva Conventions, referring to Israel’s alleged failure to adhere to international law in Gaza. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch says Israel has failed to comply with the International Court of Justice order […]

February 27, 2024 12

Namibia

Tech companies join forces against AI election manipulation

Tech leaders, lawmakers, and civil society groups are alarmed about the potential for artificial intelligence to disrupt elections worldwide. In response, a coalition of major tech companies have pledged to collaborate in detecting and countering harmful AI content, including deepfakes of political candidates. CEO of the National Commission on Research, Science, and Technology, Professor Anicia Peters weighs in.

February 27, 2024 47

Environment

Zambezi Governor raises concerns over unusual rainfall patterns

Zambezi Governor Lawerence Sampofu says that while the region normally receives very good rainfall, they have not yet received much rainfall.

February 27, 2024 44

APO International

Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2024: Celebrating Black Excellence in Sports and Fashion

The power of Black excellence in sports and fashion came to the fore during two panel discussions at the Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS) 2024 - held in Dubai on February 27. Speakers emphasized how these industries strengthen communities’ worldwide as well as the importance of inclusion and diversity. The sports panel, moderated by Alycia Powell, Founder of Champions for Impact, emphasized the role of Black athletes in driving societal […]

February 27, 2024 8

APO International

Vaccinating 3.1 million Children to control polio outbreak in South Sudan

Today, South Sudan launched a nationwide polio campaign aiming at vaccinating 3.1 million children using the novel oral polio vaccine type 2. The novel oral polio vaccine type 2 has been designed to provide safe and reliable protection against poliovirus and is genetically more stable than the previous oral polio vaccine types. This means that it has the potential to be a game-changer in preventing new outbreaks of type 2 […]

February 27, 2024 5