Exclusive: Venezuela reaches deal with U.N. to buy food, medicine with gold – central bank
Venezuela has reached a deal with the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) to destine part of its gold in Bank of England accounts toward the purchase of food and medicine during the coronavirus pandemic, its central bank governor said on Wednesday.
U.N. warns of possible war crimes in northeastern Congo
Widespread and systematic killings, beheadings, rape and other barbaric acts by militia mostly from the ethnic Lendu community in northeastern Congo may constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Pompeo says Hong Kong no longer warrants special U.S. treatment
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday China had undermined Hong Kong’s autonomy so fundamentally that the territory no longer warranted special treatment under U.S. law, a potentially big blow to its status as a major financial hub.
EU governments ban malaria drug for COVID-19, trial paused as safety fears grow
European governments moved on Wednesday to halt the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients, and a second global trial was suspended, further blows to hopes for a treatment promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Sea turtles appear next to Rio airport thanks to fewer flights amid pandemic
Sea turtles have been spotted swimming amid garbage next to an airport in Brazil’s tourist hotspot of Rio de Janeiro, as the scream of jet engines that would normally keep them away has been largely silenced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Migrants stuck on merchant ship disembark in Libya: IOM
At least 90 migrants who were returned to Libya after being rescued at sea while attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe were disembarking in Misrata on Wednesday after spending two nights on board, the U.N. migration agency said.
Venezuela readies fuel distribution as fourth Iranian tanker enters Caribbean
Venezuela has begun preparations to distribute fuel imported from Iran among desperate citizens as the fourth cargo of a five-tanker flotilla was crossing the Caribbean on Wednesday, according to Refinitiv Eikon and a government official.
Huawei CFO Meng loses key court fight against extradition to United States
Huawei Technologies Co’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was dealt a setback by a Canadian court on Wednesday as she tries to avoid extradition to the United States to face bank fraud charges, dashing hopes for an end to her 18-month house arrest …
Burkina prosecutor says cause of death of 12 detainees unclear
A Burkina Faso prosecutor said on Wednesday that a preliminary probe could not determine what caused the death of 12 people in detention cells hours after they were arrested, a decision advocacy group Human Rights Watch says could signal a cover-up.
Total number of coronavirus cases in Gulf Arab states surpasses 200,000: Reuters tally
The number of coronavirus cases in the six Gulf Arab states doubled in less than a month to surpass 200,000 on Wednesday, according to a Reuters’ tally, at a time the region’s two biggest economies move to resume activity.
