China ready to launch first crew to new space station

BEIJING, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The first crew for China’s new space station prepared to blast off this week for the latest step in Beijing’s ambitious programme to establish itself as a space power. The mission is China’s first crewed spaceflight in nearly five years, and a matter of prestige…

Nicaragua defends arrests of opposition presidential hopefuls; describing them as US-funded ‘usurpers’

MANAGUA, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Nicaragua’s government defended the arrests of 13 opposition figures, including four presidential hopefuls, claiming they are “usurpers” funded by the United States to topple President Daniel Ortega. Five more opposition figures were detained on Sunday, including four from the Unamos opposition party. The government said…

UN rights chief urges ‘calm’ as Peru awaits vote result

LIMA, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet expressed concern Monday over rising tension in Peru eight days after presidential elections that have yet to yield a result, and urged all parties to “remain calm.” Rightist candidate Keiko Fujimori, 46, has challenged the validity of tens of thousands…

Covid-19: India records 60,471 new cases

NEW DELHI, June 15 (NNN-PTI) — India saw a single day rise of 60,471 new coronavirus infections, the lowest after 75 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 29,570,881, while the daily positivity rate declined to 3.45 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on…

Covid-19: Chinese scientist at centre of virus controversy denies lab leak theory

WASHINGTON, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Chinese scientist at the centre of theories that the coronavirus pandemic originated with a leak from her specialised lab in the city of Wuhan has denied her institution was to blame for the health disaster. “How on earth can I offer up evidence for…

Japan’s opposition parties file no-confidence motion against Suga’s Cabinet

TOKYO, June 15 (NNN-Xinhua) — The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) and three other opposition parties on Tuesday jointly filed a vote of no confidence in Japanese Prime Minster Yoshihide Suga’s Cabinet. The motion was filed after the ruling coalition turned down the opposition camp’s request for…

Erdogan, Biden hold first face-to-face meeting on sidelines of NATO summit

BRUSSELS, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described their first face-to-face talks as heads of state as “productive” but did not announce any major breakthroughs in the relationship between the two countries.  Biden told reporters after the meeting Monday on the sidelines…

Ethiopia’s Abiy vows to hold a ‘peaceful, democratic’ election

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed ADDIS ABABA, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says the government wants a “peaceful, democratic” election and urges for unity during the inauguration of the rebuilt Meskel Square ahead of the country’s approaching election.The reputation of the Nobel Peace Prize winner has…

Mali’s new prime minister sets priorities towards civilian rule in 2022

© Malian transitional president Assimi Goita (R) meets with Choguel Kokalla Maiga BAMAKO, June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali’s new transitional prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga set an ambitious roadmap towards a return to civilian power in February 2022.The new transitional prime minister in Mali, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, assembled his government…

Junta trial of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi gets underway

NAYPYIDAW (Myanmar), June 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The trial of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi got underway Monday, more than four months after a military coup, with junta witnesses testifying the Nobel laureate flouted coronavirus restrictions and illegally imported walkie-talkies. Near daily protests have rocked Myanmar since the generals’…