WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The International Monetary Fund on Monday announced immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic. “This provides grants to our poorest and most vulnerable members to cover their IMF debt obligations for an initial phase over the next six months and will help them channel more of their scarce financial resources towards vital emergency medical and other relief efforts,” IMF […]
Tag: country
And the world’s happiest country is… Norway
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — A chilly climate isn’t keeping Norway from basking in the glow of being named the world’s happiest country on Monday. The Scandinavian country surged from fourth place in last year’s UN assessment all the way to the top spot, according to the World Happiness Report 2017. Other top countries on the list included Nordic neighbors Denmark and Iceland, as well as Switzerland. Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, who is […]
S. Korea’s Park urges preparations for mass North defections
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Tuesday told her government to prepare for large-scale defections from North Korea, just days after direct appealing to its citizens to flee their country. A recent spate of high-profile North Korean defections have provided a propaganda windfall for Seoul, which has spun them into a narrative of a Pyongyang leadership in crisis and riven with descent. Notable defections have included the North’s deputy ambassador […]
Michelle Obama in Morocco to launch girls’ fund
MARRAKECH, Morocco (AFP) — US First Lady Michelle Obama launched a $100 million aid package in Morocco Tuesday to promote the education of girls in a country where half of females over 15 are illiterate. Visiting Marakech with actresses Meryl Streep and Frieda Pinto of the “Slumdog Millionaire” film, she told girls in attendance she wanted them to be part of a global conversation on female education. “We want to share this conversation with young […]
British press divided over ‘earthquake’ EU vote
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Reflecting the divided nature of the country, Britain’s newspapers were Saturday polarized over the “Brexit earthquake”, some calling it the “birth of a new Britain,” others asking “what the hell happens now?” “Take a bow, Britain!”, high-selling eurosceptic title the Daily Mail splashed across its front page. “It was the day the quiet people of Britain rose up against an arrogant, out-of-touch political class and a contemptuous Brussels elite,” it […]
Winners and losers from Britain’s EU vote
by Alice RITCHIE LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Here are the winners and losers from Britain’s EU membership referendum, after the country voted to leave the 28-member alliance, according to national media forecasts Friday: Losers – DAVID CAMERON There was widespread agreement among experts before the referendum that the prime minister, who put his integrity on the line for a “Remain” vote, could not survive losing. He promised to call the vote in 2013 on […]
PNG leader O’Neill tackles corruption, unrest
by Martin PARRY SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, whose police opened fire on demonstrating students this week, has been grappling with a developing country once labelled “a dysfunctional blob” ever since he grabbed power in a messy struggle five years ago. One of his first acts after being sworn in as leader in 2012 was to form an anti-corruption task force to win the confidence of potential foreign investors, […]





