Foreign News
UN Scribe Warns Against Empty Speeches at 2019 General Assembly

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has ruled out “technocratic discussions or fancy speeches” during the high-level week of the organisation, beginning on Monday.
Guterres told newsmen in New York on Wednesday, that he had emphasised to world leaders attending the event to focus on practical solutions to challenges facing the world.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UN Chief spoke at a news conference to mark the opening of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly.
Noting that the world was “losing the race against climate change”, and off track in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said there was no more time to delay on remedial action.
He said the High-Level Week was an “excellent opportunity” to showcase the UN as a centre for solutions and the driver of a meaningful, positive change in people’s lives.
“Our world is in critical moment on several fronts: the climate emergency, rising inequality and increasing hatred and intolerance as well as an alarming number of peace and security challenges.
“Tensions are rising everywhere. As I often said, there is no doubt that our frail world needs international cooperation more than ever.
“But simply saying that it will not make it happen. The biggest challenge that leaders and institutions face is to show people we care, and to mobilise solutions that reposed to people’s anxiety with answers
“The upcoming High-Level Week is designed to do precisely that. There will be dozens of summits, meetings and side events.
“But I can distill the significance of all these discussions into two words: ambition and action, and there is no time to lose”,he said.
The UN Chief noted that with the high number of world leaders attending the High-Level Week, there was a chance to advance diplomacy for peace.
Guterres said that he had made it clear to world leaders attending the event to focus on action plans for sustainable and inclusive development. (NAN)
Foreign News
China to Eliminate Tariffs on Imports from African Countries

China has announced the full removal of tariffs on imports from all African countries, ENA, a partner of TV BRICS, has reported.
The tariff elimination falls under the new China-Africa Economic Partnership for Shared Development, a framework designed to accelerate Africa’s integration into global trade by increasing market access, improving customs procedures, and strengthening institutional trade capacity.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by Beijing to support industrialisation, diversify imports, and reinforce economic links with African states beyond raw materials.
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s readiness to welcome all African exports under zero-tariff treatment.
He emphasised that the new arrangement would be accompanied by enhanced cooperation in customs, quarantine, logistics, and capacity building.
China also pledged to support training programmes and expand the visibility of high-quality African goods in the Chinese market.
In 2024, China–Africa trade reached nearly 300 billion dollars, consolidating China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner.
Observers note that the new tariff policy may further strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area by encouraging intra-African production and export diversification.
The strategic shift is expected to unlock new opportunities for value-added goods and services from across the continent, reinforcing Africa’s role in global supply chains. (TV BRICS/NAN)
CRIME
Man in Germany Charged with Serial Rape After Drugging Victims

German prosecutors on Tuesday have charged a 43-year-old Chinese national with 22 offences, including attempted murder and aggravated rape after drugging victims, in some cases involving women he knew.
The accused, who was not identified, is suspected of sedating women with sleeping pills and raping them in eight cases.
Prosecutors in Frankfurt said some victims knew the defendant and were unaware of what was happening.
In four cases, the man is suspected of overpowering, anaesthetising and raping the victims during property viewings and of videoing or photographing the acts.
In seven cases, the drug dose was so high it may have endangered victims’ lives, prosecutors said in a statement.
The accused is alleged to have been a member of the Telegram online platform for several years, where he exchanged information about how to sexually assault unconscious women.
He is also believed to have illegally sold sedatives to other chat participants, prosecutors said.
The man from Offenbach, near Frankfurt, is believed to have committed the offences between January 2020 and November 2024, and has been in custody since November 2024, prosecutors said.
The charges follow the high-profile case of Dominique Pelicot in France, convicted in December of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife for almost a decade and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her unconscious body. (Reuters/NAN)
Foreign News
Man Bites Off Part of Another Man’s Ear On Train

A fight on a German train saw a man bite off a piece of another man’s ear, police said on Monday.
The incident occurred on a Deutsche Bahn train between the south-western cities of Mannheim and Stuttgart.
An argument broke out after an unknown man accused a 43-year-old man of looking at his partner.
The former bit the ear of the 43-year-old, who retaliated by biting the man’s finger.
According to police, the unidentified man and his companion were able to leave the train at the central station in Stuttgart and fled.
Police said that they are searching for the man’s identity.
The 43-year-old was taken to the hospital, where the piece of his ear was sewn back on.
(dpa/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)