malaysia, which provide the first electoral test for the coalition led by the prime minister, ibrahim anwarf the country. mr anwar took office after an inconclusive general election in november. the number of weekly return flights between the united states and china is to double by the end of october, as covid pandemic limits are slowly lifted. each country will allow 2a flights. the total is still far lower than before the pandemic. a planned meeting called by the west african bloc of leaders, ecowas, to discuss the coup in niger has been postponed at short notice, with no reason given. it was due to take place on saturday. international partners have cut aid and some have imposed sanctions to try to convince the army to step down. but the coup—leaders appear to have popular support, because they oppose the influence of france, niger's former colonial ruler. some are calling for closer ties with russia instead. 0ur africa correspondent catherine byaru hanga sent this report. the fallout from niger's coup is starting to bite. sanctions have cut off imports, causing the prices of popular sta