The World Trade Organization’s bid to select a new leader was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday after the United States rejected the Nigerian woman proposed as the global trade watchdog’s next director-general.Washington has already paralysed the WTO’s role as global arbiter on trade by blocking appointments to its appeals panel.The WTO itself has called a meeting for Nov. 9, less than a week after the presidential election, by which time it hopes to have secured full backing for Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The World Trade Organization's bid to select a new leader was plunged into uncertainty on Wednesday.

Eni’s balance sheet remains strong with plenty of headroom to defend shareholder returns should the coronavirus crisis persist, the Italian energy group said on Wednesday after swinging to a third-quarter net loss.The company booked an adjusted net loss of 0.15 billion euros ($177 million), down from a 0.78 billion euro profit a year ago as the pandemic saps demand.In July Eni cut its dividend and announced further spending cuts after slumping into the red in what it described as the oil and gas industry’s worst-ever quarter.

Eni booked an adjusted net loss of 0.15 billion euros ($177 million), down from a 0.78 billion euro profit a…