WORLD
N.Korea slams Pelosi's visit to truce village
In a statement, Jo Yong-sam, director general of the Foreign Ministry's press and information department, also criticized Pelosi for talking about "strong and expanded deterrent" against threats from North Korea during her trip to South Korea earlier this week, reports Yonhap News Agency. She made a two-day visit here from Wednesday following a trip to Taiwan. She had talks with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and a phone call with President Yoon Suk-yeol.
China halts co-operation with US on key issues
In a statement on Friday, the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said that dialogue between American and Chinese defence officials would be cancelled, while co-operation on returning illegal immigrants, climate change, and investigating international crime would be suspended, reports the BBC. According to the Ministry, the decision was taken because Pelosi visited Taiwan "in disregard of China's strong opposition and serious representations".
US conspiracy theorist hit with $45.2mn in punitive damages over school shooting claim
The InfoWars host, who was deemed culpable by reason of default after refusing to provide court-ordered records, admitted in testimony earlier this week that the killing of 20 children and six educators at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012 was in fact "100 per cent" real, reports dpa news agency. They had asked for $150 million initially, which their counsel argued was still the amount Jones should pay it total. Jurors were asked that "they don't reward" Jones for pushing disinformation.
River Thames' source moves 8km downstream for 1st time in history
While parts of the riverbed in Gloucestershire regularly dry out during the summer, experts said it was a worrying sign of the impact of the climate crisis to see the Thames begin flowing so far downstream, reports dpa news agency. It comes after weeks of dry spells, and temperatures reaching in excess of 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the UK last month. Christine Colvin, advocacy and engagement director of the Rivers Trust, said: "What we're seeing at the source of the iconic River Thames is sadly emblematic of the situation we're facing across the country, now and in future.
Russia expels 14 Bulgarian diplomats in tit-for-tat response
The Bulgarian ambassador had been called in, "when a ministerial note was handed over in which 14 staff members of the Bulgarian diplomatic and consular service in Russia were declared personae non gratae", dpa news agency quoted the Ministry as saying on Friday. Moscow made clear that the move was in reaction to Bulgaria's expulsion at the start of July of 70 Russian diplomats and the closing of the Russian consulate in Ruse near Bulgaria's northern border with Romania.
Chinese fighter jets, warships rattle Taiwan as drills continue
Multiple Chinese aircraft and vessels crossed the unofficial, but so far mostly respected, centre line in the 130-km-wide Taiwan Strait separating the island from the mainland, reports dpa news agency. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Jason Wu tweeted his condemnation of what he termed a "dangerous escalation of the military threat" that was "wrecking peace & stability in the region & must be condemned". As part of its military exercises, the PLA also launched 11 ballistic missiles in Taiwan's direction, one of which flew directly over the island and passed close to the capital Taipei for the first time, according to reports.
California hits grim milestone of 10 mn confirmed Covid cases
The Golden State, home to around 40 million residents, reported a total of 10,024,326 coronavirus infections to date, along with 93,056 related deaths, the California Department of Public Health was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency. There are 4,435 people with Covid-19 currently hospitalised in the state, with 505 in intensive care units, said the department in a Friday update. Around 79.9 per cent of people in the state have been vaccinated with at least one Covid-19 dose, the update showed.
Russia using nuclear plant as cover to launch rocket attacks
Russia controls the Zaporizhzhia plant and surrounding areas, close to Ukrainian-held territory. Western officials have sounded the alarm about Russia's tactics there, BBC reported. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant lies in the south-east of Ukraine along the eastern bank of the Dnipro river. It is currently still being operated by Ukrainian employees under Russian supervision. It consists of six pressurised water reactors and stores radioactive waste.
Ukraine intel claims Putin using body double, points to his changing ears
Putin's (69) health has been the topic of fierce discussion among commentators, Daily Mail reported. His close ally Nikolai Patrushev is said to have stood in for the president during his medical appointments, the report said. This week, Ukraine's Major General Kyrylo Budanov appeared on TV to claim to viewers that Putin's height and ears have changed in recent appearances, The Sun reported.
'Russian action jeopardising Ukrainian nuclear power plant'
"Following five months of occupation, Russia's intentions regarding the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant remain unclear," dpa news agency quoted the Ministry as saying. "However, the actions they have undertaken at the facility have likely undermined the security and safety of the plant's normal operations." Russian forces had used artillery units based in areas near the power station to target Ukrainian territory on the west bank of the Dnipro river, the report said.
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