WORLD
NOAA awards $7.3mn for marine debris removal
With the addition of non-federal matching contributions, the total investment in these marine debris projects, announced on Thursday, is approximately $14.7 million. The grants, selected after a rigorous and competitive review process, are spread across 14 states and territories, as well as eight international regions. "Marine debris harms our coastal communities every day," said Nicole LeBoeuf, director of NOAA's National Ocean Service.
Quest to discover Antarctica's oldest ice
The Center for Oldest Ice Exploration, or COLDEX, will be created under a five-year, $25 million Science and Technology Center award announced on Thursday. The center will bring together experts from across the US to generate knowledge about earth's climate system and share this knowledge to advance efforts to address climate change and its impacts.
US initial jobless claims hit new low
In the week ending September 4, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased by 35,000 from the previous week's upwardly revised level of 345,000, according to a report released on Thursday by the Department's Bureau of Labour Statistics. The latest figure marked the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it was 256,000, reports Xinhua news agency.
83 heads of state expected to attend 76th session of UNGA
"To date, the heads of 83 states have personally announced their intention to attend, 26 have applied for a recorded performance," Bozkir said on Thursday while addressing his final press conference in his capacity as the UNGA President. Those who will participate in person include one Vice President, 43 heads of government, three Deputy Prime Ministers and 23 Foreign Ministers, Bozkir added.
UN Women chief asks Taliban to respect rights of Afghan women
"Women have a right to peaceful protest and to a life free of violence. In taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban authorities assume a duty to respect and protect these rights," Xinhua news agency quoted Pramila Patten, officer-in-charge of UN Women, as saying.
Putin attributes Afghan crisis to imposition of foreign values
Addressing the 13th BRICS summit via video link, Putin pointed out foreign countries' desire to "build so-called democratic structures by socio-political engineering" without taking into account the local people's historical and national characteristics as well as their traditions, the Xinhua news agency reported.
India demands Taliban keep commitment to not harbour terrorists
Citing last month's "deplorable" attack on the Kabul Airport that killed 13 American soldiers and more than 170 Afghans, India's Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti said on Thursday that "terrorism continues to pose a serious threat to Afghanistan".
Sanctions on Haqqani violation of pact by US: Taliban
According to a statement issued by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Washington's position on continued sanctions is in violation of the Doha agreement signed between the two parties in February last year, Ariana News reported. According to a statement issued by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Washington's position on continued sanctions is in violation of the Doha agreement signed between the two parties in February last year, Ariana News reported.
Afghan political parties say new govt 'sign of hegemony and monopoly'
Jamiat-e-Islami Party, led by Salahuddin Rabbani, said in a statement that the cabinet is unbalanced. The statement said, "The announcement of the government showed that the Taliban are more monopolist and extremist in politics and power than the previous imposed leaders." Meanwhile, Atta Mohammad Noor, the head of the splinter faction of Jamiat-e-Islami Party, also criticised the new cabinet, Tolo News reported.
China's complex role in Myanmar draws anxiety from Myanmar govt
China finds itself in an advantageous position given the geo-political matrix that prevails along the China Myanmar border and Chinese links with various Myanmar-based insurgent organisations. The China-Myanmar border remains critical for China per se mainly because of the presence of ethnic groups along both sides of the border with strong common identities. For instance, the Kachins in Myanmar and Jinphos in China are of the same ethnic stock while the Wa are found on both sides of the border.
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