WORLD
43-mn-yr-old whale named after Ancient Egyptian god
It is believed to be the first time in history that an Arab-Egyptian team has documented a new species of whales, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Wednesday. With a length of 3 metres and weight of 600 kg, the whale was able to walk on land and swim in water like crocodiles and small mammals, the statement added.
California secures disaster declaration as wildfires spread
"California is grateful for President Biden's swift approval of our request and the ongoing work of our heroic firefighters and emergency responders to protect communities across Northern California," state Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. He noting that the declaration makes vital resources available as the state continue to work in lockstep with local and federal partners to meet the challenge of these catastrophic wildfires and support communities in recovery, reports Xinhua news agency.
Raisi pledges 'serious openings' for Iran
"Serious openings are underway and we will see a change in people's lives, and this is possible and achievable," Raisi said, adding they will hold the first meeting of the government on Thursday. "Due to the conditions of the country over Covid-19 (resurgence) and economic difficulties in the living conditions of people, it was necessary for the government to be formed immediately in order to reduce the problems and change the conditions in favour of the people," he said.
Taliban's takeover of Kabul sooner than expected: Danish intel
"It was not a surprise that Kabul fell, but we did not consider the speed at which it happened to be probable. We made our assessments on the intelligence basis, but it has turned out that our assessment was simply too optimistic," Xinhua news agency quoted Svend Larsen, acting head of the FE, as saying in a statement issued on Wednesday.
IS in Afghanistan giving nightmares to biggest military power in world
Speaking on the ongoing evacuation efforts in Kabul, US President Joe Biden said that he is mindful of the "increasing risks" and "real and significant challenges" that he has been briefed on and need to take into consideration while executing the largest airlift in US history. The world's most powerful country saying that the "threat from ISIS-K is real" will however not take people who have followed the rise of IS-KP in Afghanistan by surprise.
War-torn Afghanistan poses hidden challenge to Taliban - acute food crisis amid droughts
According to the UN World Food Programme, 14 million people in Afghanistan - 35 per cent of the total population -- are food insecure. The worst impacted are the children. "Millions of Afghans are struggling to put food on the table as prolonged drought disrupts supplies in a country reeling from a surge in violence as US-led foreign troops complete their withdrawal," a Reuters report said. After the 2018 drought that caused serious damages in Afghanistan, the agriculture sector was gradually coming to life.
US tech fraud: 1 Indian-origin entrepreneur sentenced, another arrested
Manish Lachwani, the co-founder of Headspin, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with securities fraud, Stephanie Hinds, the acting federal prosecutor in San Francisco announced on Wednesday.Prosecutors alleged that he exaggerated the company's revenues while it was seeking investments in the startup when he served as its CEO.
Afghanistan: Foreign aid and drugs
Most significantly, people are increasingly getting concerned about the manner in which the government would function, especially financial institutions and their linkages with trade and economy. This situation is a matter of concern for the Taliban leadership as short financial infusion in the form of aid and assistance from China or even the UAE and Saudi Arabia will not be enough to reign in the disarray.
Afghanistan's fall spells trouble for China's Belt and Road Initiative
Many countries have made key investments in Afghanistan, and China being a large stakeholder in the country is now actively evaluating its response as it seeks to protect its multi-billion dollar investments and infrastructure projects, including the Belt and Road initiative. Despite facing global condemnation of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, China was one of the first nations to quickly extend its support and acknowledgment of the new regime, which the Taliban has graciously welcomed.
UK records another 35,847 coronavirus cases
The country also reported another 149 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 132,003. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. The latest data came as new research has found protection from two doses of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines begins to wane within six months.
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