WORLD
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 186 mn
In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and the total number of vaccine doses administered stood at 186,393,041, 4,024,591 and 3,413,396,451, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,847,474 and 607,135.
35 people killed in gunmen attack in Nigeria
Mohammed Shehu, the police spokesperson in Zamfara, told Xinhua on phone that the gunmen in large numbers invaded five villages in Maradun local government area on Thursday, shooting sporadically at the unsuspecting residents while destroying houses and properties. "Thirty five people were killed by the bandits," Shehu said. He said police are currently in pursuit of the gunmen.
China pulls out citizens from Afghanistan as first step of a long game
Chinese state media reported that on Friday, China had sent a special Xiamen Air flight to Kabul, ahead of the rapid withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the country, after a two decade long turbulent stay. While the withdrawal of nationals appears to be part of a security protocol, it does not signal that China is inclined to lower its engagement with Afghanistan'a country that has a prized strategic location.
Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden discuss cybersecurity, Syria
In the telephonic conversation on Friday, the two leaders agreed to continue their constructive cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. Putin noted that despite Russia's willingness to cooperate on cybercrime suppression with the US, the Russian side has not received requests on this matter, according to the statement.
Palestinian protesters injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers
The clashes broke out on Friday near the village of Beita, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, reports Xinhua news agency. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters, who threw stones at the soldiers, waved Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Israel slogans, said the witnesses.
'Peace and security' in Iran-Afghan border after Taliban takes over crossings
"There is no insecurity on our border with Afghanistan," Xinhua news agency quoted Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as saying on Friday. On Thursday, Taliban militants claimed to have captured the customs offices of Islam Qala and Abu Nasr Farahi in the Afghanistan-Iran border.
Branson-Bezos space tourism rivalry gets nastier before flight
While billionaire Branson is set to fly to space aboard his Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spaceplane on July 11, Amazon Founder Bezos is expected to take off in his own space tourism rocket on July 20. Blue Origin tweeted a chart on Friday, two days before Branson's flight, comparing Virgin Galactic's spaceplane to Blue Origin's New Shepard on window size, vehicle type, escape system, and other factors.
Pfizer vaccine booster plan sparks controversy in US
Pfizer and its partner German firm BioNTech announced on Thursday that they were planning to seek approval for the booster shot within weeks, predicting that people would require a vaccine boost six to 12 months after being fully immunised, reports Xinhua news agency. The two companies said they have seen encouraging data in the ongoing trial of the third dose of its current Covid-19 vaccine.
Russian, US envoys see Syria deal as 'important moment' for ties
The Security Council on Friday unanimously adopted a Resolution on the re-authorisation of the cross-border aid mechanism for Syrians after Russia and the US reached a compromise in last-minute talks, reports Xinhua news agency. By Thursday, the Security Council was set to vote on two competing draft resolutions: one tabled by Ireland and Norway, the co-penholders of the issue, and the other tabled by Russia.
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 185.9 mn
In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University's CSSE revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and the total number of vaccine doses administered stood at 185,972,770, 4,017,196 and 3,387,882,504, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,813,430 and 606,815, respectively, according to the CSSE.
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