WORLD

Global Covid-19 caseload tops 185.5 mn
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In its latest update on Friday 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 185,500,538, 4,009,084 and 3,351,337,474, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,790,136 and 606,468, respectively.
US military mission in Afghanistan to end on Aug 31: Joe Biden
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Biden in April ordered all US troops to leave Afghanistan before September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that drew the US into its longest war. In defending the withdrawal, he noted that the US military had achieved its counter-terrorism objectives in the 20-year war. Biden reaffirmed that the US will continue providing support to the Afghan government.
Japan places capital Tokyo under 4th Covid state of emergency
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The government announced on Thursday that the emergency will be effective from July 12 to August 22, which may cause the Summer Olympic Games to be held without spectators at venues in the capital. Japan has so far reported 811,712 coronavirus cases, with 14,897 deaths. At least 37,214,200 vaccine doses against Covid-19 have been administered in the country till date.
Joe Biden cancels Trump proposal to time-limit student visas
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the decision on Tuesday and said that it would also drop the proposed limits on visa for journalists. The DHS said that it had received about 32,000 public comments, of which 99 per cent were critical of the proposal made by the Trump administration last September and, therefore, it was withdrawing the proposed changes.
UK court denies Pak right to challenge jurisdiction in Reko Diq case
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Judge Robin Khowles of the High Court of Justice, who was hearing the case 'Province of Balochistan vs Tethyan Copper Company' (TCC), rejected Balochistan's position. Balochistan, referring to a Supreme Court decision, contended that the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal lacked jurisdiction in the Reko Diq case as the underlying agreement was void due to corruption.
Ex-S.African president Zuma hands himself over to police
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South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma was admitted to Estcourt Correctional Centre in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday, the BBC reported. Police had warned that they were prepared to arrest him if he did not hand himself in by midnight. Zuma, 79, was handed the jail term last week after he failed to attend a corruption inquiry.
WATCH | Massive blast at Dubai port, no casualties reported
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According to initial reports, there was, however, no loss of lives. The explosion took place on a small ship at Jebel Ali Port. Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri said: "The fire in Jebel Ali Port broke out on board a small-sized container ship. No casualties were reported."
Donald Trump sues social media firms with 'little legal substance'
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Trump has filed proposed class-action lawsuits against the companies as well as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. The lawsuits come six months after Trump was permanently or temporarily suspended from the three platforms. At a press conference on Wednesday, Trump referred to the cases as "a very important game-changer for our country."
Police gun down 4 after Haiti president assassinated
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Two others have been detained, while officers are still in combat with some remaining suspects in Haiti capital Port-au-Prince, the BBC reported citing officials. "They will be killed or captured," police chief Leon Charles said. Moise, 53, was fatally shot and his wife was injured when attackers stormed their home early on Wednesday.
Isaac Herzog sworn in as Israel's president
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Herzog, 60, took his oath on Wednesday before the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and became Israel's 11th president, Xinhua reported. In his first speech as president, Herzog vowed to serve the entire citizens of Israel. He said there is a need for a more moderate tone in Israeli politics and to stop the incitement that divides and polarizes Israeli society.
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