WORLD
Scientists warn G7 economic costs of breaching 1.5-degree mark
As the leaders of seven of the world's wealthiest nations meet in Cornwall,UK, for the G7 summit, the scientists have launched a 1.5 Degree Charter to highlight how breaching the target outlined in the Paris Agreement will cost far more than paying poorer nations to help global efforts to reach it. It is hoped governments, businesses and the public will get behind the Charter to influence the conversation on climate finance.
Jimmy Lai appears in Hong Kong court again for illegal assembly
The 73-year-old Jimmy Lai, who is already in jail for other alleged offences, is accused of inciting others to participate in the unauthorised assembly in Victoria Park last year, Xinhua news agency reported. The 20 defendants appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Friday. While two of the defendants prepared to confess, eight others pleaded not guilty and the rest 10, including Lai, were yet to decide.
Biden to host Merkel in White House on July 15
US President Joe Biden will host German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on July 15, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. "Chancellor Merkel's visit will affirm the deep bilateral ties between the US and Germany," Psaki said in a statement on Friday.
US state Illinois fully reopens
By fully reopening, it means going outside without a mask or gathering in small groups with other vaccinated friends, increasing social interactions and dropping restrictions incrementally, reports Xinhua news agency. While some people are hailing a return to near-normalcy and planning various celebrations, some others express the concern that Covid-19 safety measures might be dropping too quickly, Chicago Tribune reported on Friday.
Masks no longer required in US Senate for vaccinated people
The Capitol Hill complex is now at 85 per cent vaccination rate, Xinhua news agency quoted the CNN report as saying on Friday. "The guideline document reflects that fully vaccinated individuals may discontinue mask wear and 6-foot social distance separations in most situations consistent with the CDC revision regarding fully vaccinated individuals of May 13, 2021," said a statement from the office of the Attending Physician, Brian Monahan.
111 militants killed in 24 hrs in Afghanistan
At least 111 Taliban militants were killed in the last 24 hours across Afghanistan, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement. The forces also detected and foiled 12 explosive devices in different parts of the country, the statement added.
China's Mars rover sends 1st selfie, 'touring' group photos
The first batch of scientific images of the rover, the panoramic view of the landing site, the topography of Mars were released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday, calling it "tour group photos".
Indonesia's Mt. Merapi spews hot clouds up to 2 km
The first hot clouds were erupted at 8.11 a.m. on Friday to as high as 2,000 metres for 167 seconds and the next hot clouds were flowing at 8.18 a.m. to 1,500 metres high for 99 seconds, reports Xinhua news agency.
Indian-origin journalist wins Pulitzer for exposing China's Muslim detention camps
The award in the international reporting category that she shared with two colleagues from an internet media, BuzzFeed News, was announced on Friday by the Pulitzer Board. Megha Rajagopalan has won the US' top journalism award, the Pulitzer Prize, for innovative investigative reports harnessing satellite technology that exposed China's mass detention camps for Muslim Uighurs and other minority ethnicites.
Italy suspends AstraZeneca vaccine for under-60s
Italy on Friday suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for people under 60 years old. The move came after an 18-year-old woman died of a blood clot Thursday after receiving an initial dose of AstraZeneca on May 25, Xinhua reported.
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