WORLD
Key Taliban commander among 40 dead in Afghanistan
Mawlawi Mubarak, the commander of the so-called Red Army unit of the Taliban, was killed in the air raids launched at 10.48 p.m. on Thursday night, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. Lashkar Gah has been the scene of fierce fighting over the past couple of weeks. Afghan security forces have launched a major offensive operation in the city and urged the residents to evacuate the areas under Taliban control.
WHO calls China to comply for new probe amidst US' claim Covid-19 modified at Wuhan lab
According to the new evidence, scientists at the WIV have been able to genetically modify coronaviruses without leaving a trace of that modification since 2005. Scientists at WIV successfully modified coronaviruses without leaving a trace as early as 2016 – three years prior to the outbreak. McCaul underlined it as the "greatest cover-up of all time" and has caused the deaths of more than four million people.
Biden, Harris pledge to work with Asians on immigration reforms
On Thursday, the two leaders told representatives of the Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community that they supported providing a path to citizenship for essential workers, farm labour, people from nations like Nepal and Myanmar who are given temporary protection status against deportation because of unsettled conditions in their home countries.
Biden aims to make half of new vehicles electric by 2030
"America must lead the world on clean and efficient cars and trucks. That means bolstering our domestic market by setting a goal that 50 per cent of all new passenger cars and light trucks sold in 2030 be zero-emission vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles," said the executive order signed on Thursday.
Biden, Harris commemorate 2012 gurdwara mass killing
The commemoration took place on Thursday during a meeting with representatives of the Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community during which they discussed combating hate crimes against Asians, the White House said. Six Sikhs were killed in the August 5, 2012, attack in which four people, including a police officer, were injured and one person died last year from the wounds sustained in the shooting.
No final decision on international traveller vaccination rule: White House
"That is certainly under strong consideration, but it is under a policy process review right now that I won't get ahead of myself," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a daily briefing, Xinhua news agency reported. "While there hasn't been a final decision made, how the interagency groups are looking at this is with the objective of taking steps that will return international travel at a moment when it's appropriate.
G20 ministers agree on digital working group, discuss cybersecurity
Speaking to reporters after Thursday's summit of G20 ministers, Italy's Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao said the creation of the working group was the crowning achievement of the talks, Xinhua news agency reported. Italy, which holds the 2021 G20 presidency, hosted the talks in the northeastern port city of Trieste.
Russia cites India's 'lack of influence' over Taliban for not inviting it for troika talks
Russia's Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, had made it clear on July 20 in Moscow that India cannot participate in the format of the expanded group of three because it did not have any influence on the Taliban. India has not been invited to the extended troika talks on Afghanistan convened by Russia set to be held on August 11.
Indo-Pacific nations sharpen claws against China with US weapons
Quoting from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) press release, Taiwan News said: "the US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 M109A6 Paladins, 20 M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles, one Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, five M88A2 Hercules vehicles, five M2.50 caliber machine guns, and 1,698 multi-option, precision guidance kits".
2 soldiers, 36 militants killed after attack foiled in Afghanistan
The atatck erupted as hundreds of Taliban militants armed with guns and heavy weapons, including rocket propelled grenades, attacked Sherzad district while trying to capture the suburban district in the southeast of Nangarhar, provincial government spokesman Attahullah Khogiani told Xinhua news agency. Four Afghan soldiers and 52 militants were also wounded during the fighting that had lasted for hours.
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