WORLD
Death toll rises to 58 in China's rain-ravaged Henan
While five persons were still reported to be missing, more than 9.3 million people across the province have been affected and over 1.1 million local residents were forced to relocate to safer places. Li Changxun, deputy director of the provincial emergency management department, said on Saturday, torrential rains continued to lash areas in the cities of Luoyang, Pingdingshan, Shangqiu, Kaifeng and Hebi.
Curfew imposed in Afghanistan as Taliban militants advance
Aside from the capital Kabul and two other provinces, no movement will be allowed between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces has escalated over the past two months as international troops withdraw from the country, the BBC reported. The militant group is estimated to have captured up to half of all territory.
As Blinken heads to India, his deputy to 'represent US, allies interests' in China talks
"The deputy secretary is going to represent the US interests and values and those of our allies and partners. We're going to do it honestly and directly," a senior official said on Saturday. Blinken, who will be on his way to India on Monday, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday when China is expected to figure in their talks.
Quetta is base for insurgency: French Ambassador to Kabul
"The base for insurgency is in Quetta, everyone knows that and that is a fact that cannot be discussed," he told The Kabul Times, in response to a question on Pakistani support to Taliban insurgency, adding that the Taliban is seeking absolute power in the country. The French ambassador said: "Taliban want to control the country and they want to cease power; it is not about prisoners.
Al-Qaeda operates under Taliban protection: UN report
The report by the UN Security Council, published on Thursday, said that despite territorial, leadership, manpower and financial losses during 2020 in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces, Daesh's Khorasan branch, or ISIL-K, has moved into other provinces of Afghanistan, including Nuristan, Badghis, Sar-e-Pul, Baghlan, Badakhshan, Kunduz and Kabul, where the fighters have formed sleeper cells.
US purchased extra 200 million doses of Covid jab: Pfizer
This brings the total number of doses to be supplied by Pfizer and BioNTech to the US government under its existing supply agreement to 500 million. About 110 million of the additional doses will be delivered by December 31, 2021, while the remaining 90 million doses will be delivered by April 30, 2022, Pfizer and BioNTech announced in a statement on Friday.
33 Taliban militants killed in Afghan airstrikes
In Jawzjan province, 19 militants were killed and 15 wounded after warplanes targeted Taliban hideouts in Murghab and Hassan Tabbin villages on the outskirts of provincial capital of Shiberghan, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying. Fourteen Taliban militants lost their lives and two others wounded when the air force struck their position on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province.
Joe Biden reaffirms support for Afghanistan
According to the White, the two leaders on Friday discussed the present situation in Afghanistan and reaffirmed their commitment to an enduring bilateral partnership. "President Biden emphasized continued US support, including development and humanitarian aid, for the Afghan people, including women, girls, and minorities," it said.
'Incredible efficiency': Delta variant driving 83% of US cases
Unvaccinated people account for virtually all -- 97 per cent -- of Covid hospitalizations and deaths in the US, according to the latest White House data. Three states -- Florida, Texas, and Missouri -- account for 40 per cent of all cases nationwide. The Delta variant is spreading with "incredible efficiency" and now accounts for more than 83 per cent of the virus circulating in the United States.
China imposes sanctions on US officials, entities
The counter-sanctions have come days before US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is due to visit China, the BBC reported on Saturday. The US sanctions on Chinese officials in Hong Kong were because of their role in the security crackdown in the territory. Washington also warned its business community of the growing risks of operating in Hong Kong.
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