WORLD
Republican picks from panel probing US Capitol riot dropped
"Unless Speaker Pelosi reverses course and seats all five Republican nominees, Republicans will not be party to their sham process and will instead pursue our own investigation of the facts," McCarthy said in a statement issued on Wednesday. "No, you have our statement," Pelosi's spokesman Drew Hammill quickly shot down the possibility that the Speaker might withdraw her decision, reports Xinhua news agency.
US govt could breach debt limit in Oct or Nov
Currently, there is no statutory limit on the issuance of new federal debt because the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019, enacted in August 2019, suspended the limit through July 31, 2021, the CBO report released on Wednesday said. On August 1, the debt limit will be reset to the previous ceiling of $22 trillion, plus the cumulative borrowing that occurred during the period of suspension, the report said.
Oregon wildfire burns over 390K acres, 32% contained
The blaze, which erupted on July 6 due to lightning, has burnt a total of 394,407 acres after merging with the nearby Log Fire, reports Xinhua news agency. "It's shaping up to be another difficult wildfire season. And unfortunately, we're responding to new fires as we continue to recover from last year's devastating fire season," Oregon Governor Kate Brown said in a briefing.
UK to pay France $74mn to combat surge in illegal migrants
In order to stem the rising number of migrants crossing the Channel, British Home Secretary Priti Patel agreed to pay the sum as part of a deal reached with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, reports Xinhua news agency reported. The money, on top of 25 million pounds allocated last year, will pay to double the number of French patrol police to around 200 a day.
UK seeks new post-Brexit deal with EU on N.Ireland arrangements
Frost's remarks in Parliament on Wednesday came after the UK and the EU agreed to extend the grace period for another three months for chilled meat products coming from Britain to Northern Ireland. The light-touch checks under the grace period for supermarket products will expire at the end of September. The light-touch checks under the grace period for supermarket products will expire at the end of September.
Death toll from heavy rains in China reaches 25
Since July 16, over 1.24 million people in 89 counties, cities and districts have been affected by the extreme downpours and about 164,710 people have been relocated to safe places, Xinhua news agency quoted Xu Zhong, director of the office of Henan provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters, as saying to reporters on WEdnesday. The natural disaster has damaged 75,000 hectares of crops.
Covid is a test and world is failing: WHO chief
"The pandemic is a test. And the world is failing. More than 4 million people have died, and more continue to die. Already this year, the number of deaths is more than double last year's total," Ghebreyesus said. He noted that the global failure to share vaccines, tests, and treatments -- including oxygen -- is fuelling a two-track pandemic: the haves are opening up, while the have-nots are locking down.
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 191.9 mn
In its latest update on Thursday 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 191,923,269, 4,125,810 and 3,713,022,529, respectively. In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 31,216,337 cases.
US, Germany reach deal on Nord Stream 2 issue
The 1,230-km gas pipeline, expected to be completed next month, would bring 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia to Germany through the Baltic Sea, reports Xinhua news agency. A senior State Department official told reporters during a phone briefing on Wednesday that Washington and Berlin had profound differences over the Nord Stream 2.
Taliban now control about half of Afghan district centres: US Gen
"Strategic momentum appears to be sort of with the Taliban," Xinhua news agency quoted General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, as saying at a press conference at the Pentagon on Wednesday. "There's a possibility of a complete Taliban takeover, or the possibility of any number of other scenarios," Milley said.
Don't Miss
Advertisement