WORLD
2 US firefighters killed while battling wildfire
The firefighters were killed on Saturday in a plane crash while conducting aerial reconnaissance over the fire near the Prescott National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said in a statement. The fire, which broke out on July 3, forced more evacuations from many small towns in California's Lassen County, Plumas County and Nevada's Washoe County.
'Regional stakeholders expect responsible US drawdown from Afghanistan'
The US army is in the process of leaving Afghanistan and the withdrawal is expected to be completed by August 31, following which all regional stakeholders have to sit together and find a solution to the Afghan issue in consultation with the Afghan leadership, he added.
G20 FMs agree to go ahead with global tax reform
After a two-day meeting in Venice, the Ministers and central bank governors on Saturday reaffirmed the common will to reform the international business tax system, reports Xinhua news agency. In the final communique, they wrote that they achieved "a historic agreement on a more stable and fairer international tax architecture" after several years of talks and building on the progress made last year.
Pak tries to gain sympathy by playing victim card in Afghan melee
Internal communication within Pakistan government circles is to play on this narrative as aggressively as possible and try and gain sympathy from the global community. The objective is to gain ingress into the larger civilised world and be accepted as a nation that is striving to keep the world safe. They would thus draw in economic aid, long-term financial aid, get off FATF, establish closer association with the EU and US.
Branson-Bezos space tourism race begins, world on the edge
If successful, the mission, called Branson-Bezos space tourism, will mark Virgin Galactic's fourth flight to space carrying humans, with its largest crew yet. Four people, including Branson, will test the astronaut cabin experience with two pilots in the cockpit. After Branson, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos is expected to take off in his own space tourism Blue Origin rocket on July 20.
Global Covid-19 caseload tops 186 mn
In its latest update on Sunday 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 186,393,041, 4,024,591 and 3,413,396,451, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,847,474 and 607,135.
35 people killed in gunmen attack in Nigeria
Mohammed Shehu, the police spokesperson in Zamfara, told Xinhua on phone that the gunmen in large numbers invaded five villages in Maradun local government area on Thursday, shooting sporadically at the unsuspecting residents while destroying houses and properties. "Thirty five people were killed by the bandits," Shehu said. He said police are currently in pursuit of the gunmen.
China pulls out citizens from Afghanistan as first step of a long game
Chinese state media reported that on Friday, China had sent a special Xiamen Air flight to Kabul, ahead of the rapid withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the country, after a two decade long turbulent stay. While the withdrawal of nationals appears to be part of a security protocol, it does not signal that China is inclined to lower its engagement with Afghanistan'a country that has a prized strategic location.
Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden discuss cybersecurity, Syria
In the telephonic conversation on Friday, the two leaders agreed to continue their constructive cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying. Putin noted that despite Russia's willingness to cooperate on cybercrime suppression with the US, the Russian side has not received requests on this matter, according to the statement.
Palestinian protesters injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers
The clashes broke out on Friday near the village of Beita, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, reports Xinhua news agency. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protesters, who threw stones at the soldiers, waved Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Israel slogans, said the witnesses.
Don't Miss
Advertisement