Taliban say Islamic system only way to peace in Afghanistan
KABUL: The Taliban said on Sunday they remain committed to peace talks but insisted a “genuine Islamic system” in Afghanistan was the only way to end the war and ensure rights — including for women. Talks between the militants and the Afghan government have been deadlocked for months and violence has surged across the country […]
Third pandemic wave arrives as Brazil surpasses 500,000 deaths
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil on Saturday became the second country after the United States to surpass 500,000 Covid-19 deaths as the South American giant grapples with a third wave of the pandemic. “500,000 lives lost due to the pandemic that affects our Brazil and the world,” Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tweeted. The Health Ministry reported […]
US entrusts Kabul airport’s security to Turkey
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a meeting this week that Turkey would take a lead role in securing Kabul airport as the United States withdraws troops from Afghanistan, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday. However, the two leaders were not able to resolve the long-standing issue […]
China launches first crew to live on new space station
Under bright blue morning skies, China launched its first crewed space mission in five years on Thursday, sending three science-minded military pilots rocketing to a new orbiting station they’re expected to reach around midafternoon. The astronauts, already wearing their spacesuits, were seen off by space officials, other uniformed military personnel and a crowd of children […]
UN readies for more displaced Afghans after troop withdrawal
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations is preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after US and international troops leave the country in September, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said on Monday. Violence has been rising as foreign forces begin withdrawing and efforts to broker a peace settlement between the Afghan government and […]
India confirms first death following Covid-19 vaccination
A government panel studying Covid-19 vaccine side effects has confirmed the first death due to anaphylaxis following vaccination. The causality assessment of 31 reported Serious Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) cases following Covid-19 vaccination was carried out by the panel. According to a report by the National AEFI Committee, a 68-year-old man died due to […]
G7 vows action on Covid vaccines, climate change
CARBIS BAY: G7 leaders on Sunday vowed to start delivering one billion doses of Covid vaccines and to step up action on climate change, in a US-led summit’s call to arms that also took on China and Russia. In a final communique issued at their first physical summit in nearly two years, the leaders of […]
US, China clash as Biden debuts at G7 meeting
BEIJING: Beijing’s top diplomat on Friday condemned Washington’s “small circle” diplomacy, state media reported, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as G7 leaders met for their first in-person summit in nearly two years. Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Communist Party’s chief diplomat, told Blinken that “genuine multilateralism is not pseudo-multilateralism based […]
China passes law to counter US, EU sanctions
BEIJING: China on Thursday passed a new law to counter foreign sanctions, as it looks to build its defences against rising US and EU pressure over trade and human rights. Beijing has accused the United States of “suppressing” Chinese firms and issued veiled threats of retaliation after President Joe Biden last week expanded a blacklist […]
Israeli air strikes kill 11 Syrian troops
DAMASCUS: Israeli air strikes in central Syria killed at least 11 government troops and militiamen late on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The strikes were the first carried out by Israel in Syria since 11 days of heavy fighting with the Hamas rulers of Gaza ended with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on May […]
