Category: World

Taliban enters Kabul, awaits ‘peaceful transfer’ of power

File Photo Smoke rises next to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday and said they were awaiting a “peaceful transfer” of the city after promising not to take it by force, but the uncertainty panicked residents who raced to the leave the capital, with workers fleeing government offices and helicopters landing at the… Continue reading Taliban enters Kabul, awaits ‘peaceful transfer’ of power

Taliban approach Kabul’s outskirts, attack north Afghan city

Internally displaced Afghans from northern provinces, who fled their home due to fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel, take refuge in a public park Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): The Taliban seized two more provinces on Saturday and approached the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital while also launching a multi-pronged assault on a major northern city defended by former warlords, Afghan officials said. The insurgents have captured much of northern, western and southern Afghanistan in a breakneck offensive less than three weeks… Continue reading Taliban approach Kabul’s outskirts, attack north Afghan city

Massive island forest fire in Greece burns for 7th day

Firefighters operate at Ellinika village on Evia island, about 176 kilometers (110 miles) north of Athens, Greece, Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

ATHENS, Greece (AP): Firefighters and residents battled a massive forest fire on Greece’s second-largest island for a seventh day Monday, fighting to save what they can from flames that have ravaged pristine forests, destroyed homes and businesses and sent thousands fleeing. The smoke and ash from the fire on Evia, a rugged island of forests… Continue reading Massive island forest fire in Greece burns for 7th day

Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in response to rockets

Fields burn following a hit by a rocket fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory, near the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP): Israel on Thursday escalated its response to rocket attacks this week by launching rare airstrikes on Lebanon, the army said. The army said in a statement that jets struck the launch sites from which rockets had been fired over the previous day, as well as an additional target used to attack… Continue reading Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in response to rockets

Tokyo logs record 5,042 cases as infections surge amid Games

People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk under a water mist in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

TOKYO (AP): Tokyo reported 5,042 new daily coronavirus cases on Thursday, hitting a record since the pandemic began as the infections surge in the Japanese capital hosting the Olympics. The additional cases brought the total for Tokyo to 236,138. Nationwide, Japan reported more than 14,000 cases on Wednesday for a total of 970,000. Tokyo has… Continue reading Tokyo logs record 5,042 cases as infections surge amid Games

Israel accuses Iran over deadly oil tanker attack

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid blamed the incident on "Iranian terrorism". Photo Courtesy: EPA

BBC: Israel has accused Iran of being behind an attack on an oil tanker in which two crew members – a British national and a Romanian citizen – were killed. The MV Mercer Street, operated by the London-based company Zodiac Maritime, was off Oman’s coast in the Arabian Sea when the incident occurred on Thursday.… Continue reading Israel accuses Iran over deadly oil tanker attack

Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal workers

President Joe Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal workers in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, July 29, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

WASHINGTON (AP): President Joe Biden on Thursday announced sweeping new pandemic requirements aimed at boosting vaccination rates for millions of federal workers and contractors as he lamented the “American tragedy” of rising-yet-preventable deaths among the unvaccinated. Federal workers will be required to sign forms attesting they’ve been vaccinated against the coronavirus or else comply with… Continue reading Biden orders tough new vaccination rules for federal workers

Europe on vacation, but vaccinations not taking a break

Camper vans are parked outside a cultural center on the outskirts of Milan, Italy, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, where people can receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for COVID-19. Photo Courtesy: AP

CARRY-LE-ROUET, France (AP) — Europe’s famed summer holiday season is in full swing, but efforts to inoculate people against the coronavirus are not taking a break. Instead, with lockdowns easing despite concerns about variants and nations looking to breathe new life into their ailing tourism industries, vaccinations are being taken to vacationers. It’s all part… Continue reading Europe on vacation, but vaccinations not taking a break

Norway mourns 77 dead a decade after extremist attack

People lay roses outside Oslo Cathedral, on the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attack by Anders Breivik, in Oslo, Thursday, July 22, 2021. Photo Courtesy: AP

OSLO, Norway (AP): Church bells rang out across Norway on Thursday, marking 10 years since the country’s worst ever peacetime slaughter as leaders urged their country to fight the extremism that was behind the attack. On July 22, 2011, right-wing extremist Anders Breivik set off a bomb in the capital, Oslo, killing eight people, before… Continue reading Norway mourns 77 dead a decade after extremist attack