WORLD
17 states elected into UN Economic and Social Council for 3-yr term
Elected were Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea from African states; China, Laos, Qatar, South Korea from Asia-Pacific states; Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica from Latin America and Caribbean states; Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, Sweden from Western European and other states; Slovakia and Slovenia from Eastern European states.
More refugees die crossing the Mediterranean to Europe: UN
While reported numbers of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe were fewer than in 2015, the journeys were becoming more fatal, said Shabia Mantoo, spokesperson for UNHCR, on Friday. "Since a peak in 2015, in which more than a million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean to Europe, the numbers of those making these journeys had seen a downward trend," she told a press briefing.
Russia completes massive military drills in the Pacific
During the week-long drills, more than 300 combat exercises were conducted, 170 of which involved the practical use of weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday in a statement. The sailors practiced searching submarines, firing artillery and striking targets with high-precision sea-based weapons, Xinhua news agency reported.
US inflation ticks up to 8.6% in May despite Fed's rate hikes
The consumer price index (CPI) in May rose 1 per cent from April after increasing 0.3 per cent in April, according to the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The May CPI surged 8.6 per cent from 2021, a larger increase compared with the 8.3-per cent growth in April, marking the third straight month of inflation over 8 per cent. The March figure was 8.5 per cent.
Guterres appoints ex-diplomat of India as technology envoy
In other high-level appointments from South Asia at the UN, Pakistani diplomat Navid Hanif was named the assistant secretary-general for economic development, while Bangladesh's permanent representative to UN, Rabab Fatima, was appointed as the high representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).
Nepal's successful general elections can set the tone for South Asia's economic revival
Foreign policy analysts said that the upcoming elections will decide the fate of the Himalayan nation, which has gone through lengthy and complex transitions towards a new Constitution. The massive earthquake in April 2015 along with a series of devastating aftershocks caused loss of life, infrastructure and property on an unimaginable scale.
Putin given 'urgent medical help' after falling ill while talking to military chiefs
The Russian President felt "a sharp sickness, weakness, and dizziness", while getting up from his desk following a recent video conference with advisers and military leaders, has claimed, Daily Mail reported citing Telegram channel General SVR. "The President needed urgent medical assistance," claimed the channel which purports to have sources in the Kremlin and has made repeated claims over Putin's alleged medical problems, including cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Rough road for Pak PM as his govt presents fiscal budget
The financial budget for Pakistan will come with major risks as Islamabad has not materialised its staff level agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) for revival of the US$6bn. Even though the government claims that the budget is aimed at returning stability to Pakistan's economic framework, fears of a downside momentum risk persists.
Putin compares himself to Peter the Great to take back Russian territory
In his comments, Putin argued that Peter the Great was not conquering, but rather fighting over territory that rightfully belonged to Russia. He went on to draw a parallel to today's war in Ukraine, suggesting Russia's recent military actions -- where his troops have destroyed Ukrainian cities, and killed thousands of innocent men, women and children -- are justified, because Ukraine is not a legitimate sovereign nation, but in fact Russian territory.
Japan reopens borders to some foreign tourists after 2 years
The government initially opened its borders to tourists from 98 countries and regions on guided tours, with the countries and regions deemed eligible owing to their low risk of Covid-19, reports Xinhua news agency. Such countries include the US, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. Foreign visitors from this group are exempt from Covid-19 testing upon arrival in Japan and do not need to quarantine for any period of time.
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