JournaBulletin - World - Week 5

The World This Week

Top global news from this week at a glimpse.

China and Australia ramp up Covid curbs set additional bans to tackle surge in cases of Delta variant 

China and Australia ramp up Covid curbs set additional bans to tackle surge in cases of Delta variant [Courtesy:Reuters]

China and Australia extended Covid-19 restrictions on Saturday, as Delta variant cases soared and tens of thousands protested in France against restrictions aimed to curb the infection outbreak. The Delta variant, which was first discovered in India, is prompting governments to reimpose severe controls, while other countries are reassessing efforts to open their economies. The variant has spread to 132 countries and territories. The pandemic has killed more than four million people and shows no sign of slowing. "Delta is a warning: it's a warning that the virus is evolving but it is also a call to action that we need to move now before more dangerous variants emerge," the World Health Organization's emergencies director Michael Ryan told journalists. 

Rashad Hussain, an Indian-American, becomes the first Muslim to be nominated by Biden as a religious rights ambassador

Rashad Hussain, an Indian-American, becomes the first Muslim to be nominated by Biden as a religious rights ambassador [Courtesy:AP]

Rashad Hussain, an Indian American, has been nominated by US President Joe Biden to be the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, making him the first Muslim to oversee US diplomacy supporting religious rights. Rashad Hussain is Director for Partnerships and Global Engagement at the National Security Council. Rashad Hussain is the National Security Council's Director of Partnerships and Global Engagement. According to a White House statement, he formerly served as Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice's National Security Division. 

Tokyo Olympics: American Gymnast Simone Biles Withdraws From Floor Final 

Tokyo Olympics: American Gymnast Simone Biles Withdraws From Floor Final [Courtesy:AP]

US Gymnastics announced on Saturday that American gymnast Simone Biles has withdrawn from the vault and uneven bars event finals at the Tokyo Olympics. When she withdrew from the gymnastics team event after one rotation, Biles stated that she wants to prioritize her mental health. Biles, who has been dealing with mental health issues, had already withdrawn from the women's all-around final on Thursday and the team final on Tuesday as she scored 13.766; her lowest Olympic vault score. 

The 24-year-old, on the other hand, has not ruled herself out of competing in floor exercise on Monday and beam on Tuesday at the Tokyo Games. 

First Flight of Afghan Interpreters Fleeing Taliban arrives in US 

First Flight of Afghan Interpreters Fleeing Taliban arrives in US [Courtesy: AFP]

President Joe Biden announced on Friday that the first flight carrying Afghans who worked as translators for American troops and diplomats had landed in the United States, indicating the start of an operation to evacuate thousands from probable Taliban reprisal. 

Following the 2001 invasion in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, around 20,000 Afghans worked for the US and applied for evacuation through the State Department's so-called Special Immigrant Visas program. According to some estimates, the total number of possible refugees under "Operation Allies Refuge" might be as high as 100,000 with families included. 

Myanmar rulers extend the state of emergency; pledges elections in 2 years 

Myanmar rulers extend the state of emergency; pledges elections in 2 years [Courtesy: AFP]

Myanmar's military leader named himself prime minister on Sunday, six months after taking power from the elected government, and said he would lead the country under an extended state of emergency until elections in about two years. "We must create conditions to hold a free and fair multiparty general election," Senior Gen. 

Min Aung Hlaing said in a recent speech. "We have to make preparations. I pledge to hold the multiparty general election without fail." In an hour-long speech, he called the elected party he removed "terrorists". Hundreds have been reportedly killed in the ongoing anti-military coup protests.

Author:

Vasundhara Tiwari