JournaBulletin - Global - Week 11

THE WORLD THIS WEEK

Top national news from this week at a glimpse.

1. Joe Biden marks 9/11 anniversary with tribute; delivers message of unity

Joe Biden marks 9/11 anniversary with tribute; delivers message of unity [Photo: Reuters]

President Joe Biden paid homage on Saturday at three sacred sites of loss to commemorate the lives lost in the 9/11 terror attacks two decades ago.

On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, US President Joe Biden called for American unity, calling it the “central lesson” of September 11. On September 10, Mr. Biden delivered a pre-recorded video statement from the White House in which he paid homage to the 2,977 individuals from 90 nations who were killed in New York City, Arlington (Virginia), and Shanksville (Pennsylvania) twenty years ago. The President spent the day attending commemoration events at the assault locations. 

2. Iran president calls for election in Afghanistan 

Iran president calls for election in Afghanistan [Photo: AP]

Iran's president has called for polls in Afghanistan to determine the country's future, where he believes peace would return once Western forces leave and the Taliban take charge. Ebrahim Raisi, speaking on state television on Saturday, stated that the Afghan people should vote to choose their own government “as soon as possible.”

“A government should be established there which is elected by the votes and will of the people,” he added.

3. Denmark becomes only European country with no COVID curbs

Denmark becomes only European country with no COVID curbs [Photo: Reuters]

Denmark became the only European country with no Covid restrictions on Friday, removing the necessity to produce vaccination passports to attend nightclubs as it cautiously welcomes a return to normalcy. In Denmark, new infections have reduced as vaccination rates have risen to more than 70% of the total population. It is currently the only country in Europe with no limits, after Iceland withdrew all of its restrictions in June, only to reimpose them when cases increased again. 

4. China says it will maintain communication with new Afghan Government

China says it will maintain communication with new Afghan Government [Photo: Reuters]

Wang Wenbin, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, stated on Wednesday that China is willing to continue relations with Afghanistan's new administration and leader.

Wang made the remark at a daily briefing in Beijing when asked if China will recognise the new government, the heads of which were appointed on Tuesday. 

China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, Wang said.

5. Cuba begins vaccination of toddlers as early as two years old against COVID

Cuba begins vaccination of toddlers as early as two years old against COVID [Photo: AFP]

Cuba became the first country in the world on Monday to vaccinate children as young as two against Covid-19, using home-grown vaccines not recognised by the World Health Organization.

The communist island of 11.2 million people plans to immunise all of its youngsters before reopening schools, which have been mostly shuttered since March 2020. 

After completing clinical testing on minors with its Abdala and Soberana vaccines, Cuba began its immunisation programme for youngsters on Friday, beginning with those aged 12 and above.

Author:

Vasundhara Tiwari