Timeframe: July 30 to August 5, 2022
Contributors: Affan Bin Saber, G M Sifat Iqbal, এবং Mansib Khan
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1. Politics
Taliban say ‘no information’ about Al Qaeda chief Zawahiri in Afghanistan
The Taliban said on Thursday they have no knowledge of Ayman al-Zawahiri’s presence in Afghanistan, days after US President Joe Biden announced the Al Qaeda chief’s killing by a drone strike in Kabul.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has no information about Ayman al-Zawahiri’s arrival and stay in Kabul,” said an official statement — the Taliban’s first mention of his name since Biden’s announcement.
Sunday’s drone attack was the first known over-the-horizon strike by the US on a target in Afghanistan since Washington withdrew its forces from the country on August 31 last year, days after the Taliban swept back to power.
Source: Dawn
Congo to reassess plans to withdraw peacekeepers after mass protests
Congo’s government is reconsidering the presence of United Nations peacekeepers after protests in the country’s east and killed at least 36 people. In addition to the deaths in Kasindi, Congo’s government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said in a statement Tuesday that others had died in the eastern towns of Goma, Butembo, Uvira, and Kanyabayonga. He said that the government consulted civic groups in the affected areas and that “the populations made a clear request: that (the UN peacekeepers) leave Congo.”
For the past 1 week, there has been intense mass movement against the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO in the Congo.
Source: AP News
2. Economics & Business
India 5G auction: Fight between Asia’s two richest
After seven days, India’s largest auction for 5G airwaves ended, potentially setting the stage for a battle for supremacy over India’s digital future between two of Asia’s wealthiest men, Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. The government received bids totaling approximately $19 billion from the three existing players: Mr Ambani’s Reliance-Jio, Vodafone Idea, and Bharti Airtel – as well as a fourth, new entrant, Adani Data Networks. While R-Jio emerged as the largest bidder, buying spectrum worth $11bn, the Adani group spent only about $26m. The remaining bids came from Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
Source: BBC
OPEC agrees to produce slightly more oil as recession fears loom
The world’s oil-exporting countries have agreed to a tiny increase in output next month amid fears that a global recession will crimp demand.
The Organization of the Oil Exporting Countries and its allies — which includes Russia — also known as OPEC+, said on Wednesday that it would produce an additional 100,000 barrels a day in September.
“As a production rise it is a very small percentage of overall production, and much smaller than previous months increases, and thus makes little difference to the overall supply picture,” said Hazel Seftor, senior research analyst for global oil supply at Wood Mackenzie.
Source: CNN
3. Environment
UK left shocked after the sudden rise in temperatures
History was made when UK hit temperatures of over 40C for the first time. These are said to be the aftermath of global warming without which the temperatures are predicted be 2-4C less. Scientists are fearing that if this continues, there will be more deaths due to the extreme changes in temperature.
Dr Friederike Otto of Imperial College London, who leads the World Weather Attribution group said that even in today’s already high global temperatures, this event was very rare. Houses burned down in Wellington, Eastern London leaving several stranded. Scientists warn that the continuation of this will lead to further damage of homes, hospitals, schools and travel networks as they are unable to withstand the high temperatures.
The only way to eliminate this issue is by cutting down on the greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere which the government is planning to do by the year 2050.
Source: BBC
Disclaimer: The information provided here is obtained solely from the aforementioned third parties. Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is not responsible for any misinformation or misrepresentation.