Friday, July 16 2021

*) Dozens die and more missing after floods in Germany, Belgium More than 80 people have reportedly died after flash floods in Germany and Belgium, with dozens more feared missing. The extreme weather has turned streams and streets into raging torrents, which have crushed houses and cars. With more rain in the forecast, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel says her government will help in the rebuilding. *) Pentagon: US military trained Colombian soldiers involved in Haiti hit The hit squad involved in Haitian President Jovenel Moise's assassination had been hired via a shadowy Miami company, an initial probe has revealed. The Pentagon also confirmed that some Colombian soldiers accused of involvement in the assassination had received US military training. Haitian authorities said Moise was shot dead at his home on July 7 by a unit of assassins including 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans. *) Lebanon's PM-designate steps down after months of deadlock Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has stepped down after failing to form a government, nine months after being assigned the task. He says the decision was made because of key differences with President Michel Aoun. The news is a huge blow for the country, which is experiencing an almost complete economic meltdown. *) Taliban agrees on ceasefire with Afghan officials in Badghis province Governor of Afghanistan's Badghis province Hesamuddin Shams says "an indefinite ceasefire" had been negotiated with local Taliban leaders. He added that no time frame had been set for a truce, which comes after the Taliban last week stormed the provincial capital Qala-e-Naw. Meanwhile Pakistan has confirmed that theTaliban were in control of a key town on the Afghan side of the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing. And finally ... *) Dutch teen to fly Blue Origin’s first passenger spaceflight An 18-year-old will become the youngest person to fly to space, with an aviation pioneer who will become the oldest at age 82. Blue Origin said Oliver Daemen