Wednesday, July 7 2021

*) Hurricane Elsa hits US coast of Florida Tropical Storm Elsa has been upgraded into a powerful Category 1 hurricane as it hits the US coast of Florida. Packing winds of up to 120km/h, Elsa has drenched Tampa with heavy rains as it moves inland. In addition to damaging winds and heavy rains, the US National Hurricane Center is warning of life-threatening storm surges, flooding and isolated tornadoes. *) Afghan troops return from Tajikistan Over 1,000 Afghan troops who fled to neighbouring Tajikistan are being brought back to rejoin the fight against the Taliban. The militant group launched a mass offensive in May, and has taken control of a third of the country. With US and NATO troops out of the country, and no peace plan in sight, the Afghan government is struggling to keep the Taliban at bay. *) Astana talks on Syria set to continue Guarantor states of the Astana peace process will meet for the 16th round of talks to discuss the future of Syria. Development of a Syrian constitution and the current humanitarian situation will be high on the agenda at the meeting in Kazakhstan. Nearly four million displaced Syrians are dependent on aid, which Russia is threatening to stop. *) Norway’s KLP fund Norway's largest pension fund has stopped investing in 16 companies because of their links to illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank. The KLP fund says the companies are contributing to the abuse of human rights by supporting the expansion of Israel. The companies were on a UN-published list of 112 companies that the UN says is complicit in violating human rights of Palestinians. And finally ... *) Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar dies at 98 Veteran Bollywood actor Dilip Kumar, also known as the 'King of Tragedy' for his inspiring roles, has died at the age of 98. Kumar was hospitalised last week after complaining that he was struggling to breathe. He's survived by his wife of more than 50 years, actress Saira Banu.