Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Scores dead as record-smashing heatwave engulfs parts of Canada and US, and an injured Serena Williams ends her bid for Wimbledon glory in tears *) Scores dead as record-breaking heat wave grips Canada, US Scores of deaths have been reported in North America, as Canada recorded its highest ever temperature amid scorching conditions that extended to the US Pacific Northwest. At least 134 people have died suddenly since Friday in Canada’s Vancouver area, with authorities linking the vast majority to the heat. The deaths came as Canada set a new all-time high temperature record for a third day in a row Tuesday, reaching 121 degrees Fahrenheit (49.5 degrees Celsius) in Lytton, British Columbia. *) Tigray rebels gain more ground despite the ceasefire Rebel fighters in Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray seized control of more territory. The move comes one day after retaking the local capital Mekele and vowing to drive all "enemies" out of the region. The rebels' gains and militant rhetoric cast doubt on whether a unilateral ceasefire declared by the federal government would actually lead to a pause in the nearly eight-month-old conflict. *) Israel opens first embassy in Gulf as Lapid visits UAE Israel's top diplomat Yair Lapid has opened the Jewish state's first embassy in the Gulf during his trip to the UAE after ties were normalised last year. He met with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi. Since their US-brokered normalisation agreement was signed last September, the two countries have signed a raft of deals ranging from tourism to aviation and financial services. *) South Africa’s Zuma gets 15 months’ jail for evading corruption inquiry Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court over refusal to cooperate with a corruption inquiry. Zuma was not in court for the ruling on Tuesday and has been ordered to hand himself over within five days to a police station. This is the first time in South Afric