Russia holds 1st royal wedding in over 100 years as descendant of tsars ties knot
A descendent of Russia’s Romanov monarchy tied the knot in St Petersburg in the first royal wedding in Russia in over 100 years. Grand Duke George Mikhailovich Romanov tied the knot with Victoria Romanovna Bettarini, an Italian. Mikhailovich great-grandfather Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich, who was a cousin of Russia’s last tsar Nicholas II, fled Russia during Bolshevik revolution.
COVAX to send COVID vaccines to only least covered nations in October
The WHO said that COVAX, a global scheme designed to ensure fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, will this month for the first time distribute shots only to nations with the lowest levels of coverage. COVAX had earlier allotted doses proportionally among its 140-plus beneficiary states. The WHO had earlier called for a moratorium on booster shots to reduce vaccine inequality.
25 Chinese aircraft enter Taiwan’s airspace on China’s National Day
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said that 25 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwanese airspace on China’s National Day. Taiwan deployed air patrol forces in response and tracked the Chinese aircraft on its air defence systems, it added. Although China has regularly sent planes into Taiwan’s airspace, the frequency has increased in the past few years.
Fires in Brazil’s Amazon forest declined in Sept: Government data
Around 16,747 fires were reported in the first 29 days of September in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest as compared to over 32,000 blazes during the full month in 2020, according to government data. The decline comes after a surge in fires was reported during 2019 and 2020. “Rains really helped, and…acting of enforcement agencies was also very relevant,” a scientist said.
Greece-France $3.5 billion defence pact harms NATO alliance: Turkey
The Turkish government has said the defence and security deal worth around 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) between France and Greece threatens to harm the NATO alliance. The bilateral pact isolates Turkey and “threatens regional peace and stability”, it added. France and Greece had announced the defence deal, which includes the Greek purchase of three French warships, earlier this week.
We’ve been very honest about our concerns with Pakistan over terrorist safe havens: US
The US has said, “We’ve been very honest about our concerns with Pakistan…about safe havens that exist on their side of Pakistan-Afghanistan border.” “Those concerns are still valid today,” it added. “It’s important to continue to remind that Pakistani people, likewise, have been rendered victim by terrorist threats that emanate from those groups and along that same border,” US stated.
