President Ashraf Ghani names Bismillah Khan Mohammadi as his new defense minister and Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal as the new interior minister, replacing their respective predecessors amid a deteriorating security situation, with foreign forces withdrawing from the country and the Taliban gaining territory, capturing six more districts.
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June 19, 2021 (Saturday)
2 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Saudi air defenses destroy six armed drones late in the evening, bringing the total of armed drones destroyed during the day to 17. A Houthi spokesman says that one drone was launched at Khamis Mushait while the Saudi air defenses say that two other drones toward Khamis Mushait were intercepted and that eight other drones were also launched toward the south of the kingdom.
Health and environment
Mongolia reports a record 14 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the nationwide death toll to 439.
Fiji reports a record 150 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, thereby bringing the national toll to 1,798. The Ministry of Health reports that most cases are from known clusters while others are under investigation. Also, Australia and New Zealand announce that they will deploy doctors to Fiji to help deal with the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Brazil surpasses 500,000 deaths from COVID-19, becoming the second country to do so after the United States.
International relations
Australia begins lodging a formal complaint against China with the World Trade Organization over anti-dumping duties on imported Australian wine.
Law and crime
Six people are critically wounded as a man intentionally drove his pickup truck into a group of cyclists taking part in a charity bike ride in Show Low, Arizona. The driver is shot and arrested. The motive behind the attack is unknown so far.
Politics and elections
Protesters against the military junta carry out a national day of "flower protest" to celebrate the 76th birthday of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and condemn her arrest. The flower symbol was allegedly chosen because Suu Kyi is often seen with a flower on her head. Protests supporting the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing also occur across the country.
Rival candidates concede victory to hardline Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi, who was widely predicted to be the next president. An official from the Interior Ministry claims that Raisi won 17.8 million votes out of the 28 million votes cast.
As Brazil reaches 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19, demonstrations are held in hundreds of Brazilian cities and by Brazilians abroad. Protestors are critical of President Jair Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic and demand his impeachment.
Supporters of Pedro Castillo and Keiko Fujimori gather following the election. Castillo supporters call for his win to be upheld, while Fujimori supporters call for the results to be overturned.
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