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June 29, 2021 (Tuesday)
3.5 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
Intense fighting between Taliban insurgents and government forces kills 28 civilians and injures another 290 during the past week, according to the head of a hospital in Kunduz, with the majority of the dead being children, women and elderly people. The Taliban has moved beyond its southern strongholds and has intensified the fighting in the north, according to military experts.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front and Tigray Defense Forces pledge to "drive enemies out" of the regional capital Mekelle after a unilateral ceasefire was declared by Ethiopia on Monday. Tigrayan forces say that the city of Mekelle is completely under the control of their forces.
After seizing the regional capital, Tigray People's Liberation Front spokesman Getachew Reda states that Tigrayan forces would invade the neighbouring Amhara Region and Eritrea to "destroy the enemy", claiming that the enemy, "whether from the Eritrean side or Amhara side or Addis Ababa, doesn't have the capability to threaten the security of our people anymore".
German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announces that Germany has completed the withdrawal of their troops from Afghanistan, thereby ending their involvement in the war.
The last Italian troops leave Afghanistan after handing over their base in Herat to Afghan security forces, thereby ending Italy's involvement in the war.
Arts and culture
The U.S. House of Representatives votes 285–120 on a bill to remove Confederate statues from the United States Capitol, as well as replacing the bust of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, known for the pro-slavery Dred Scott v. Sandford ruling, with one of Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice on the court. The bill will head to the U.S. Senate.
Business and economy
Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announces that by 2035, all new cars and light trucks sold in the country have to be zero-emission. The target, previously set for 2040 for all passenger vehicles, was moved up after a recent report by the International Energy Agency said that to achieve net zero-emissions by mid-century, all new light vehicle sales had to be electric.
Disasters and accidents
The temperature reaches 49.5 °C (121.1 °F) in Lytton, British Columbia, breaking the all-time record for hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada for the third day in a row. The temperature reached 47.6 °C (117.7 °F) in Lytton on June 28 and 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) on June 27, both records.
More than 130 people die in British Columbia, Canada, and six more across the United States due to the extreme hot temperatures that are affecting the country.
Health and environment
The Drugs Controller General of India grants emergency use approval for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine imported by Cipla.
Argentina further closes its borders, allowing only 600 entries per day, in an attempt to reduce the spread of the Delta variant as the country has so far reported over 4.4 million cases and more than 93,000 deaths from COVID-19.
A study shows that the vaccine developed by Moderna is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants including the Lineage B.1.617 Delta variant.
Iran reports its first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant with more than 10 people detected in Mashhad.
Tunisia reports a record 5,251 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, prompting the government to extend the curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. beginning from July 1.
U.S. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announces that the Biden administration will ship 2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Peru and 2.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Pakistan. Additionally, the United States will also send vaccine doses to Bangladesh.
Perth, Brisbane and their respective surrounding towns enter lockdown as coronavirus spreads from the Sydney cluster. People will only be allowed to leave home for essential work or study, medical or compassionate reasons, essential shopping, or outdoor exercise (with restrictions), and masks must be worn outdoors.
International relations
Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid visits the United Arab Emirates, making it the first visit to the country by a Israel government official since the two countries normalized relations nine months ago.
In an interview with the Serbian division of Euronews, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić says that any hopes of his country reclaiming Kosovo is unrealistic, and that he is willing to enter a "rational and compromise solution" regarding recognition of Kosovo's independence. However, he says that any agreement reached between the two countries needs to ultimately be decided by referendum.
Law and crime
The Constitutional Court of South Africa finds former President Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court over his refusal to answer questions on corruption charges and sentences him to 15 months' imprisonment.
Politics and elections
Prime Minister Bob Loughman wins a confidence vote by the parliament after a no-confidence motion had been introduced to remove his government by opposition leader Ralph Regenvanu. However, Loughman's hold on power remains tenuous as the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the seats of 19 government MPs were to be declared vacant. Loughman's government has already appealed the ruling.
Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku denies reports that King Mswati III has fled the country amid ongoing nationwide protests.
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