20 years & not even a note?! US left Bagram Air Base in middle of the night without telling new Afghan commander – reports

The Afghan military was surprised to find the main US airbase in the country dark and deserted, claiming they only discovered the Americans had left (and shut off the power) hours after they were gone. … Read More >20 years & not even a note?! US left Bagram Air Base in middle of the night without telling new Afghan commander – reports

Australia rejects China’s claims it sabotaged Sinopharm vaccine rollout to Pacific region & insists it has acted in ‘good faith’

After China accused Australia of using “political manipulation” and “bullying” to subvert its Covid vaccine rollout to Pacific nations, Canberra has denied the claims and cited a “moral and economic responsibility” to the region. … Read More >Australia rejects China’s claims it sabotaged Sinopharm vaccine rollout to Pacific region & insists it has acted in ‘good faith’

‘Social explosion’ imminent in Lebanon, as nation teeters on brink of economic collapse – caretaker PM

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister has warned diplomats that the country is days away from a “social explosion” and called for help from the international community, as the nation tries to avert catastrophe. … Read More >‘Social explosion’ imminent in Lebanon, as nation teeters on brink of economic collapse – caretaker PM

Hong Kong court hands US lawyer 4-month jail sentence for assaulting policeman during citywide unrest in 2019

An American lawyer working in Hong Kong will spend four months behind bars after being convicted of attacking a police officer during a period when the semi-autonomous territory was gripped by violent anti-Beijing protests. … Read More >Hong Kong court hands US lawyer 4-month jail sentence for assaulting policeman during citywide unrest in 2019

Israel to send 700k expiring vaccine doses to South Korea in swap deal after Palestinians reject offer

The Israeli government will send South Korea some 700,000 doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine that will soon expire, in an exchange deal PM Naftali Bennett called a “win-win” after the Palestinians declined a similar offer. … Read More >Israel to send 700k expiring vaccine doses to South Korea in swap deal after Palestinians reject offer

Armed drone intercepted near US Embassy in Baghdad after rockets hit base housing American troops (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

An explosives-laden drone was shot out of the sky by American air defenses as it neared the US Embassy in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, Iraqi security sources said, soon after rockets targeted a base housing US troops. … Read More >Armed drone intercepted near US Embassy in Baghdad after rockets hit base housing American troops (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Pfizer vaccine losing effectiveness amid Delta variant surge, Israeli Health Ministry says as it mulls 3rd shot & new restrictions

Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine has dropped to 64% effectiveness in preventing infection amid the spread of the Delta variant in Israel, the Health Ministry said, as officials consider the need for booster shots and new restrictions. … Read More >Pfizer vaccine losing effectiveness amid Delta variant surge, Israeli Health Ministry says as it mulls 3rd shot & new restrictions

Italian prosecutors to probe Libyan coastguard for ‘shooting & trying to ram’ migrant boat (VIDEO)

Prosecutors in Sicily are investigating video footage that allegedly shows a Libyan Coast Guard vessel firing warning shots at a migrant boat in the Mediterranean Sea. The probe, however, will face an uphill struggle. … Read More >Italian prosecutors to probe Libyan coastguard for ‘shooting & trying to ram’ migrant boat (VIDEO)