Pharma giant Johnson and Johnson, accused of fuelling the deadly US opioid crisis has reached a USD 230 million settlement with the state of New York. The company has confirmed that it will stop making or selling opioids in the US.

The agreement allowed Johnson &amp; Johnson to resolve litigation over its role in the epidemic which has killed more than half a million people since 1999, according to a statement from New York attorney general Letitia James. The agreement was announced on Saturday (US time).

For its part, in a separate statement J&amp;J said the settlement allowed it to avoid a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday, and said the group had "made the business decision in 2020 to discontinue all of its prescription pain medications in the United States."

The settlement "is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the company," it said, noting that other nationwide legal proceedings are underway, including a trial in California.

The prosecutor's statement said the company would spread the payments over nine years.

J&amp;J could also pay an additional $30 million in the first year if the state enacts new legislation creating an opioid settlement fund.&nbsp;

"The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on countless communities across New York state and the rest of the nation, leaving millions still addicted to dangerous and deadly opioids," James said in the statement.&nbsp;

"Johnson &amp; Johnson helped fuel this fire, but today they're committing to leaving the opioid business -- not only in New York, but across the entire country," she added.&nbsp;

That includes both manufacturing and selling opioids, James' statement said. Johnson &amp; Johnson stressed it had made the decision before the settlement was reached.&nbsp;

The $230 million will be aimed at prevention, treatment and education efforts on the dangers of the substances in New York state.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Pharma giant Johnson and Johnson, accused of fuelling the deadly US opioid crisis has reached a USD 230 million settlement with the state of New York. The company has confirmed that it will stop making or selling opioids in the US.

Pharma giant Johnson and Johnson, accused of fuelling the deadly US opioid crisis has reached a USD 230 million settlement with the state of New York. The company has confirmed that it will stop making or selling opioids in the US. The agreement allowed Johnson & Johnson to resolve litigation over its role in the epidemic which has killed more than half a million people since 1999, according to a statement from New York attorney general Letitia James. The agreement was announced on Saturday (US time). For its part, in a separate statement J&J said the settlement allowed it to avoid a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday, and said the group had "made the business decision in 2020 to discontinue all of its prescription pain medications in the United States." The settlement "is not an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the company," it said, noting that other nationwide legal proceedings are underway, including a trial in California. The prosecutor's statement said the company would spread the payments over nine years. J&J could also pay an additional $30 million in the first year if the state enacts new legislation creating an opioid settlement fund. "The opioid epidemic has wreaked havoc on countless communities across New York state and the rest of the nation, leaving millions still addicted to dangerous and deadly opioids," James said in the statement. "Johnson & Johnson helped fuel this fire, but today they're committing to leaving the opioid business -- not only in New York, but across the entire country," she added. That includes both manufacturing and selling opioids, James' statement said. Johnson & Johnson stressed it had made the decision before the settlement was reached. The $230 million will be aimed at prevention, treatment and education efforts on the dangers of the substances in New York state. (With inputs from agencies)

J&J to stop selling opioids in US, reaches USD 230 mn settlement

British government said on Sunday that it was investigating how secret UK defence documents were found at a bus stop in England. The documents outlined the movement of the British warship that had led to Russia firing warning shots from the Crimean coast.&nbsp;

British Ministry of Defence said that an employee told it last week that the documents had been lost.

"It shouldn't be able to happen," Brandon Lewis, minister for Northern Ireland, told Sky News on Sunday.

"It was properly reported at the time... there's an internal investigation into that situation."

Anonymous member of the public told the BBC that they found 50 per cent of classified information behind a bus stop in Kent. The papers discuss the possible Russian reaction to Britain's HMS Defender travelling through Ukrainian waters off the coast of Crimea on Wednesday, the BBC reported.

Russia accused Britain of violating its territorial waters in the Black Sea and said on Wednesday and that it fired warning shots.

Britain however said it was making "an innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law."

According to Moscow, the incident took place off the coast of Cape Fiolent on Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that the vast majority of the international community has not recognised.&nbsp;

The documents appear to show that the British officials knew the route could lead to a possible reaction from the Russians, but that taking an alternative passage could be considered by Moscow as "the UK being scared/running away".

The route it did take would instead "provide an opportunity to engage with the Ukrainian government... in what the UK recognises as Ukrainian territorial waters," said another document.

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the British ambassador to "strongly protest" the incident. 
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as a "deliberate and prepared provocation".

Russia's defence ministry said warning shots were fired and bombs dropped along the path of the HMS Defender.

Among the other documents found at the bus stop were those that laid out plans for possible British military presence in Afghanistan after the end of NATO operations there.

(With inputs from agencies)

British government said on Sunday that it was investigating how secret UK defence documents were found at a bus stop in England. The documents outlined the movement of the British warship that had led to Russia firing warning shots from the Crimean coast.

British government said on Sunday that it was investigating how secret UK defence documents were found at a bus stop in England. The documents outlined the movement of the British warship that had led to Russia firing warning shots from the Crimean coast. British Ministry of Defence said that an employee told it last week that the documents had been lost. "It shouldn't be able to happen," Brandon Lewis, minister for Northern Ireland, told Sky News on Sunday. "It was properly reported at the time... there's an internal investigation into that situation." Anonymous member of the public told the BBC that they found 50 per cent of classified information behind a bus stop in Kent. The papers discuss the possible Russian reaction to Britain's HMS Defender travelling through Ukrainian waters off the coast of Crimea on Wednesday, the BBC reported. Russia accused Britain of violating its territorial waters in the Black Sea and said on Wednesday and that it fired warning shots. Britain however said it was making "an innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law." According to Moscow, the incident took place off the coast of Cape Fiolent on Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that the vast majority of the international community has not recognised. The documents appear to show that the British officials knew the route could lead to a possible reaction from the Russians, but that taking an alternative passage could be considered by Moscow as "the UK being scared/running away". The route it did take would instead "provide an opportunity to engage with the Ukrainian government... in what the UK recognises as Ukrainian territorial waters," said another document. Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the British ambassador to "strongly protest" the incident. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described it as a "deliberate and prepared provocation". Russia's defence ministry said warning shots were fired and bombs dropped along the path of the HMS Defender. Among the other documents found at the bus stop were those that laid out plans for possible British military presence in Afghanistan after the end of NATO operations there. (With inputs from agencies)

Secret UK defence documents found at a bus stop in Kent

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome.

Yair, a centrist is the mastermind behind the coalition that unseated veteran Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken is in Rome as a part of his three-nation tour of Europe, and Lapid will be flying to the Italian capital to see the US secretary of state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-hard-to-rejoin-iran-nuclear-deal-if-talks-drag-on-blinken-393936">'Very hard' to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks drag on: Blinken</a>

This meeting comes as President Joe Biden’s administration moves ahead with nuclear deal talks with Israeli arch-enemy Iran, a move strongly opposed by the country.

Bien and Blinken are also eager to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, that after weeks of the fighting took effect on May 21.

Considered to be the worst fighting since 2014, the resulting bloodshed triggered a very strong criticism in the memory of the US congress. Some members of the Democratic party were also seen accusing Netanyahu of using excessive force and of backing far-right Jewish groups looking to change the delicate status quo in the holy city of Jerusalem.

The freshly installed Israeli government seeks a combative approach with its main ally Washington. Lapid, who took office less than three weeks ago under nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accuses Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israel's once rock-solid support in the United States by openly rallying behind former president Donald Trump's Republican Party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-benefitting-from-forced-labour-blinken-warns-countries-against-taking-advantage-of-uighurs-393444">'Stop benefitting from forced labour': Blinken warns countries against taking advantage of Uighurs</a>

Although the new government still considers Iran a major threat to Israel, it has pledged to put the alliance with Washington first and to try to keep differences private. Reportedly the new coalition government has also launched its own strikes on the Gaza Strip

Given that the tensions are still high after recent fighting, and with a new government uncertainties are still nigh, Washington has made clear that it is not rushing in to make any grand Middle East peace initiatives.

The Biden administration hopes to be less involved in Middle East hotspots and focus more on repairing rifts with its European allies, rifts that were created under Trump, all as part of its strategy to focus long-term attention on managing the rise of China.

Blinken started his tour by meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. In the coming days, he’ll be meeting with the Pope, and taking part in the upcoming meetings in Italy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome.

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome. Yair, a centrist is the mastermind behind the coalition that unseated veteran Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken is in Rome as a part of his three-nation tour of Europe, and Lapid will be flying to the Italian capital to see the US secretary of state. Also read | 'Very hard' to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks drag on: Blinken This meeting comes as President Joe Biden’s administration moves ahead with nuclear deal talks with Israeli arch-enemy Iran, a move strongly opposed by the country. Bien and Blinken are also eager to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, that after weeks of the fighting took effect on May 21. Considered to be the worst fighting since 2014, the resulting bloodshed triggered a very strong criticism in the memory of the US congress. Some members of the Democratic party were also seen accusing Netanyahu of using excessive force and of backing far-right Jewish groups looking to change the delicate status quo in the holy city of Jerusalem. The freshly installed Israeli government seeks a combative approach with its main ally Washington. Lapid, who took office less than three weeks ago under nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accuses Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israel's once rock-solid support in the United States by openly rallying behind former president Donald Trump's Republican Party. Also read | 'Stop benefitting from forced labour': Blinken warns countries against taking advantage of Uighurs Although the new government still considers Iran a major threat to Israel, it has pledged to put the alliance with Washington first and to try to keep differences private. Reportedly the new coalition government has also launched its own strikes on the Gaza Strip Given that the tensions are still high after recent fighting, and with a new government uncertainties are still nigh, Washington has made clear that it is not rushing in to make any grand Middle East peace initiatives. The Biden administration hopes to be less involved in Middle East hotspots and focus more on repairing rifts with its European allies, rifts that were created under Trump, all as part of its strategy to focus long-term attention on managing the rise of China. Blinken started his tour by meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. In the coming days, he’ll be meeting with the Pope, and taking part in the upcoming meetings in Italy. (With inputs from agencies)

US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid amid Iran moves

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday.

The decades earlier conflict had badly damaged the relations between Egypt and Iraq; however, the relations have witnessed an improvement in recent years with many senior officials from both countries exchanging visits.

In a bid to boost Iraqi ties with Arab nations, and counter Iran’s influence in the country, Sisi's visit is part of a summit between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The fourth round of talks between these countries, this summit is aimed at strengthening security, economic, trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, Iraq has also signed cooperation deals with Jordan and Egypt in the energy, health and education sectors.

Shortly after Sisi’s arrival, Jordan's King Abdullah also arrived in Baghdad. They were received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih.

While Iraq’s Kadhimi, Sisi and Jordan’s Abdullah were supposed to have a summit in Baghdad in April, they had to postpone due to a train crash in Egypt that left dozens dead and wounded.

After Iraq's cabinet in December approved renewing its contract to supply the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) with 12 million barrels of Basra light crude for the year 2021, Egypt in February signed 15 deals and memoranda of understanding in various sectors including oil, roads, housing, construction and trade.

"The president affirmed Egypt's aspiration in developing bilateral cooperation with Iraq into a sustainable framework of economic integration and strategic cooperation, especially in light of the great challenges facing the region," said an Egypt presidency statement.

A pipeline that will hold the capacity to export 1 million barrels per day of Iraqi crude from the southern city of Basra to Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba is also being planned by Iraq.

(With inputs from agencies)

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday.

Marking the first visit by an Egyptian president to Iraq since the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad on Sunday. The decades earlier conflict had badly damaged the relations between Egypt and Iraq; however, the relations have witnessed an improvement in recent years with many senior officials from both countries exchanging visits. In a bid to boost Iraqi ties with Arab nations, and counter Iran’s influence in the country, Sisi's visit is part of a summit between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq. The fourth round of talks between these countries, this summit is aimed at strengthening security, economic, trade and investment cooperation. In recent years, Iraq has also signed cooperation deals with Jordan and Egypt in the energy, health and education sectors. Shortly after Sisi’s arrival, Jordan's King Abdullah also arrived in Baghdad. They were received by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih. While Iraq’s Kadhimi, Sisi and Jordan’s Abdullah were supposed to have a summit in Baghdad in April, they had to postpone due to a train crash in Egypt that left dozens dead and wounded. After Iraq's cabinet in December approved renewing its contract to supply the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) with 12 million barrels of Basra light crude for the year 2021, Egypt in February signed 15 deals and memoranda of understanding in various sectors including oil, roads, housing, construction and trade. "The president affirmed Egypt's aspiration in developing bilateral cooperation with Iraq into a sustainable framework of economic integration and strategic cooperation, especially in light of the great challenges facing the region," said an Egypt presidency statement. A pipeline that will hold the capacity to export 1 million barrels per day of Iraqi crude from the southern city of Basra to Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba is also being planned by Iraq. (With inputs from agencies)

Sisi marks first Iraq visit by an Egyptian leader in decades

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability.

"We have unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with long range of 7,000 kilometres. They can fly, return home, and make landing wherever they are planned to," the Guards commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

The assertion has come as Iran and six major world powers are in talks to revive 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn US from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

As per Western military analysts, Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities. However, drones are a key element in Iran's borders surveillance

Iran and regional forces it backs have increasingly relied on drones in Yemen, Syria, Iraq in recent years

US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive and eventually broaden the nuclear pact to put greater limits on Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, as well as constraining its activities.

Tehran has ruled out negotiations over ballistic missiles and its role in the Middle East, where Sh'ite-led Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia have been involved in proxy wars.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability.

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability. "We have unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with long range of 7,000 kilometres. They can fly, return home, and make landing wherever they are planned to," the Guards commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. The assertion has come as Iran and six major world powers are in talks to revive 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn US from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. As per Western military analysts, Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities. However, drones are a key element in Iran's borders surveillance Iran and regional forces it backs have increasingly relied on drones in Yemen, Syria, Iraq in recent years US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive and eventually broaden the nuclear pact to put greater limits on Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, as well as constraining its activities. Tehran has ruled out negotiations over ballistic missiles and its role in the Middle East, where Sh'ite-led Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia have been involved in proxy wars. (With inputs from agencies)

We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo.

When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing.

It will also set the scene for a visit to the pope by Joe Biden, only the second Catholic US president, expected for October.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blinken-to-meet-israels-top-diplomat-lapid-amid-iran-moves-394294" hreflang="en">US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid, amid Iran moves</a>

The visit follows a conference at which US Roman Catholic bishops voted to draft a statement on Communion that may admonish Catholic politicians, including Biden, who support abortion rights despite opposing the practice personally.

Pompeo's visit last September was widely seen as a diplomatic blunder.

He irked the Vatican before arriving, saying on Twitter and in an editorial that it was "endangering its moral authority" by continuing a bilateral deal with China over the appointment of bishops there.

Pompeo published the editorial in a conservative Catholic journal that has been highly critical of Pope Francis and whose editor in 2019 wrote a long critique titled "A Failing Papacy".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-endangers-its-moral-authority-pompeo-on-deal-with-china-331174">'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China</a>

One Vatican official rebuked Pompeo for violating "one of the rules of diplomacy" by making public demands. Another said his request for an audience with the pope was denied because it was too close to the US presidential election and the Vatican did not want it used for domestic political purposes.

"Pompeo did an own goal on China. The way he broached it in such a brusque, arrogant way made it easier for the Vatican to justify the renewal of the deal," said Massimo Franco, a columnist for Italy's Corriere della Sera who has written extensively on US-Vatican relations.

"The Biden administration will be much more subtle in reminding the Vatican about freedom of religion in China," Franco told Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-accuses-pompeo-of-playing-politics-pope-francies-refuses-to-meet-him-331608">Vatican accuses Pompeo of playing politics, Pope Francies refuses to meet him</a>

After NATO took a tough line on China at Biden's debut summit, Washington could press the Vatican to be more outspoken on human rights in China and Hong Kong, said Alberto Melloni, an Italian Church historian and advisor to the European Commission.

"The question is 'will the US let the Vatican be exempt from criticising China just because of its deal on the bishops'?" he told Reuters.

Climate Change

One of the main points of contention between the Vatican and the White House, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> was US president, was climate change. Trump was dismissive of the problem as he dismantled climate policies and regulations on fossil fuels.

The pope criticised Trump's withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming. The Vatican welcomed Biden's return to the accord.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-kerry-calls-pope-powerful-voice-on-climate-385271">US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate</a>

Francis, who in May received Biden's climate envoy, Roman Catholic John Kerry, has urged nations to work together to save the planet.

"We see working together (with the Vatican) as an opportunity to raise countries' collective ambition and to address the climate crisis by raising and implementing national emissions reduction targets, for instance," said Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

The Vatican will host world religious leaders and scientists before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Britain, which many expect the pope to attend.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-criticizes-those-who-build-walls-sow-fear-about-strangers-192644">Pope Francis criticises those who 'build walls', 'sow fear'</a>

In another scratchy moment, the pope criticised Trump's pledge to build a wall along the US-Mexican border as "not Christian". Trump said it was "disgraceful" for the pope to question his faith but later called him "a wonderful guy". They met at the Vatican in 2017.

Blinken and Vatican officials are also expected to discuss ways to combat human trafficking and encouraging debt relief for poor countries.&nbsp;

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo. When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing.

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo. When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing. It will also set the scene for a visit to the pope by Joe Biden, only the second Catholic US president, expected for October. Also read | US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid, amid Iran moves The visit follows a conference at which US Roman Catholic bishops voted to draft a statement on Communion that may admonish Catholic politicians, including Biden, who support abortion rights despite opposing the practice personally. Pompeo's visit last September was widely seen as a diplomatic blunder. He irked the Vatican before arriving, saying on Twitter and in an editorial that it was "endangering its moral authority" by continuing a bilateral deal with China over the appointment of bishops there. Pompeo published the editorial in a conservative Catholic journal that has been highly critical of Pope Francis and whose editor in 2019 wrote a long critique titled "A Failing Papacy". Also read | 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China One Vatican official rebuked Pompeo for violating "one of the rules of diplomacy" by making public demands. Another said his request for an audience with the pope was denied because it was too close to the US presidential election and the Vatican did not want it used for domestic political purposes. "Pompeo did an own goal on China. The way he broached it in such a brusque, arrogant way made it easier for the Vatican to justify the renewal of the deal," said Massimo Franco, a columnist for Italy's Corriere della Sera who has written extensively on US-Vatican relations. "The Biden administration will be much more subtle in reminding the Vatican about freedom of religion in China," Franco told Reuters. Also read | Vatican accuses Pompeo of playing politics, Pope Francies refuses to meet him After NATO took a tough line on China at Biden's debut summit, Washington could press the Vatican to be more outspoken on human rights in China and Hong Kong, said Alberto Melloni, an Italian Church historian and advisor to the European Commission. "The question is 'will the US let the Vatican be exempt from criticising China just because of its deal on the bishops'?" he told Reuters. Climate Change One of the main points of contention between the Vatican and the White House, while Donald Trump was US president, was climate change. Trump was dismissive of the problem as he dismantled climate policies and regulations on fossil fuels. The pope criticised Trump's withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming. The Vatican welcomed Biden's return to the accord. Also read | US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate Francis, who in May received Biden's climate envoy, Roman Catholic John Kerry, has urged nations to work together to save the planet. "We see working together (with the Vatican) as an opportunity to raise countries' collective ambition and to address the climate crisis by raising and implementing national emissions reduction targets, for instance," said Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. The Vatican will host world religious leaders and scientists before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Britain, which many expect the pope to attend. Also read | Pope Francis criticises those who 'build walls', 'sow fear' In another scratchy moment, the pope criticised Trump's pledge to build a wall along the US-Mexican border as "not Christian". Trump said it was "disgraceful" for the pope to question his faith but later called him "a wonderful guy". They met at the Vatican in 2017. Blinken and Vatican officials are also expected to discuss ways to combat human trafficking and encouraging debt relief for poor countries.

Blinken visit to pope will reset US-Vatican ties after Trump years

Myanmar&nbsp;authorities torched&nbsp;over&nbsp;half a billion&nbsp;dollars&nbsp;worth of narcotics across the country Saturday, sending&nbsp;opium,&nbsp;heroin&nbsp;and methamphetamine up in smoke as experts warn smugglers have adapted to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> travel restrictions and are back in business.

Sacks of green-brown cannabis were stacked high at a compound in the commercial capital Yangon, alongside bin-liner-sized bags of red-pink pills, marking one of&nbsp;Myanmar's offerings for the annual World Drug Day burning.

Slabs of&nbsp;heroin, bags of ketamine and tramadol and ice were also laid out on the pyre.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/myanmar-drug-surge-worry-for-neighbours-including-india-381602">Myanmar drug surge worry for neighbours including India</a>

Stashes were also burned at ceremonies held in Mandalay and Taunggyi in Shan State,&nbsp;Myanmar's anti-drugs&nbsp;police department said.&nbsp;

A total of just under $668 million&nbsp;dollars&nbsp;of narcotics, including 224 million meth tablets, were torched in the three cities.

As a woman barked a command&nbsp;over&nbsp;a loudspeaker in Yangon, four men in military uniform pressed buttons on tables in front of them, and the&nbsp;stash&nbsp;went up, flames licking the early morning sky.

Firefighters stood ready and well back from the noxious smoke.

Despite COVID-19 travel restrictions, there has been an "overall sustained expansion of the methamphetamine market in East and Southeast Asia" the UN said earlier this month.&nbsp;

Myanmar's troubled Shan State remains the main source of the drug, it added, which is often smuggled on to wealthier overseas markets such as Australia and Japan in its more potent crystallised form.

The body has warned of an even bigger deluge as&nbsp;Myanmar's legal economy tanks, following weeks of nationwide unrest and strike action following the military takeover.

The Golden Triangle, traversing the&nbsp;Myanmar, Laos and Thailand frontiers, has for decades been the hub of Southeast Asia's lucrative drug trade.

Myanmar's poppy-covered hills provide an ideal location for illicit labs, with a largely unchecked supply of precursor chemicals flooding in from China.

Myanmar authorities torched over half a billion dollars worth of narcotics across the country Saturday, sending opium, heroin and methamphetamine up in smoke as experts warn smugglers have adapted to COVID-19 travel restrictions and are back in business.

Myanmar authorities torched over half a billion dollars worth of narcotics across the country Saturday, sending opium, heroin and methamphetamine up in smoke as experts warn smugglers have adapted to COVID-19 travel restrictions and are back in business. Sacks of green-brown cannabis were stacked high at a compound in the commercial capital Yangon, alongside bin-liner-sized bags of red-pink pills, marking one of Myanmar's offerings for the annual World Drug Day burning. Slabs of heroin, bags of ketamine and tramadol and ice were also laid out on the pyre. Also read | Myanmar drug surge worry for neighbours including India Stashes were also burned at ceremonies held in Mandalay and Taunggyi in Shan State, Myanmar's anti-drugs police department said. A total of just under $668 million dollars of narcotics, including 224 million meth tablets, were torched in the three cities. As a woman barked a command over a loudspeaker in Yangon, four men in military uniform pressed buttons on tables in front of them, and the stash went up, flames licking the early morning sky. Firefighters stood ready and well back from the noxious smoke. Despite COVID-19 travel restrictions, there has been an "overall sustained expansion of the methamphetamine market in East and Southeast Asia" the UN said earlier this month. Myanmar's troubled Shan State remains the main source of the drug, it added, which is often smuggled on to wealthier overseas markets such as Australia and Japan in its more potent crystallised form. The body has warned of an even bigger deluge as Myanmar's legal economy tanks, following weeks of nationwide unrest and strike action following the military takeover. The Golden Triangle, traversing the Myanmar, Laos and Thailand frontiers, has for decades been the hub of Southeast Asia's lucrative drug trade. Myanmar's poppy-covered hills provide an ideal location for illicit labs, with a largely unchecked supply of precursor chemicals flooding in from China.

Myanmar torches drugs stash worth over half a billion dollars

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka">Sri&nbsp;Lankan</a> President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Friday that most people aged 30 and over would be vaccinated by late September, as deliveries of millions of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID vaccines</a> from various manufacturers were due soon.

"At present, the vaccination drive is being carried out successfully in all provinces of the country. In July, we expect to receive 4 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine and 2.5 million doses of Sinovac. Arrangements have also been made to obtain 2 million Sputnik V doses. In addition, 5 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine, 2.5 million doses of Sinovac and 2 million doses of Sputnik V are expected in August. By getting 3 million more Sinopharm vaccine doses in September, we could vaccinate 13 million people by the end of September this year. Accordingly, we can vaccinate almost everyone over the age of 30 by that time. This is a very satisfactory situation."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-to-begin-provincial-rollout-of-covid-19-vaccine-387703">Sri Lanka to begin provincial rollout of COVID-19 vaccine</a>

Rajapaksa said he personally spoke to world leaders to acquire supplies of COVID vaccines to ensure they get enough doses for some 13 million adults above the age of 30.

The Indian Ocean Island, with a population of 22 million people, has recorded 2,48,050 infections and 2,814 deaths.

Sri&nbsp;Lanka&nbsp;reported 248,050 total confirmed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> cases as of this Friday, and 2,814 deaths, according to the health ministry data.

The island nation has fully vaccinated only 3.98 per cent&nbsp;of its population so far, Johns Hopkins data here showed on Friday.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Friday that most people aged 30 and over would be vaccinated by late September, as deliveries of millions of COVID vaccines from various manufacturers were due soon.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on Friday that most people aged 30 and over would be vaccinated by late September, as deliveries of millions of COVID vaccines from various manufacturers were due soon. "At present, the vaccination drive is being carried out successfully in all provinces of the country. In July, we expect to receive 4 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine and 2.5 million doses of Sinovac. Arrangements have also been made to obtain 2 million Sputnik V doses. In addition, 5 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine, 2.5 million doses of Sinovac and 2 million doses of Sputnik V are expected in August. By getting 3 million more Sinopharm vaccine doses in September, we could vaccinate 13 million people by the end of September this year. Accordingly, we can vaccinate almost everyone over the age of 30 by that time. This is a very satisfactory situation." Also read | Sri Lanka to begin provincial rollout of COVID-19 vaccine Rajapaksa said he personally spoke to world leaders to acquire supplies of COVID vaccines to ensure they get enough doses for some 13 million adults above the age of 30. The Indian Ocean Island, with a population of 22 million people, has recorded 2,48,050 infections and 2,814 deaths. Sri Lanka reported 248,050 total confirmed coronavirus cases as of this Friday, and 2,814 deaths, according to the health ministry data. The island nation has fully vaccinated only 3.98 per cent of its population so far, Johns Hopkins data here showed on Friday.

Sri Lankan president hopes to vaccinate majority of over-30s by end of September

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar&nbsp;junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability.

The Junta leader said, "Multiple pieces of evidence suggest a large-scale interference of foreign countries with some sovereign states' businesses for the sake of democracy and human rights. Nowadays is a good time to reject hegemony and unilateralism."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-leader-thanks-russia-for-boosting-military-393214">Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military</a>

"The international community must have a strong sense of justice, keep shared values and unite for peace, stability and world development, following fair and equal international laws." he added.

Earlier this month&nbsp;Sergei Shoigu, the&nbsp;Russian Defence Minister told Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with&nbsp;Myanmar.

Due to it's continuing bilateral visits and arms deals with Myanmar, Moscow has been criticised by rights activists for what they call "legitimizing&nbsp;Myanmar's military junta".

The Myanmar junta came to power in a Feb. 1 coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung Suu Kyi, and other members of her party National League for Democracy (NLD).&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-leader-thanks-russia-for-boosting-military-393214">Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military</a>

Unperturbed by the criticism the Junta leader was recently seen thanking Russia&nbsp;for strengthening the army.

As reported by&nbsp;Russian news agency TASS, during a recent meeting in Moscow, Min Aung Hlang told the Russian defence minister,&nbsp;"Thanks to Russia, our army has become one of the strongest in the region,".

Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in&nbsp;Myanmar.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/very-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-myanmar-says-russia-374076">'Very concerned' over civilian casualties in Myanmar, says Russia</a>

Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries.

(With inputs from agencies)

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability.

Speaking at the International security conference in Moscow on Wednesday, visiting Myanmar junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said it is important for the international community to keep shared values and unite for peace and stability. The Junta leader said, "Multiple pieces of evidence suggest a large-scale interference of foreign countries with some sovereign states' businesses for the sake of democracy and human rights. Nowadays is a good time to reject hegemony and unilateralism." Also read | Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military "The international community must have a strong sense of justice, keep shared values and unite for peace, stability and world development, following fair and equal international laws." he added. Earlier this month Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Defence Minister told Min Aung Hlaing that Moscow is committed to strengthening military ties with Myanmar. Due to it's continuing bilateral visits and arms deals with Myanmar, Moscow has been criticised by rights activists for what they call "legitimizing Myanmar's military junta". The Myanmar junta came to power in a Feb. 1 coup, overthrowing the democratically elected government of Aung Suu Kyi, and other members of her party National League for Democracy (NLD). Also read | Myanmar junta leader thanks Russia for boosting military Unperturbed by the criticism the Junta leader was recently seen thanking Russia for strengthening the army. As reported by Russian news agency TASS, during a recent meeting in Moscow, Min Aung Hlang told the Russian defence minister, "Thanks to Russia, our army has become one of the strongest in the region,". Russia said in March it was deeply concerned by the rising number of civilian deaths in Myanmar. Also read | 'Very concerned' over civilian casualties in Myanmar, says Russia Defence ties between the two countries have grown in recent years with Moscow providing army training and university scholarships to thousands of soldiers, as well as selling arms to a military blacklisted by several Western countries. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar's junta leader addresses security conference in Moscow

Former Nepalese Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal on Saturday said that Nepal rejects Indo-Pacific Strategy and highlighted the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal's foreign policy.&nbsp;

He was speaking at Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) Global Conclave, a three-day event organised by Nepal Institute for International Cooperation which will host 220 speakers from 41 countries.&nbsp;

"There is a huge gap in Nepal’s development financing that BRI can supplement. Nepal expects to develop physical infrastructure like road, railways, transmission line, power, air connectivity. It also expects to revive culture heritage sites, promote tourism and conserve biodiversity, promote trade and investment. Air connectivity has been enhanced," the Ambassador said during the "Nepal-China relation" session.&nbsp;

According to Leela Mani Paudyal, China is the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of Nepal.

In his address, Paudyal said, "We have received substantial help from China to fight Covid without which it would have been impossible to treat the virus. There are a lot of development and cooperation activities. Both the counties have reached several agreements, MoUs and understandings that provides better framework, platforms and guidelines for fostering cooperation."

"Our foreign policy rejects Indo-Pacific and accepts BRI because it is under the UN Charter and principle. As a non-aligned country we can accept BRI. There has to be political commitment to implement BRI projects," he added.&nbsp;

Recently, Nepal and China joined hands to develop three separate hydropower projects on Marsyangdi river in western Manang and Lamjung districts of Nepal.&nbsp;

However, Professor Dai Yonghong from Shenzhen University questioned the implementation of BRI projects in Nepal and opined that much more can be done.&nbsp;

Stating some reasons for the low implementation of the projects, Prof Yonghong said, "Nepalese Government is hesitating to decide whether to continue to implement the joint agreement between China and Nepal since 2017. There have been many agreements between Nepal and China in terms of infrastructure, cultural, tourism development but why is the implementation relatively low."

“Nepal is confused whether it should completely accept Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or go towards Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) or some other agreement,” he added.&nbsp;

Nepal had earlier signed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government’s grant worth $500 million to develop its hydroelectricity transmission infrastructure.&nbsp;

Yonghong further said political instability is the reason for less implementation of BRI projects.&nbsp;

“There is a political instability in Nepal and political policies are not consistent in the country,” Prof Yonghong said.&nbsp;

He emphasized on the faster implementation of the existing agreements and said the most important thing for the government is to focus on the economic needs of Nepalese people and to implement the BRI agreements.&nbsp;

To counter China’s BRI, the seven richest economies in the world, known as G7, arrived at a consensus and offered developing nations an infrastructure plan, The Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative.&nbsp;

The infrastructure plan will be led by United States President Joe Biden.&nbsp;

Former Nepalese Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal on Saturday said that Nepal rejects Indo-Pacific Strategy and highlighted the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal's foreign policy.

Former Nepalese Ambassador to China Leela Mani Paudyal on Saturday said that Nepal rejects Indo-Pacific Strategy and highlighted the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Nepal's foreign policy. He was speaking at Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) Global Conclave, a three-day event organised by Nepal Institute for International Cooperation which will host 220 speakers from 41 countries. "There is a huge gap in Nepal’s development financing that BRI can supplement. Nepal expects to develop physical infrastructure like road, railways, transmission line, power, air connectivity. It also expects to revive culture heritage sites, promote tourism and conserve biodiversity, promote trade and investment. Air connectivity has been enhanced," the Ambassador said during the "Nepal-China relation" session. According to Leela Mani Paudyal, China is the largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of Nepal. In his address, Paudyal said, "We have received substantial help from China to fight Covid without which it would have been impossible to treat the virus. There are a lot of development and cooperation activities. Both the counties have reached several agreements, MoUs and understandings that provides better framework, platforms and guidelines for fostering cooperation." "Our foreign policy rejects Indo-Pacific and accepts BRI because it is under the UN Charter and principle. As a non-aligned country we can accept BRI. There has to be political commitment to implement BRI projects," he added. Recently, Nepal and China joined hands to develop three separate hydropower projects on Marsyangdi river in western Manang and Lamjung districts of Nepal. However, Professor Dai Yonghong from Shenzhen University questioned the implementation of BRI projects in Nepal and opined that much more can be done. Stating some reasons for the low implementation of the projects, Prof Yonghong said, "Nepalese Government is hesitating to decide whether to continue to implement the joint agreement between China and Nepal since 2017. There have been many agreements between Nepal and China in terms of infrastructure, cultural, tourism development but why is the implementation relatively low." “Nepal is confused whether it should completely accept Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or go towards Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact (MCC) or some other agreement,” he added. Nepal had earlier signed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government’s grant worth $500 million to develop its hydroelectricity transmission infrastructure. Yonghong further said political instability is the reason for less implementation of BRI projects. “There is a political instability in Nepal and political policies are not consistent in the country,” Prof Yonghong said. He emphasized on the faster implementation of the existing agreements and said the most important thing for the government is to focus on the economic needs of Nepalese people and to implement the BRI agreements. To counter China’s BRI, the seven richest economies in the world, known as G7, arrived at a consensus and offered developing nations an infrastructure plan, The Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative. The infrastructure plan will be led by United States President Joe Biden.

Former Nepalese ambassador to China highlights importance of BRI for Nepal

George floyd's murderer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison, disappointing many who felt the punishment fell short of the 30 years prosecutors had requested.&nbsp;As the ex-police officer is awarded a sentence over the murder of African-American man, two of Floyd's&nbsp;monuments have been vandalised. These monuments, a wooden statue in New York and a bronze one in New Jersey, were found&nbsp;defaced&nbsp;with an inscription of the American far-right cell “Patriot Front”,&nbsp;defined by&nbsp;the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “white nationalist hate group".

In other news,&nbsp;WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has&nbsp;chastised unnamed countries for their reluctance to share COVID-19 vaccine doses with low-income countries. Condemning the global failure, he said&nbsp;that even when poor countries cruelly lack doses, instead of helping them, rich countries are opening up societies and vaccinating young people, who are not at great risk from COVID-19.

Read this newsletter to the end because we also have for you a piece of interesting news&nbsp;about what could be a "new species of human".&nbsp;

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chauvin-gets-22-12-years-in-prison-for-george-floyds-death-394037">Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/26/200007-derek-chauvin.jpg" />Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years&nbsp;in prison for the murder of George Floyd.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/george-floyds-new-york-statue-defaced-marked-with-neo-nazi-groups-name-394162">George Floyd's New York statue defaced, marked with neo-Nazi group's name</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/26/200054-untitled-design-50.jpg" />

In New York, less than a week after its unveiling, a statue of Geoge Floyd was found defaced and marked with a neo-nazi group’s name.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/just-give-us-the-vaccines-who-pleads-as-poor-countries-go-wanting-394068">Just give us the vaccines, WHO pleads, as poor countries go wanting</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/18/140957-who-chief.jpg" />WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says&nbsp;"Our world is failing, as the global community, we are failing,".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iaea-demands-irans-answer-on-monitoring-tehran-says-not-obliged-to-reply-394039">IAEA demands Iran's answer on monitoring, Tehran says not obliged to reply</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/26/199990-iran.jpg" />The UN&nbsp;nuclear watchdog on Friday demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/biden-calls-on-afghans-to-decide-their-future-as-withdrawal-nears-end-394038">Biden calls on Afghans to 'decide their future' as withdrawal nears end</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/26/199992-us.jpg" />In a meeting with&nbsp; Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his former political foe, Abdullah Abdullah,&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Joe Biden called on Afghans to decide the future of their country as the last US&nbsp;troops pack up after 20 years of war and government forces struggle to repel Taliban advances.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-peace-talks-should-go-on-unless-taliban-pull-out-abdullah-394131">Afghanistan peace talks should go on unless Taliban pull out: Abdullah</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/01/24/81571-untitled-design.jpg" />Abdullah Abdullah, the chief of Afghanistan's peace council says that&nbsp;unless the insurgents themselves pull out,&nbsp;talks with the Taliban on a political settlement should not be abandoned despite Taliban attacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeau-says-pope-should-apologise-on-canadian-soil-for-churchs-role-in-residential-schools-394067">Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/08/08/153598-canada.jpg" />After nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that&nbsp;he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role in running residential schools for indigenous children.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-johnson-stands-by-health-secretary-who-broke-covid-19-rules-by-kissing-aide-394115">UK PM Johnson stands by health secretary, who broke COVID-19 rules by kissing aide</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/09/16/160089-untitled-design-91.jpg" />

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Friday to fire his health secretary after pictures appeared of him embracing and kissing an aide in his office, in what he acknowledged was a breach of coronavirus rules.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pride-is-back-at-the-white-house-biden-says-signing-pulse-nightclub-bill-394105">'Pride is back at the White House,' Biden says, signing Pulse nightclub bill</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/16/198775-joe-biden.jpg" />To honor the 49 people killed in a 2016 mass shooting, US President Joe Biden has designated the&nbsp;Pulse&nbsp;gay&nbsp;nightclub&nbsp;in Orlando, Florida, a national memorial.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/researchers-unveil-ancient-skull-nicknamed-as-dragon-man-394106">Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man'</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/15/174107-skull-reuters.JPG" />In a recent development, Chinese researchers have unveiled an 'ancient skull' that could belong to a completely new species of human. The team claims that it&nbsp;is their 'closest evolutionary relative' among known species of ancient humans, such as Neanderthals and&nbsp;Homo erectus.

George floyd's murderer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison, disappointing many who felt the punishment fell short of the 30 years prosecutors had requested.

George floyd's murderer Derek Chauvin has been sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison, disappointing many who felt the punishment fell short of the 30 years prosecutors had requested. As the ex-police officer is awarded a sentence over the murder of African-American man, two of Floyd's monuments have been vandalised. These monuments, a wooden statue in New York and a bronze one in New Jersey, were found defaced with an inscription of the American far-right cell “Patriot Front”, defined by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “white nationalist hate group". In other news, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has chastised unnamed countries for their reluctance to share COVID-19 vaccine doses with low-income countries. Condemning the global failure, he said that even when poor countries cruelly lack doses, instead of helping them, rich countries are opening up societies and vaccinating young people, who are not at great risk from COVID-19. Read this newsletter to the end because we also have for you a piece of interesting news about what could be a "new species of human". Click on headlines to read more Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd. George Floyd's New York statue defaced, marked with neo-Nazi group's name In New York, less than a week after its unveiling, a statue of Geoge Floyd was found defaced and marked with a neo-nazi group’s name. Just give us the vaccines, WHO pleads, as poor countries go wanting WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says "Our world is failing, as the global community, we are failing,". IAEA demands Iran's answer on monitoring, Tehran says not obliged to reply The UN nuclear watchdog on Friday demanded an immediate reply from Iran on whether it would extend a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, prompting an Iranian envoy to respond that Tehran was under no obligation to provide an answer. Biden calls on Afghans to 'decide their future' as withdrawal nears end In a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his former political foe, Abdullah Abdullah, US President Joe Biden called on Afghans to decide the future of their country as the last US troops pack up after 20 years of war and government forces struggle to repel Taliban advances. Afghanistan peace talks should go on unless Taliban pull out: Abdullah Abdullah Abdullah, the chief of Afghanistan's peace council says that unless the insurgents themselves pull out, talks with the Taliban on a political settlement should not be abandoned despite Taliban attacks. Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools After nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role in running residential schools for indigenous children. UK PM Johnson stands by health secretary, who broke COVID-19 rules by kissing aide British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected calls on Friday to fire his health secretary after pictures appeared of him embracing and kissing an aide in his office, in what he acknowledged was a breach of coronavirus rules. 'Pride is back at the White House,' Biden says, signing Pulse nightclub bill To honor the 49 people killed in a 2016 mass shooting, US President Joe Biden has designated the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, a national memorial. Researchers unveil ancient skull nicknamed as 'Dragon Man' In a recent development, Chinese researchers have unveiled an 'ancient skull' that could belong to a completely new species of human. The team claims that it is their 'closest evolutionary relative' among known species of ancient humans, such as Neanderthals and Homo erectus.

Top 10 world news: Derek Chauvin sentenced, WHO's plea for vaccines & more

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised Friday for "harmful government policies" and did not rule out a criminal probe after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at a former indigenous residential school in western Canada.

The public mea culpa for the policy of indigenous assimilation and other historical wrongs comes one day after the Cowessess First Nation said it had found at least 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan province. It was the second such discovery in less than a month.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-unmarked-graves-found-at-another-indigenous-school-in-canada-393533">Hundreds of unmarked graves found at another Indigenous school in Canada</a>&nbsp;

"This was an incredibly harmful government policy that was Canada's reality for many, many decades and Canadians today are horrified and ashamed of how our country behaved, about a policy that ripped kids from their homes, from their communities, from their culture and their language and forced assimilation upon them," Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa.

"To the members of the Cowessess community and Treaty Four communities, we are sorry," he said. "It was something that we cannot undo in the past, but we can pledge ourselves every day to fix it in the present and into the future."

The graves&nbsp;some of which may at one time have been marked were found through ground-penetrating radar mapping.

Excavations at the Marieval school, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the provincial capital Regina, began at the end of May, after the discovery of the remains of 215 schoolchildren at another former indigenous residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/remains-of-215-children-of-kamloops-indian-residential-school-discovered-387995">Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered</a>

Since the grim find in Kamloops, searches have also started at other such former boarding schools across Canada, with government help.

Nearly Can$5 million (US$4 million) would be made available to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 tribes in Saskatchewan, to search for more burial sites in the province, Trudeau said Friday.

'What happened'&nbsp;

Pressed about whether a criminal probe demanded by indigenous leaders was warranted, Trudeau said: "I think people want to properly understand what happened."

"We are open to taking whatever steps are necessary to learn the truth," he added in French, and to "ensure that there are consequences for organizations, institutions, and perhaps in some cases individuals."

The FSIN, the former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair, and others have called for an independent investigation to determine if any crimes occurred at the schools.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-canadas-cultural-genocide-unearthed-388867/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Until the 1990s, some 150,000 Indian, Metis and Inuit children were forcibly enrolled in 139 of these residential schools across Canada, where they were isolated from their families, language and culture.

Many were subjected to ill-treatment and sexual abuse, and more than 4,000 died of disease and neglect in the schools, according to a commission of inquiry that concluded Canada had committed "cultural genocide."

Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities.

Trudeau said he has asked Pope Francis to come to Canada and apologize for abuses at the government-funded, Catholic church-run schools.

"I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to impress upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology, but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trudeau-says-pope-should-apologise-on-canadian-soil-for-churchs-role-in-residential-schools-394067">Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools</a>

The Catholic church's leadership, he said, "is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken."

In the meantime, the Missionary of Oblates of Mary&nbsp;Immaculate, the religious order that operated 48 indigenous residential schools in Canada, including those in Kamloops and Marieval, is committed to disclosing all historical documents in its possession to help shed light on the student deaths.

"We remain deeply sorry for our involvement in residential schools and the harms they brought to indigenous peoples and communities," the group said in a statement.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised Friday for "harmful government policies" and did not rule out a criminal probe after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at a former indigenous residential school in western Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised Friday for "harmful government policies" and did not rule out a criminal probe after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at a former indigenous residential school in western Canada. The public mea culpa for the policy of indigenous assimilation and other historical wrongs comes one day after the Cowessess First Nation said it had found at least 751 unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan province. It was the second such discovery in less than a month. Also read | Hundreds of unmarked graves found at another Indigenous school in Canada "This was an incredibly harmful government policy that was Canada's reality for many, many decades and Canadians today are horrified and ashamed of how our country behaved, about a policy that ripped kids from their homes, from their communities, from their culture and their language and forced assimilation upon them," Trudeau told a news conference in Ottawa. "To the members of the Cowessess community and Treaty Four communities, we are sorry," he said. "It was something that we cannot undo in the past, but we can pledge ourselves every day to fix it in the present and into the future." The graves some of which may at one time have been marked were found through ground-penetrating radar mapping. Excavations at the Marieval school, about 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of the provincial capital Regina, began at the end of May, after the discovery of the remains of 215 schoolchildren at another former indigenous residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia. Also read | Remains of 215 children of Kamloops Indian Residential School discovered Since the grim find in Kamloops, searches have also started at other such former boarding schools across Canada, with government help. Nearly Can$5 million (US$4 million) would be made available to the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), which represents 74 tribes in Saskatchewan, to search for more burial sites in the province, Trudeau said Friday. 'What happened' Pressed about whether a criminal probe demanded by indigenous leaders was warranted, Trudeau said: "I think people want to properly understand what happened." "We are open to taking whatever steps are necessary to learn the truth," he added in French, and to "ensure that there are consequences for organizations, institutions, and perhaps in some cases individuals." The FSIN, the former chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Murray Sinclair, and others have called for an independent investigation to determine if any crimes occurred at the schools. Until the 1990s, some 150,000 Indian, Metis and Inuit children were forcibly enrolled in 139 of these residential schools across Canada, where they were isolated from their families, language and culture. Many were subjected to ill-treatment and sexual abuse, and more than 4,000 died of disease and neglect in the schools, according to a commission of inquiry that concluded Canada had committed "cultural genocide." Today those experiences are blamed for a high incidence of poverty, alcoholism and domestic violence, as well as high suicide rates, in indigenous communities. Trudeau said he has asked Pope Francis to come to Canada and apologize for abuses at the government-funded, Catholic church-run schools. "I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to impress upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology, but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," he said. Also read | Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools The Catholic church's leadership, he said, "is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken." In the meantime, the Missionary of Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order that operated 48 indigenous residential schools in Canada, including those in Kamloops and Marieval, is committed to disclosing all historical documents in its possession to help shed light on the student deaths. "We remain deeply sorry for our involvement in residential schools and the harms they brought to indigenous peoples and communities," the group said in a statement.

Trudeau doesn't rule out criminal probe of indigenous school graves

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