Goldman Sachs told employees that from Tuesday anyone entering its offices in the United States must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

World Business Watch: Goldman Sachs to mandate COVID vaccine for staff, visitors at US offices

Germany will keep evacuating people from Afghanistan as long as it is responsible to do so, Chancellor Angela Merkel told conservative lawmakers on Wednesday, adding, however, that this is only possible with the United States, two sources said.

Thousands of people are still desperate to flee the country after Kabul fell to the Taliban last week and before an Aug. 31 deadline.

Germany's Bundeswehr has so far flown more than 4,500 people out of Afghanistan, tweeted the foreign ministry. Around 3,700 of them are Afghan nationals, with women and girls making up about half the number.

Many journalists and human rights activists are among those who have been flown out, it said.

Broadcaster ARD had earlier reported that German evacuations may stop as soon as Wednesday.

"There will be no special path for Germany. All steps are being closely agreed with partners," one source quoted Merkel as saying.

Talks between leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations on Tuesday resulted in no extension of the Aug. 31 deadline for evacuations.

Merkel said in Tuesday there are intensive discussions on whether a civilian-operated airport in Kabul could be used after that deadline.

Germany will keep evacuating people from Afghanistan as long as it is responsible to do so, Chancellor Angela Merkel told conservative lawmakers on Wednesday, adding, however, that this is only possible with the United States, two sources said.

Germany will keep evacuating people from Afghanistan as long as it is responsible to do so, Chancellor Angela Merkel told conservative lawmakers on Wednesday, adding, however, that this is only possible with the United States, two sources said. Thousands of people are still desperate to flee the country after Kabul fell to the Taliban last week and before an Aug. 31 deadline. Germany's Bundeswehr has so far flown more than 4,500 people out of Afghanistan, tweeted the foreign ministry. Around 3,700 of them are Afghan nationals, with women and girls making up about half the number. Many journalists and human rights activists are among those who have been flown out, it said. Broadcaster ARD had earlier reported that German evacuations may stop as soon as Wednesday. "There will be no special path for Germany. All steps are being closely agreed with partners," one source quoted Merkel as saying. Talks between leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations on Tuesday resulted in no extension of the Aug. 31 deadline for evacuations. Merkel said in Tuesday there are intensive discussions on whether a civilian-operated airport in Kabul could be used after that deadline.

Merkel says Germany to keep evacuating from Kabul but needs US: Sources

Is it Koe-mir’-na-tee? Or Komir’-na-tee?

The name ‘Comirnaty’ given by Pfizer and BioNTech to its COVID-19 vaccine has sent Twitter into a frenzy mode, with netizens slamming the pharmaceutical firms for their “poor” choice of name.

On Monday. the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine for people 16 years and above.

As part of the approval process, the vaccine also got its brand name for use in the US.

However, when the name was officially made public, the company was severely trolled on the microblogging site and the name ‘Comirnaty’ became a fresh fodder for memes.

A user tweeted, “Achievement unlocked: full FDA approval. Also unlocked: crappy hard-to-pronounce word — Comirnaty. Thanks, marketing.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miami-doctor-dies-after-taking-pfizers-coronavirus-vaccine-cdc-launches-investigation-355619">Miami doctor dies after taking Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine; CDC launches investigation</a>

“I feel like the brainstorm session that came up with the name ‘Comirnaty’ either ended too soon or went on way too long,” Nick Mark, a pulmonologist based in Seattle, tweeted.

Another user made a sardonic remark to express his dismay. “Comirnaty. Like a black out drunk person trying to say “Community.”

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Comirnaty. Like a black out drunk person trying to say “Community”.
— Bernadette "bird" Bowen, ABD (she/they) (@BBowenBGSU) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBowenBGSU/status/1430548956040290304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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But there were also others who emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated rather than indulging in ridicule.

“Since a lot of people are asking. The correct pronunciation of Comirnaty is: "keepz-u-out-of-the-hospital-saves-UR-life-protects-your-community,” Ben Wakana, a member of the White House's COVID-19 response team, tweeted on Monday.

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Since a lot of people are asking. The correct pronunciation of Comirnaty is: 
 
"keepz-u-out-of-the-hospital-saves-UR-life-protects-your-community"
— Ben Wakana (@benwakana46) <a href="https://twitter.com/benwakana46/status/1429813601901088772?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Explaining the rationale behind the naming, Pfizer&nbsp;said they wanted to emphasize COVID-19 immunization and the vaccine's core mRNA technology. They also wanted to reflect “community” and “immunity” into the final product.

“The name represents a combination of the terms COVID-19, mRNA, community, and immunity, to highlight the first authorization of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, as well as the joint global efforts that made this achievement possible with unprecedented rigour and efficiency — and with safety at the forefront — during this global pandemic,” Pfizer and BioNTech was quoted by local media.

(with inputs from agencies)

Is it Koe-mir’-na-tee? Or Komir’-na-tee? The name ‘Comirnaty’ given by Pfizer and BioNTech to its COVID-19 vaccine has sent Twitter into a frenzy mode, with netizens slamming the pharmaceutical firms for their “poor” choice of name.

Is it Koe-mir’-na-tee? Or Komir’-na-tee? The name ‘Comirnaty’ given by Pfizer and BioNTech to its COVID-19 vaccine has sent Twitter into a frenzy mode, with netizens slamming the pharmaceutical firms for their “poor” choice of name. On Monday. the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech Coronavirus vaccine for people 16 years and above. As part of the approval process, the vaccine also got its brand name for use in the US. However, when the name was officially made public, the company was severely trolled on the microblogging site and the name ‘Comirnaty’ became a fresh fodder for memes. A user tweeted, “Achievement unlocked: full FDA approval. Also unlocked: crappy hard-to-pronounce word — Comirnaty. Thanks, marketing.” Also read | Miami doctor dies after taking Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine; CDC launches investigation “I feel like the brainstorm session that came up with the name ‘Comirnaty’ either ended too soon or went on way too long,” Nick Mark, a pulmonologist based in Seattle, tweeted. Another user made a sardonic remark to express his dismay. “Comirnaty. Like a black out drunk person trying to say “Community.” Comirnaty. Like a black out drunk person trying to say “Community”. — Bernadette "bird" Bowen, ABD (she/they) (@BBowenBGSU) August 25, 2021 × But there were also others who emphasised the importance of getting vaccinated rather than indulging in ridicule. “Since a lot of people are asking. The correct pronunciation of Comirnaty is: "keepz-u-out-of-the-hospital-saves-UR-life-protects-your-community,” Ben Wakana, a member of the White House's COVID-19 response team, tweeted on Monday. Since a lot of people are asking. The correct pronunciation of Comirnaty is: "keepz-u-out-of-the-hospital-saves-UR-life-protects-your-community" — Ben Wakana (@benwakana46) August 23, 2021 × Explaining the rationale behind the naming, Pfizer said they wanted to emphasize COVID-19 immunization and the vaccine's core mRNA technology. They also wanted to reflect “community” and “immunity” into the final product. “The name represents a combination of the terms COVID-19, mRNA, community, and immunity, to highlight the first authorization of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, as well as the joint global efforts that made this achievement possible with unprecedented rigour and efficiency — and with safety at the forefront — during this global pandemic,” Pfizer and BioNTech was quoted by local media. (with inputs from agencies)

Pfizer-Biotech’s 'weird' branding of COVID vaccine becomes the butt of jokes, netizens slam naming

The Pentagon said that there had been no change so far in Joe Biden's plan to meet the evacuation deadline for Afghanistan by the end of the month and that the pace of evacuations is picking up in Kabul.

Pentagon says no change in timeline of Afghan withdrawal

The Astronomers at the Carnegie Institution for Science (CIS) announced the discovery of the fastest orbiting asteroid ever spotted in the solar system.

Dubbed as “2021 PH27”, the space rock, which is 1 kilometre in diameter, completes its orbit in just 113 Earth days.

That’s the shortest orbital period of any known solar system object except the Mercury&nbsp;planet, which takes only 88 days to orbit around the sun, the scientists noted.

“Though telescope time for astronomers is very precious, the international nature and love of the unknown make astronomers very willing to override their own science and observations to follow up new, interesting discoveries like this,” research leader Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the CIS, said in a statement.&nbsp;

The work was reported to the Minor Planet Centre, an official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union.

According to the scientists, the space rock also gets extremely close to the sun, reaching a proximity of about 20 million kilometres. In comparison, Mercury gets as close as 46 million kilometres (apporx).

Such a close proximity means that asteroid’s surface at times burns up to 500 degrees Celsius.

However, the scientists cautioned that the orbit is not stable. They said the asteroid will likely collide with the sun, Mercury or Venus a few million years from now, if it’s not altered from its current path by a gravitational interaction first.

2021 PH27 was first detected on August 13 by the astronomers using the Dark Energy Camera (DEC), a powerful multipurpose instrument which uses the images taken in the near-ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared&nbsp;to measure the expansion of the universe.

It is mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.&nbsp;

The team was able to pin down the asteroid’s orbit over the next few days due to the observations by the DEC and the Magellan Telescopes at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.

The Astronomers at the Carnegie Institution for Science (CIS) announced the discovery of the fastest orbiting asteroid ever spotted in the solar system. Dubbed as “2021 PH27”, the space rock, which is 1 kilometre in diameter, completes its orbit in just 113 Earth days.

The Astronomers at the Carnegie Institution for Science (CIS) announced the discovery of the fastest orbiting asteroid ever spotted in the solar system. Dubbed as “2021 PH27”, the space rock, which is 1 kilometre in diameter, completes its orbit in just 113 Earth days. That’s the shortest orbital period of any known solar system object except the Mercury planet, which takes only 88 days to orbit around the sun, the scientists noted. “Though telescope time for astronomers is very precious, the international nature and love of the unknown make astronomers very willing to override their own science and observations to follow up new, interesting discoveries like this,” research leader Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the CIS, said in a statement. The work was reported to the Minor Planet Centre, an official body for observing and reporting on minor planets under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union. According to the scientists, the space rock also gets extremely close to the sun, reaching a proximity of about 20 million kilometres. In comparison, Mercury gets as close as 46 million kilometres (apporx). Such a close proximity means that asteroid’s surface at times burns up to 500 degrees Celsius. However, the scientists cautioned that the orbit is not stable. They said the asteroid will likely collide with the sun, Mercury or Venus a few million years from now, if it’s not altered from its current path by a gravitational interaction first. 2021 PH27 was first detected on August 13 by the astronomers using the Dark Energy Camera (DEC), a powerful multipurpose instrument which uses the images taken in the near-ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared to measure the expansion of the universe. It is mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. The team was able to pin down the asteroid’s orbit over the next few days due to the observations by the DEC and the Magellan Telescopes at the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.

US astronomers discover “fastest orbiting asteroid” in solar system

The Supreme Court verdict refused to revoke Donald Trump's migration protection protocols which forced asylum seekers to stay in Mexico awaiting US hearings.

US Supreme Court requires Biden to revive Trump-era 'remain in Mexico' policy

US Vice President Kamala Harris met Vietnam's top leaders on Wednesday. She offered support in several key areas, including the enhancement of the country's maritime security in an effort to counter Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

Harris also offered more visits by US warships during her talks with Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Watch:&nbsp;Pentagon says no change in timeline of Afghan withdrawal

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During a meeting with the Vietnamese president in Hanoi, Harris said there was a need to increase pressure on Beijing over its maritime claims.

During the talks, Harris offered Vietnam vaccines and aid to tackle COVID-19. She also&nbsp;announced the launch of several programmes to help combat climate change, a White House official said.

Her trip to Vietnam got delayed by several hours due to an investigation into two possible incidents of the so-called Havana syndrome&nbsp;in Hanoi.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israels-new-leader-to-present-iran-plan-in-first-white-house-visit-408170">Israel's new leader to present Iran plan in first White House visit</a>

The&nbsp;syndrome is&nbsp;a mysterious health ailment plaguing US&nbsp;diplomats. It is a condition of unknown origin with symptoms including dizziness, nausea, migraines and memory lapses.

Although the investigation was in its early stages, the&nbsp;officials deemed it safe for the&nbsp;vice president&nbsp;to make her scheduled stop.

Kamala Harris is on a week-long visit to Southeast Asia.&nbsp;She has arrived in Hanoi from Singapore where she delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Vice President Kamala Harris met Vietnam's top leaders on Wednesday. She offered support in several key areas, including the enhancement of the country's maritime security in an effort to counter Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

US Vice President Kamala Harris met Vietnam's top leaders on Wednesday. She offered support in several key areas, including the enhancement of the country's maritime security in an effort to counter Beijing's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. Harris also offered more visits by US warships during her talks with Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Watch: Pentagon says no change in timeline of Afghan withdrawal × During a meeting with the Vietnamese president in Hanoi, Harris said there was a need to increase pressure on Beijing over its maritime claims. During the talks, Harris offered Vietnam vaccines and aid to tackle COVID-19. She also announced the launch of several programmes to help combat climate change, a White House official said. Her trip to Vietnam got delayed by several hours due to an investigation into two possible incidents of the so-called Havana syndrome in Hanoi. Also Read: Israel's new leader to present Iran plan in first White House visit The syndrome is a mysterious health ailment plaguing US diplomats. It is a condition of unknown origin with symptoms including dizziness, nausea, migraines and memory lapses. Although the investigation was in its early stages, the officials deemed it safe for the vice president to make her scheduled stop. Kamala Harris is on a week-long visit to Southeast Asia. She has arrived in Hanoi from Singapore where she delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea. (With inputs from agencies)

US vice president offers Vietnam support to counter Beijing in South China Sea 

An anomalous health incident potentially related to the mysterious Havana syndrome delayed the flight of US Vice President Kamala Harris to Vietnam. However, Harris pushed through her tour and arrived in the Southeast Asian country's capital

Kamala Harris' Vietnam trip delayed over possible 'Havana syndrome' case

U.S. troops were seen evacuating military dogs on a plane meant for Afghans. Germany has flown 65,000 cans of beer back home but evacuated only 7 Afghans on its first flight. Palki Sharma tells you how the misplaced priorities of the West are making Afghans suffer

Gravitas: U.S. Military evacuates dogs on 'reserved seats' from Afghanistan

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine for people 16 and older. This becomes the first vaccine to receive a complete nod.

US FDA grants full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The United States has imposed sanctions on the Eritrean army’s chief of staff for his involvement in the conflict in neighboring Ethiopia. As part of the sanctions, any property of the Eritrean army’s chief in the US will be seized.

Ethiopia-Tigray Crisis: US blacklists Eritrean army chief over human rights abuse

Thailand&nbsp;on Tuesday decriminalised kratom, a tropical leaf long used as a herbal remedy but which some health regulators around the world have criticised as potentially unsafe.

Kratom -- scientific name Mitragyna speciosa -- is part of the coffee family, used for centuries in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea for its pain-relieving and mildly stimulating effects.

It has become increasingly popular in the United States, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against its use, citing risks of addiction and abuse.

The change to Thai law means "the general public will be able to consume and sell kratom legally", government&nbsp;spokesman&nbsp;Anucha&nbsp;Burapachaisri said in a statement.

A&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;Development Research Institute study estimated that decriminalisation will save authorities about 1.69 billion baht ($50 million) in prosecution costs.&nbsp;

Kratom stimulates the same brain receptors as morphine, though with much milder effects, and in&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;it is mainly used in the deep south, where Muslim workers use it for pain relief after manual labour.

It has not been subject to international restrictions, though the World Health Organization announced last month that it was examining whether kratom should be considered for control.

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said the decriminalisation of kratom -- which is native to&nbsp;Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea -- was "welcome, and frankly long overdue".

"The legalisation of kratom in&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;ends a legacy of rights-abusing criminalisation of a drug that has long been used in traditional, rural communities in the country," Robertson told AFP.

Soontorn Rakrong, an adviser to the committee on drafting the new legislation who has long advocated decriminalisation, said farmers in southern&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;could grow kratom as a crop to make up for a fall in rubber prices.

In Indonesia, kratom is legal but its status is under review, with some politicians pushing for it to be banned.

Thai lawmakers have shown some appetite for reforming the kingdom's harsh anti-drug laws in recent years.

In 2019,&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise medical marijuana, and the government has invested in the extraction, distillation and marketing of cannabis oils for use in the health industry.

But overcrowded Thai prisons are still packed with inmates handed long sentences for drugs offences -- possessing just a few methamphetamine pills can earn a decade in jail.

Jeremy Douglas of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said&nbsp;Thailand&nbsp;is discussing and considering drug rehabilitation and diversion programmes for meth users to ease some pressure off the system and "also because it is more effective".

Thailand on Tuesday decriminalised kratom, a tropical leaf long used as a herbal remedy but which some health regulators around the world have criticised as potentially unsafe.

Thailand on Tuesday decriminalised kratom, a tropical leaf long used as a herbal remedy but which some health regulators around the world have criticised as potentially unsafe. Kratom -- scientific name Mitragyna speciosa -- is part of the coffee family, used for centuries in Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea for its pain-relieving and mildly stimulating effects. It has become increasingly popular in the United States, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against its use, citing risks of addiction and abuse. The change to Thai law means "the general public will be able to consume and sell kratom legally", government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement. A Thailand Development Research Institute study estimated that decriminalisation will save authorities about 1.69 billion baht ($50 million) in prosecution costs. Kratom stimulates the same brain receptors as morphine, though with much milder effects, and in Thailand it is mainly used in the deep south, where Muslim workers use it for pain relief after manual labour. It has not been subject to international restrictions, though the World Health Organization announced last month that it was examining whether kratom should be considered for control. Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch said the decriminalisation of kratom -- which is native to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea -- was "welcome, and frankly long overdue". "The legalisation of kratom in Thailand ends a legacy of rights-abusing criminalisation of a drug that has long been used in traditional, rural communities in the country," Robertson told AFP. Soontorn Rakrong, an adviser to the committee on drafting the new legislation who has long advocated decriminalisation, said farmers in southern Thailand could grow kratom as a crop to make up for a fall in rubber prices. In Indonesia, kratom is legal but its status is under review, with some politicians pushing for it to be banned. Thai lawmakers have shown some appetite for reforming the kingdom's harsh anti-drug laws in recent years. In 2019, Thailand became the first Southeast Asian country to legalise medical marijuana, and the government has invested in the extraction, distillation and marketing of cannabis oils for use in the health industry. But overcrowded Thai prisons are still packed with inmates handed long sentences for drugs offences -- possessing just a few methamphetamine pills can earn a decade in jail. Jeremy Douglas of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said Thailand is discussing and considering drug rehabilitation and diversion programmes for meth users to ease some pressure off the system and "also because it is more effective".

Thailand legalises kratom, popular plant-based pain reliever

Thousands of Afghans at the Kabul airport could be sitting ducks for a terrorist strike. The US believes ISIS poses an "acute threat" to the evacuation efforts at the Kabul airport. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: ISIS terror threat at Kabul airport

According to the American defence official, President Joe Biden is expected to make the decision on extending the August 31 deadline for the US troops withdrawal today (August 24).

US Prez Biden expected to decide whether to extend August 31 deadline

The extreme rainfall that triggered devastating floods across Germany and Belgium in July was made “up to nine times more likely” due to climate change, a research study has noted, giving credence to findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report that warned of extreme weather events.

The study has also pointed out that human-made global warming has caused downpours in the region up to 20% heavier.

Germany and Belgium join a list of other countries that have been facing floods and extreme weather events. In the past one month, there were floods in China, extreme heatwaves in northwest America&nbsp;and forest fires in Russia, Greece, Turkey and the US.&nbsp;

The report, compiled by 39 scientists, used meteorological measurements, high-resolution computer models and peer-reviewed research methods. It compared the frequency of extreme rainfall that occurred in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in today’s heated climate with the frequency expected in a world where there had been no human-caused climate change.

It found the climate crisis has made extreme rainfall between 1.2 and nine times more likely to happen and that such downpours in the region are now 3% to 19% more intense.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earths-vital-signs-are-worsening-due-to-climate-change-scientists-warn-401135">Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn</a>

“The huge human and economic costs of these floods are a stark reminder that countries around the world need to prepare for more extreme weather events and that we urgently need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid such risks from getting even further out of hand,” Prof Maarten van Aalst, who is one of the who conducted the research, told the Guardian.

Over 222 people were killed in flooding in Germany and Belgium.

On August 9, the IPCC came out with a damning assessment on global warming, saying that extreme heatwaves, droughts, and flooding, are going to be more pronounced in this decade.

The 3,000-plus-page report said global warming is already accelerating sea-level rise and worsening extremes such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms. Tropical cyclones are getting stronger and wetter, while Arctic sea ice is dwindling in the summer and permafrost is thawing.

All of these trends will get worse, the report said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The extreme rainfall that triggered devastating floods across Germany and Belgium in July was made “up to nine times more likely” due to climate change, a research study has noted, giving credence to findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report that warned of extreme weather events.

The extreme rainfall that triggered devastating floods across Germany and Belgium in July was made “up to nine times more likely” due to climate change, a research study has noted, giving credence to findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) report that warned of extreme weather events. The study has also pointed out that human-made global warming has caused downpours in the region up to 20% heavier. Germany and Belgium join a list of other countries that have been facing floods and extreme weather events. In the past one month, there were floods in China, extreme heatwaves in northwest America and forest fires in Russia, Greece, Turkey and the US. The report, compiled by 39 scientists, used meteorological measurements, high-resolution computer models and peer-reviewed research methods. It compared the frequency of extreme rainfall that occurred in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands in today’s heated climate with the frequency expected in a world where there had been no human-caused climate change. It found the climate crisis has made extreme rainfall between 1.2 and nine times more likely to happen and that such downpours in the region are now 3% to 19% more intense. Also read | Earth's 'vital signs' are worsening due to climate change, scientists warn “The huge human and economic costs of these floods are a stark reminder that countries around the world need to prepare for more extreme weather events and that we urgently need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid such risks from getting even further out of hand,” Prof Maarten van Aalst, who is one of the who conducted the research, told the Guardian. Over 222 people were killed in flooding in Germany and Belgium. On August 9, the IPCC came out with a damning assessment on global warming, saying that extreme heatwaves, droughts, and flooding, are going to be more pronounced in this decade. The 3,000-plus-page report said global warming is already accelerating sea-level rise and worsening extremes such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms. Tropical cyclones are getting stronger and wetter, while Arctic sea ice is dwindling in the summer and permafrost is thawing. All of these trends will get worse, the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate change made deadly Europe floods up to nine times more likely: Study

The tallest man in the US, Igor Vovkovinskiy, has died at the age of 38 years in Minnesota. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, the Ukrainian-born Vovkovinskiy died of heart disease while getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, his family said. &nbsp;

His mother Svetlana Vovkovinska, who is also an ICU nurse at Mayo, announced&nbsp; his death on Facebook. &nbsp;

In 1989, Vovkovinskiy came to the Mayo Clinic as a child seeking treatment. At that time, a tumor was pressing against his pituitary gland, which caused it to secrete abnormal levels of growth hormone. He grew to become the tallest man in the US. His height was 7ft 8.33in (2.35m). He ended up staying in Rochester.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/chinas-zhurong-rover-travels-1000-metres-on-mars-surface-completes-planned-exploration-407968">China's Zhurong rover travels 1,000 metres on Mars surface, completes planned exploration</a>

Oleh Ladan, his older brother of Brooklyn Park, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that Vovkovinskiy was a celebrity when he arrived from Ukraine because of his size and the flickering cold war of the late 1980s. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Apart from appearing on the Dr Oz Show, Vovkovinskiy was called out by Barack Obama during a campaign rally in 2009, when the president noticed him near the stage wearing a T-shirt that read “World’s Biggest Obama Supporter”.&nbsp;

According to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, he was born on September 8, 1982 in Bar, Ukraine to Vovkovinska and Oleksandr Ladan. A memorial service was held on Saturday.

The tallest man in the US, Igor Vovkovinskiy, has died at the age of 38 years in Minnesota. On Friday, the Ukrainian-born Vovkovinskiy died of heart disease while getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, his family said.

The tallest man in the US, Igor Vovkovinskiy, has died at the age of 38 years in Minnesota. On Friday, the Ukrainian-born Vovkovinskiy died of heart disease while getting treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, his family said. His mother Svetlana Vovkovinska, who is also an ICU nurse at Mayo, announced his death on Facebook. In 1989, Vovkovinskiy came to the Mayo Clinic as a child seeking treatment. At that time, a tumor was pressing against his pituitary gland, which caused it to secrete abnormal levels of growth hormone. He grew to become the tallest man in the US. His height was 7ft 8.33in (2.35m). He ended up staying in Rochester. Also Read: China's Zhurong rover travels 1,000 metres on Mars surface, completes planned exploration Oleh Ladan, his older brother of Brooklyn Park, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that Vovkovinskiy was a celebrity when he arrived from Ukraine because of his size and the flickering cold war of the late 1980s. Apart from appearing on the Dr Oz Show, Vovkovinskiy was called out by Barack Obama during a campaign rally in 2009, when the president noticed him near the stage wearing a T-shirt that read “World’s Biggest Obama Supporter”. According to Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, he was born on September 8, 1982 in Bar, Ukraine to Vovkovinska and Oleksandr Ladan. A memorial service was held on Saturday.

Ukrainian-born Igor Vovkovinskiy, tallest man in US, dies at age of 38  

Accusing Beijing of continuing to 'coerce' and 'intimidate' in the South China Sea,&nbsp;US&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday pledged Washington would pursue a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;leader is currently on&nbsp;a trip to Singapore.&nbsp;During the visit, Harris will meet&nbsp;Singapore's President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Watch: US Vice Prez Kamala Harris visits Singapore to strengthen ties, counter China's influence

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The trip to Southeast Asia looks to bolster ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;Vice President will also visit the Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa, a combat ship of the US Navy later.&nbsp;Harris is on a seven-day visit to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam.

Also read | <a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/at-risk-afghans-us-grapples-with-august-31-evacuation-deadline-407919">'At risk' Afghans: US grapples with August 31 evacuation deadline</a>

Even as Singapore is not a US treaty ally, it remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties.&nbsp;It aims to balance its relationships with both the United States and China by not taking sides.

As per a report released by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the US Congress,&nbsp;in April,&nbsp;"Singapore has encouraged greater US engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to 'contain' China's rise are counterproductive. It has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against possible US retrenchment."

(With inputs from agencies)

Accusing Beijing of continuing to 'coerce' and 'intimidate' in the South China Sea, US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday pledged Washington would pursue a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Accusing Beijing of continuing to 'coerce' and 'intimidate' in the South China Sea, US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday pledged Washington would pursue a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US leader is currently on a trip to Singapore. During the visit, Harris will meet Singapore's President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Watch: US Vice Prez Kamala Harris visits Singapore to strengthen ties, counter China's influence × The trip to Southeast Asia looks to bolster ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence. The US Vice President will also visit the Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa, a combat ship of the US Navy later. Harris is on a seven-day visit to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam. Also read | 'At risk' Afghans: US grapples with August 31 evacuation deadline Even as Singapore is not a US treaty ally, it remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties. It aims to balance its relationships with both the United States and China by not taking sides. As per a report released by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the US Congress, in April, "Singapore has encouraged greater US engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to 'contain' China's rise are counterproductive. It has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against possible US retrenchment." (With inputs from agencies)

Eye on China: Kamala Harris vows US will pursue a free and open Indo-Pacific

After two decades out of power, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;are swiftly moving to stamp their authority on Afghanistan using every tool at their disposal -- including&nbsp;flags.

Since rolling into Kabul a week ago, the white banner of the Islamist militants has become a common sight across the country, replacing the national&nbsp;tricolour&nbsp;flag above government buildings, police stations and military facilities.

There have been scattered reports of people being castigated or even punished for waving the old national banner, but so far there is no official word from the group on the flag issue.

At a Kabul roadside on Sunday, vendors were making a quick sale in&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;flags&nbsp;-- a white banner bearing the Muslim proclamation of faith and the regime's formal name: "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan".

"Our goal is to spread the flag of the Islamic Emirate throughout Afghanistan, instead of the&nbsp;tricolour&nbsp;flag," said vendor Ahmad Shakib, who studies economics at university.

It was not clear if he was affiliated with the&nbsp;Taliban.

The sight of&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;fighters in vehicles bearing the standard has terrorised people across Afghanistan in recent weeks as the militants first captured vast swathes of the rural hinterland and then all the major cities.

The group was quick to replace the&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;national flag wherever it could.

But in the middle of the despair and fear sparked by the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;takeover, the old flag has become something of a symbol of defiance for many, featuring prominently in the small protests held in recent days.

<h2>&nbsp;'My heart is here'</h2>

Social media has been awash with images and emojis of the old flag -- a black, red and green vertical&nbsp;tricolour&nbsp;with the national emblem overlaid in white -- posted by public figures including sports stars and many ordinary Afghans.

On Afghanistan's independence day last week, groups of people waved the national flag in Kabul and a handful of suburbs to celebrate -- sometimes in plain sight of patrolling&nbsp;Taliban.

At one rally, people on a convoy of honking cars waved national&nbsp;flags&nbsp;in Kabul. At another spot, men and women stood by the roadside holding the&nbsp;tricolour&nbsp;banner.

A day earlier,&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;fighters fired guns to disperse dozens in the eastern city of Jalalabad who were protesting over the removal of the national flag, according to local media.

"My heart is here for this flag... I will never leave this flag," said one Jalalabad resident.

"Kill us, fire at us... We will never leave this flag."

After two decades out of power, the Taliban are swiftly moving to stamp their authority on Afghanistan using every tool at their disposal -- including flags. Since rolling into Kabul a week ago, the white banner of the Islamist militants has become a common sight across the country, replacing the national tricolour flag above government buildings, police stations and military facilities.

After two decades out of power, the Taliban are swiftly moving to stamp their authority on Afghanistan using every tool at their disposal -- including flags. Since rolling into Kabul a week ago, the white banner of the Islamist militants has become a common sight across the country, replacing the national tricolour flag above government buildings, police stations and military facilities. There have been scattered reports of people being castigated or even punished for waving the old national banner, but so far there is no official word from the group on the flag issue. At a Kabul roadside on Sunday, vendors were making a quick sale in Taliban flags -- a white banner bearing the Muslim proclamation of faith and the regime's formal name: "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". "Our goal is to spread the flag of the Islamic Emirate throughout Afghanistan, instead of the tricolour flag," said vendor Ahmad Shakib, who studies economics at university. It was not clear if he was affiliated with the Taliban. The sight of Taliban fighters in vehicles bearing the standard has terrorised people across Afghanistan in recent weeks as the militants first captured vast swathes of the rural hinterland and then all the major cities. The group was quick to replace the Afghan national flag wherever it could. But in the middle of the despair and fear sparked by the Taliban takeover, the old flag has become something of a symbol of defiance for many, featuring prominently in the small protests held in recent days. 'My heart is here' Social media has been awash with images and emojis of the old flag -- a black, red and green vertical tricolour with the national emblem overlaid in white -- posted by public figures including sports stars and many ordinary Afghans. On Afghanistan's independence day last week, groups of people waved the national flag in Kabul and a handful of suburbs to celebrate -- sometimes in plain sight of patrolling Taliban. At one rally, people on a convoy of honking cars waved national flags in Kabul. At another spot, men and women stood by the roadside holding the tricolour banner. A day earlier, Taliban fighters fired guns to disperse dozens in the eastern city of Jalalabad who were protesting over the removal of the national flag, according to local media. "My heart is here for this flag... I will never leave this flag," said one Jalalabad resident. "Kill us, fire at us... We will never leave this flag."

Taliban flags proliferate as Afghan tricolour becomes resistance symbol

The US&nbsp;special envoy for North Korea was due to meet his South Korean counterpart on Monday, as the two allies look for ways to entice Pyongyang back to talks over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. 
 
Sung Kim arrived in Seoul on Saturday for a four-day visit. He met with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong at the minister's residence on Sunday, where they discussed ways for a speedy resumption of the peace process on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry official said. 
 
On Monday Kim will meet with his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, and on Tuesday with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov in Seoul. 
 
The visit comes as a brief thaw in inter-Korean relations in July gave way to a new standoff over US-South Korean military exercises that North Korea has warned could trigger a security crisis. 
 
The nine-day exercise began on August&nbsp;16, with silence so far from North Korean state media despite fears that the country could conduct a missile test or take other actions to underscore its disapproval. 
 
North Korea has said it is open to diplomacy, but that the American overtures appear hollow while "hostile acts" such as the drills continue. 
 
US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's administration has said it will explore diplomacy to achieve North Korean denuclearisation, but shown no willingness to ease sanctions.

The US special envoy for North Korea was due to meet his South Korean counterpart on Monday, as the two allies look for ways to entice Pyongyang back to talks over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

The US special envoy for North Korea was due to meet his South Korean counterpart on Monday, as the two allies look for ways to entice Pyongyang back to talks over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. Sung Kim arrived in Seoul on Saturday for a four-day visit. He met with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong at the minister's residence on Sunday, where they discussed ways for a speedy resumption of the peace process on the Korean peninsula, a foreign ministry official said. On Monday Kim will meet with his South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, and on Tuesday with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov in Seoul. The visit comes as a brief thaw in inter-Korean relations in July gave way to a new standoff over US-South Korean military exercises that North Korea has warned could trigger a security crisis. The nine-day exercise began on August 16, with silence so far from North Korean state media despite fears that the country could conduct a missile test or take other actions to underscore its disapproval. North Korea has said it is open to diplomacy, but that the American overtures appear hollow while "hostile acts" such as the drills continue. US President Joe Biden's administration has said it will explore diplomacy to achieve North Korean denuclearisation, but shown no willingness to ease sanctions.

US, South Korea envoys discuss jumpstarting talks with North Korea

According to reports, the US state department was recently hit by a cyber attack, and notifications of a possible serious breach were made by the department of defence cyber command.

Report: US State Department hit by cyber attack, possible breach notified

US&nbsp;Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Singapore's leaders on Monday on the first working day of a trip to Southeast Asia aimed at bolstering ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence. 
 
Harris will meet Singapore's President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and later visit the Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa, a combat ship of the US&nbsp;Navy. 
 
Singapore is not a US&nbsp;treaty ally, but remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties. However, it also seeks to balance its relationships with the United States and China by not taking sides. 
 
The country is home to the biggest port in Southeast Asia, and supports continued free navigation in the area, where China is growing increasingly assertive. 
 
Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday at the start of a seven-day visit to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam. During the visits, US&nbsp;officials will aim to address Washington's concerns about China's claims to disputed parts of the South China Sea. 
 
"Singapore has encouraged greater US&nbsp;engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to 'contain' China's rise are counterproductive," according to a report released in April by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the US&nbsp;Congress. 
 
"Singapore has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against possible US&nbsp;retrenchment," the report said. 
 
In a recent interview with Reuters, Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, welcomed the role the United States and China play in the region - reflecting the delicate diplomacy it has succeeded at and one Harris has to navigate. 
 
He said the United States and Singapore will discuss topics such as the pandemic, the digital economy and cybersecurity.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Singapore's leaders on Monday on the first working day of a trip to Southeast Asia aimed at bolstering ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet Singapore's leaders on Monday on the first working day of a trip to Southeast Asia aimed at bolstering ties as part of Washington's efforts to counter China's growing influence. Harris will meet Singapore's President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and later visit the Changi Naval Base and tour the USS Tulsa, a combat ship of the US Navy. Singapore is not a US treaty ally, but remains one of its strongest security partners in the region with deep trade ties. However, it also seeks to balance its relationships with the United States and China by not taking sides. The country is home to the biggest port in Southeast Asia, and supports continued free navigation in the area, where China is growing increasingly assertive. Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday at the start of a seven-day visit to the region, which will also include a trip to Vietnam. During the visits, US officials will aim to address Washington's concerns about China's claims to disputed parts of the South China Sea. "Singapore has encouraged greater US engagement in Asia, but warned that efforts to 'contain' China's rise are counterproductive," according to a report released in April by the Congressional Research Service, which conducts research and analysis for the US Congress. "Singapore has maintained generally good relations with China, at least partly as a hedge against possible US retrenchment," the report said. In a recent interview with Reuters, Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, welcomed the role the United States and China play in the region - reflecting the delicate diplomacy it has succeeded at and one Harris has to navigate. He said the United States and Singapore will discuss topics such as the pandemic, the digital economy and cybersecurity.

Kamala Harris visits Singapore to deepen ties, counter China's influence

President Joe Biden once again defended the decision of US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said that changes had been made in Kabul to ease the ability of Americans and Afghan allies to flee the country amid emerging threats, and admitted there are discussions about extending the August 31 deadline for US troops to leave Afghanistan.

Biden says US troops widened 'safe zone' in Kabul airport

Heavy rainfall has triggered floods in different parts of the world including the US and China. The climate crisis continues to affect the worldwide population.

Record rainfall triggers floods in different parts of the world

The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has issued a warning to people who are self-medicating with ivermectin tablets to treat COVID-19 symptoms, saying that it has not authorised the use of drugs for treating the infection as it is “intended to treat livestock.”

The agency was reacting to reports from the Mississippi Start Department of Health that people have been poisoned by consuming ivermectin drugs, commonly used to de-worm cattle.

“You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it,” the FDA tweeted, adding, “It’s perhaps not surprising that some consumers are looking at unconventional treatments” in a state where only 37% of the population is fully vaccinated. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-anti-lockdown-protesters-arrested-in-australia-as-daily-cases-hit-record-high-407599">Also read | Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters arrested in Australia as daily cases hit record high</a> 
 
Mississippi’s health department issued a warning that over 70 per cent of the recent calls to the poison department were from people who took Ivermectin bought at livestock supply centres, Bloomberg reported.

“These animal drugs are often highly concentrated because they are used for large animals like horses and cows, which can weigh a lot more than a human,” the FDA said in a statement. 
 
Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fantastic-news-uk-approves-first-ever-covid-antibody-treatment-407215">&nbsp;'Fantastic news': UK approves first ever Covid antibody treatment</a>

“Such high doses can be highly toxic in humans.” It added.

According to the FDA, patients who overdose with ivermectin can experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, problems with balance, seizures, coma and even death. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has issued a warning to people who are self-medicating with ivermectin tablets to treat COVID-19 symptoms, saying that it has not authorised the use of drugs for treating the infection as it is “intended to treat livestock.

The US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) has issued a warning to people who are self-medicating with ivermectin tablets to treat COVID-19 symptoms, saying that it has not authorised the use of drugs for treating the infection as it is “intended to treat livestock.” The agency was reacting to reports from the Mississippi Start Department of Health that people have been poisoned by consuming ivermectin drugs, commonly used to de-worm cattle. “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it,” the FDA tweeted, adding, “It’s perhaps not surprising that some consumers are looking at unconventional treatments” in a state where only 37% of the population is fully vaccinated. Also read | Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters arrested in Australia as daily cases hit record high Mississippi’s health department issued a warning that over 70 per cent of the recent calls to the poison department were from people who took Ivermectin bought at livestock supply centres, Bloomberg reported. “These animal drugs are often highly concentrated because they are used for large animals like horses and cows, which can weigh a lot more than a human,” the FDA said in a statement. Also read | 'Fantastic news': UK approves first ever Covid antibody treatment “Such high doses can be highly toxic in humans.” It added. According to the FDA, patients who overdose with ivermectin can experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, problems with balance, seizures, coma and even death. (With inputs from agencies)

'You are not a cow, You are not a horse': FDA warns against using ‘animal drug’ ivermectin to treat COVID-19

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