WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States will slash its military presence in Germany by 11,900 troops in what the Pentagon on Wednesday called a “strategic” repositioning, but President Donald Trump said was to punish Berlin for its weak defense spending. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the Pentagon will be sending home about 6,400 of its military personnel in Germany, and move nearly 5,600 to other NATO countries, including Italy and Belgium. Some could also be relocated to Poland and the Baltic countries if Washington can reach agreements with…
Day: July 30, 2020
India uses arrival of new fighter jets to warn China
NEW DELHI (AFP) – The first five Rafale fighter jets bought from France in a multi-billion-dollar deal landed in India on Wednesday, and the defence minister used their arrival to launch a veiled warning to neighbouring China over territorial tensions. A water-cannon guard of honour greeted the five jets when they landed at the Ambala air base in Haryana state. India has bought 36 Rafale fighters from France in a deal estimated to be worth $9.4 billion. All are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2021. An intense…
Afghans demand permanent ceasefire ahead of peace talks
KABUL (AFP) – Afghans on Wednesday welcomed a three-day ceasefire but called for it to be made permanent, after the government and the Taliban said they would observe a truce that could kickstart peace talks as soon as next week. The foes this week announced a temporary stoppage in Afghanistan s war, only the third official pause in nearly 19 years. It is slated to start Friday and run for the duration of the Eid al-Adha Muslim festival. Ali, a Kabul shopkeeper who only gave one name, said three days was…
Brazil’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 90,000
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – Brazil registered record daily numbers of infections and deaths from the new coronavirus Wednesday, sending its overall death toll surging past 90,000 people. The country, which has been hit harder than any except the United States in the pandemic, recorded 69,074 new cases and 1,595 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said. That brought the figures to a total of more than 2.5 million cases and 90,134 people killed since the start of the pandemic. Experts say under-testing in the country…