USA

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — After four inconclusive sessions, UN member states on Monday resume talks aimed at finally completing a treaty to protect the world’s high seas, a vital yet fragile resource that covers nearly half the planet.

A host of NGOs and affected countries say the pact is urgently needed to improve environmental stewardship over the vast, yet largely unregulated, area as it faces growing challenges.

WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The United States imposed sanctions on three Liberian government officials, including President George Weah's chief of staff, for what it says is their ongoing involvement in public corruption, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Monday.

The sanctions target Weah's Chief of Staff Nathaniel McGill, Liberia's Chief Prosecutor Sayma Syrenius Cephus and Bill Twehway, the managing director of the National Port Authority.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A man drove his car into a vehicle barricade on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. early Sunday morning and fired gunshots before killing himself.

The incident occurred at East Capitol Street and Second Street just after 4:00 a.m. (0800 GMT), according to a press release from the Capitol Police.

The car "became engulfed in flames" while the man was getting out of it. Then he "fired several shots into the air" along East Capitol Street.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Global warming has significantly increased the risk of "mega-flooding" in California and the Western United States, a UCLA study published in the journal of Science Advances on Friday said.

(AP) --- The top executive at Pfizer, a leading producer of COVID-19 vaccines, has tested positive for the virus and says he is experiencing very mild symptoms.

Chairman and CEO Albert Bourla said Monday that he started taking Pfizer’s Paxlovid pill treatment and is isolating while he recovers.

Bourla has received four shots of Comirnaty, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the New York drugmaker along with BioNTech. He said in a brief statement issued by the company that he is confident of a quick recovery.

ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge on Monday said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham must testify before a special grand jury in Atlanta that is investigating whether then-President Donald Trump and his allies broke any laws while trying to overturn his narrow 2020 general election loss in the state.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — They hail from their states’ most prominent Republican families. They have been among the GOP’s sharpest critics of former President Donald Trump. And after the Jan. 6 insurrection, they supported his impeachment.

But for all their similarities, the political fortunes of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming are poised to diverge on Tuesday when they’re each on the ballot in closely watched primary elections.

Washington, Aug 15 (PTI) The US and India are indispensable partners, President Joe Biden has said and recalled Mahatma Gandhi's "enduring message of truth and non-violence" to honour 75 years of India's democratic journey.

This year, the US and India also celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Biden said, underling that the two democracies will continue to stand together to defend the rules-based order, advance a free and open Indo-Pacific and address the challenges that the world is facing.

NEW YORK, Aug 14 (APP): Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm in New York on Sunday, with the hoisting of the national flag at the Pakistan House by Consul General Ayesha Ali, as the national anthem was played.

The joint ceremony, held by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN and the Consulate General, started with recitation from the Holy Quran.

It was attended by officers and staff of the Pakistan Mission and the Consulate General.

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 14 (APP): The world community must step up efforts to urge the Taliban, who are ruling Afghanistan, to adhere to basic human rights principles, a group of rights have said .

The future is immensely bleak for Afghans if more is not done by the international community to ensure the Taliban changes its modus operandi and complies with its human rights obligations, they said in a joint statement issued in Geneva.