Morning Digest | Killing of al-Qaeda leader is long-sought justice, says Biden; GST levies on food items won’t burden poor, says Nirmala Sitharaman, and more
The Hindu
A select list of stories to read before you start your day
Top al-Qaeda leader al-Zawahri killed in Afghanistan in U.S. operation
A CIA drone strike has killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri in Afghanistan, according to five people familiar with the matter. Current and former officials began hearing Sunday afternoon that al-Zawahri had been killed in a drone strike, but the administration delayed releasing the information until his death could be confirmed, according to one person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.
Killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri is long-sought justice: Biden
President Joe Biden announced Monday, August 1, 2022, that al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, an operation he said delivered justice and hopefully “one more measure of closure” to families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
GST levies on food items won’t burden poor, says Nirmala Sitharaman
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 1, 2022 asserted that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) levies on food items such as curd, lassi and wheat would not burden poor households, and took on States and the Opposition parties for seeking to suggest that the taxes were driven by the Narendra Modi administration when it was a decision taken by the GST Council with all States on board.
Boxers Amit Panghal, Mohammad Hussamudin, Ashish Kumar cruise into quarterfinals
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan granted bail in graft case, but remains in prison with multiple charges pending.
Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament to ban children younger than 16 from social media.
Florida man arrested for plotting to bomb New York Stock Exchange to "reboot" U.S. government, detained for trial.
Apple asked a federal judge to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust case against the iPhone maker.
The Sri Lankan parliamentary elections have, more or less, cleansed the 225-member Parliament, purging the country’s arrogant old guard
Trump appoints Whitaker as NATO ambassador despite lack of foreign policy experience, raising concerns about U.S. representation within alliance.
Trump appoints Whitaker as NATO ambassador despite lack of foreign policy experience, raising concerns about U.S. representation within alliance.
U.N. Security Council votes 14-1 for ceasefire resolution, U.S. veto prevents adoption due to hostage release demand.
Bangladesh interim government cancels passports of 22 security officials under investigation for abductions during previous presidency.
U.S. policy shift allowing Kyiv to use ATACMS missiles sparks furious response from Moscow, risking major war.
Taliban authorities are removing "un-Islamic" and anti-government literature from circulation by checking imported books and distributing lists of banned titles.