Profile: 82acde23...

Afghan central bank lacks independence from Taliban: US watchdog

It lacked independence from the Taliban, had deficiencies in anti-money laundering and countering 'terrorism' financing. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/8/afghan-central-bank-lacks-independence-from-taliban-us-watchdog?utm_source=press.coop

Notorious Colombian drug trafficker Otoniel sentenced to 45 years in US

Dairo Antonio Usuga David, a leader in the Gulf Clan, has admitted to overseeing a vast network of criminal operations. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/notorious-colombian-drug-trafficker-otoniel-sentenced-45-years-in-us-court?utm_source=press.coop

Alaska’s bursting ice dam highlights threat of glacial floods worldwide

While little known in US, glacial flooding could threaten about 15 million people around the world, researchers say. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/alaskas-bursting-ice-dam-highlights-threat-of-glacial-floods-worldwide?utm_source=press.coop

Italy shocks banks with 40 percent windfall tax for 2023

The move comes after higher interest rates have yielded record profits for banks as the cost of loans has soared. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/italy-shocks-banks-with-40-percent-windfall-tax-for-2023?utm_source=press.coop

Syrian government extends permission for limited UN aid to opposition areas

Syrians in rebel-held northwest fear Assad may choke off badly needed aid as Damascus establishes sway over assistance. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/syrian-government-extends-permission-for-limited-un-aid-to-opposition-areas?utm_source=press.coop

Ecuador beset by crime, economic woes ahead of presidential vote

Voters express scepticism as candidates promise to revitalise sluggish economy and tackle rising insecurity. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/ecuador-beset-by-crime-economic-woes-ahead-of-presidential-vote?utm_source=press.coop

US military buildup in Gulf risks ‘dangerous’ Iran escalation: Analysts

Sending troops to deter Iran in the Gulf harkens back to Donald Trump's hardline policies against Tehran, experts say. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/us-military-buildup-in-gulf-risks-dangerous-iran-escalation-analysts?utm_source=press.coop

No quick fix to reverse ‘astonishing’ Antarctic sea ice loss: Scientists

This year's sea ice minimum is 20 percent lower than the average over the last 40 years, researchers say. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/no-quick-fix-to-reverse-astonishing-antarctic-sea-ice-loss?utm_source=press.coop

Italy shocks banks with 40 percent windfall tax for 2023

The move comes after higher interest rates have yielded record profits for banks as the cost of loans has soared. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/italy-shocks-banks-with-40-percent-windfall-tax-for-2023?utm_source=press.coop

More than 1,000 evacuated in southern Portugal as wildfires rage

High temperatures and strong winds hamper battle against wildfires, with conditions expected to remain challenging. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/more-than-1000-evacuated-in-southern-portugal-as-wildfires-rage?utm_source=press.coop

Biden designates US national monument near Grand Canyon

Indigenous leaders, environmentalists welcome protection of more than 404,000 hectares near Grand Canyon National Park. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/biden-designates-national-monument-near-grand-canyon?utm_source=press.coop

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan barred from politics for 5 years

Election watchdog order says Khan disqualified in line with his conviction for misdeclaration of assets. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/former-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-barred-from-politics-for-5-years?utm_source=press.coop

Notorious Colombian drug trafficker Otoniel sentenced to 45 years in US

Dairo Antonio Usuga David, a leader in the Gulf Clan, has admitted to overseeing a vast network of criminal operations. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/notorious-colombian-drug-trafficker-otoniel-sentenced-45-years-in-us-court?utm_source=press.coop

US Supreme Court reinstates ‘ghost gun’ rule struck down by lower court

US Department of Justice says more than 19,000 firearms without serial numbers were seized in crime probes in 2021. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/us-supreme-court-reinstates-ghost-gun-rule-struck-down-by-lower-court?utm_source=press.coop

Afghan central bank lacks independence from Taliban: US watchdog

It lacked independence from the Taliban, had deficiencies in anti-money laundering and countering 'terrorism' financing. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/8/8/afghan-central-bank-lacks-independence-from-taliban-us-watchdog?utm_source=press.coop

Pentagon confirms intelligence sharing with Japan despite hacking rumours

The Washington Post has reported that Chinese hackers allegedly accessed Japan's defence networks, spurring concerns. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/pentagon-confirms-intelligence-sharing-with-japan-despite-hacking-rumours?utm_source=press.coop

Opposition cries foul as voters in CAR approve tenure elongation

President Touadéra's rivals have said he is seeking life presidency of the Central African Republic. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/opposition-cries-foul-as-central-african-republic-okays-tenure-elongation?utm_source=press.coop

Niger coup leaders rebuff diplomatic overtures from AU, ECOWAS

West African leaders expected to meet on Thursday to discuss response to generals who have deposed Niger's president. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/niger-coup-leaders-rebuff-diplomatic-overtures-from-au-ecowas?utm_source=press.coop

What’s behind the latest fighting in Ethiopia?

Rebels in Amhara have taken up arms against Ethiopia's military. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2023/8/8/whats-behind-the-latest-fighting-in-ethiopia?utm_source=press.coop

Sanctions, airspace closures hamper UN humanitarian efforts in Niger

UN aid agencies scramble to replace depleting aid stocks as regional sanctions start to kick in. #press

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/8/sanctions-airspace-closures-hamper-un-humanitarian-efforts-in-niger?utm_source=press.coop