Russia approves new US envoy
Afp, Moscow

Moscow said yesterday it has approved the candidacy of the former US ambassador to Kiev as Washington's new envoy to Russia at a time of sharply heightened tensions over Ukraine. If he is approved by the US Senate, career diplomat John Tefft will succeed Michael McFaul, who quit his post in February after just two years on the job.

Firing inside Indian court kills 2
Agencies

At least two people were killed and three others injured yesterday in a blast which was followed by firing inside a court in Uttar Pradesh's Faizabad, reports said.
According to NDTV news channel, former UP legislator Sonu Singh's brother Monu and others were attacked inside the court. It said the assailant was also killed in police fire.

Greek civil servants strike over austerity
Afp, Athens

Greek civil servants launched a 24-hour strike yesterday to protest layoffs and grinding austerity policies that have slashed public services in the debt-ridden country.
Central Athens was closed to traffic at midday as more than 1,000 strikers prepared to march on parliament. It is the latest in a series of strikes to protest the planned layoffs of some 11,000 civil servants by the end of the year, in addition to 14,000 already laid off from the 650,000-strong public sector.

Merkel to attend World Cup final in Rio
Afp, Berlin

"President Joachim Gauck will travel with Chancellor Angela Merkel to Rio de Janeiro from July 12 to 14" and watch the final match together, his office said yesterday.
After Germany's historic 7-1 thrashing of hosts Brazil in the semifinal yesterday, they will face either Argentina or the Netherlands for the championship on Sunday. A record 32.6 million people watched the rout on German television.

Afghan casualties jump 24%: UN
Afp, Kabul

Civilian casualties in Afghanistan soared by 24 percent in the first half of 2014, according to UN figures released yesterday, revealing worsening nationwide violence amid political turmoil. In the first six months of this year, UNAMA documented 4,853 civilian casualties. The toll included 1,564 deaths and 3,289 injuries, with ground engagements causing two out of every five civilian casualties in 2014.