Australia joins US in Afghan troops pullout

Australia will complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in September in line with the United States and other allies, the prime minister said.

The country’s contribution to the Natoled mission had once exceeded 15,000 personnel, but only 80 remain.

Scott Morrison did not specify a date for the withdrawal, but said: “In line with the United

States and other allies and partners, the last remaining Australian troops will depart Afghanistan in September.

“The decision represents a significant milestone in Australia’s military history.”

President Joe Biden plans to withdraw the last 2,500 troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States that triggered the campaign.

More than 39,000 Australian military personnel have served in Afghanistan since 2001, and 41 have been killed there.

Beijing: China’s top official in Hong Kong has warned foreign forces not to interfere with the “bottom line” of national security in the city.

The US, Britain and their allies have condemned China’s tightening control over Hong Kong’s freedoms, including the sweeping national security law and electoral reforms that have all but silenced the once-vibrant opposition in the semi-autonomous territory.

Luo Huining, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, has threatened retaliation amid tensions between China and Western powers.

He said: “When it is time, actions must be taken in relation to any external or foreign forces that may interfere in Hong Kong affairs or attempts to use Hong Kong as a pawn.”

Florence: The greatgrandchildren of Gucci fashion empire founder Guccio Gucci have appealed to filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott to respect their family’s legacy in a new movie.

The House Of Gucci, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, is based on a book about the 1995 murder for hire of one of Gucci’s grandchildren, Maurizio, and the subsequent trial and conviction of his ex-wife.

Portrayed by Lady Gaga, Patrizia Reggiani, served 16 years in prison for contracting the murder.

Patrizia Gucci is worried that the film pries into the private lives of the Guccio Gucci heirs.

She said: “They are stealing the identity of a family to make a profit.”

British director Sir Ridley’s production company did not respond to requests for comment.

Dubai: A famed “jetman” daredevil who was killed in a crash last November failed to deploy the emergency parachute attached to the winged engines strapped to his back, a report on the tragedy in Dubai has found.

Investigators from the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority could not explain why Vincent Reffet, 36, of Annecy, France, did not use his parachute in the fall during a training flight in the desert of the sheikhdom.

Investigators said video appeared to show him lose control some 800ft off the ground.