Taipei (AFP) – A Taiwanese microchip tycoon unveils plans to train more than three million “civilian warriors” to help defend the island against a potential Chinese invasion, donating NT$1 billion ($33m) of his own money. Robert Tsao, founder of major microchip maker United Microelectronics Corp, says Taiwan should show that it will “annihilate” China in the event of an invasion.
Porto Velho (Brazil) (AFP) – Fires rage in the Amazon rainforest, near Porto Velho, state of Rondonia, northern Brazil. Experts say the fires are caused mainly by illegal farmers, ranchers and speculators clearing land and torching the trees.
Beijing (AFP) – China slams a United Nations report into human rights abuses of its Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region as a “political tool” being used against Beijing. Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin claims the report was “manufactured by the US and some other Western forces”. The report said torture allegations were credible and cited possible crimes against humanity.
Zaporizhzhia (Ukraine) (AFP) – IAEA chief Rafael Grossi vows that UN inspectors will continue their visit to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine despite an earlier strike on the town next to the facility. “We are not stopping… so wish us luck!” he tells reporters.
Sukkur (Pakistan) (AFP) – A makeshift school in a tent opens for flood victims in Pakistan, providing vital aid and education for children affected by devastating floods. Monsoon rains have submerged much of Pakistan, unleashing torrents that have washed away vital crops and damaged or destroyed more than a million homes.
London (AFP) – Progressive US senator Bernie Sanders gives his backing to striking British workers, urging global solidarity amid surging inequality, inflation and a cost of living crisis. “What is going on today in the UK is no different than what is going on in the United States of America. Same bloody thing,” Sanders says.
Madyan (Pakistan) (AFP) – Collapsed houses and damaged structures hug the banks of Pakistan’s Swat River after relentless monsoon rains brought unprecedented flooding and submerged swathes of the country.
Kabul (AFP) – Hundreds of Taliban members flood the streets of Kabul with flags, fireworks and the sound of gunfire to mark one year since the final withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
Kyiv (Ukraine) (AFP) – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi says in Ukraine that his team is ‘ready’ for an ‘extremely complex’ visit to the Zaporizhzhia plant — Europe’s largest atomic facility, which has been occupied by Russian troops since early March.
Nusa Dua (Indonesia) (AFP) – John Kerry, US special envoy on climate change, and other counterparts arrive at G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting, in Nusa Dua, Bali. IMAGES
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia celebrates its 65th Independence Day with parades being held at the Independence Square (Dataran Merdeka) in Kuala Lumpur. IMAGES
Luanda (AFP) – Opinion is divided on the streets of Angola’s capital Luanda after President Joao Lourenco won a second five-year term. Angola’s biggest opposition party has vowed to contest last week’s election results, which saw the long-ruling MPLA win by a significantly reduced majority.
