Berlin (AFP) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that the fact that the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan is “bitter but we have to deal with it,” and that the international community must safeguard the gains made over the last 20 years.
Mordovia Region (Russia) (AFP) – Russia’s central regions are battling “extreme” wildfires fuelled by an unusual heatwave that comes after forest fires linked to climate change ravaged Siberia for most of the summer.
Sanaa (AFP) – Dozens of Yemeni cyclists hit the road with a shared goal: to spread peace in a country that has been embroiled in conflict for more than seven years. In the capital Sanaa, the cyclists prepared for their 320-kilometre (200-mile) journey to the northern province of Saada, one of the areas devastated by the ongoing war between the government and the Huthi rebels.
Tokyo (AFP) – As the Paralympic Games begin, Japan’s efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion are in the spotlight, with many arguing there is still plenty of work to do. Some 4,400 athletes with impairments will compete in Tokyo at the world’s biggest parasports tournament.
Chaman (Pakistan) (AFP) – Around two hundred Afghan refugees who fled their country before the Taliban took control gather at the Pakistan border with Afghanistan as they wait to follow the required procedures to be allowed to cross. “We emigrated from Afghanistan during bombing and hardships, when Muslims were in trouble,” says Molavi Shaib. “Now, praise be to Allah, the situation is normal, so we are returning.”
Abu Dhabi (AFP) – French ministers Florence Parly (Defence) and Jean-Yves Le Drian (Foreign Affairs) arrive at Al-Dhafra Air Base 104 in the United Arab Emirates, where the French Air Force has set up an air bridge to Kabul. They are due to meet with military personnel, diplomats and all the staff who are organising evacuations from Afghanistan.
New Delhi (AFP) – Around 300 Afghan refugees in New Delhi shout slogans demanding human rights and resettlement by UN Agencies. The refugees say most of them have not received any help from the UN agencies in India. “We have nothing, no future, no education,” says a 14-year-old Afghan refugee in India.
Singapore (AFP) – US Vice President Kamala Harris accuses Beijing of coercion and intimidation in the disputed South China Sea during a speech in Singapore. Harris’ comments come as she seeks to rally Asian allies against China and shore up US credibility in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Ankara (AFP) – The rotting dinosaur toys outside the abandoned “Wonderland Eurasia” theme park tell the tale of grand ambition, waste and troubles facing the long-ruling party of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Jalalabad (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Jalalabad residents tell of the changes in the city since the Taliban took control of the city and Afghanistan, coming just two weeks before an August 31 deadline for all troops to fully withdraw from the country.
Kabul (AFP) – The UK’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow, posts a video message on social media saying Britain has evacuated over 5,000 people from Kabul, including British nationals and Afghans who worked for the UK. Britain has said it would urge the United States to extend an end-of-the-month deadline for evacuations from Afghanistan, while the Taliban warned any delay would lead to “consequences”.
Nice (France) (AFP) – The French Ligue 1 game between Nice and Marseille was abandoned when fans of the home side invaded the pitch and angrily confronted opposing player Dimitri Payet, who had thrown a bottle lobbed at him back into the crowd, before an ugly brawl broke out involving players and spectators. Marseille eventually refused to restart the match with club officials claiming their players’ safety could not be guaranteed.
