Afghanistan war: Sheberghan falls to Taliban, militants say - BBC News

EPA

The Taliban say they have taken control of the city of Sheberghan in the northern Afghan province of Jawzjan.

It is the second regional capital to fall to the militants, after Zaranj in the south-western province of Nimroz fell on Friday.

It is a major blow to security forces, with battles raging across the country as the Taliban make rapid advances.

There are also reports of heavy fighting in Kunduz in the north and Lashkar Gah in the south.

Sheberghan is a stronghold of the former Afghan vice-president and warlord, Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose supporters have been leading the fight against the insurgents.

Local media reports that 150 people travelled to the city to help Afghan forces.

The Taliban first took control of the governor's compound on Friday during intense fighting, before it was retaken by Afghan security forces.

However, the region's council chief, Babur Eshchi, told the BBC the militants were now in control of the whole city, except an army base, where fighting was still going on.

The region's deputy governor told AFP news agency that government officials had retreated to the airport.

Taliban officials also said they had captured a prison in Sheberghan. Video on social media shows hundreds of inmates leaving the city jail.

Violence has escalated across Afghanistan after US and other international forces began to withdraw their troops from the country, following 20 years of military operations.

Other provincial capitals under pressure include Herat in the west, and the southern cities of Kandahar and Lashkar Gah.

The Afghan military says dozens of Islamist fighters, including senior commanders, have been killed in Lashkar Gah. The Taliban however have denied the military's version of events.

And in the Afghan capital Kabul this week, the Taliban shot dead President Ashraf Ghani's former spokesman and carried out a bomb attack on the house of the acting defence minister.

Taliban fighters have also captured key border crossings with neighbouring countries in recent weeks.

The militant group has closed the border with Pakistan, and pictures show dozens of Afghans stranded on the Pakistani side, unable to return to their families.

"We came [to Pakistan] to attend a funeral three days ago. Now the border is closed. We're sitting here. We have no food and no money," a man trying to get home to Kandahar told Reuters news agency.

The US and UK governments have urged its citizens to leave the country immediately because of the worsening security situation.

On Friday, the British Foreign Office warned that militants were very likely to carry out attacks in Afghanistan. The US said citizens can receive a repatriation loan if they cannot afford to pay for a commercial flight themselves.

• PROFILE: Who are the Taliban?
• ANALYSIS: How the Taliban retook half of Afghanistan
• ON THE GROUND: Bodies on the streets as fighting traps Afghans

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2021-08-07 12:36:05Z
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Greece fires spread uncontrolled, killing a fireman - BBC News

AFP

Two people have been killed, including a firefighter, as uncontrolled wildfires spread across Greece.

Huge clouds of smoke are billowing over the northern outskirts of the capital, Athens, where people are being urged to leave their homes.

More than 150 fires have been reported. Six areas have been put on high alert.

Greece, like many parts of Europe, has been grappling with extreme weather. The prime minister says a heatwave has turned the country into a powder keg.

Hundreds of firefighters are trying to control the fires with nearly 20 water-bombing aircraft. Extra firefighters and planes are being sent in from countries including France and the US.

Fanned by unpredictable winds, the worst blazes are around the north of Athens. A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed by a falling electricity pole in a suburb of the city.

The other victim was the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Konstantinos Michalos. He was found unconscious in a factory close to where a fire was raging.

A further 20 people have been injured.

Reuters

Thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes outside Athens as the blaze tore through houses, cars and businesses.

Fires are also raging on the nearby island of Evia, and areas close to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

"Wildfires of unprecedented intensity and spread, all our forces are fighting the battle day and night to save lives, together with volunteers," government minister Nikos Hardalias said.

AFP

Reuters

Hundreds of residents and tourists on Evia have been evacuated aboard ferries and fishing boats, as wildfires closed in on its shores.

"We're talking about the apocalypse, I don't know how to describe it," Sotiris Danikas, a coastguard official on the island, told broadcaster ERT.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says the fires show "the reality of climate change". Temperatures in the country have been above 40C (107 degrees Fahrenheit) all week.

Smell of smoke, ash on the ground

By Bethany Bell BBC News, Athens

The air in northern Athens is full of the smell of smoke, and there is a thin layer of ash on the ground. People from some of the outer suburbs have been evacuated from their homes.

Last night, one man stared in horror as the flames headed down the mountainside towards his house.

Planes and helicopters carrying water to drop on the flames flew overhead, but emergency crews are struggling to stop the wildfires from spreading.

The strong, hot winds are not helping. Greece, like much of the rest of Europe, has been grappling with extreme weather this summer.

In neighbouring Turkey, authorities are battling the country's worst-ever wildfires.

Eight people have been killed and tens of thousands evacuated along the southern coast. Six more neighbourhoods near a power station were evacuated on Friday.

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires.

The world has already warmed by about 1.2C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

• EXPLAINER: The burning issue of wildfires

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2021-08-07 08:37:24Z
52781773017106

Tokyo attack: Knife-wielding man injures 10 on train - BBC News

Reuters

A man attacked fellow passengers with a knife on a Tokyo commuter train late on Friday, injuring 10.

The suspect, 36, allegedly told police he became angry when he saw women who "looked happy" and wanted to kill them, according to local media reports.

One victim, a female student, is said to be seriously injured, while the others suffered less severe injuries.

Violent crime is rare in Japan and tight security measures are in place in Tokyo, which is hosting the Olympics.

The man attacked passengers on a train near Seijogakuen station at about 20:40 (11:40 BST) on Friday.

The train was brought to an emergency stop by the driver after they heard noises coming from inside the carriages.

According to investigators, the suspect jumped onto the tracks and fled. Train crew guided the passengers along the tracks to the nearest station.

Reuters

One witness, who was on the train, told NHK news that people suddenly started running towards him, fleeing from one car to another.

The suspect later walked into a convenience store and told staff that he was "the suspect in the incident reported by news media" and was tired of fleeing.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police confirmed early on Saturday they had seized a man in his 30s but did not confirm reports of his arrest or give any further details.

Nine out of the 10 injured were taken to hospital while the other walked away from the scene.

Despite Japan being one of the safest countries in the world, there have been a number of knife attacks in recent years.

In 2019, a man attacked a group of schoolchildren waiting for a bus in Kawasaki. Two people were killed and at least 18 were injured.

Did you witness what happened? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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2021-08-07 03:36:01Z
52781780187007

Greece fires spread uncontrolled, killing a fireman - BBC News

AFP

Two people have been killed and six areas put on high alert as uncontrolled wildfires spread across Greece.

Huge clouds of smoke are billowing over the northern outskirts of Athens, where people are being urged to leave their homes.

A 38-year-old volunteer firefighter was killed by a falling electricity pole in a suburb of the capital.

Greece's prime minister says a heat wave has turned the country into a power keg.

Firefighters are battling 154 wildfires across the country.

Fanned by unpredictable winds, the worst blazes are around the north of Athens. Fires are also raging on the nearby island of Evia, and areas close to ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games.

"We are facing another, more difficult night," said government minister Nikos Hardalias.

"Wildfires of unprecedented intensity and spread, all our forces are fighting the battle day and night to save lives, together with volunteers."

Thousands of people have been ordered to leave their homes outside Athens as the blaze tore through homes, cars and businesses.

The firefighter was among the first two people killed by the fires.

The other victim was the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Konstantinos Michalos. He was found unconscious in a factory close to where a fire was raging.

A further 20 people have been injured.

Hundreds of residents and tourists on Evia island have been evacuated aboard ferries and fishing boats, as wildfires closed in on its shores.

"We're talking about the apocalypse, I don't know how to describe it," Sotiris Danikas, a coastguard official on the island, told broadcaster ERT.

AFP

Greece, like many parts of Europe, has been grappling with extreme weather this summer. A week-long heat wave has sparked wildfires in many parts of the country.

In neighbouring Turkey, authorities are battling the country's worst-ever wildfires. Six more neighbourhoods near a power station were evacuated on Friday.

Eight people have been killed and tens of thousands evacuated along Turkey's southern coast.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says the fires show "the reality of climate change". Temperatures in the country have been above 40C (107 degrees Fahrenheit) all week.

• Eight dead as wildfires engulf Turkey resorts
• Then and now: The burning issue of wildfires

Hundreds of firefighters and nearly 20 water-bombing aircrafts are trying to control the blazes across Greece. Extra firefighters and planes are being sent in from countries including France and the US.

In the village Krioneri, close to Athens, the fire scorched homes, businesses and factories.

"The fire is uncontrollable," resident Vassiliki Papapanagiotis told AFP news agency.

"I don't want to leave, my whole life is here."

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2021-08-06 22:33:44Z
52781773017106

Mercer Street: Tanker blast evidence points to Iran, says US - BBC News

Reuters

The US military's Central Command has announced the results of its forensic investigation into last week's fatal drone attack on a merchant tanker off Oman.

It says explosives experts concluded that the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was produced in Iran.

The evidence has been shared with explosives experts in Britain and Israel who concurred with the findings.

The attack on the Israeli-operated MT Mercer Street killed two people.

A British security guard, Adrian Underwood, and the ship's Romanian captain lost their lives as the ship sailed past the Omani island of Masirah.

Britain, the US, Israel and Romania, were quick to blame Iran which has denied any involvement. It said if there was any proof then it should be made public.

Now a statement from Centcom has shed some light on what it says its investigation has revealed.

Throughout the past week an explosive investigations team from the US Navy's aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan has been examining the evidence left behind by the drone attack.

After interviewing the survivors and studying the explosive residue they have concluded that the ship was targeted by three drones in all.

The first two, launched at the ship on the evening of Thursday 29 July, missed their target. But the third drone, launched early on Friday 30 July and loaded with a military grade explosive, hit the pilot house and exploded, killing the two men and leaving a 2-metre diameter hole.

Investigators say explosive chemical tests had identified the residue as RDX, a nitrate-based explosive, indicating that the UAV was rigged to cause injury and destruction.

The investigators also recovered part of the drone's wing and after further testing they concluded that the drone was produced in Iran. A joint statement issued by all the G7 nations on Friday condemned Iran's actions and said its actions threatened peace and stability.

Reuters

Iran and Israel have been engaged in an undeclared and so-called "shadow war" for some time now.

Israel is widely assumed to be behind a series of sabotage acts on Iran's nuclear programme, including the assassination of key scientists. It has also attacked Iranian ships suspected of carrying oil to Syria that is destined for Iran's militia ally in Lebanon, Hezbullah.

• EXPLAINED: Iran and Israel's shadow war
• UK and Iran summon diplomats after tanker attack

Iran has been targeting Israeli-linked shipping with limpet mines, something which the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps train intensively for. But last week's deadly drone attack marked a major escalation, killing some of those onboard and dragging in a major western power.

Days later there was a second attack on shipping with armed men briefly seizing control of another merchant tanker, the MV Asphalt Princess, before leaving it to go on its way.

The incidents come at a time of heightened tension in the region as the new, hardline President Ebrahim Raisi takes power in Iran and talks aimed at reviving the moribund deal to curb Iran's suspect nuclear programme falter in Vienna.

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2021-08-06 23:42:39Z
52781780930244

Rescued Afghan interpreters plea for their comrades - Sky News

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2021-08-06 22:23:39Z
52781776587517

Snickers Spain pulls TV advert after homophobia accusations - BBC News

Getty Images

Snickers in Spain has pulled a controversial TV advert that was heavily criticised for being homophobic.

The 20-second commercial shows Spanish influencer Aless Gibaja transform into a bearded man with a low voice after eating a Snickers ice cream.

The video went viral this week, with some calling for a boycott of Snickers.

The chocolate brand has now apologised for any "misunderstanding that may have been caused" by the film.

In it, Mr Gibaja is at a beach bar with a friend where he asks a waiter for a "sexy orange juice with vitamins A, B and C".

Parece ser que comiendo @snickers_es se te quita la pluma y ya “estás mejor”. ¿Pero cómo sigue habiendo campañas así? 🤮 #Homofobiapic.twitter.com/ccdtn7BfAw

— Mario Montes (@mariomnts) August 4, 2021

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.View original tweet on Twitter

The waiter, looking confused, offers him the Snickers ice cream. After taking a bite, Mr Gibaja appears to transform into a bearded man.

"Better?" the friend asks. "Better," replies the man. A slogan reads: "You're not yourself when you're hungry."

The advert unleashed a wave of accusations on social media that the brand was insulting gay men.

"It is shameful and regrettable that at this point there are companies that continue to perpetuate stereotypes and promote homophobia," the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals tweeted.

Spain's equality minister, Irene Montero, also joined the criticism.

"I wonder to whom it might seem like a good idea to use homophobia as a business strategy," she wrote on Twitter.

"Our society is diverse and tolerant. Hopefully those who have the power to make decisions about what we see and hear in commercials and TV shows will learn to be too."

The left-wing party Podemos noted how the advert had followed a slew of homophobic hate crimes in Spain in recent months.

"In the face of a wave of LGBTI-phobia, including attacks and even murders, Snickers can't think of a better idea than to create a trashy commercial that tells you that you are not yourself if you are effeminate," it said on Twitter.

In May, five gay men were injured in three attacks during a single weekend in Barcelona.

On Thursday, Snickers Spain said it was deleting the advert and apologised for "any misunderstanding" it may have caused.

"In this specific campaign, the aim was to convey in a friendly and casual way that hunger can change your character," it said in a statement posted online.

"At no time has it been intended to stigmatize or offend any person or group."

A spokesperson for parent company Mars Wrigley said the firm wholeheartedly apologised for any harm caused by the advert and recognised that it "got it wrong".

"We take equal rights and inclusion seriously, we want a world where everybody is free to be themselves and we believe that as an employer and advertiser we have a role and a responsibility to play our part in creating that world," the firm's spokesperson added.

In 2008, a Snickers advert that featured the A-Team's Mr T calling a speed walker a "disgrace to the man race" was pulled after accusations it was offensive to gay people.

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2021-08-06 17:07:21Z
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