Afghanistan
The continuing evacuations, and the chaos surrounding them, continue to rightly lead the headlines. But wanted to make sure this one didn’t slip through the cracks. The flag of Afghanistan was today flown at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in solidarity with the Afghan athletes who were unable to make the games after the Taliban took power in Kabul. Afghanistan was due to send two athletes to Tokyo — taekwondo fighter Zakia Khudadadi and discus thrower Hossain Rasouli.
More from the New Arab here.
Nigeria
A shocking development in Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis as armed men attacked a top military academy, killing two officers and kidnapping one. The country’s northwest is plagued by criminal gangs snatching people - mostly children - for ransom, as well as stealing cattle and raiding villages. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari says it has had success against the gangs but the attacks appear to be escalating.
More from Al Jazeera here.
Algeria-Morocco
Algeria has broken off diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing its neighbor of engaging in “hostile actions.” The North African nations are longtime foes with Algeria supporting the Polisaro movement, which wants independence for the Western Sahara region. Morocco considers the area part of its territory.
More from France 24 here.