Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema emerged as the winner in the Aug. 12 Zambian presidential election, defeating incumbent President Edgar Lungu.
- AMERICAS: Key Venezuelan opposition figure Freddy Guevara was released days after the start of new talks between the opposition and government.
- ASIA: Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned after less than 18 months in power, apologizing for his flaws but blaming those “hungry for power.”
- EUROPE: Russia said its ambassador to Afghanistan will meet with the Taliban in Kabul and that it will decide on whether to recognize the new government.
- MIDDLE EAST: Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian gunmen during a late-night arrest raid in the occupied West Bank killing four Palestinians.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering hiring private companies to analyze public social media for warning signs of extremist violence.
Top Story
- Afghanistan: The capital city of Kabul falls to the Taliban
- The Taliban swept into Kabul after the government collapsed signaling the end of a costly two-decade U.S. campaign to rebuild Afghanistan.
- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani confirmed on his Facebook page that he left the country, saying the move was to prevent bloodshed.
- Taliban fighters entered Afghanistan’s presidential palace hours after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
- Taliban spokesman Suhai Shaheen said that the militants will hold talks in the coming days aimed at forming an “open, inclusive Islamic government.”
- Taliban officials said they have received no reports of any clashes from across Afghanistan after the militants seized Kabul.
- Three people were killed by gunfire in chaotic scenes at the passenger terminal of Kabul’s international airport where thousands of Afghans fear a Taliban takeover of the country.
- Washington Post, Xinhua, Al Jazeera, AP, Reuters, WSJ
Africa
- Algeria: Emergency services said most of the deadly forest fires that have hit the north over the past week are “under control” and no longer endanger residents. (AFP)
- Sudan: Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok reiterated his country’s commitment to exert its greatest effort to prevent a collapse in Ethiopia. (Xinhua)
- Zambia: The United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema emerged as the winner in the Aug. 12 presidential election, defeating incumbent President Edgar Lungu. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a snap election on September 20 seeking to secure a third term in office. (Xinhua)
- Haiti: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences over the tragic loss of life and injuries caused by the large earthquake that struck the southern part of the country on Saturday. (Xinhua)
- United States: National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said COVID-19 cases could break 200,000 a day as the latest surge by the Delta variant continues to increase. (Xinhua)
- Venezuela: Key opposition figure Freddy Guevara was released days after the start of new talks between the opposition and government. (France24)
Asia
- Australia: The city of Melbourne announced a COVID-19 curfew with residents stuck in their homes overnight as authorities work to stamp out a Delta variant outbreak. (AFP)
- China: Official data showed new local COVID-19 infections in the country declined for a sixth consecutive day. (Reuters)
- Hong Kong: The government will upgrade 15 countries including the United States, Spain and France from “medium risk” to “high risk” by August 20. (Reuters)
- Indonesia: The country’s most active volcano Mount Merapi erupted, belching a cloud of ash into the air as red lava flowed down its crater. (AFP)
- Malaysia: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned after less than 18 months in power, apologizing for his flaws but blaming those “hungry for power.” (AP)
Europe
- Armenia: The Defense ministry said in a statement that a soldier was shot dead by a sniper from Azerbaijan. (Reuters)
- France: The country said it will evacuate its first nationals and Afghan colleagues from the fallen capital of Kabul to a base in the United Arab Emirates. (AFP)
- Germany: Lufthansa is looking into how it can help the government evacuate citizens and support workers from Afghanistan. (Reuters)
- Greece: People evacuated their homes in the port town of Lavrios outside of Athens as a new fire broke out in the area. (Reuters)
- Russia: The country said its ambassador to Afghanistan will meet with the Taliban in Kabul and that it will decide on whether to recognize the new government. (AFP)
Middle East
- Iran: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran welcomes the announcement made by former Afghan President Hamid Karzai to form a “coordination council” that will establish peace in Afghanistan. (Xinhua)
- Israel: Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian gunmen during a late-night arrest raid in the occupied West Bank killing four Palestinians. (AP)
- Qatar: The country called for an immediate cease-fire and a peaceful transfer of power in Afghanistan. (Xinhua)
- Saudi Arabia: A public prosecutor said six Saudi men have been arrested for harassing a woman visiting the capital Riyadh. (AFP)
Tech & Communications
- Tech: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering hiring private companies to analyze public social media for warning signs of extremist violence. (WSJ)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Fred
- Location: 27.9N 86.0W
- Movement: N
- Wind: 50 mph
- Map
- Tropical Depression Grace
- Location: 17.4N 70.2W
- Movement: W
- Wind: 35 mph
- Map
- Hurricane Linda
- Location: 18.2N 122.9W
- Movement: WSW
- Wind: 105 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to Report.
- Volcanoes:
- Mount Merapi, Indonesia
- Moderately large pyroclastic flow
- Erupting
- Source
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 16AUG21)
- Confirmed cases: 207,273,297
- Deaths: 4,364,473
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 16AUG21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (17AUG21)
- Global: U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman to visit Djibouti, Ethiopia, and the UAE to discuss the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia.
- Event: CSIS hosts discussion on Cross-Strait relations.
- Event: CSIS hosts discussion on homeland defense with USNORTHCOM commander.
- Canada: Nova Scotia Provincial Election.
- Europe: EU reveals latest growth figures.
- Europe: German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
- Gabon: Independence Day.
- Indonesia: Independence Day.
- Japan: Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi visiting Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and Qatar.
- Myanmar: Public Holiday.
- Turkey: Turkey to host a major international defense fair and exposition.
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