Afghan President Ashraf Ghani leaves the country as Taliban edges closer to control of the nation: Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN)Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country Sunday, a senior Afghan official and a senior diplomatic source told CNN, as the Taliban engaged in talks with the government in the capital, Kabul, over who will rule the nation. Afghan Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah also confirmed Ghani had left in a video statement. It was not clear where Ghani was going.

Women's rights activist "surprised" at collapse of government and worries for the future: The rapid gains across Afghanistan by Taliban militants have stunned observers both at home and abroad. Mahbouba Seraj from the Afghan Women's Network told CNN she was "surprised" by how quickly the government collapsed. "In a matter of two days, four provinces of Afghanistan going into the hands of Taliban. And I was wondering what on earth could be doing that?

By The Visual Journalism Team: The resurgent Taliban have taken more territory in Afghanistan in the last two months than at any time since they were ousted from power in 2001. Over the last 20 years, the control map of Afghanistan has been an ever-changing canvas. Here, we look at the fluctuating picture of who controls which areas. It appears the Taliban have been emboldened in recent weeks by the withdrawal of US troops - retaking many districts from government forces.

Defendants allegedly planned to lure 3 people in Canada to Iran: A U.S. indictment says Iranian-American journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad was one of the targets in an alleged Iranian kidnapping plot. (Reuters/Toby Melville). The Canadian government said it "firmly condemns Iran for its pattern of intimidation and foreign interference" after U.S. authorities charged four individuals in an alleged Iranian plot to lure five individuals — including three who live in Canada — to Iran.

Racist abuse targets 3 English players who missed penalties against Italy: England's Bukayo Saka, centre, looks dejected after the team lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy via penalty shootout. (Carl Recine/Reuters). Three Black players who missed penalty kicks for England in the decisive European Championship shootout against Italy on Sunday night were subjected to racist abuse online, prompting the English Football Association to issue a statement condemning the language used against the players.

Bangladesh has a tragic history of industrial disasters, including factories catching fire with the workers locked inside. 52 Dead in Bangladesh Factory Fire as Workers Locked Inside. Firefighters work to douse a fire inside a food and beverage factory in Rupganj, outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, July 9, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu. A fire engulfed a food and beverage factory outside Bangladesh’s capital, killing at least 52 people, many of whom were trapped inside by an illegally locked door, fire officials said Friday.

Iran: massive strike in the oil industry: In Iran, the oil industry is fragmented through numerous subcontracting companies. No contract or precarious contracts are the rule. Workers are exploited. Since 19 June, a massive strike has taken place. 70 companies are affected by the movement.

Three demands are put forward:

Iranian Workers Strike In Different Sectors, Notably Oil And Gas: A wave of labor strikes has hit Iran on Saturday, August 1 in different sectors and plants, including Haft Tappeh Sugar Cane industrial complex, and more importantly in the oil and gas industry. Workers went on strike in the south if Iran, at Abadan, Parsian and Qeshm refineries, and in the Lamerd petrochemical complex, and South Pars oil field. All workers assembled, demanding the implementation of job-classification law and their overdue wages and benefits.

Ebrahim Raisi must be investigated for crimes against humanity

Responding to today’s announcement declaring Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s next president, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said: “That Ebrahim Raisi has risen to the presidency instead of being investigated for the crimes against humanity of murder, enforced disappearance and torture, is a grim reminder that impunity reigns supreme in Iran. In 2018, our organization documented how Ebrahim Raisi had been a member of the ‘death commission’

(Corrects title of organisation to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in paragraph 1 and subsequent references) KABUL (Reuters) -The COVID-19 pandemic is spiralling out of control in Afghanistan, with cases rising 2,400% in the past month, hospitals filling up and medical resources quickly running out, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Thursday.

Notice of claim against Iran: Joint statement from the International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752. The Group has issued a statement on the notice of claim delivered against Iran, regarding the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 (PS752). The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement:

Work underway for forensic experts to identify, repatriate children's remains from B.C. residential school
The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen on Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation near Kamloops, B.C. The remains of 215 children have been found buried on the site, according to the nation. (Andrew Snucins/The Canadian Press)

Luke McGee
Analysis by Luke McGee, CNN
(CNN)The chilling story of a Belarusian dissident being plucked from the sky while traveling on a passenger jet over the country's airspace sent a message to other opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko: you're not safe anywhere.

CNN Digital Expansion 2016 Natalie GallnMatt Rivers Profile
By Natalie Gallón and Matt Rivers, CNN

Mexico City (CNN)Some parts of the campaign trail in Mexico look like anywhere else -- rallies, bumper stickers, candidates making lofty promises. Other parts -- the threats, the assaults, the murders -- are more unique.