A developing economic crisis in Afghanistan is adding a fresh layer of turmoil in the country.
Why it matters: “[T]he value of the Afghan currency could collapse, inflation could accelerate and the mix of violence and chaos could be prolonged,” the AP writes.
China has reported no new local coronavirus cases after a month of surging infections, the country's National Health Commission (NHC) reported Monday.
Why it matters: In July, a cluster of infections was identified that eventually spread to 1,200 people. China then implemented even stronger mitigation measures and widespread testing in an attempt to eradicate the virus in the country, CNN reports. The NHC reported 21 imported cases of COVID-19.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will introduce a new Iran policy when he meets with President Biden on Thursday.
Why it matters: With nuclear talks stalled and the White House consumed by the crisis in Afghanistan, Israeli officials worry that Iran will continue to develop its nuclear program without any pressure from the U.S. or its European allies.
The U.S. Treasury on Monday sanctioned the Eritrean army's chief of staff for his connection to human rights abuses in the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.
Why it matters: Treasury said the forces are responsible for massacres, looting and sexual assaults. The Eritrean Defense Forces have also "raped, tortured, and executed civilians; they have also destroyed property and ransacked businesses," the U.S. department wrote.
A spokesperson for the Taliban told Sky News Monday there would be "consequences" if the U.S. extended its troop withdrawal beyond Aug. 31 to complete the evacuation of Americans and Afghan allies from the country.
Why it matters: The U.S. and its allies are quickly approaching the full withdrawal date with thousands left to still evacuate. President Biden has said troops will remain in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, and in remarks Sunday, he did not rule out the prospect of staying past the deadline.
President Biden aimed three numbered messages at three specific audiences during Sunday afternoon remarks on Afghanistan.
To Fox News viewers: "One, planes taking off from Kabul are not flying directly to the United States. They're landing at U.S. military bases and transit centers around the world."
An Afghan guard was killed and three others wounded in a "firefight" with "unknown attackers" at Kabul's airport — which also involved German and U.S. security forces, Germany's military said Monday.
The latest: Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said later Monday that the U.S. could not yet determine which group was responsible for the attack.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Monday that New Zealand's pandemic elimination strategy was working, as she announced an extension to the nationwide lockdown due to a growing COVID-19 Delta outbreak.
Why it matters: NZ locked down last Tuesday after detecting the first community case in nearly six months — marking the arrival of the Delta variant in the island nation. The cluster has grown to 107 cases, with 35 more people testing positive for the virus Monday.
The British government announced Sunday that it's launching a national surveillance program to measure antibodies in people who test positive for COVID-19.
Why it matters: The U.K. Health Security Agency said in a statement that its program would improve understanding of immunity and the protection provided by antibodies generated following coronavirus infection and vaccination.
