*) HRW reports 'war crimes’ attacks on Eritrean refugees in Tigray

Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia's Tigray have suffered abuses ranging from executions to rape in what amount to "clear war crimes", Human Rights Watch says.

The rights watchdog says the Tigrayans distrusted them as they were the same nationality as occupying Eritrean soldiers, who in turn doubted the refugees' loyalty.

HRW said it had received credible reports that Eritrean troops killed 31 people in Hitsats, one of the two camps in Tigray where abuses were documented.

*) Google, Apple remove Navalny app from stores as Russian elections begin

Google and Apple have removed jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny's tactical voting app from their stores, after Russia accused the tech giants of interference.

Russians are voting to elect a new parliament in a three-day vote starting on Friday.

The ruling United Russia party is expected to win despite a rating slump after the biggest crackdown on the Kremlin's critics in years.

Allies of Navalny, President Putin's fiercest opponent, planned to use the app to help voters find and support candidates to deal a blow to United Russia.

*) US defends nuclear sub deal with Australia

The US has defended its decision to share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia, rejecting criticism from both China and France.

China claims the new alliance, referred to as Aukus, damages regional stability, and jeopardises efforts to halt nuclear weapon proliferation.

But White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the agreement is not aimed at China, although the US has mounting concerns about Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

*) Austria hears first lawsuit over virus outbreak in ski resort

The first civil lawsuit begins in a court in Vienna over a notorious outbreak of Covid-19 at the ski resort of Ischgl in March 2020, where thousands of people from 45 countries became infected.

The case is the first of 15 lawsuits filed by plaintiffs from Austria and Germany, accusing authorities of not responding quickly enough to Covid-19 outbreaks in Austrian resorts.

It is being brought on behalf of the family of a 72-year-old who died after contracting the virus in Ischgl.

*) New Van Gogh drawing discovered, set to go on display

A Vincent van Gogh drawing that has been hidden in a private collection for more than a century has gone on display for the first time at an Amsterdam museum.

The work titled "Study for 'Worn Out" depicts an old man sitting in a chair and was sketched by Van Gogh in November 1882 when he was just starting his career.

The owners of the drawing, a Dutch family which bought it in around 1910, asked the Van Gogh museum to authenticate it and experts confirmed that it was indeed a "new work" by Van Gogh.

*) Taliban denies reports of leadership row over make-up of govt

In Afghanistan, there have been reports of a row between Taliban leaders over the make-up of the new government.

Senior Taliban officials have told British media that two rival parties allegedly fought at the presidential palace, but the Taliban has officially denied this.

The group seized control of Afghanistan last month, and their new interim cabinet is made up of senior Taliban figures.


*) US, UK and Australia announce national security initiative

Leaders of the UK, Australia and the US have announced a trilateral security partnership that will allow for greater sharing of defence capabilities.

As part of the landmark security pact - dubbed AUKUS - Washington has agreed to help Australia acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.

While the leaders made no direct mention of China, the initiative is seen as a strategic move at countering a more assertive Beijing.

US President Joe Biden says AUKUS will strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific.


*) Turkish, Azerbaijani air forces hold joint military exercise

Turkey and Azerbaijan have held joint military exercises in the Turkish city of Konya, as Ankara says it will continue to support its allies.

Eight combat aircraft, air defence systems and a large number of military personnel took part in the event called 'TURAZ Hawk 2021'.

National defense ministers of both countries have joined the military drill. Turkey supported Azerbaijan in its war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh last year.

Azerbaijan liberated several cities and villages from the nearly three-decade occupation. The Turkish defense minister has said Turkey will continue to support its allies.


*) Both North and South Korea test-fire ballistic missiles

Tensions continue to escalate in the Korean peninsula as both North and South Korea test-fires ballistic missiles on Wednesday.

The US and the United Nations condemned Pyongyang's missile launch, saying that it threatens regional stability.

North Korean state news agency KCNA said the missiles were testing a new "railway missile system" and flew 800 kilometers before hitting a target at sea.

And finally...

*) Elon Musk's SpaceX venture launches Inspiration4 spaceflight

In a world first, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying only inexperienced civilians has launched into Earth's orbit.

After just over five months of training, the civilians blasted into space aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule.

The four Americans making the historic journey will be in Earth's orbit for three days at an altitude of 575 kilometres, further than any human has travelled since 2009.

*) Afghanistan facing humanitarian crisis month into Taliban rule

It has been a month since the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, seizing the capital Kabul with barely a fight.

Since the Taliban took over, it has announced an all-male interim cabinet and restarted operations at Kabul airport.

But the month has also been marked by a crippling cash crisis, an erosion of women's rights and reports of the Taliban pursuing revenge killings.

The UN has urged the international community to provide a “lifeline” of much-needed aid to Afghans, who also face famine, drought and poverty.

*) North Korea fires 2 ballistic missiles into eastern waters

North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles into waters off its eastern coast just two days after claiming to have tested a new missile.

Japan said the missiles landed outside its economic zone in the waters between Japan and the Korean Peninsula and did not cause damage.

Wednesday's launches came as China’s foreign minister was in Seoul to discuss nuclear negotiations with the North, making Pyongyang's provocation in front of its biggest ally highly unusual.

*) Palestinian prison escapee accuses Israel of torture upon recapture
A Palestinian man who was recaptured after his escape from a high-security prison is being tortured by Israeli authorities, a lawyer has said.

Mohammed al Arida has severe wounds, shows signs of sleep deprivation and has not received any treatment, a lawyer affiliated with the Palestinian Prisoner Society said.

The Society will be talking to the four men recaptured after escaping on September 6.

*) Californians vote to keep Democratic governor

California's Democratic governor has defeated a recall aimed at kicking him out of office, spurred by mask mandates and Covid lockdowns.

Had Gavin Newsom lost the confidence vote, he would have most certainly been replaced by a Republican in a deeply Democratic US state.

The California recall, which turned on Newsom’s approach to the pandemic, mirrors America’s deep political and social divide over Covid.

And finally...

*) Pet influencers on the rise in Singapore

You may have seen them for years on your Insta feed, they have more followers than you but you can't help but stop and "aww" over them.

Pet influencers are real and have taken off in Singapore where strict Covid lockdowns further fueled their rise.

Sasha and Piper of the "Lomodoggies" Instagram account are one such influencer pair who earn thousands of dollars by posing with products.

Tapping into the pet influencer boom are their humans and also agencies who say business is thriving, because, who doesn't love a cute cat on their feed?

*)US to assess its ties with Pakistan over Afghanistan's future

The US will be looking at its ties with Pakistan to formulate the role Islamabad can play in Afghanistan's future, State Secretary Antony Blinken has said.

At a Congress hearing on Afghanistan, Blinken said some of Pakistan's interests – such as harbouring Taliban members – conflict with the US even as it cooperated on counterterrorism.

Blinken told lawmakers the Biden administration will be reassessing its relationship with Pakistan.

*) Israeli PM Bennett meets President Sisi in Egypt

Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi in the resort town of Sharm el Sheikh.

This is the first official trip by an Israeli head of government to Egypt in a decade.

The two discussed bilateral relations and efforts to revive the peace process. Bennett described the meeting as "very good.”

*) Biden visits a burning western US ahead of California election stop

US President Joe Biden is on a two-day visit across three Western states to survey the damage caused by wildfires.

He's calling for protection of the environment and mitigation of the damage caused by natural disasters.

Biden's trip aims to highlight his multitrillion-dollar legislation focused on renewing failing infrastructure, so the US is better able to cope with the changing climate.

*) South Korean antitrust agency fines Google $177M

South Korea's antitrust regulator has fined Alphabet Inc's Google 207 billion won (wahn), or 176.6 million dollars.

The regulator says Google abused its dominant market position to restrict competition in the mobile operating system market.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission investigated Google for allegedly preventing local smartphone makers from customising its Android OS.

The fine is the latest antitrust setback for Google in South Korea.

And finally...

*) Global Witness report says record number of activists killed

A record number of environmental and land rights activists were murdered last year, according to a report by the campaign group Global Witness.

At least 227 activists were killed around the world – the highest number recorded for a second consecutive year. The report called the victims "environmental defenders" killed for protecting natural resources.

Since the Paris Agreement on climate change was signed in 2015, the organisation says on average four activists have been killed each week.

*)Qatari FM meets Taliban leadership

Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has met Taliban-appointed Afghan Prime Minister, Muhammad Hasan Akhund.

The Qatari delegation also met former president Hamid Karzai, as well as politician Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul.

Al Thani discussed concerted efforts to combat terrorist organizations that threaten Afghanistan's stability.

Qatar has been mediating talks between the Taliban, the US and the now-ousted Afghan government for years.

*) Iran allows IAEA to service nuclear monitoring cameras

Iran says it will allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct nuclear monitoring through cameras.

IAEA's head Rafael Grossi met with officials in Tehran on Sunday.

Grossi says some of the most imminent issues have been addressed, and there's an understanding of cooperation with the new administration.

*) North Korea test-fires long-range cruise missile

North Korea has carried out successful long-range cruise missile tests over the weekend, according to local state media.

The missiles reportedly flew 1,500 kilometres before hitting their targets and falling into the country's waters.

The tests come amid a lengthy standoff between North Korea and the United States over denuclearisation.

The US has reacted to the tests, saying they pose threats to region and beyond.

*) Thousands demand impeachment of President Bolsonaro

Brazilians rallied on Sunday in major cities demanding the impeachment of President Jair Bolsonaro.

He's come under increased pressure in recent months over his government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and the economy.

Protests have intensified ahead of next year's presidential elections, with a recent poll indicating Bolsonaro will likely lose to former president Lula da Silva.

And finally...

*) Spears announces engagement with long-term boyfriend

Britney Spears is getting married to her boyfriend of five years, Sam Asghari.

The engagement comes days after her father Jamie Spears filed to end his control over the pop star's personal and financial life after 13 years.

Spears told a judge in June she wanted to marry Asghari and have a baby with him. Legally, Spears can get married, but her conservatorship must approve it as with other major life decisions.

*)UN: Afghanistan on brink of “universal poverty”

The UN Security Council says the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is getting worse in the country's rural regions.

The body met amid reports of rights abuse in the country since the Taliban took control.

Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai says it will take more than statements to ensure the Taliban respects the rights of women and girls.

*) US marks 20 years since 9/11 attacks

Saturday will mark 20 years since two planes flew into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City, killing nearly 3,000 people.

A third plane crashed into the Pentagon, causing a partial collapse of the building. The 9/11 attacks led to a drastic change in American foreign policy.

The US retaliation included bringing about regime change in Afghanistan and Iraq. But critics say the US approach has increased global instability.

*) US Biden and China's Xi hold first call in seven months

US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have spoken for the first time in nearly seven months.

Chinese media described the call as “candid” while the White House says the pair spoke about managing competition and avoiding conflict.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have been at their lowest point in decades.

*) Turkey administers more than 100M Covid-19 vaccine doses

The number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Turkey has now passed 100 million.

Turkey started its inoculation programme in January and it has been using the vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and the Chinese company Sinovac.

The health minister says this is a milestone in the country's fight against the virus.

And finally...

*) Raducanu to face Fernandez in all-teen US Open final

British 18-year-old Emma Raducanu has become the first qualifier to ever reach a Grand Slam final by defeating Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 at the US Open on Thursday.

Raducanu, ranked 150th, became the youngest Grand Slam finalist since 17-year-old Maria Sharapova won at Wimbledon in 2004.

She advanced to Saturday's US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium against 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

*) Morocco’s ruling party suffers crushing defeat in elections

Morocco's ruling Justice and Development Party has suffered great losses in the parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results.

The PJD went from holding 125 seats to 12 in Parliament. The vote has seen the rise of the main liberal and centre-right parties.

The PJD has been in power since 2011 following pro-democracy protests.

*) Taliban forbid protests and, possibly, women sports

The new Taliban government is seeking to end protests in Afghanistan after days of heavy-handed assaults on protesters as well as journalists covering the demonstrations.

The minister has issued an order to end all protests unless demonstrators get prior permission, including approval of slogans and banners.

It’s unlikely the women who have been leading rallies demanding their rights from the hardline rulers will be allowed to protest under the rules.

Women will also be prohibited from playing sports, Australian media quoted the Taliban cultural commission as saying on Wednesday.

*) Afghan national flag carrier to resume international flights next week

Afghanistan's national flag carrier is preparing to resume international flights next week, its new president has said.

Rahmatullah Gulzad praised Qatari and Turkish technical experts for their assistance in getting Kabul airport operational in the shortest possible time.

The teams are still working on Kabul airport, he said, adding they will stay for another month to ensure that it meets international standards.

*) Libyan warlord Haftar hires American lobbyists to woo Biden

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar has hired veteran American political insiders to lobby on his behalf with the Biden administration and Congress.

Haftar has paid a $40,000 retainer to former special counsel to president Bill Clinton, Lanny Davis and ex-Republican House lawmaker Robert Livingston.

A Foreign Agents Registration Act filing dated September 3 shows Haftar will pay some $960,000 over the course of six months.

And finally...

*) Confederate leader Robert Lee's statue removed in Virginia

The statue of the confederate general Robert E Lee has been taken down in the US state of Virginia.

The pro-slavery leader's monument was removed after a year-long battle. The figure had been towering over Richmond since 1890.

Memorials of confederate leaders had been increasingly targeted in the country's protests against racism.