August 15, 2022

*) Afghan Taliban mark first year in power The Taliban have marked the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan with a national holiday. Exactly a year ago, the group captured Kabul after their nationwide lightning offensive against government forces ended 20 years of US-led military intervention. A chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces continued until August 31, with tens of thousands of people rushing to Kabul's airport hoping to be evacuated on any flight out of Afghanistan. *) Russia, North Korea to 'expand' relations: Putin to Kim Jong-un Russian President Vladimir Putin has told North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that the two countries will "expand the comprehensive and constructive bilateral relations with common efforts". In a letter to Kim for North Korea's liberation day, Putin said that closer ties would be in both countries' interests and would help strengthen the security of the Korean peninsula, according to Pyongyang's state media. Kim also sent a letter to Putin saying Russian-North Korean friendship had been forged in World War II with victory over Japan, which had occupied the Korean peninsula. *) Zelenskyy defends fighting as all eyes are on Zaporizhzhia plant Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended fighting against Russian and Moscow-backed forces, including those positioned at Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhia. His statement comes as Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk. The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces also reported Russian shelling of more than a dozen towns on the southern front – particularly in Kherson, mainly controlled by Russian forces. *) Five dead and 15 wounded after gunfire erupts in Ecuador’s port city Gunfire and a subsequent explosion have left at least five people dead, 15 wounded with several others missing in the Ecuadoran port city of Guayaquil. Government officials blamed the attack on organised crime. Eight house