Thursday, August 26, 2021

US and allies urge people to leave Kabul airport area over imminent Daesh threat, and man who appeared on Nirvana's "Nevermind" cover as a baby sues for “sexual exploitation” *) US, allies ask people to leave Kabul airport area over Daesh threat The US, UK and Australia have urged their citizens to stay away from Kabul's international airport, citing a terrorist threat. Thousands of Afghans and foreigners are hoping to get evacuated before the August 31 deadline. Despite fresh warnings, thousands of people desperate to flee the Taliban-controlled country have gathered at the gates of Kabul airport. *) Sydney hospitals erect emergency tents as cases hit record Australia's daily Covid-19 cases have topped 1,000 for the first time since the global pandemic began. This comes as two major hospitals in Sydney set up emergency outdoor tents to help deal with a rise in patients. Sydney is struggling to stamp out a surge driven by the fast-spreading Delta variant despite two months under lockdown. *) Boko Haram attack kills over a dozen soldiers in southern Niger In Niger, at least 16 soldiers have been killed and nine wounded in an attack by Boko Haram militants. Officials said hundreds of militants overran a military post in a region bordering Nigeria, where Boko Haram and Daesh are active. The overnight attack comes only two months after some 6,000 people returned to Baroua having fled violence in 2015. *) Israel targets protesters along Gaza security fence At least 20 Palestinians in blockaded Gaza have been wounded after the Israeli army opened fire on them, medical sources and witnesses say. The Palestinians were protesting near Gaza's border security fence against years of Israel's siege, demanding reconstruction after the 11-day conflict in May. However, the protests were more muted than a weekend demonstration that left dozens wounded. And finally ... * ) Man featured on Nirvana cover as baby sues for 'sexual exploitation' A man who was featured as a naked infant on the cover of Nirvana's "N