Gritstone secures funding for COVID-19 vaccine against variants

Over 600 Afghans cram into U.S. cargo plane in desperate flight from Kabul

UNICEF ‘quite optimistic’ after Taliban comments on girls’ education, official says

Fears abroad for fate of Hazara minority as Taliban take control

Don McLean gets Hollywood star as ‘American Pie’ hits 50

Spain gets tranche of 9 billion euros in EU COVID recovery fund, Lithuania 289 million

Tencent Music takes copyright rules in stride, earnings beat estimates

Iran says its embassy in Kabul remains open

U.S. Democrats ride trains, buses to spotlight spending push

Euro zone growth confirmed at 2% in Q2, employment rises

Thailand seeks 12 million Sinovac shots for mix-and-match vax strategy

Uganda to take 2,000 Afghan refugees at U.S. request

Mass job terminations hit hundreds of Yemenis in Saudi Arabia

EU Commission says will analyse Poland’s reply to judges’ disciplinary chamber

China’s top legislature to discuss adding anti-sanctions law to Hong Kong on Friday – media

Gold Star mothers’ hearts ache after Taliban takeover of Afghanistan

WHO concerned about COVID-19 in Afghanistan as jabs slow

Australia’s Woodside snares BHP oil, gas business in $28 billion merger

UK payrolls move closer to pre-pandemic level, pay jumps

Malaysia’s king calls on parties to work together in search for new PM

Gorbachev, leader who pulled Soviets from Afghanistan, says U.S. campaign was doomed from start

Tesla expands legal, external relations workforce in China

Now in charge, Tunisian president faces looming fiscal crisis

Beijing took stake and board seat in key ByteDance domestic entity this year

MLB roundup: Joey Votto notches 2,000th hit in Reds’ victory

Wildfires rage outside Athens, villages evacuated

Bob Dylan sued for alleged sexual abuse of 12-year-old in 1960s

Incoming BT Chairman Crozier’s record of corporate leadership

Events requiring vaccination proof can opt out of masks, Nevada governor says

UNICEF still delivering aid to most parts of Afghanistan

Renewable fuel companies edge out some refiners on feedstock

UK’s Johnson wants to discuss Afghanistan with G7 as soon as possible

EV startups hunt for low-cost roads to mass production

Pandora jewellery sales top pre-pandemic levels as U.S. shoppers splash out

U.S. plans to begin administering COVID-19 booster shots in September – source