UK PROMISES FUNDING AS SCHOOLS RETURN

The UK government's promising a billion pounds for schools to help students who have fallen behind over the pandemic.

They say it'll support six million pupils in England and Wales over the next three years.

Many are returning to the classroom in the UK this week, with covid-19 safety measures having been eased.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson is hoping it will be a more normal school year.

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Indian Kashmir Separatist Leader Geelani Dies

Indian Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani died on Wednesday night in Srinagar at the age of 92 following a prolonged illness. [PRO shree-nag-ar]

Geelani's death has prompted authorities to deploy troops in the city and shut down the internet in an effort to prevent potential violence.

Our correspondent Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai.

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Australia – State to ease restrictions as vaccine rate reaches 70%

With 70% of its population having now recieved the first dose of coronavirus vaccine, the Premier of the state of New South Wales has relax some restrictions in virus hotspots.

This is despite the state having recorded another 1,288 new infections overnight.

Shaun Bindley reports

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Moderna to recall COVID-19 doses in Japan over stainless steel contaminants

Moderna and its Japanese distributor Takeda Pharmaceutical said they were working with Japanese authorities to recall three batches of COVID-19 vaccine due to contamination. The recall comes after an investigation found stainless steel particles in some vials.

Phoebe Amoroso has more from Tokyo.

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Taiwan Warns China Can Paralyze its Defences

Taiwan says China's armed forces have the ability to paralyze the island's defences in a stark assessment of the risk Beijing poses.

That's according to the Taiwan Defence Ministry's annual report, revealing a far more serious view than it did a year ago.

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Hong Kong police investigate protester support fund

Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into a local group that provides financial assistance to anti-government protesters. Police say the organisation may have violated the city's controversial national security law. 

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan Shields Sacklers

A bankruptcy settlement has dissolved Purdue Pharma, the maker of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. 

That clears the way to resolve thousands of opioid lawsuits, but critics say it shields the family that owns the drug maker. 

US Correspondent Rachel Silverman reports from Oakland.

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Nasdaq kicks of September with new record close

The Nasdaq hit a new record close to start the month of September.

But investors also reacted to disappointing new jobs figures.

Sarah Walton reports from New York.

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Biden backs Ukrainian commitment to counter Russian aggression

US President Joe Biden says America is "firmly committed" to keeping
Ukraine safe against Russia.

He welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House
just days after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has left allies
questioning US security commitments.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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Lake Tahoe Region Under Threat from Wildfire

Thousands of homes are under threat in the historic Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada as firefighters continue to battle a massive wildfire.

Historically dry conditions are helping to fuel fires in the American West.

Ira Spitzer has more from San Francisco.

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Ida threatens Northeast states

Most of New Orleans is still without power, three days after Hurricane
Ida caused major damage in the region.

The storm is now threatening to cause flash floods in the northeast of
the country.

Sarah Walton reports.

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Ukrainian president looks for US assurances in White House meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to press Joe Biden
for assurances America will help his country against Russian
aggression.

The two presidents are meeting at the White House following the
withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has led allies to question US
security commitments.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

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Strict abortion law comes into effect in Texas

A controversial law called the "Heartbeat Act" has come into effect in
the U.S. state of Texas.

The law makes abortions illegal as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

U.S. correspondent William Denselow reports.

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UK IN TALKS WITH TALIBAN

The UK's confirmed it's in talks with the Taliban about ensuring safe passage from Afghanistan for British nationals and Afghans who haven't yet been able to evacuate.

Downing Street says the discussions have been taking place in Doha.

It's understood that around 200 people and their families who are eligible for evacuation remain in Afghanistan.

It comes as the UK announces more detail on what it's calling 'Operation Warm Welcome' for Afghans who've been evacuated to Britain.

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins says it's about adding clarity for those arriving.

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Indian Capital Gears Up to Reopen Schools After 17 Months

New Delhi is set to reopen schools this month, after almost a 17 month-long hiatus.

The reopening of schools comes at a time when India is witnessing an uptick in the number of fresh COVID infections.

The country recorded over 41,000 new cases in the past day, 35.6% higher than the day before.

Sreoshi Mukherjee has more on this story...  

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India, Taliban make first official contact as US troops withdraw from Afghanistan

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Hours after the last of US troops left Afghanistan, India has made its first official contact with the Taliban.

India's ambassador to Qatar met with the Taliban official in Doha.

This comes just a day after the militant group urged for stronger ties with New Delhi.

Ishan Garg has more.

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Australia – Delta infections continue to climb

The Premier of the state of New South Wales says Australia must move forward with its commitment to re-open despite the 11 hundred and 16 new cases of the Delta strain that were recorded in the past 24 hrs.

With Queensland re-opening locally after another week of no new infections, and Victoria announcing plans to maintain restrictions until at least 70 percent of residents have received one dose of coronavirus vaccine, the New South Wales outbreak remains of critical concern.

Shaun Bindley reports from Brisbane

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Safety concerns over Hong Kong plan to allow foreign doctors to work as specialists

Doctors in Hong Kong say they're worried about a new government plan to let overseas medics work as specialists in the city. Health authorities say the plan is needed to solve labor shortages. But doctor's groups say the standard of treatment may suffer.

Richard Kimber reports from Hong Kong.

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Japan Prime Minister denies Lower House dissolution rumours as leadership battle heats up

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshide Suga has said that it is not possible to dissolve the Diet's lower house this month due to Japan's severe Covid-19 situation.

His statement comes amid growing speculation, as a general election must be called this autumn.

Suga is also facing challenges to his leadership of the Liberal Democratic Party as his term comes to an end this month.

Phoebe Amoroso reports from Tokyo.

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Fires Force New Evacuations in California and Nevada

New mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in Nevada. People have been told to pack up and leave the area near the famous Lake Tahoe recreation area….as a raging wildfire burns through the region. 

Rachel Silverman has this report from Oakland. 

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