Taliban Warns of "Consequences" If Turkey Runs Kabul Airport, Delta Variant On The Rise

LOCAL NEWS

• Taliban warns of consequences if Turkey runs the Kabul airport, saying if they fail to reconsider it will take a stand against them.
  • Taliban have been reclaiming territory in recent days as the US continues to pull troops out of the country
• Delta variant cases triple in a week in Turkey, rising to 750 while overall cases rose 20% w/w.
  • Delta variant has now been recorded in 306 provinces vs 30 a week ago. The ministry says it is not planning new restrictions as of yet
• Greek Cypriots raise concern about Erdogan's visit, urging the international community to stop him from raising tensions on 20 July.
  • Greek Cypriot FM said it was critical Erdogan was stopped from negatively affecting US, EU and international interests in the region."
  • Comes after Erdogan promised to continue drilling in the East Med off Cyprus, despite EU warnings
• Biden nominates Jeff Flake to serve as Ambassador to Turkey, citing the "importance of the US' relationship with long standing NATO ally, Turkey"
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus says "EU is not in a position to decide a solution for Cyprus" and has lost its credibility in the eyes of Cypriot Turks after Borrell rejected the two-state solution in recent comments