me play an important role. protecting human. ah, ah, ah, this is al jazeera. ah, hello and welcome. i'm pete adobe. you're watching the news. our live from our headquarters here. coming up in the next 60 minutes, a crossing point along the afghan pakistan border captured by the taliban is to be reopened to allow stranded people to return home. after 9 months of attempts to form a new government,

lebanon's prime minister designate thought how he says he's stepping aside. south africa government has deployed army reservists to help local police after incidents of violence and unrest. i'm bernard smith and alexandra burge is one of the areas where the army has been deployed to maintain the peace of the days of looting and writing by the jailing. a former president, jacob, and dozens of people are killed as severe floods. sweep through western germany and other parts of europe. on devin ash with 40 lympics, the edging closer and current of ours continued to disrupt preparations with one athlete and several members of game star testing positive intake. ah. after hours of negotiations, the afghan taliban and the pakistani governments have agreed to reopen one of the

main border crossings to allow stranded people through thousands of civilians stuck for the past 2 days and are able to cross spin. bolduc is afghanistan. second busiest border crossing and fell to the taliban on wet and say, the group has been seizing large part. some afghans done. taking advantage of the withdrawal of us and allied troops to push back against government forces. charlotte bellis reports now from cobble they hear talk of the spin folder. crossing reopening, an afghan stuck in pakistan, scrambles were chance to get hard. thousands waited, hopeful that pakistan would allow them passage after the taliban took control of the afghan side of the crossing by force. it took 2 days of talks, movement to start again. mother got the box down that's got i don't know, but the focused on the soldiers are not letting us go. they told us that there is fighting with comment on the other side. we don't know what is happening. been

bolduc is a logistical lifeline for southern afghanistan. $900.00 trucks usually passed through here each day. they carry much needed supplies. they pay customs duties that are no longer going into government coffers. the thousands, every day it is a portal to see family and friends on each side of the border. as the muslim holiday eat approaches, this should be one of its busiest time. with that, but i did find that the bottom of the board is closed and we were waiting in these hot temperatures. my son just had surgery. i'm a widow and you can see all the people waiting here. we filmed the telephone on the pocket stone side of the border. one signal, the victory sign. i hit the car, stick it with the telephone, low, good telephone flags risen among the waiting crows in pakistan's closest tone sharman taliban fighters, most freely. the support for the army group was on public display. in afghanistan,

they recorded themselves and spin, bowed up town in an effort to show life continuing as normal. and that all of the people are very happy they were trying with happiness. i was asking people to get back as they rushed at us, but they were saying we were waiting for you guys for the last 20 years. but in pakistan, in temperatures of near 40 degrees, the mood was not joyous. many travelers telling us they just want me to the conflict and the disruption it brings out on your what we want. we don't want fighting one piece and whoever will deliver it. if it will be the government or the tunnel path. we want to new lanet country without fighting. that is all we want. will spin, bolduc is the most significant. the taliban has taken a handful of border crossings and it's going to sound north, west and east. in recent weeks, against the backdrop of taliban gains, president ashura connie is known as pakistan for an urgent regional summers.

charlotte bellis al jazeera cobble, and negotiations between the taliban and the afghan government appear to be at a standstill. earlier we spoke to a government negotiator, not, not that he, he said the taliban offer of a truce isn't sincere. today's once we are, we are genuinely, very strongly pushing for talk and meaningful talks on table 2 in this war once for ever and to reach to a political settlement and future. that's what we kept pushing in the past few months in the us. we are also going to be another event that other conference, some, some additional members of the republic of a bunch of political will be joining all. and we want to see that the 2 political settlement, that's what, what we do. we are so much committed into peace and we want to be

a peace agreement reached at the same time. our forces are trying to check the sensors of population. the report today i release of the purpose that effected by the war suggests that 13000000 people are being effective not receiving public service services across those districts that are taken by the parliament, which is one 3rd of the population. we are protecting dissenters, population and our horses are protecting them. we are, we taking, we just did a research strictly numerous province to come to the district and that's what we are doing. but at the same time, we are questing for piece, for political settlement and genuinely, we are ready to do so. lebanon's prime minister designates hurry, has again failed to form a new government. he's an answer, stepping aside, lebanon has been without a functioning cabinet for 9 months. and there's growing anger over the political

and economic crisis. there is in a honda now reports from beirut along political struggle has just become more difficult to resolve. lebanon's prime minister designate, sad and heavy, the has been locked in and 9 months power struggle with president michelle has failed to form his 4th government. that's not res. i met with the president and he demanded what i deem as substantial change to the formation of the government. i suggested to the president if he needed more time to consider my proposal, but he saw no prospect for agreement. for these reasons, i stepped down, the political paralysis is expected to accelerate the country's economic collapse. lights are out. most of the day. the cash struck save barely has money to buy fuel . and there is a shortage of medicine making life a daily struggle. as more lebanese are pushed into poverty, the local currency which already lost 95 percent of its value in recent months,

has depreciated further in the hours following heavy it is announcement level needs the government to put in place an economic recovery plan. but that government has to be able and willing to carry out reforms in state institutions. that's the condition set by the international community, which was refusing to issue blank checks after decades of corruption. but there is also the regional dynamic lebanon is entangled in the power struggle between mainly she or iran, and saudi arabia, which used to be an influential player here. and the financial supporter to the mainly some, the muslim pro western camp. it too, has stepped the site. saudi arabia is deeply concerned about the growing power and role of hezbollah and 11 is political arrangement would look forward for any kind of solution that will curtail has evolved at all in the country. the anger among

living on sunday spilled onto the street. they have long complained their power as a community is being taken away and any attempt to name a new prime minister without the support of the leadership headed by heavy they won't solve the crisis. the previous prime minister was chosen by the president and his muslim she or allies they believe that since the arrival of general own to the presidency he's trying to confiscate or to restore part of the law secretion authorities this year are actually they have no problem. whatever the situation is, is for the benefits, and they know that any changes in this political system is going to be for their benefit. and for this benefit, because from 5050, we're going to move to one sort of part. today the state is that locked the power sharing agreement between religious communities which ended lebanon's civil war in 1990 no longer seems to be working center for the l. z to balte the

international community which is made financial aid to 11 unconditional on the formation of a new government is starting to express its disappointment. we regret that lebanon's leaders have been unable to reach agreement on the formation of a new government. re read, re reiterated the call for the country's political leadership to swiftly agree on the formation of a new government that is able to address the country's numerous challenges. the secretary general and his special coordinator miss you want to, netscape will continue to closely engage with relevant stakeholders to support lebanon and it's people. let's bring in semi nader. he is the director of the levant institute for strategic affairs and a columnist for our monitor. he joins us on skype from beirut. semi welcome back to the news. is there right now and obvious alternative to mr. hurry? no, i don't think so. the only alternative is another job,

meaning the current prime minister who is looks independent, but in fact he is controlled by prevailing political forces, mainly the allies of has bala and this time of government will never be able to get international support, which is more than compulsory to get clyburn on out of the crisis. so miss that had even mister hardy did not get all the support he wanted from the international community. maybe this is one of the reasons he resigned because a did not get the support for daddy. beneath the allusion that contributed him as part of that establishment, he did not get enough support from international community that did not put enough pressure on heavy law in order to give in and allow them

to form a government. and he did not get enough support from his home. he was the favorite a candidate for that right. minute trip ship, because i need to interrupt you for a 2nd. why should the pressure on has bhalla come from the international community? let's call it, let's call the community what it is. we're talking about manual macro here, because he went to be rude very quickly after the, the poor explosion. and he made all the right noises. of course he did, but he also linked financial aid to political progress. so why should that pressure come from? people like him, a not come from the lebanese government. and mr. micron did not represent the dimensional community. i'm talking about the french initiative started had a very wrong approach at the very beginning because it boosted

a political establishment that was losing credibility. and they opened up to it all the engage it. i'm trying to find a deal on the webinar as well. ah, were talking to them, but they kept an eye on the american. this is why the french initiative failed. however, today there is a different dynamic there. so i would use out of, brought into the game the american as well. that where are 3 parts to the meeting in batters and france change its position. ok, they won't. now, not here. here's the thing that our report dismiss lasix episode. what does this latest chapter in the crisis tell us about lebanese politics and lebanese politicians in as much as the economy is tanking? it's almost completely flat lining. we had demonstrations against the government on

the streets anyway, even before the beirut port explosion. as of right now, your currency is standing, the lira is standing at $21000.00 to the us dollar on the black market, and it's lost 90 percent of its value. and yet from the politicians in beirut, there seems to be an almost complete lack of urgency on their part. as it was shown in you on the board. i mean he is creeping hunger is no mean. and deli, bernice population is hostage is hostage of a political establishment or controlling their faith that are aligned with regional axes. today, those who have the upper hand are allied with it on and we are good and original conflict. and the only way, the only way out is for this small country to keep distance of all and the regional

power. this is the condition of stability up to now use as a bargain in court on a table of negotiation. and mine do, it's not the priority, it's not a priority, neither the indian nor board the americans. this is why iran is using for someone to pay the prize, but no one is in a hurry to give and to it on for something that is not a priority. neither neither for the american north or the indian. but surely, that does come a point when, because the company is almost bare because the bank account is more than empty. you've got to go. the lebanese government has either got to go to western or gulf nations and say, give us some aid because there's no money coming in to the countries bank account. exactly, and the only way out is the program i live on is and a deep need of fair liquids in order to ensure its basic needs to buy its medicine,

its sweet, it's brad. and this liquid d will come from one address, which is the i m f and all of that potential donors. the good news is that the national community want to read on provider glenn on a go through the form provided by non keep a distance from the general conflict and is not i live at 230 with iran. however, this international community is saying, we will have it through and i am a program i'm up to now the labor needs authority. you. those who are in power don't want to hear about. and i am because i'm at is totally suicide for them because it will afford them into the forms to give and power. and this is their only source of florida you. okay, so i mean a to always good to get your thoughts on such a complex story. in the middle east. thank you very much. i mean to, they're talking to us from beirut,

south africa preparing today to deploy thousands of soldiers to sub days of rioting and looting. it's the largest such deployment since the end of the party in 1994. thousands of reserve forces have already been summoned. the countries west violence in decades is disrupted supply chains and is led to food and fuel shortages. at least 117 people who died. the unrest was triggered by the jailing of the former president, jacob zima. it later turned into widespread anger against poverty and inequality. houses here is bernard smith is in johannesburg. 48 hours of looting and writing of destroyed hundreds of businesses here and alexander and john berg, one of the townships in south africa, much comma. now though there are still reports of looting and racial tensions flaring in durban. in kazi lu natal, at the home province of former present jacobs, it was his jailing for refusing to turn up to

a corruption inquiry that sparked this violence. but it was only the spot that led to an outpouring of anger and frustration almost 30 years after the end of a part right there is really normal social inequality here in south africa. estimate half the population of 35000000 lives below the poverty line. i don't employment that are record 33 percent. the government says there are now at least 10000 soldiers deployed on the street helping to keep the peace. and that could be as many as $25000.00. should the government be necessary? it is much commer here. and the locals have been leading the clean up operation, helping the army recover looted. goods from the homes of people suspected of invading those supermarkets. those department stores billions of rans, millions of dollars worth of damage now to be repaired. lost more grounds still to cover for you here on the news, including the colombian president, even to k,

reveals new details about the assassination of the patient, president job, and in an easier report. the record number of corona virus infections and the government says the worst is still to come. and french prosecutors open an investigation into doping allegations at the tour de france on that story later in sport ah, top story in europe. this at least 42 people have been killed and dozens and missing. after flash floods swept across western germany. a number of buildings have collapsed and the army has been called in to help with rescue efforts. parts of belgium and the netherlands are also badly affected. neeve barker has more this is what residents in storm battered parts of germany woke up to as record rainfall caused major rivers to burst their banks. a view from the air showing the

full extent of the devastation in the states of rhineland, platinum and north run west fadia. c cause were tossed around like toys in the rising waters, homes and businesses washed away. as the flooding in some areas received, the death toll rises with several people still missing. rescue efforts underway to bring the stranded to safety. village is cut off by flood, water and lamps live helicopters, pluck people from the rooftop. our storm gets to see what you see here now is worse than after a bombing raid. and this is guaranteed to take 10 years. the people are all broke. the businesses have been hurt, so it's just horrible. now. on a visit to the united states, the german chancellor promised to do everything possible to help and fully mention in, in the zones could beaten is a terrible day. so people and flooded areas. my thoughts with you and you can trust

that all the forces of our government, federal, regional, and community will do everything in difficult conditions to save lives, alleviate dangers and relieve distress over the border and neighboring belgium flood waters rip through villages submerging homes that mean we don't do all around midnight. i heard a scary noise. i looked through the window and i saw that there was a torrent of water, at least 50 to 60 centimeters d y. and in the netherlands, several care homes were evacuated with some local residents driven by a tractor to safety. more torrential rain is forecast and with fears of further devastation, it's been called a once in a generation blood. and it isn't over yet. the bucket al jazeera, let's get more on the situation in the netherlands with boston who's in vulcan, but close to the border with germany. in the past hours that i've been here,

i've only seen the water actually getting higher. it's just a very strong current, and it's actually the, the worse and the largest amount of water going through the reference here in this whole border region. since 926 there was, i'm supple down for for 3 days, which has led to this, this loving, that has not only inundated to city sounds, villages, but also highway. so it has really power like this whole border region. people have been evacuated from their homes and rescue. teams are actually still here, knocking on doors to see if people are still needed to be rescued. they've been stuck there for more than 24 hours without food without water elect electricity is also down here in this region. and as we speak, it starts to rain. again. this is falcon berg, this is the center of dutch tourism in the south of the natalie, and this is a place where many people come to, especially now with kobe. people don't want to travel abroad,

they want to come here. so thousands of tourists were here when this flat happen. they have been evacuated as well. they also asking for compensation. of course, the small business owners are very emotional, very frustrated and upset that this is happening to them. but they're also very worried about their safety because of course, as we say this water is not going away anytime soon. now jim and john's langley michael is meeting us president joe biden at the white house during her last official visit to the united states before she steps down his german chancellor. later this year. it is a farewell trip for a politician who semen office has spent for american presidency earlier on. thursday. merkel met the vice president common harris and received an honorary doctorate from johns hopkins university in recognition of her leadership during the global pandemic life. now the white house about correspondent can be how kit, kimberly, she's a bit like the queen. she's lived so many world leaders,

and she's always been in a position of power. but why are they doing it now? i mean, she's there til september after all said and done. yeah, it's right. many people sort of wonder what can be accomplished, given the fact that she's not in office for much longer, but it was important for the biden administration to underscore the importance of the relationship between the united states in germany. and that's why this is really just the 5th foreign visit to the white house by a foreign leader. and it is important that it be with the german chancellor. so what they're expected to talk about are a lot of the things that they want to kind of try and put behind them. in other words, what they're trying to do is repair the relationship and some of the damage that was done between donald trump and algola merkel that joe biden's predecessor because it was well publicized, there were very strong differences between those 2 leaders. so already we saw joe biden trying to mend some of that early on in his administration,

repairing some of the trades fat. and they're going to sort of further that relationship because those are recall donald trump criticize germany heavily when it came to accusing them of having open borders of not spending it up when it comes to defense and also unfair trade practices. so there is a little bit of reassurance is going to take place on the part of the us president . but all for the part of the german chancellor, the message she's sending reportedly is that look, are maybe stepping down, but things are not going to change dramatically. come september when somebody else takes over. so what we know is she has just traveled behind me here into the oval office. there will be a bilateral meeting will take place. and then we know later on the us president and 1st lady will be hosting the german chancellor and her husband as well as the vice president. the 1st gentlemen for dinner later this evening. we remember those still photographic pictures of course, kimberly, of anglo merkel. when she was in a less guarded moment, giving donald from the evil eye because that was, that was

a tough relationship, a difficult relationship. clearly for mrs. merkel. but in terms of the relationship between germany and the united states, there is a central issue here, isn't that is the nord stream pipeline, and that's between the countries is not between the personalities of president and the german chancellor. will they make real progress on that? well, that's what we're watching very carefully. there will be a press conference that will be held between the 2 leaders following their meeting . and this is one major friction point that comes between 5 in the and merkle. the u. s. has made no secret of its concern about this pipeline that goes from russia to germany. what their fear is is that this gives russia kind of a leg up in terms of leverage over europe in terms of energy. and the fear is this could even harm sort of actions towards ukraine. so the white house says look at this with already 90 percent built. when joe biden came into office. we couldn't

sanction germany at this point because that wouldn't accomplish anything. so what they're doing is trying to kind of leave the diplomatic space if you will, to try and discuss why they are concerned about this, what germany needs to watch for. and what they're hopeful can come out of this discussion in terms of ensuring that ukraine stay safe and the broader security of europe as a whole. so this is one area where there may be a fair bit of discussion and debate. but overall, this is expected to be productive and particularly warm visit. kimberly many things we'll talk to later. i'm sure in the meantime, thanks very much. kimberly how get the at the white house for us here on the news. i'll still come on this program. the can be a slow economic recovery, find out why 2 of us most important sectors are still struggling. and in sports, the blocks that could prove crucial and deciding the n b a finals. ah

hello, here's something we don't get to say too often. they're looking like some rather wet weather coming in across the middle east over the next couple of days, particularly for southern areas of the arabian place. a lot of cloud sharing up here. and the will also be a lot of rain driven in almost south wesley winds. say some why spread showers? it will cause some localized flooding. some flash floods is certainly something to keep an eye out for wet weather all the way up into southern parts. so saudi arabia as you go on through friday, and there's more of that to come as we go on through saturday. so i think we all like to see pretty damaging floods over the next few days. and certainly disruptive, not to show was any rain hearing console, but it's on the call side 37 celsius hot enough to the north of that, the queue wait. and also for baghdad. fine try and sunny across the levant over the next couple of days as far as the sunshine down across a good part of egypt coming to the opium high, has got

a rash of showers here. just rolling off the high ground for the re folly, have a showers to down towards the uganda. we'll see some showers there. so i was not quite sure why the particle central africans they should be, but they are then everlast, they push a cross into a good part of cameroon. and on into nigeria. southern parts of africa generally looking dry, the refuse showers into, as in bob way. and more showers the most and be the definitely guides dying. disproportionate numbers on that. every leaving behind widows who struggled to survive. one o 8 meets the ship, a women defying tradition to conquer the world's part bounced on. i was 0. something was going to change. has anything really changed, this is systemic violent that needs to be addressed at its core. we are in a race against the variance, know what to say until we are all set. we're looking at the world as it is right now, not the world. we like it to be,

the devil is always going to be in the details. the bottom line. i'll just one half sco fish and half lebanese. so diversity is really important to me. and vizier is the most diverse place i've ever worked. we have so many different nationalities and this is brought together in this one nice organization. and this diversity of perspective is reflected in our coverage, giving a more accurate representation of the world we report on. and that's a key strength of answer here. ah ah, you're watching the answers even use. my name's peter toby. your top stories this our lebanon's prime minister designate.