like other such policies can be washed and reuse. the design that we've come up with, ethical, sustainable, and entirely made in the u. k. it looks like face most to the parts of many people's lives, at least in the short term. whatever, calling the way they're being urged to consider where it comes from and where it'll end up. ah, the military joins rescue efforts in central china as the region raffles, with the worst plugged in decades. ah, by there i'm going vanelle, this is elder. they're alive from also coming up to teach meant them appears to be sort of with the telephone call and raises the alarm over the telephones advance that have gone to the us to pull out 10 city is main opposition need is

arrested out before rally, demanding constitutional reform and to boot in the fight against the painkiller addiction epidemic in the us. drug companies reach a $26000000000.00 settlement to resolve losses. ah, we begin in central. china is hunan province where the military has been drafted and joined rescue efforts in the worst flooding in decades. the regional capital john jo has seen the heaviest rains since records began. homes have been swept away st. subways, factories and farmland. nothing has been spared. more than 200000 people have moved to higher ground and hold on. at least 25 people have been killed. katrina, you reports from asian rescue teams worked through the night to help. so boy passengers get to safety in downtown john doe,

in the space of just 3 days. the capital of china's central clint and province received as much rain as it usually gets in the year. hundreds of traps for hours, underground tunnels were flooded. this man says he was lucky to survive high by impact of the water was so powerful that i have to remove my shirts, backpack, and everything except my pain. we smashed the upper part of the glass window to let some aaron. otherwise it would have been suffocating said intervention rainfall. quote, john jo, 7, the residence of god. these pedestrians formed a human chain to avoid being swept away. more than 10000 emergency workers have been deployed to help with rescue and clean up operations. in the neighboring city of glee, several people were killed and landslides, more than 200000 have been evacuated from their homes to safe areas. china's yellow river runs through a province for the population of 100000000. authorities say

a down in the historic city of william has been severely damaged and could burst at anytime. where the experts say these are the worst all the ship, the region in recorded history, president, she did pay, has described prevention efforts as extremely difficult. he's called on all local governments around the country to review the emergency response system to prevent similar tragedies. severe storms have also hit cities and intimate goal yet in china's ne, to dance burst. there after a weekend of torrential rain environmental group say the extreme weather is caused by climate change. these kind of a disaster going to becoming more and more frequent because of the change in climate. and we would see that this kind of disaster poses very sort of huge economic and social loss. the city of jungle remains on high alert. rain is expected to continue until friday. residents have been advised to

remain indoors to stay dry and safe between you all 0 paging. the pentagon is expressing alarm of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in honest, on general mark miller, he says the taliban now control nearly half of the country's 400 coff districts. all of this is of course happening is us troops pull out fighting between africa and government forces and the taliban is intensified. the 7 people have been killed and the southern province of canada ha, happened during shelling between the military and taliban fighters, and a separate incident for taliban fighters were killed when the vehicle had a roadside bomb done the district might kind of join me. i live from washington, d. c, and mike concerns about these talib on games, a being expressed at the most senior levels within the military. indeed yes, the secretary of defense, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff,

they spoke to the media and the course of the day explaining their concern about the massive taliban at bottoms in a number of areas of a county sun. they say that the withdrawal is going ahead on schedule some 8000 us forces have a better the being removed. but i also made specific mention of a number of nationals who have been assisting the forces such as drivers, translators, a large number of them are being transported out to the country as well. but that advance of the tenant bond is causing great concern. just a month ago, tell bon only controlled some a t of a county sounds $419.00 districts. this figure has increased to my more than double last month alone. i would tell you that as of today, more or less, i guess it's about $212232.00 in that range. 2 hundreds of the district centers are in taliban control. it's about half of the $419.00 that are out there. you've got

34 provincial capitols in afghanistan. none of them have been seized as of today by the taliban. although the taliban is putting pressure on the outskirts of probably about half of them. 17 of them in fact. and what they're trying to do is isolate the major population centers. they're trying to do the same thing to cobble . and roughly speaking order of magnitude. a significant amount of territory has been seized over the course of 6, a 10 months sort of thing by the, by the taliban. so momentum appears to be strategic. momentum appears to be sort of with the tell him the afghan security forces that are consolidating their forces. my given all of that is, is there any indication that the timeline for the us might change very much the opposite. the pentagon leadership making very clear that president by didn't had set to the end of next month as the deadline for complete withdrawal of us forces. they say that that deadline is going to be met,

but at the same time as well, they said that even at this stage, you have state department taking over certain areas of the country in terms of the protection of the embassies, etc, protection of sensitive areas. now although you've got afghan forces already moving into bases once controlled by the u. s, those diplomatic centers are still going to be there even when the us forces are remote and bead. so the question arises now is whether we are going to see the same kind of process that we saw at one stage in iraq with it would scroll up us forces, but being replaced by state department elements, mainly private contractors who provide security for the diplomatic entities that are needed on an ongoing passion. now this is the possibility, but as to the presence of troops on the ground. according to the pentagon leadership, they will all be out by the end of next month. and my kind of in washington dc.

thank you. meanwhile, the head of a gun astounds reconciliation. council is expressing confidence in the republic feature of july. villa spoke to al jazeera about the taliban leverage on the ground . taliban cannot convert the whole population of upon a son into taliban taliban. a zation of her father, son is not acceptable. yes, of course. they feel at this moment that they have that hand militarily on the ground too. and that will not last that way. i'm sure. i'm not talking about days and weeks that we're talking about the course of time because that see this and from out his state there is no peaceful settlement. unfortunately, the world will continue. and as a result of the war, tinge will change and it will go and to hand that part.

if you're talking about the survival of the state, i should say that yes, while when the stomach, the public, that is a position. there are different roofs which are not happy with our conduct, but a day criticize as they are unhappy. but they're the same time a daily with the principles in the principle of the public one person one vote. and so tonight, principles. and if you're talking about the survival of the state, yes. and you can watch the full interview with of the of the and the next talk to al jazeera for 30 g m t t. this saturday. the other 2 new think red crescent says at least 17 migrants from bangladesh have drowned, trying to cross the mediterranean sea. their boat sank, of setting off for italy from the water on libya's north west coast. 380 people were rescued by that unity and coast guard. among them were migrants from syria,

egypt to don, eritrea, molly and bangladesh. members of hans and he is main opposition. party. demanding to know whether chairman is after an overnight police range for these offices. rounded up freeman boy and 10 other to deem a party members. early on wednesday, the party says the arrests approve that president somebody a single flew who has on is continuing the authoritarianism of a predecessor catherine. so i reports the police the northwest times, and he is one of the city i looking for anyone trying to attend a meeting called by the opposition, shut down my partner, that despite the rest of 11 party members, including its lead of women, boy, the opposition has been calling for constitutional changes, such as the reduction of presidential powers and an independent electoral commission. but the, but really beginning of the constitution we are fighting for is not just for us, but for everybody. it is to foster unity and make sure few individuals do not make

decisions to hurt the nation. the constitution will hold ladies to account when they overstep their mandate. police say by holding public gatherings, the politicians were breaking coffee, 1900 regulation. put in place by speaker. sorry about the topic, but we're just making sure people are here to the laws of the country that invited many people who are turning their plan, meeting from a party meeting into a public one, even though their plans before an indoor meeting. but party officials say this is an attempt by the government to scaffold their poor constitutional reform semi as we will husband times. and he had the new president submits to lu hassan to cove. after the death of john mago fully in march, people are hopeful, she would move away from her predecessors, policies. they say rolled back them aquatic freedoms that country had gained. she has said, the main priority is growing the economy. the president's position is that the

constitution will, the reforms will need to white lifting the ban on political rallies. that's in place in times. and you will also need to wait until she has had time to in her words, open up the economy. that's something that's consistent with with our previous assa magazoo, the you said more or less the same things that you need a time to fix up the economy before coming back to this constitutional question. this is the fast arrest of a key political leader. since the president to power times and yet you slowly shifting its handling of covet 19 from denial to putting some health part of the place. authority said will not allow a flouting of the room to demo officials insist. the motive behind the rest of the leaders is to stifle their voice counting. so i'll just 0. still ahead on al jazeera, france rolls out a covert pulse, but tourist attractions. venom is importing events to encourage people to get

vaccinated. but not everyone is happy. i'm on the richardson in tokyo, a city preparing to host an olympic games like no other. ah, ah. hello, nice to see you. here's your weather forecast for north america. the canadian province of british columbia has declared a state of emergency, nearly 300 wildfires. bernie, we know we also have wildfires toward western areas of the us and look what's now starting to happen. all that smoke pushing toward the east drifting into new york really hazy conditions along the empire state building there in manhattan. ok, i think we're, we'll see the most intense rain on thursday will be along the gulf coast of the us, pretty much texas rate through to georgia. and that's really where we're going to

see the stronger pulses of rain. if we give you a temperature story now with what's going on across north america, a bit cool toward s f with a high of 18 degrees. and there is some of that rain there for georgia pushing into the carolinas. central america looks like this are heavy spouts of what weather will be found to work coast rico right through to panama. otherwise, for the kara, be interest the risk of a pop up. thunder storm that includes point to canada on thursday, off to south america, we've got a tropical rains falling where they should and we're going to get a cool surge of they are pushed into santiago. so if i show you the 3 day forecast, we go from while above average on thursday to below average on saturday with just the high of 13. the news was a bank energy and change to every part of our universe. for

small to continue the change. all around the shape by technology and human ingenuity. we can make it work for you and your ah, oh, the me. what you all just there, a reminder, the top toys and he's 25 people have died in severe flooding and china essential non province of the heaviest rainfall since records began. 200000 people have been moved to safety. and this concerns that a dam could collapse. the senior most us general says tell

a bomb 5 has no control. nearly half of the countries. $400.00 talk district committee says the group has strategic momentum to takes over new areas. this says us troops pull out tons and he has main opposition party as demanding to know whether chairman is offering overnight. police, raid freeman, boy, and 10 other child him. a party members were arrested on wednesday for major drug companies have agreed to pay $26000000000.00 to resolve thousands of claims over their role in the us opioid epidemic. the lawsuits were brought by state and local governments, which accused the companies of messing the painkillers reach attics through illegal channels, distributors, the few of them. a merry source, bergen cardinal health and mckesson along with the manufacturer. johnson johnson will pay over a number of years. this was the reaction of one recovering opioid attics and reform

advocate. the mana drugs i was using, i was no longer able to work. so i turned to the life of selling drugs to support my life. and i went to prison for a long time because of that. and the part this doesn't to me discourage from happening again because no one is going to present, but we were expecting the numbers to be hundreds of billions. well, elizabeth chamblee birch is professor of law at the university of georgia to join us live on zoom from the city of athens in georgia. thanks for your time. so this deal is $26000000000.00 deal. it's not done is that it's not a done deal. it's not even close to dine. in fact, really, this is just the beginning and the question remains guys. can these particular defendants get enough signed on from the states to make it worth their while? and i think we've already seen a couple of states who have announced that they are opting out, including the state of washington and the state of west virginia. the won't the

incentive or the distance and to, for states to buy in or not. well, a lot of that remains to be seen. i think that they are going to announce the full settlement with all of its terms tonight. but i think that the basic ideas that you might get more money sooner if you have the greater buy in greater participation with all of the states particular localities. and that there might be certain penalties built. then if you continue to litigate johnson johnson stopped making opioids. what about the rest of those manufacturers, though? i mean, are other drug companies still making money from the attics that they created is certainly possible. i mean, right now, i think what we're seeing in the distributor side, and of course, you know, we're just looking at the distributors along with johnson and johnson who's no longer making the drug is whether they were going to be enough. right? so they have agreed to establish an independent clearinghouse. they're going to track and report shipments, and they're hoping that that independent clearing house will allow for red flags to pop up much sooner than they have in the past. those my next question,

have there been any sort of structural legal changes to ensure that this can't happen again? so i think that that's the main one. certainly there is a lot more awareness now than there was in the past. number of states and localities have taken their own measures to try to monitor pill mills and doctors, and to make sure the prescriptions are valid. and so this is just an added layer of protection. and of course, you know, the big question is whether it's all going to work and whether it's all going to be worth it. if they do buy in and settlement is reached and money is given out, where will that money go? how will it be used? will any of it actually go to the victims? none of it goes directly to the victims in terms of a payout. i think the way that it reaches the victims would be through treatment. and hopefully, you know, it would establish a number of low cost treatment programs and i think, you know,

the big idea behind the settlement for a lot of the state attorney general's is to make sure that this money is earmarked . i think the new york attorney general use the term lock box that we're going to put this in a lock box so that this isn't going to fix potholes, that this is actually going to treat the problem itself. all right, thank you very much. your time elizabeth chamblee burge, they're a professor of the university of georgia. me police and protest is have clashed outside greece's parliament during a rally against mandatory karone of our specs and nations. the health care workers, the ah, it was a 2nd south rally in week offices, youth tear gas and water cannon. to disperse the crowd, covered 900 evictions have been rising in greece in recent weeks with almost 3000 cases reported on wednesday. and frances rolled out

a new coven 19 health path. amid a search, in new cases, people wanting to visit cinemas, museums, sports events, and other venues will need proof of vaccination, negative test, or certificate showing that they have recovered from the virus. but as natasha butler reports, the new system is not being welcomed by everyone. lingering on a terrace is one of life pleasures for many people in france. but soon only those were the covert parts showing that they are fully vaccinated. will have a negative p, c r test will be able to enjoy the experience. so we'll have to check customers. part is something this restaurant says is i'm thankful we consider that this is not our job to check your id and your family. we understand that this is certainly something necessary that we are not fully men. the path which is now mandatory in cinema theaters and museums will be extended to large shopping centers

and some transport. the french government hope it will reduce health risks and encourage people to get vaccinated, ga, not be in no doubt. our goal, as always, is to take measures that are proportional to the health situation to guarantee public freedoms while assuring the sanitary security of our citizens. the french president, the manual macro, announced the new covey path through last week. and since then, there has been a surge and the number of people booking vaccination appointments. within days, nearly 4000000 people had signed up for their 1st job. but it was, every politician said, we weren't obliged to get the vaccine, but without a coven past, we have fewer freedom. so we decided to get it on the us. and the past made us to act. now as we have planned, waiting until august to get vaccinated and the path is dividing opinion, these protestors in power as they said, the government trying to force people to get burnt for lated by eroding their right to they want to force us into getting vaccinated. the low cost?

no, no, no, i've lost my job. i am 48 years old. i won't start professional retraining. i don't have enough strength anymore. i don't even do it in the face of individuals and we've chosen collective responsibility, and it is the effort we are asking from the french people. i believe french people are in a good position to ask you the same. let's push the end of the examination of this text and give us the tools to protect the french people. some scientists say that france isn't a 4th wave fueled by the highly contagious delta coven bear. and the government says that the pulse will be necessary for as long as the virus is the threats some regarded as an anti democratic opinion. polls suggest the 2 thirds of people in france supported as a way of hopefully avoiding another lockdown. natasha butler, i'll just sarah paris. parts of iran are into the 2nd day of a lockdown because 19 research and were brought in the head of the muslim holiday of eden on wednesday. it's usually pumps, millions to travel around is that like

a 5th outbreak, fueled by the delta variant reported a record daily high of more than $27000.00 infections on tuesday. the government has been criticized for slow vaccine rollout, which it blames on us sanctions. the vaccine shortage has led many iranians to travel to neighboring armenia for jobs tourist. there are being offered free vaccines. it's boosting terrorism with around 8 and a half 1000 radians traveling to a media in june of from $5000.00 to $30.00 or less than 3 percent. of around population has been fully vaccinated. their concerns ead celebrations in santa gull . continue surgeon cove at 19 cases. tight restrictions are in place and the capital darker. but officials worried about gatherings being held elsewhere. daily cases have risen from just a few dozen a month ago, almost a 1000 on tuesday, because hawk reports from the car a de worthy of

a new attire. and unlike previous years, a new master for me to enjoy and his son. they're on their way to pray a de carr central mass for this very special muslim celebration. but there's a sense of apprehension. i don't know. i don't feel totally comfortable or safe. the virus is spreading. many people are ignoring restrictions and traveling to the villages to celebrate the government bound public gatherings but thousands congregate anyway. worshipers cannot enter without hand kinda kaiser and a math. in his sermon, the mom warns the viruses back even stronger than before. he advises people to respect, barrier measures and social distance thing. but inside the mosque, thousands pray, shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe with the delta, the variance rapidly spreading in africa. the world health organization has worn to some government health systems are on the verge of collapse under resource health

systems of phasing. dia, shortages of health le, cause supplies equipment and infrastructure needed to provide care to severely ill cove. in 1900 patients. in senegal, cases have tripled in the last week president monkey sol is threatening to reimpose restrictions, including closing borders, curfews and regional log downs. there's a sense among many cynically, is that the restriction suggested by the government are just too much to handle the economic fall out of them hasn't badly affected the economy and to, despite the spread of the delta, various people are going about their daily affairs, all 22 members of enjoys family prepared the meal enjoy is not ready to sacrifice a holy ritual because of a virus. despite the risk, nicholas hawk al jazeera, the car, cuba is racing to vaccinate its population as it faces its 1st major wave of corona,

virus infections. an average of 6000 cases now being reported every day of the 2000 and death. since the pandemic began more than a 3rd, were registered this month. strict lockdown to kept infections down before the search which authorities partly blame on the delta variance till he has taken a big step toward legalizing same sex marriage. we're looking to assist you in a cylinder. the senate approved a landmark bill. they could the same sex couples, enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. that boss, now past cities, chamber of deputies, and to possible 3rd parliamentary vote. in less than 48 hours, the tokyo olympics will begin in the shadow of the global cove at 19 pandemic. there have been 67 infection since july. the 1st, when teams and officials began arriving for the games. the olympic president thomas buck has admitted to having doubts every day about the wisdom of going ahead with the tokyo games. and he richardson reports from tokyo. everyone heading to the

lympics is taking a step into the unknown. the 1st hurdle for athletes and media, arriving in japan, making sure all the right paperwork is in place to pass strict covered 19 safety protocols. while we've just made it for a fairly complex immigration process, it took around 4 hours and involve that taking a covey test. i also have to take to covey tests in the days, immediately prior to coming to japan. i'll be tested every day for the 1st 3 days and then at regular intervals after that, after the athletes will go through something very similar, but they will be tested every single day that they're at these olympics. some public health experts to consume the efforts being taken to keep these games safe don't go far enough. for example, the daily test athletes are taking is a rapid result, anti gen test. not the more reliable and accurate p c r test. i think the fundamental problem was a lack of open, transparent,

and assigned to discussions about the conditions under which do your impacts could be held in a safe and secure manner. i think that is totally irresponsible. her own a virus tasking ready derailed. the plans of many potential olympians. you can disrupt the 7th team. we're hoping to compete at the games for the 1st time. but if the sum of their plans tested positive dakota 19 at their phone, a qualifying event, they had to withdraw. and similar scenarios on already playing in japan, the preparation is very, very difficult for me athletes. and of course that experience is not playing similar with the viruses impacted some countries in a devastating wind, hopes, handshakes, and high fines are open that the athletes village competitors have been told. they could be kicked out of the games if they ignore regulations, aimed at preventing the spread of corona virus. the not all likely to concern by

the restrictions that they focus on winning olympic gold. you can congregate in big groups in the dining, or you're going to span you a little bubble of 4 or 5 people the whole time and stay the room and all of that. that's exactly how i've always treated on. but games like it hasn't been a big sociable experience for me, it's all about the competition. and so it's going to be pretty routine. that sense of isolation is set to continue into the family's empty stadiums that will surrounds and lympics like no other. andy richardson, al jazeera, tokyo ah, i'm now with the headlines on al jazeera, at least $25.00 people have died in severe flooding and china essential, non province of the heaviest rainfall since wrinkled began. 200000 people have been moved to safety and as concerns that a dam could collapse.