to human stories with political and economic tension driving down be a head to the pope as a country to define the future. august on the . ready news this is al jazeera ah, hello, i am mariam mazda with the news, our life from london coming up in the next 60 minutes. this make me the names of more than $200.00 victims a read aloud as a roots marks a year in support. explosion that told through the heart of 11 and capital tragedy

as an provided deeper economic consortia crisis in the country for testers took to the streets earlier to express their fury and anguish. also coming up on the news, our a heat wave pushes temperatures to record highs. in southern europe owning massive wildfire across several countries, and the batter rushing olympian, christina, team and sky arrive safely in poland. just days after defying orders. julie can home and i'm found the how much would the latest lympics news as a reckless keep tumbling on the track in tokyo, that women's 400 meter hurdle time the latest to go? a ball continues our top story, lebanon is commemorating a year since the devastating explosion at bay routes port talk through

a tour hole through the city and killed hundreds of people. well, the day began with memorials, but it ended with protests as the population still looks for on says as to how it could have happened. then a 100 reports from bay were it but on the left, in the us, they mark the minute their city exploded. they read the names of the victims of one of the largest non nuclear blasts in history. a year on a route remembered the port explosion that destroyed so many lives outside the blast site, where thousands of tons of ammonium nitrate blew up families of the victims. the survivors gathered to demand justice and accountability in the loop. justice isn't just the demand of the families of the victims, but of all of the lebanese people. we want to know who brought in the explosives to

the port. we want to know who allowed for their unloading, who withdrew quantities of these explosives from the port and where it was sent. we are here to launch an appeal to the countries of the world. we urged the international community to come and save lebanon, because the world cares not our own officials. the world is beginning to listen to the pain and suffering of the lebanese people are not our own officials. it's been difficult making sense of their loss more than 200 people were killed among them children. so far, no one has been held responsible for unsafely storing ammonium nitrate with flame level materials at the port warehouse in the heart of the city for years. at the fire department, a kilometer from the port, the families of the 1st responders believe their loved ones were sent to their almost certain deaths. they weren't told of the dangerous when called to put out the fire. rather, here to fight is going to the port

a had no fear, had nothing but they want people. they want to help everyone. and this is what you're trying to do to move all these politicians criminal, killed our brothers attempts by the lead judge in the case, tonic baton to start the process of prosecuting some of those believe responsible has been delayed by political interference. but some have hope that change is coming. i think today isn't the new start. start for a new 11 on we believe strongly that this is what we have been waiting for. our next step is the elections in may 2022. we feel that for the 1st time, this is showing the, the, our, the, the political class that people are no longer following. following the ceremony, protesters headed to parliament to demand parliamentary and other official. immunities are lifted to allow formal questioning to happen. this is not just about

justice and accountability. many lebanese have this and you say they believe the political class has not just destroyed the city, but the soy, the economy, and failed to build a thing. there is anger. the port explosion was one of the most traumatic experiences for a country with already a dark past. it may have exposed the decades of corruption and mismanagement, but lebanon will not wake up to a new country. the battle for justice hasn't been won. the battle against the accountability has at least for the time being center for the data base. and his national conference locking me out of luxury of the bay were last, has raised $357000000.00 in emergency aid from around the world. france pledge you to $118000000.00 while the u. s. has promised 100000000. but char, she group save the children, has warned that the money won't be enough to lift everyone out of poverty. a mock

dow is a professor of communication to the american university of bay routes. he joins us via skype, from the lab beneath capital. so obviously there's a deep seated economic and political dysfunction 11 and we can definitely get into that. but actually i wanted to ask you about the explosion itself because we were hearing about the, the thousands has been injured and the loss of life, people at the time describing how the ground shook and walls were blowing apart. how do you remember that day? it's a day that no one will ever forget it's it's you would never imagine that this might happen. in a few seconds. the entire city was turned into rubble. i can still hear people sweeping last fours 3 days after all across the

city and every street you went to looking at the cars, pictures of lost family members looking for them. people going from one hospital to another to try and find their loved ones. it is something about to mark the history of the city and where the car, the psyche off a lot of individuals that run through it today, fireworks and any st. wouldn't cause shouts and screams between the neighbors. and they've been kind of a band and all of the weddings and celebrations, because people cannot handle that anymore. big bangs in the city of a root are, are just that trauma that no one in this generation to still be able to overcome. and it's been a year since then, after a long day of protesting and tv programming and the speeches by the family,

members of those who lost their lives, are lost eyes and ears and hands and lost a big part of their lives in their homes and their businesses today was as if the explosion happened yesterday. you could sense, you know, the way you describe it. it's interesting because it, it does feel as though to you to you and perhaps in many people very, it's still, it's as though it's something that, that happened only yesterday. and i'm, what interest me is that obviously your country has lived through so much has been years of, of civil war cob on the tax and random explosions. tell me more about why this was so uniquely different because this explosion was intentional in the sense that ammonia, my traits weren't supposed to be 11, all were stopped and let them on. and then

a lawsuit parked them benz for some reason. they offloaded the product and placed it in the port for 6 years in the back and forth with judges. and the company didn't claim them. no one wanted that product. so obviously, it looks like a place to have them settle 11 on then an f b. i report came out about those and the expectation was 2700 pounds. that's the report said there's only $550.00, which means the large amount of ammonium nitrate explosive material was actually on purposely the lead on and then was being smuggled or sold. and, and that is the reason why people are angry because the president, the prime minister, 3 different prime ministers and ministers of transportation. they all knew about that all the intelligence agencies, it looks like there was

a massive conspiracy to keep that secret hidden. despite the dangers of it, and that is the reason why everyone is so angry about it is so clear, it's that everyone knows about that. no one there to approach it. because obviously there was an attempt to sell the product to smuggle that product, to malicious, to people using weapons probably in syria probably has below. but these are the major accusations, and that's why people are angry. why did a, the 3rd biggest non nuclear explosion in the history of mankind happened and 11 on, despite everyone knowing about it for those who are supposed to know issues like that in the port than the security service. so it's murder is not. negligence is murder. they knew what it was, then you what it was, was there for 6 years and they were operating on it with that in mind then can i

ask you a you worried about something similar happening again with the presidents of the same people who have successfully destroyed the wealth, lebanon banks have all, are practically bankrupt. they no longer pay people their own money. in a country that has 23, our blackouts and electricity across the country even find the generators have to shut down because they can keep up with the supply where there is a shortage of madison, a shortage of fuel and everything else. so if you took away all of that from people job, a dignified life, killing them with ammonium nitrate is not too far from those in power. and i think it's all linked to the same exact place. those people do not respect the human beings that are the liberties they only care about serving the individual enters and the political agendas,

even if it means destroying the entire country and dictators in the midst of the special in damascus and have been problem to do that. they are more than willing to destroy the entire country to maintain its seat of power because their existence and their opinion is more important than an entire population. and that is exactly the price that they will just fade. unfortunately, the most drastic explosion which was associated with coughing associated with a currency crash in losing 95 percent of its value and health crisis. in addition to a shortage of electricity and every other supply that we need to live a decent. so it's on again, thank you very much mancow for joining us. and i see on coverage continues on this story with a special program out. there is a no other has been reporting on this story. she is in bay routes. and so she presents her investigation. beirut, search for on says that's hair on al jazeera,

at 2330 gmc, going to watch it on our website out there a dot com, and it'll be there on youtube as well. watch will still head on his knees out from london. the taliban twin targets. and i've got his don seeking to to disrupt the capital and continuing to claim territory elsewhere. mexico government gets created and it's war on crime. suing us, gone make is for billions. i'm on the rich infinity hotel intakes where baseball is back for the 1st time since 2008. ah, southern europe is a blazes, countries graff with some of that horses, whether on record temperatures reaching into the high 14 villages along the mediterranean of evacuated. several people have also been killed european union as

promising assistance, including firefighters and water, dropping planes to the country that needed at least 805 of broken out across italy over the past few days, including 250 on the island officially and a 130 and julia, 800 people were taken to safety. when pfizer opted in a nature is of in scar. fires are burning through croatia, montenegro and albania as well. greece is also affected, they're experiencing their worst heat waves. for decades, some places are recorded, the highest temperatures on tuesday with more than 47 degrees. at least 78 forest fires were also recorded in the past 24 hours. the fires of also stretched nor said pushing into a boat, guerria and north macedonia. bulgaria plans to send dozens of fine fighters and trucks to its neighbour to help with the fires that while entirely key the emergency is now extended into its 2nd week. and 95000 heck does have been bunt

intensity of the 5 reach new levels according to the ease observation program, copernicus are so sorry that is reporting to us now from now i got in and talia province. we are in cuz ill that in the town or from mine i got which is one of the most us faith the district caused by the wildfires in turkey. a message for us fire broke out yesterday here and it continued overnight. hundreds of hackers of land. how been burned, the fire fighters continued to cool down the areas to prevent why fi from spreading to other areas. hum that as well as yours, how to create their houses and the security forces are blocking the roads to prevent people from getting back to their houses. as it is too risky, i have talked to the winner jurors and they all have one common wish when back to

their houses and to see if they can save anything. because of the, however, is not the only one that has been homeless off several wildfires across 30 since last week. more than 180 wildfires, how been reported across 38 proven, says in the country, a people have died so far with more than 70000 people being recreated. menu of this has been taken to the hospitals for further care rescue team emergency cruise work base and nice. but the weather conditions haven't been much friendly with low humidity, searing heat and strong wind hampering their food. turkey has received support from its neighbors and the european union, russia, ukraine. iran, are there be john crecia and paying sand the plains to turkey. the aid ukraine is

sending for more how to cope there's, which can operate at night. this is the biggest wildfires of the more than history of turkey and it hasn't been much easy for turkey to bring it under control in flames of entered a thermal power plant facility near turkeys, south, east and coast planting may last near the resort town of budrum has been fully evacuated according to the towns mayer, but it is cold powered, and that's leading to fears of severe absolution as a fires reach its coal reserves. and then in greece, ablaze air that tool through a forest on the outskirts of the capitol. athens has eased, but its left homes and businesses destroyed in its wake, greases, facing its most severe heat wave in 30 years, and the risk of more fires remains hy, name, but strongly has this report now from offence. one of the most dangerous

wildfires of the season so far it took 501st responders working around the clock and countless ariel sort age to bring this blaze just north of the greek capital under control volunteers working alongside police and fire rescue teams managed to keep the flames from spreading to more populated areas of athens outside the police coordinate anxious residence, waited unable to go home. me, let me get that sort of thing. it's a total catastrophe because my neighbor's house burned down and i called him and he was distraught. we're talking about complete destruction. maybe my house has been down also. i don't know. i'm assuming this because my neighbor's house burned down . we have been destroyed as a family financially. we finished. we finished garner as night fell helicopters and planes stopped their water drops and ground crews took over the task of keeping the flames at bay. at daybreak roads reopened to reveal the scale of devastation.

dozens of homes and businesses completely destroyed. 24 hours after this fire started, the ground here is still smoldering here in the tree line with fire rescue teams are worried about now is that the record high temperature is the ongoing heat wave, as well as the wind picking up again will begin to rekindle the flames and restart the fires that they've already put out. as remaining small fires were extinguished, people were allowed to return to see what was left for 35 years. masula mikayla lived in a house he built with his own hands. next to his workshop where he restored classic cars, the collection was priceless. the fire took everything heavily, but the new foot younique's eliza there. i 1st saw the fire around noon. at that point, the fire was high up on the mountain left for a little while to do some shows and i came back and the place wouldn't let me get through. i was waiting for 4 hours and i kind of so the head police, let him back sooner. he says he may have been able to save something of value to

help him rebuild. asked to put a price on the damage. he says he has absolutely no idea how the weather is forecasting to come. seems like this are likely to play up again. even if the situation north of act and improve record high, he sparked dozens more wildfires across greece that are still out of control. odors 0 or falling developments elsewhere. what homes have been damaged as wildfires broke out in north macedonia. blazes. there had been threatening the city of shawnee, but they were extinguished several 100 heck to the far as will burned and some animals were also killed. there's also been huge fries in italy with hot weather, continuing to wash and condition that harrison locals have been evacuated from coastal cities like could tanya and scar a 55 to say they have faced hundreds of blazes and populated areas in the past few days. but they are starting to get the situation under some control.

mm. the taliban as war is warning of further attacks against top afghan officials. there was an explosion, air defense facility and the capital cobble on wednesday, just hours after a comp on blast and gum battle in the house of defense minister, milan hammer. the taliban says it was behind that attack on diplomatic editor. james bass has more in recent hours, the taliban has shown that currently pursuing 2 very different types of warfare. in cobble, this blast targeted. one of the men leading the government's military can but spend a monitor him home button on it as a defense minister and veteran commander business con was not at his home when 8 and buildings around it in the most secure part of cobble were targeted. but his

body guards were among those injured in the bomb blast, the biggest in the capital in almost 4 months. these pictures filmed by the government show the scene immediately after the blast. the interior minister abdul sutter mac, while directing commandos who we are told, secured the area after a number of hours. this is what experts call a complex attack. first, the car bomb was detonated, then attack has made their way into the building. there was a fire fight. last thing several hours. the taliban say this is the beginning of a new campaign targeting senior government officials in the capital. the taliban fighting a very different battle in the south african it's done. aimed at conquering territory rather than causing disruption. then focus right now appears to be the provincial capital of helmand laska. gov. the days they've been fighting in the heart of the city. the african military has called on people to evacuate the homes,

but one local resident told al jazeera he can't leave his house because there's fighting on the street outside, and his family is running out of food. we're very worried. situation in lash cargo into the warfare is going right now in oregon city among the civilians. civilian population is known to target schools, medical infrastructure, hospitals, housing facilities are no other place there. the military duty should take place. the un calling for an immediate cease far, but the opposite is happening. the violence is intensifying. james bay's al jazeera, cobble of warn. august had speak to allan rashid, he is the author of several books on the taliban and the conflict in afghanistan. he joins us live via skype from the spanish capital madrid, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. can i ask you about the taliban

intentions? now? what did they want? and i think there was a period of a few days ago in which many people sort of thought, if i'm good occupied the countryside lay siege to the cities. but then come in for negotiations. but clearly it looks like i'm going for a complete conquest of about it's done and the hosting of very me indeed the talk on the defense pay this to with the promise of more tax to come on ministers and government officials is going to frighten a lot of people already what we have is a huge refugee crisis and internally with tens of thousands of people leaving their homes because of the fighting. many of them are going into neighboring countries, but that's becoming increasingly difficult because these come to the shopped at borders. did very close as a drought,

as found in his cove it there's no shortage of problems that the gun some faith and he say there are thousands of people who are able to who have the financial resources to do so, leaving the country you are leaving now homes every day, and then we see government troops being deployed to certain areas that alongside sutton, local militias, for example, as small con, is mobilized his lawyer less to fight against the taliban. and then there is also us air force intervention. is that going to be enough to prevent bigger cities and provincial capitals from falling into their hands? well, you know, at the moment i think it's a, it's a tossup. but certainly it's gonna go to full, followed by another city in the no. i think there would be

a general panic in the country. the problem is, i mean, apart from everything else that people have no way to go with a bullet is closed. every time is nobody will rule and may and the lack of transport, lack of food, and the collapse of all ready. a very fragile infrastructure reporter that's made out hospital on being bombed, just at the very time when the academic has is spreading very, very widely. and so these problems are going to dominate, but it's unfortunate that the international community is paying very little attention. oh, got it done is not the number one story in most news media is not the number one story that the un was in the state department or anything like that. i think

that really demoralizing our lives. you must have. i'm sure you're aware of the, the images that we saw sort of grounds of solidarity among africans chanting a lot, but just in kabul the other night. and so as they, you know, as we see, that sort of sentiment growing. i'm just wondering if we might see some pressure on countries while on pakistan specifically because you know, there's always been that anger and frustration on the part of africans towards pockets on which has been criticized for supporting the taliban. not just when they were empowering the 990 s, but obviously since 2001 as well. day in the sentiment we saw last night, i thought of a real and it took place in many are gone cities with people coming out in the streets. i mean, we should remember amongst all this is valid and not the most popular political

grouping of guns done. the fact is that the guns are made huge progress in the last 20 years. with the presence of nato forces where infrastructure was rebuilt, schools, hospitals, etc. and that is being destroyed now. and people are very, very upset because they know that nobody's going to come back in now and try to rebuild that. and the thought yvonne have been boone as governance say a deal when, when the americans came in. and i thought you were already deeply unpopular because of their measures that they took. and frankly, the lack of any concern for the public, the lack of any facilities for the public and most countries now in the region has

said that they will not recognize that follicle and government is there by force. in other words, if to kind of use conquest as a means to get to cobble the internet community like to to recognize it immediately. but i think there is a being a huge part of may bus stop this conflict. and they apply as a rank on supporting the bomb it has be hosting a dollar bond lead us to show in northern folks and it has not been able to affect any kind of change. and the cost of enormous regulation is encouraging. cutting out a dual policy. well, he bowed to the, you know, supporting the pizza. but at the same time, timing of blind died to the defensive. remember,

this tragedy thought about using right now. i've never been seen before by the, by the guns in general. and the thought it was a known for it did not reduce franklin. so some cities and highways and infrastructure something, plenty new. and you know it's, it's a big question as to where his strategy has come from come from another management groups or some regional pos. thank you very much, i appreciate you taking the time to speak to us and lead rashid a. thank you for joining us on the news our there's much more flat on the program for you. off to the human cost comes a financial tell, a lack of health insurance leaves india's covert patients with huge medical bills. pandemic purchases lead to a global supply backlog. we look at how online shopping will.