live from berlin. two more afghan capitals fall to the taliban. and people flee the jihad advance. also new york state governor andrew cuomo announces his resignation over a barrage of sexual harassment claims. one year ago he was held a hero for leading the u.s. state through the darkest days of the pandemic. multinational task force battles wildfires and a greek island.

residence say they feel abandoned but authorities say the emergency operation has saved lives. a tiktok star at the age of 97. >> where you are of death in auschwitz? -- were you afraid of death in auschwitz? >> in auschwitz, you are not afraid of death. you are afraid to live. >> she stair -- she shares her story of surviving the holocaust. we hear more from her great grandson. welcome to the program. the taliban have captured another two provincial capitals in their relentless advance across afghanistan. thousands of families have been displaced by fighting and they are growing fears the government

is no unger capable of stopping the militants. the taliban now control eight regional capitals including kunduz, a key city in the north. the areas you see here and read are those held by the insurgents. the afghan government still in control of blue areas which include the capital, kabul. the jihadists are closing in on the north stronghold, the areas in yellow remain contested. >> they can dream of a better future, but today, they are seeking refuge in this park. tens of thousands of families like theirs have been displaced in afghanistan's ongoing fighting. there is not enough food or other relief material for them. the displaced people are and a terrible and frustrating situation but the government has not sent a representative here, do help. it appears the government has little to offer them. >> [speaking foreign language] >> we call on the international

community and international institutions to help as soon as possible to provide food and nonfood items to the many people displaced in afghanistan. >> the government is struggling on the battlefront. it's forces control the majority of provincial capitals. over the past week to have lost ground to the advancing taliban militants. fighting is a major concern with our fears of what life might look like in the new afghanisn, as mo and more areas under taliban ctrol. the u.n. rights chief is warning of war crimes by the militant group. >> the people of afghanistan are speaking of their deep fears of a return to the worst of the human rights violations of the past. women, minorities, human rights defenders, journalists, as well as others who are particularly vulnerable, need particular protection. the are very real risks of renewed atrocities against ethnic and religious minorities.

>> living conditions were already difficult for many afghans. the situation is only getting worse. >> straight to kabul, a journalist joins us from the afghan capital. welcome, as we look at those terrible pictures in afghanistan, the world is going to look at that and think, well, are we now going to face a new refugee crisis, as people try and flee the advance of the taliban? >> well, these are taliban large-scale attacks against major provincial capitals. this is urban warfare. these cities are packed with hundreds of thousands of civilians. in the province of kunduz, for example, civilians fled fighting in the district over the years thinking the city was safe. now they have nowhere to go. today i was able to go to the northern outskirts of kabul city where, in a public park, there are at least 2000 of these civilians, fleeing from kunduz,

and other northern provinces. you know, the picture that they paint is brutal. it is horrific. they say mortars were hitting homes. airstrikes were hitting homes. dead bodies were lying everywhere. and in the middle of the pandemic, these people had even did not have a mattress to sit on, you know, in the open. no sanitation. i did find at least two young girls whose story is heartbreaking. they said they were wondering what had happened to their friends with whom they were playing. so it is the type of pain that this w is inflicting on afghans. whether you talk about a million in kunduz or a businessman in a city, they have lost investments. every day the taliban are able to collect approximately 2.5 million dollars from border crossings they are controlling. so the afghan government are

going to dry up in a country where such income is really crucial. at least so afghanistan could pay for some of its life. >> when we look at the map, and we see these taliban advances, they are mainly in sort of the rural areas. the government seems to be keeping control of the area around the capital and some of the major urban centers. how much has the balance of power in the country shifted? >> well, since the month of may, when the americans announced that they were withdrawing militarily, the taliban were able to take control of more than 200 district centers. mostly in northern afghanistan, for example, 22 districts felt without a fight, even without a single shopping fired in most cases, and 36 hours. so there were deals that the taliban made with local players at the district level.

i think people also took insurance. they said, americans are leaving, why should we be fighting? but deep down the afghan government really failed to provide supplies and other needs of these soldiers and anti- taliban militia forces and their commanders who are really sidelined by the president in afghanistan. there are many dynamics at play but what is more worrying is a development. the americans are striking within provincial capitals, whether in the northeast or in the southeast, this is what the americans used to do in 2001. so the fact that they are bringing more b-52 bombers and a c-130 gunships. even a b-1 bomber carried strikes against the taliban in one area according to the corps commander. it shows you the americans are now worried. now they think well, afghanistan has a peace process but does not

have a cease-fire and the taliban are going to take over strategically important cities and it is going to look early that. in the long run i think such advances for the teledyne could pose a direct threat to american interests -- such advances for the taliban could pose a direct threat to american interests as well as regional ones. >> thank you. to the united states where the new york state governor, andrew cuomo, announced his resignation , after a report by the state attorney general concluded he had sexually harassed a dozen women. the governor made the announcement in a televised address and apologize to the women involved with said the allegations were untrue and political he motivated. he said he will stepped down a 14 days. he is to be a place by his deputy who will become the first female governor in york state history. we have spoken to a journalist in new york and asked if the announcement was expected. >> ever since this report came

out last week that you are talking abou from the state attorney general, that found that governor cuomo -, the question has been-? -- the question has been, will he stay or will he go? in the last few hours, now we know. was so many critics slamming him and so many members of his own democratic party turning against him, for cuomo, the writing was on the wall. >> james reinhold in new york. more stories making headlines around the world now. the u.s. senate approved a $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending bill. the legislation contains investments to rebuild probably roads and bridges and funding for private and technology initiatives. the bill now goes to the u.s. house of representatives for final approval. massive wildfires in algeria killed 42 people. the dead include 25 soldiers

helping fight the flames. the government says arsonists are responsible for sparking the flames that have decimated villages and forests east of the capital. meanwhile, multinational task force is battling wildfires blazing on the greek island of evia for a week. the flames destroyed dozens of villages and 2000 residents have fled from their homes. some islanders feel abandoned but the authorities insist the emergency operation is saving lives. >> it is all hands on deck on the greek island of evia. more tn 1000 firighters om grce and abroaare workg tyleleep to contain the flames that have devoured much of the northern part of the island. helicopters from serbia, switzerland, and egypt, ours providing support from above. -- are providing support from above. these helpers arrived from seleka to assist on the ground. >> it is strange, huge fire.

it is not easy to get it under control. we are doing our best. >> strong wind, extreme heat, and drought, have been feeling the blazes for a week now. satellite images show the extent of the fires which have left a huge burn markn almost the entire northf the island. over 2000 residents had to leave their homes. several villages have burned to the ground. >> [speaking foreign language] >> everything burned, our dreams are devastated, and there's no end in sight. >> [speaking foreign language] >> anger among residents is growing, with many accusing the state of doing nothing. the deputy civil protection minister has defended the government's actions. >> the way we operated say team and lives, saved human lives --

the way that we operated saved human lives. the government promised relief measures to those who have lost homes and property, but that have not -- has not stopped some resints onvia, from disobeying their evacuation orders. they fear losing their entire livelihoods. >> [speaking foreign language] >> the police came and told us to evacuate the village but we cannot evacuate because this is our property and we have the impression that if we leave our homes to be burnt. >> [speaking foreign language] >> while the fight against the flames continues on the iand, or help from abroad is on its way. >> australia is no stranger to wildfires, it is also -- has also severed a series of natural disasters in recent years. the country is also one of the biggest emitters of carbon per person. despite this prime minister scott morrison is refusing to

commit to a target of zero emissions by 2050. he is blaming other countries for adding to global warming. >> this was the scene outside australia's parliament, following monday's report about the devastating impact of the climate crisis. >> it is an emergency. >> protesters are furious at the response up prime minister scott morrison. they accuse him of using deflection instead of taking responsibility. >> we cannot igne that the developing world accounts for two thirds of global admissions and those emissions are rising. that is the stark fact. it is also a clear fact, that china's emissions, account for more than the oecd combined. >> while china is by far the world's largest coal producer, australia comes in fourth place, putting it in the company of countries with far larger economies and populations, ahead even of the united states.

the reliance on coal has made us tell it one of the world's highest per capita carbon emitters. the relationship between the government and industry is considered cozy, and is thought to account for the prime minister's refusal to join oth countrs and committing to a net ze emissions target by 2050. >> if you think you're too old to deal with modern technology, perhaps will the efforts can teach you a thing or two. at age 97 she has become a star on tiktok and gain a million followers for clips in which she answers people's questions about surviving the holocaust. >> where you afraid of -- were you afraid of death in auschwitz ? >> in auschwitz, you are not afraid of death. you were afraid to live. >> when lily talks. >> it was very shocking there. >> the world listens. >> at 97, lily is one of the

last survivors of the nazi death camp, auschwitz. with the help of for 17 euros great-grandson, she now shares at her experiences on tiktok, to an audience of millions. >> before that, what tiktok is? if somebody would come and tell me, tiktok? i heard the word but i do not know what you are talking about. ♪ >> she does now. in the space of a few months they picked up 1.2 million followers, offering them a precious chance to ask her questions directly. >> do you still believe in god? >> yes, i do. -- good. >> it is incredible to see how many people want to learn and care and ask questions. at times it is very sad to learn about what happened to her and her family. but it has such importance, the stories of monumental

importance. we are in the last moments of hearing the holocaust survivors firsthand. >> beautiful flower. >> lillian came up with the idea during a covid lockdown. when she became unable to share her stories in person. after surviving covid, the importance of documenting her accounts became even more clear. >> then, the sword waivers are gone, are gone. nobody we can ask, nobody. it is nobody here anymore. really, to ask, what really happened? but now, suddenly, i see, now is the last moment. my number is a10572. >> this video had 20 million views and counting. it as a platform beyond anything imagined. >> it is so important the work we are doing, giving people messages of hope, tolerance.

survival, the importance of never giving up. i think we feel incredibly proud and excited to have the platform. >> lily and dove are an unstoppable team. they have not written a book reaching a broader audience, and fulfilling lily's life's work, ensuring the tragedies of the holocaust are never forgotten. >> i promised myself, if i, by any chance, will survive, i will tell the world. that will be my aim. that the world should know what can happen. >> you saw lily eberts great-grandson who joins us now. welcome. tell us more about your great-grandmother, and how she got into social media? >> while, as he heard in th report, my great-grandmother is 97.

growing up with her as a holocaust survivor she often told me about her experiences in auschwitz. but it was always at a very surface level and never really what actually happened to her. because i don't think she wanted to hurt the one who asked but did not want to hurt herself. as a tendon report during the first locked on my great grandmother and i were serated for the first time. for the first time in her like she was unable to go to schools and universities and workplaces, to educate about holocaust testimony. so i felt really need to go on social media and introduce her to the new online world. even though often our generation is taught to be wary of generations -- dangers of social made i thought i need to get her on tiktok on twitter to share her story with the world. >> what is the story about an american soldier and a banknote? >> so, when i was first speaking to her about wanting to learn more about her story, she wanted

to take me to her flat, and show me all the things she has from that time. she actually showed me sorry, she wanted to show me a book signed by a football team where she want and did a talk with her testimony. when she was showing me this i noticed in the back of her cover a pile of photos from the time of after the holocaust up till now. amongst these photos was a banknote given to her by an american liberator when she was liberated from the death march. on this banknote was written, 10 words of hope. the start to a new life, good luck and happiness. when i saw this i straightway wanted to share this message of kindness on twitter. i posted it on twitter and it went viral within eight hours and was seen by 2 milon people. it turned into an international hunt for the soldier and be banished to find him and have a zoo meeting with his family -- we managed to find him and have a zoom meeting with his family.

>> fantastic. i understand there has been a backlash? >> yes unfortunately with messagesnd folw us on tikt unfortunate comes hateessages from various people. what i have learned from lily, is to be strong. and to ignore these people and carry on. because what these people are showing, there -- it emphasizes the needo do what we do. these people when they send hate it shows others the way to combat hate is through education. so when we got a big wave of anti-semitism and hate messages, my great grandmother straightway said to me, right. we are going to go on and post another video. and carry on. and show them we will not let them went. we will show everyone what hate can do. my great-grandmother is a living witness of the holocaust. she tells me the whole time, the holocaust did not start with aghast neighbors. it started with words and basic hatred and anti-semitism. so we must be vigilant. d wmust carry on and stand up against this hatred. >> i wish you well.

thank you for sharing your story with us. >> think. -- thank you. >> the annual sturgis motorcycle rally is underway in the u.s. state of south dakota. hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts have descended on a small town despite concerns the race could turn into a coronavirus super-spreader event. we sent our dw special correspondent to join the right. -- join the ride. >> everything roars in sturgis, a small town in the western part of south dakota, making a lot of ise these ys, literly. [roar of motorcycle engine] sturgis is home to 7000 residents before bikers from all over the country in vegas normally quiet town for the annual sturgis motorcycle rally. >> sturgis, who doesn't like it?

[laughter] >> the crowd that comes here lives and breathes motorcycles, a record-breaking 700,000 or more people are expected this year. attendees say, nothing compares. [whooping] >> sturgis, baby. >> look around, beautiful motorcycles, interesting looking people, interesting food. the writing here is nothing short of phenomenal. -- riding here is nothing sho of phenomenal. >> motorcycles, food, tattoos, and fun. also renewed concern from public health experts. ♪ the covid-19 delta variant is swping the country. infection rates are skyrocketing in many places well vaccination rates are largely stalling. could this year's event become a super-spreader event? the mayor of sturgis does not ink so. >> since may the ount of

visitors coming to sturgis and the ack hills is that a lot already. there is people already been here, a lot of people stayed. there's not much we can do at this point in time. >> there is virtually zero concern whatsoever about getting sick or making others sick with covid. during the rally, sturgis is a mask free zone. vaccinated or not, for people here it is all about their freedom and choice and the right to choose which chances -- to take chances for the ride -- with a virus. >> i do not want to camera on me. >> if you are young, you have no problems, bro. >> young but in good health you need a mask. >> we both had covid. >> you do not want to get vaccinated after that? >> it was about experience but not worth getting vaccinated over. >> people here, the vast majority are vaccinanated. they outdoors, the lowest risk. >> no one knows if sturgis will become a super-spreader event. mass, no mask, vaccinated, or not, people here do not seem to careuch. welcome to sturgis. the ride, the lore, the rally.

>> after a tearful departure from barcelona, landoll massey looks like he will sign for paris st. germain, after competing a messy landing in the french capital tuesday and fans were there to greet him. the club reportedly agree to a two-year deal. he and his family were seen leaving barcelona earlier in the day. the superstar's --had already been scraped off the wall of their stadium. how quickly they forget. max can tell us more about this messy move, from dw sport. why would he choose paris? >> yes he has gone topsg. barring america we have seen a short number of 30, departure from his shirt number 10, and a medical check. he landed at the airport paris, which i had never heard of.

fans going to the other airports and if you fans making it there to welcome him to paris with fireworks. already teased on social media, he was arriving. the clubeased a new diamond would join them in paris. there will be a press conference tomorrow and i know what that could be about? [laughter] in terms of why? money is the heart of the issue why he left barcelona. manchester united and manchester city, to big-money clubs have already made big splashes. and kind of only left psg as a club that could afford him. >> we are talking about a massive pay packet. you do wonder how barcelona let this happen? >> yes, financial mismanagement to the highest degree. he almost left last summer because of this. they are currently in debt to the tune of 600 million euros. spending crazy for years, trying to keep him and everyone happy, did not work. this man has been there for 20 years he came to the ranks.

the wage role in barcelona now is 95% of the club total income and anish league roles can only guess highest 70%, quite reasonable really. but they still need tout 100 million eurooff their wage bill. i have no idea how they're going to do it. he offered to take a 50% pay cut. knowing what he is on, not a huge amount of loss to him. there as are quirks to spanish and plummet law. i think it could've been's sorted out -- spanish unemployment -- spanish employment law. i think it could have been sorted out messy already so he had to leave. >> is he going to fit in well on and off the pitch? >> you assume he would be top of the pecking order being one of the greatest footballers of all time. but they have asked barcelona teammates. name are thinking about leaving. another in that position. it is going to take a lot of

work from the coach, he will have a lot of egos clashing. they lost the french league last season to lille, a club that had a fire sale of their talent. the qatari royal family one this club to win the champions league. they got close last season and will need messier to turn it on to bring help. >> max, two e-sports, thank you. -- max, dw sport, thinking. you are up to date, more world news at the top of the hour. i will be back to take you through the top stories of the day in "the day." c you then-- see you then. ♪

# announcer: france 24, a

different point of view. >> [speaking in french] ♪ anchor: lionel messi has arrived to signed a deal. more on that, coming up. a fall from grace for andrew cuomo, resigning over sexual harassment allegations. a taliban offensive continues with insurgents taking an eight provincial capital tuesday. we will get to that later on. thank you for watching. thank you for watching. it is a big deal in