Afghanistan, Mozambique, Iran.

Today's three stories you should know.

Afghanistan

The more territory the Taliban takes in Afghanistan, the more you’re going to see it in the headlines. Stunning developments today as the group captured three more regional capitals, including the strategically-important city of Kunduz. That takes the number of cities captured by the Taliban since Friday to five. The group’s lightning offensive, during which it has already captured about half of the country’s territory, appears to have overwhelmed government forces. US and NATO troops have now almost entirely left Afghanistan and their withdrawal is due to be complete by the end of August.

More from the Guardian here.

Mozambique

Mozambican and Rwandan troops have retaken a key port city in Mozambique that had been captured by a rebel group, according to the Rwandan military. The rebels, known locally as al-Shabaab, have been battling the government since 2017 and the port city of Mocimboa da Praia was one of their last strongholds. Rwandan forces, numbering about 1,000, appear to have turned the war in the government’s favor since they were deployed last month.

More from the BBC here.

Iran

Iran is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, today reporting more new infections and deaths that at any point since the pandemic began. Tehran has been reluctant to go into lockdown for fear of damaging an economy already battered by US sanctions.

More from AFP via France 24 here.