Afghanistan has been the big story of the week, as Kabul fell to the Taliban.
The Islamist group insists it has changed its ways since last ruling the country, but that claim has been given little credence amid emerging reports of brutal crackdowns. As Afghans flocked to Kabul airport, with some clambering onto moving aircraft in a bid to escape, the UK promised to accommodate 20,000 of the refugees - but only 5,000 this year.
By contrast, it was a relatively quiet week in Covid news, as UK cases and hospitalisations remained fairly steady. Questions about lockdown strategy, vaccine efficacy and herd immunity continued to rumble on, however.
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Meanwhile over in Tokyo, attention turned from the Olympics to the Paralympics, which open on Tuesday.
To find out how closely you’ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the pandemic and other global events, put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week:
Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days?
- The Delta coronavirus variant began to wreak havoc across the US, leading to record hospital admissions in some states. The country’s daily death toll climbed above 1,000 again.
- Bob Dylan was accused of sexually abusing a young girl more than 55 years ago, an allegation he denies. A spokesperson for the singer-songwriter said he would defend himself against claims of assault, battery, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress.
- British house prices continued to rise, with homes in London selling for an average of £510,000. Although prices in the capital are at a record high, they are now rising more slowly than in other parts of the country.
- And the tissue used by Lionel Messi to wipe away his tears as he announced his departure from Barcelona has been put up for auction.
