Chad recalls half of its 1,200 troops in the tri-border area of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The decision notified to the coalition by Chadian military was explained as part of a plan to deploy troops elsewhere, where Chad is currently facing other conflicts. (Reuters)
New Zealand reports 21 new community transmitted cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, which is the highest single-day total since April 2020. (The Guardian)
Vietnam reports a record for the third consecutive day of 11,321 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 336,707. (The Star)
The European Union says that there will be "no recognition, no political talks" with the Taliban. European Commission presidentUrsula von der Leyen says that the EU will "measure the Taliban by their deeds and actions" before engaging in any recognition. Von der Leyen also announced an increase in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. (Reuters)
The world's highest elevation expressway, between Lhasa and Nagqu in Tibet, China, opens. The average elevation of the 295 kilometres (183 mi) expressway is more than 4,500 metres (14,800 ft) above sea level. (China Daily)