In Iran, conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi has been sworn in as the country's new president. He inherits a country facing multiple crises, from a struggling economy, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, to a drought that's triggered protests over water shortages. Reza Hatami reports from Tehran.

#EbrahimRaisi #Iran #Pandemic

Overfishing and pollution have decimated the natural marine habitat of the waters around the UK and driven the native species of oysters to the brink of extinction. Now, some scientists are trying to give the molluscs a new lease on life. If they succeed, they could not only save the species, but also rescue a sinking industry. Mobin Nasir reports.

#Shellfish #Overfishing #Pollution

Recent floods in Germany have shaken up campaigns for the national elections. With less than two months to go, the disaster that hit western parts of the country, has not only brought climate policies to the forefront, but also top candidate's leadership qualities. As Sibel Karkus reports from Berlin, it's not the first time, flooding have been decisive in German elections.

#Germany #Floods #ClimatePolicy

Oxfam has warned the planting of trees to offset carbon emissions could have dangerous consequences. Countries are racing to achieve the Paris climate agreement's goal of net zero emissions by 2050, and the charity says so-called 'carbon sinks' would require at least 16-million square kilometres of new forests. That's an area five times the size of India, and Oxfam says food prices could soar as more land is reforested. Tayyibe Aydin has more.

#Oxfam #CarbonEmissions #ParisClimateAgreement

The International Monetary Fund will boost lending to its member states by up to 650-billion dollars to help them stave-off the economic slowdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lender says while advanced economies are recovering well, developing nations are facing rising debt, unemployment and inflation. It expects its low-cost loans to narrow the disparity between rich and poor nations, but adds that vaccination is the only way to re-open businesses and get economies growing again.

#IMF #GlobalEconomicRecovery #Pandemic

China has imposed some of the strictest coronavirus lockdowns in the world, and it's far and away the leader in terms of vaccinating its population. But those protections haven't been enough against the Delta variant, which has led to the country's worst outbreak in months. As Paolo Montecillo reports, the more contagious strain of coronavirus is threatening the economic recovery in China and the rest of Asia. For more, we spoke to Michael Hewson in London. He's chief market analyst at CMC Markets.

#China #EconomicRecovery #CoronavirusInfections

US President Joe Biden is leading calls for embattled New York governor Andrew Cuomo to step-down, after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed women, and violated federal and state law. An impeachment inquiry is also underway, as the three-term governor continues to deny any wrong-doing. Our correspondent Frank Ucciardo reports from New York. Let's get more on this now with gender equality consultant, Julie Scanlon. She joined us now from Newcastle.

#Cuomo #SexualHarrassment #JoeBiden

Wednesday marks one year since a massive explosion at Beirut's port destroyed nearly half of Lebanon's capital. The explosion killed more than 200 people, and left thousands more wounded or homeless. It's worsened the plight of millions of people who are struggling to survive amid high unemployment and inflation. And as Mobin Nasir reports, many people are still waiting for help and to find out who's responsible. For more on this, Sami Nader joined us from Beirut. He's the Director at the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs.

#Lebanon #Beirut #Economy

The mental health of professional athletes who perform under intense pressure is in the spotlight once again as gymnastics star Simone Biles has withdrawn from every event in Tokyo save one. Before the Olympics, tennis Champ Naomi Osaka also skipped out on a major event citing struggles with depression. Frank Ucciardo takes a look at the emotional price some athletes pay to be at the top of their game.

#ProfessionalAthletes #MentalHealth #Burnout

As the world battles the highly infectious COVID-19 Delta variant, governments are looking at an increased price tag for their most formidable weapon. According to the Financial Times, vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna have pumped up the prices for their sought-after vaccines, under their new supply agreements with the European Union. While richer countries should be able to absorb the increase, it could be devastating for poorer nations already struggling to procure enough doses. Let's get more from Max Lawson who's the Head of Inequality Policy at Oxfam. He joins us now from London.

#Pfizer #VaccineInequality #Moderna