Niger-Delta region seeks quick implementation of developmental projects

Large parts of Germany's Eifel region have been devastated by the recent floods. Its remoteness makes up much of the charm of this mountainous region, but this has also hindered rescue efforts.

Emergency workers have continued rescue and cleanup operations in areas ravaged by the floodwaters. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised swift help to rebuild devastated communities.

Region president says transport links to Addis Ababa blocked. Video credit: Najib Dayib, Ogedenia Media Agency

Wildfires burn through the forests of north-east Siberia, normally one of the world’s coldest regions. The blazes have destroyed more than 1.5 million hectares (3.7m acres) with more than a month still to go in Siberia's annual fire season. Devastating forest fires have ripped across the region with increasing regularity over the past few years, which Russian weather officials and environmentalists have linked to climate change and an underfunded forest service.

A Dutch court in January ruled that Shell had polluted the Niger Delta and ordered the energy giant to pay compensation. But many are now questioning whether it is enough to put right the misery suffered by the people.

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) has lost a battle to keep up operations in Cameroon's northwest. Communities in the English-speaking region have been caught in devastating fighting between security forces and Anglophone separatists for four years. The violence has killed more than 3,000 people and forced one million from their homes. Despite the crisis, Cameroon’s government suspended MSF's work in the region at the end of last year and talks to reverse the decision have hit an impasse.

Armin Laschet and Olaf Scholz have been touring areas devastated by floods, promising funds and reconstruction help. As residents sour on Laschet's leadership, Scholz sees his popularity rising.

A forest fire in France's Var region, near the glitzy Riviera resort of Saint-Tropez, has left at least two dead and forced thousands of residents and tourists to flee. The flames have scorched some 5,000 hectares in a region known for its forests, vineyards and fauna since it broke out in the Plaine des Maures nature reserve on Monday evening.

Aid workers inside Ethiopia have warned that hostilities will only aggravate the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region. Clashes have already driven hundreds of thousands of people into famine-like conditions.

In this week's edition, we explore what the turmoil in Afghanistan could mean for the wider region, from emboldened extremist groups to political realignment. To understand what's at stake, we talk to Michael Kugelman, deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at The Wilson Center think tank.

Authorities in Amhara accuse rebels from the neighbouring Ethiopian region of Tigray of having killed dozens of civilians after a military loss. Also, Moroccans turn out to the polls for legislative and regional elections that are likely to be a close race. Finally, a woman in Uganda gives coding classes to children in her garden in a bid to encourage more young people to discover maths and science.

Since the beginning of the summer, the conflict in northern Ethiopia's Tigray has spread to neighbouring regions, particularly to Amhara. The Ethiopian federal army, backed by regional Amhara forces and militias, is battling troops of the TPLF – the Tigray People's Liberation Front. Ever since the fighting broke out last November, the warring parties have been repeatedly accused of committing serious human rights violations. This new front is no exception. Our journalists were able to report from the Amhara region, where civilians are still paying a heavy price in this conflict. Maria Gerth-Niculescu and Marika Julien report.