US: Half a million people flee Oregon wildfires

Russia's central regions are battling "extreme" wildfires fuelled by an unusual heatwave that comes after forest fires linked to climate change ravaged Siberia for most of the summer.

The US and UK will share nuclear-powered submarine technology with Australia as part of the new three-way defensive alliance. The move comes amid tense relations with China.

Beijing has applied to join a free trade agreement, once called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which had been originally designed to counter Chinese economic clout. Now, China sees economic opportunity.

Taiwan has formally filed to join the trans-Pacific trade deal initially negotiated by the US. Intended to freeze China out, Trump walked away from the deal but now China and Taiwan want in.

Tetiꞌaroa, an almost deserted Pacific island northeast of Tahiti, is a sanctuary for birds, sea turtles and all sorts of marine life. The atoll is perhaps most famous for being bought by US actor Marlon Brando. But this picturesque French Polynesian island is being invaded by plastic waste washed ashore by ocean tides. As a result, a team of volunteers have been to Tetiꞌaroa for a clean-up operation. Our colleagues from Polynésie la première report, with FRANCE 24's Jennie Shin.

Australia's weather bureau said the weather phenomenon known as La Nina has developed in the Pacific. It is the second year in a row and could result in larger wheat yields.

Former US diplomat Robert Daly, an expert on Sino-US relations, tells DW's Brent Goff on "The Day" that the formation of the new US-UK-Australia alliance is meant to send a signal that Chinese hegemonic dominance of the western Pacific is "not going to be accepted by much of the rest of the world."

Britain and India have signed a new defense cooperation agreement. The two countries are also seeking to complete a free trade deal by the end of the year.

Thousands of residents of mountain towns in New Mexico were forced to evacuate, as the largest fire currently in the US has spread. Red flag warnings were also issued for parts of Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

The fire season has started early in Siberia, as drought and strong winds fuel blazes in its carbon-rich peat forests. But with Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, this year's emergency response could suffer.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with counterparts from 10 Pacific nations to discuss a deal that would expand China's influence in the region.

Europe continues to struggle with a heat wave, though some have seen a respite from record high temperatures for the time of year. One of several wildfires has raged out of control on Greece's second-largest island.