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The typhoon is causing strong waves on Thursday. Ahn Young-joon / AP 

 

Thousands evacuated as typhoon approaches Seoul  

 

Typhoon Khanun's progress continues to cause problems in South Korea. And now it is moving towards densely populated areas near the capital Seoul, where half of the country's 51 million people live, AP reports.  

 

According to the news agency, authorities have closed hundreds of highways, streets and parks, and more than 16,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, mainly in the southern regions.  

 

300 millimeters of rain has fallen in the eastern and southern parts of the country since the storm moved in over the mainland on Thursday morning, local time. 

 

Earlier this week, storm warnings led to the cancellation of the world's largest scout camp, the World Scout Jamboree, which gathered tens of thousands of scouts, including 2,200 Swedes, in South Korean Saemangeum, writes TT. The participants were then evacuated to Seoul. 

 

Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. Mindaugas Kulbis / AP  

 

Extreme weather in Europe  

The heat reaches the Canary Islands - over 30 degrees all night  

 

The Canary Islands are now entering the Spanish heat wave. The temperature is expected to reach around 40 degrees and a red warning for extreme danger has been announced, writes El País. 

 

Friday and Saturday will be the warmest. On the night between Thursday and Friday, the temperature is never expected to drop below 30 degrees. 

 

But the worst heat wave is over. Monday and Tuesday offered 44 degrees in some places. Somewhat cooler air is now moving in over the country and especially on Sunday the temperature is expected to drop slightly.   

 

 

Brazilian President Lula da Silva with representatives from the indigenous population. Edmar Barros / AP  

 

The threat to the Amazon 

Analysis: Action is required to show seriousness behind words 

 

It has been painted as one of the most important meetings ever. Leaders from eight Latin American countries landed in Belén, Brazil, to discuss the future of the Amazon. 

 

And one question was more central than all others: How should countries protect the largest parts of the surrounding rainforest that play such a large role in the planet's climate? 

 

"Is Lula's dream of an Amazon with greener cities, cleaner air, mercury-free rivers and a more dignified, sustainable life for the indigenous people really realistic?" asks The Guardian's Esther Addley.  

 

The big follow-up question is who will do the work? An outstretched hand has been given from the indigenous population, who are otherwise often singled out as the big losers from the changes.They have also made their services available in Belém  

 

The indigenous population is also mentioned 128 times in the declaration that the parties finally agreed on. In this regard, Reuters' Andre Cabette Fabio links to a statement made by one of the representatives of the indigenous groups:  

 

"The document is 'just an explanation of political will' - now it also needs to be applied in practice".

 

Supporters of General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who is the leading coup plotter, in Niger's capital Niamey on July 30. Sam Mednick / AP 

 

The military coup in Niger Today comes the answer - should the neighbors invade Niger?  

 

"Is a new regional war coming?" asks the German television channel Tagesschau after the military coup in Niger. The answer may come later today, when the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) meets in Nigeria's capital. They have previously threatened to intervene with violence if the coup plotters did not give up.  

 

The risk is that Ecowas appears as a "toothless tiger" if you first threaten a military intervention, and then do not implement one, says Olaf Bernau, an expert on the Sahel region. At the same time, many experts believe that it would be too risky to intervene militarily. 

 

Ulf Laessing, who monitors the Sahel states for a foundation, believes that one option is to come to terms with the coup plotters. A possible solution could be for deposed president Mohamed Bazoum to leave the country and for Niger's military leadership to promise a new democratic election shortly.