India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar addressed the press after the UNSC meeting during which WION's correspondent Susan Tehrani posed a question to him asking if India will recognise the Taliban in Afghan? Watch the report to know what Jaishankar answered to this.

Will India recognise the Taliban in Afghanistan?

Amid the chaos, gridlocked streets, gunshots and panic WION's Anas Mallick get you a ground report from Kabul airport where some have been waiting for hours and some for days to flee Afghanistan.

WION Ground Report: Chaos, gridlocked streets & panic in Kabul as desperate Afghans try to flee

Harrowing visuals coming in from Afghanistan show helpless families attempting to ensure the safety of their children, some even flinging the kids to the soldiers over wire fencing at Kabul airport.

Desperate people hand over their children to departing US troops

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul.

Several people were killed when Taliban terrorists fired on a crowd in the eastern city of Asadabad, a witness said. Another witness reported gunshots near a rally in Kabul, but they appeared to be Taliban firing into the air.

On the day Afghanistan celebrates its independence from British control in 1919, a social media video showed a crowd of men and women in Kabul waving black, red and green national flags.

"Our flag, our identity," they shouted.

At some protests elsewhere, the media reported people tearing down the Taliban's white flag.

A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Some demonstrations were small, but combined with the desperate scramble of thousands of people seeking to flee the country, they underline the challenge the Taliban face in governing.

Kabul has been largely calm, but 12 people have been killed in and around the airport, NATO and Taliban officials said.

The US military said more than 5,200 American troops were guarding Kabul airport, where multiple gates to the facility are now open, while US fighter jets were flying over the city to ensure security for the evacuation operation for diplomats and civilians, including some Afghan citizens.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said 6,000 "fully processed" people were currently at the Kabul airport and would soon be boarding planes. A source told Reuters that White House officials told a congressional briefing that the United States had already evacuated 6,741 people, including 1,792 American citizens and legal permanent residents.

The Taliban swiftly conquered Afghanistan as US and other foreign troops withdrew, surprising even their own leaders and leaving power vacuums in many places.

The Taliban urged unity ahead of Friday prayers, calling on imams to persuade people not to leave Afghanistan.

Since seizing Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban have presented a more moderate face, saying they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies and will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.

When in power from 1996-2001, they severely restricted women's rights, staged public executions and blew up ancient Buddhist statues. They were ousted in a 2001 US-led invasion.

BLACKLIST

A report by a Norwegian intelligence group said the Taliban had begun rounding up Afghans on a blacklist of people linked to Afghanistan's previous administration or US-led forces that supported it. Complaints by some Afghan journalists have cast doubt on assurances that independent media would be allowed.

A US lawmaker said the Taliban were using files from Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to identify Afghans who worked for the United States.

"They are methodically ramping up efforts to round those folks up," said Representative Jason Crow, who has been leading efforts in the US Congress to accelerate the evacuation of American-affiliated Afghans. "I've had people send me pictures of Taliban outside their apartment complexes, searching for them."

Crow voiced concern that the US government may end the evacuation operation on Aug. 31, leaving more than 100,000 at-risk Afghans and family members in danger of Taliban reprisals.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn said they had moved to secure the accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them from being targeted amid the Taliban's takeover.

It was unclear if the Asadabad casualties resulted from Taliban firing or from a stampede.

"Hundreds of people came out on the streets," witness Mohammed Salim said. "At first I was scared and didn't want to go, but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in, I took out the flag I have at home. Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban."

Protests flared in the city of Jalalabad and in Paktia province, also in the east.

First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who said on Tuesday he was the "legitimate caretaker president" after President Ashraf Ghani fled, wrote on Twitter: "Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation."

Ahmad Massoud, son of guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was killed by suspected al Qaeda terrorists in 2001, wrote in a Washington Post that he is "ready to follow in my father's footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban."

LIMITED LEVERAGE

US President Joe Biden said the Taliban must decide if they want international recognition.

"Do they want to be recognized by the international community as being a legitimate government? I'm not sure they do," Biden said in TV interview.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with NBC News that the United States is "laser-focused" on "the potential for a terrorist attack" by a group like Islamic State amid the evacuation.

"We will get any American who wants to get to the airport and who we get in contact with who says: 'I want to get out and get on a plane,' we will make that happen," Sullivan said.

About two dozen US diplomats in Afghanistan sent an internal cable last month warning Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the potential fall of Kabul to the Taliban as US troops withdrew from the country, The Wall Street Journal reported.

G7 foreign ministers called for a united international response to prevent the crisis from worsening, in comments echoed by countries including Russia, China said the world should support, not pressure, Afghanistan.

A Taliban official said they could not be blamed for the chaos at Kabul airport. In one scene captured on social media, a small girl was hoisted over the airport's perimeter wall and handed to a US soldier.

Under a pact negotiated by former President Donald Trump's administration, the United States agreed to withdraw its forces in exchange for a Taliban guarantee not to attack departing foreign forces or let Afghanistan be used for terrorist attacks.

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul.

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul. Several people were killed when Taliban terrorists fired on a crowd in the eastern city of Asadabad, a witness said. Another witness reported gunshots near a rally in Kabul, but they appeared to be Taliban firing into the air. On the day Afghanistan celebrates its independence from British control in 1919, a social media video showed a crowd of men and women in Kabul waving black, red and green national flags. "Our flag, our identity," they shouted. At some protests elsewhere, the media reported people tearing down the Taliban's white flag. A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Some demonstrations were small, but combined with the desperate scramble of thousands of people seeking to flee the country, they underline the challenge the Taliban face in governing. Kabul has been largely calm, but 12 people have been killed in and around the airport, NATO and Taliban officials said. The US military said more than 5,200 American troops were guarding Kabul airport, where multiple gates to the facility are now open, while US fighter jets were flying over the city to ensure security for the evacuation operation for diplomats and civilians, including some Afghan citizens. State Department spokesman Ned Price said 6,000 "fully processed" people were currently at the Kabul airport and would soon be boarding planes. A source told Reuters that White House officials told a congressional briefing that the United States had already evacuated 6,741 people, including 1,792 American citizens and legal permanent residents. The Taliban swiftly conquered Afghanistan as US and other foreign troops withdrew, surprising even their own leaders and leaving power vacuums in many places. The Taliban urged unity ahead of Friday prayers, calling on imams to persuade people not to leave Afghanistan. Since seizing Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban have presented a more moderate face, saying they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies and will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law. When in power from 1996-2001, they severely restricted women's rights, staged public executions and blew up ancient Buddhist statues. They were ousted in a 2001 US-led invasion. BLACKLIST A report by a Norwegian intelligence group said the Taliban had begun rounding up Afghans on a blacklist of people linked to Afghanistan's previous administration or US-led forces that supported it. Complaints by some Afghan journalists have cast doubt on assurances that independent media would be allowed. A US lawmaker said the Taliban were using files from Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to identify Afghans who worked for the United States. "They are methodically ramping up efforts to round those folks up," said Representative Jason Crow, who has been leading efforts in the US Congress to accelerate the evacuation of American-affiliated Afghans. "I've had people send me pictures of Taliban outside their apartment complexes, searching for them." Crow voiced concern that the US government may end the evacuation operation on Aug. 31, leaving more than 100,000 at-risk Afghans and family members in danger of Taliban reprisals. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn said they had moved to secure the accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them from being targeted amid the Taliban's takeover. It was unclear if the Asadabad casualties resulted from Taliban firing or from a stampede. "Hundreds of people came out on the streets," witness Mohammed Salim said. "At first I was scared and didn't want to go, but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in, I took out the flag I have at home. Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban." Protests flared in the city of Jalalabad and in Paktia province, also in the east. First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who said on Tuesday he was the "legitimate caretaker president" after President Ashraf Ghani fled, wrote on Twitter: "Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation." Ahmad Massoud, son of guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was killed by suspected al Qaeda terrorists in 2001, wrote in a Washington Post that he is "ready to follow in my father's footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban." LIMITED LEVERAGE US President Joe Biden said the Taliban must decide if they want international recognition. "Do they want to be recognized by the international community as being a legitimate government? I'm not sure they do," Biden said in TV interview. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with NBC News that the United States is "laser-focused" on "the potential for a terrorist attack" by a group like Islamic State amid the evacuation. "We will get any American who wants to get to the airport and who we get in contact with who says: 'I want to get out and get on a plane,' we will make that happen," Sullivan said. About two dozen US diplomats in Afghanistan sent an internal cable last month warning Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the potential fall of Kabul to the Taliban as US troops withdrew from the country, The Wall Street Journal reported. G7 foreign ministers called for a united international response to prevent the crisis from worsening, in comments echoed by countries including Russia, China said the world should support, not pressure, Afghanistan. A Taliban official said they could not be blamed for the chaos at Kabul airport. In one scene captured on social media, a small girl was hoisted over the airport's perimeter wall and handed to a US soldier. Under a pact negotiated by former President Donald Trump's administration, the United States agreed to withdraw its forces in exchange for a Taliban guarantee not to attack departing foreign forces or let Afghanistan be used for terrorist attacks.

Taliban call on Afghan imams to urge unity at Friday prayers

US President Joe Biden has been criticised for being ill-informed about where US troops are stationed. During a recent interview, Biden incorrectly stated that the US had not stationed the military in Syria.

Joe Biden incorrectly states that US has not stationed military in Syria

More than 100 security guards at British embassy in Kabul have been told that there were not eligible for protection from the UK government, according to a report in The Guardian. The reason given is that they were hired through an outsourced contractor.

The guards have been given informal notices that they no longer have jobs guarding the embassy. Some of these 125 guards have been working for the British embassy for more than a decade. Some of them have reportedly gone into hiding with a feeling of abandonment from the British officials.

The guards have been employed by GardaWorld, a security agency.

These guards helped British diplomats get to Kabul airport in order to be evacuated from the country. They were then told by phone that as the embassy was closed, their services were no longer required.

Meanwhile, more than 100 GuardaWorld security guards were evacuated and others were receiving support from the US.

More than 100 security guards at British embassy in Kabul have been told that there were not eligible for protection from the UK government, according to a report in The Guardian.

More than 100 security guards at British embassy in Kabul have been told that there were not eligible for protection from the UK government, according to a report in The Guardian. The reason given is that they were hired through an outsourced contractor. The guards have been given informal notices that they no longer have jobs guarding the embassy. Some of these 125 guards have been working for the British embassy for more than a decade. Some of them have reportedly gone into hiding with a feeling of abandonment from the British officials. The guards have been employed by GardaWorld, a security agency. These guards helped British diplomats get to Kabul airport in order to be evacuated from the country. They were then told by phone that as the embassy was closed, their services were no longer required. Meanwhile, more than 100 GuardaWorld security guards were evacuated and others were receiving support from the US.

Guards at UK Kabul embassy told they are not eligible for British protection

In its first press conference since capturing Kabul, the Taliban had said that it would allow free media and jobs for women. But The complaints made by some Afghan journalists in recent days are sowing doubt about assurances made by the Taliban.

Taliban 'free press' promise a farce?

International donors including the US and Germany have halted aid money to Afghanistan. How will the Taliban 'govern' the country without foreign aid? Will sweet-talking the west help release aid money? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Economic woes await broke Taliban regime

The Taliban promised amnesty for enemies & safety to all Afghans. But reports from Kabul are conflicting & the visuals are compelling. WION's correspondent Anas Mallick hopped onto a Taliban patrol car to bring you the ground reality.

Gravitas: Ground reality of Taliban rule in Kabul

In Kabul today, brave Afghans took to the streets in Kabul to reject the Taliban's rule. They took down the Taliban's flag and unfurled the black, red, and green flag of Afghanistan. Palki Sharma tells you how defenceless Afghans are defying the Taliban's bullets.

Gravitas: Brave Afghans take to the streets to oppose Taliban's rule

Experts say the Soviet Union's exit from Afghanistan was more orderly and professional than America's. What did the Soviets do right? How did America fail to learn from the defeat of two empires? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas | Afghanistan exit: Soviets V/S America

From leading anti-Taliban protests to speaking out against regressive diktats, Afghan women have become the face of courage and resistance. Palki Sharma tells you how they are battling to protect their hard-earned gains.

Gravitas: Afghan women lead anti-Taliban protests

Afghans are calling Ashraf Ghani 'the man who betrayed his motherland'. Ghani says he did not steal from his country. What does his record say? Palki Sharma gets you the story of a President turned fugitive.

Gravitas: The story of Ashraf Ghani

The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war.&nbsp;

From Paralympics to football, female athletes have opened up on the current situation in Afghanistan and how it might impact their future.&nbsp;

Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on the same and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-feel-miserable-afghan-karate-champion-fears-its-game-over-for-female-athletes-407109">'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes</a>

<img alt="Hikmat Hassan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7212676-d34a-49e5-9447-668f9f35e27b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ffff.PNG" />

"The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month.&nbsp;

"We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready."

Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Hindukush Stars and Pamir Zalmiyan franchises inducted into the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shpageeza?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shpageeza</a> Cricket League as, for the first time in its history, the League will have 8 teams instead of six. The ownership rights were sold today amid a ceremony held at ACB. 
 
More: <a href="https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq">https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCL2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/VizqhxJXdc">pic.twitter.com/VizqhxJXdc</a>
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACBofficials/status/1428324420658114568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) 2021 signing ceremony. Eight franchises have been sold. We will launch it next month, In ShaaAllah <a href="https://t.co/rh5Ty7RCeg">pic.twitter.com/rh5Ty7RCeg</a>
— Hamid Shinwari (@hamidshinwari03) <a href="https://twitter.com/hamidshinwari03/status/1428377642282143751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-talibans-takeover-former-afghan-womens-football-captain-urges-players-to-burn-kits-406926">After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits</a>

The official also said that the team should be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November.

"We are confident we will be able to take part and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don't think there will be a problem," Hassan said.

However, when it comes to women in sports, there isn't any update yet and the future of the women's cricket programmes run by the ACB, which currently has 25 contracted female cricketers and several programmes for girls, remains uncertain.

Watch: Hundreds of Afghans fleeing Afghanistan face tough situations

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It is worth noting that women have also been assured their rights will be respected and that the Taliban will be "positively different" from their brutal 1996-2001 rule.&nbsp;

Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working and were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war.

The future of sports in Afghanistan remains uncertain — especially the participation of women since the Taliban took over Kabul after routing government forces in order to end two decades of war. From Paralympics to football, female athletes have opened up on the current situation in Afghanistan and how it might impact their future. Recently, the Afghanistan Cricket Board head of media operations Hikmat Hassan also weighed in on the same and said that the Taliban "don't have any issue or problem with cricket" but the fate of women's cricket programmes, however, remains unclear. ALSO READ | 'I feel miserable': Afghan karate champion fears it's game over for female athletes "The Taliban don't have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned," said Hassan as quoted by Reuters. He added that the team was ready for three one day matches against Pakistan next month. "We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team, and even the kit ready." Amid the ongoing political crisis, the board has confirmed a one-day series against Pakistan will go ahead in Sri Lanka next month and said it was expanding the "Shpageeza" Twenty20 league competition. Hindukush Stars and Pamir Zalmiyan franchises inducted into the #Shpageeza Cricket League as, for the first time in its history, the League will have 8 teams instead of six. The ownership rights were sold today amid a ceremony held at ACB. More: https://t.co/tQPZzxNqmq#SCL2021 pic.twitter.com/VizqhxJXdc — Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 19, 2021 × Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) 2021 signing ceremony. Eight franchises have been sold. We will launch it next month, In ShaaAllah pic.twitter.com/rh5Ty7RCeg — Hamid Shinwari (@hamidshinwari03) August 19, 2021 × ALSO READ | After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits The official also said that the team should be able to play in the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November. "We are confident we will be able to take part and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don't think there will be a problem," Hassan said. However, when it comes to women in sports, there isn't any update yet and the future of the women's cricket programmes run by the ACB, which currently has 25 contracted female cricketers and several programmes for girls, remains uncertain. Watch: Hundreds of Afghans fleeing Afghanistan face tough situations × It is worth noting that women have also been assured their rights will be respected and that the Taliban will be "positively different" from their brutal 1996-2001 rule. Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working and were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public. (with inputs from agencies)

Taliban 'don't have any issue' with cricket; but status of smaller women's programmes unclear

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday that one in every three Afghans was at risk of severe or acute hunger. The total number is pegged at 14 million people. The situation has erupted due to combined efforts of war and drought linked to global warming.

The dire assessment comes as the country faces an uncertain future after the Taliban routed the government to take power over the weekend.

"2021 is an extraordinarily difficult year for Afghanistan," WFP representative and country director Mary-Ellen McGroarty told AFP in a telephone interview from Kabul.

McGroarty warned of "horrendous humanitarian crisis unfolding. She said that she intended to remain in the South Asian nation with the WFP "to deliver the much needed humanitarian response that is now required"

The war-torn country is facing its second severe drought in three years, on top of the fighting and displacement of people, she said.

"We are in a dire situation, the latest analysis indicates that 14 million people are already at risk of severe or acute hunger," McGroarty added, adding that two million children are at risk of malnutrition.

Wheat production has fallen 40 per cent after one of the driest periods in almost 30 years.

"It's had a devastating impact as well on livestock," McGroarty explained.

"As the conflict has escalated right across the country, farmers are unable to harvest the land, they're fleeing from their homes," she said.

Orchards have been destroyed in some areas, along with civilian infrastructure such as bridges, dams and roads.

 
"So, today, when you have the combined impact of the conflict with the drought, food is getting expensive."

 
The price of a bag of wheat is today 24 per cent higher than the five-year average.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday that one in every three Afghans was at risk of severe or acute hunger. The total number is pegged at 14 million people.

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Friday that one in every three Afghans was at risk of severe or acute hunger. The total number is pegged at 14 million people. The situation has erupted due to combined efforts of war and drought linked to global warming. The dire assessment comes as the country faces an uncertain future after the Taliban routed the government to take power over the weekend. "2021 is an extraordinarily difficult year for Afghanistan," WFP representative and country director Mary-Ellen McGroarty told AFP in a telephone interview from Kabul. McGroarty warned of "horrendous humanitarian crisis unfolding. She said that she intended to remain in the South Asian nation with the WFP "to deliver the much needed humanitarian response that is now required" The war-torn country is facing its second severe drought in three years, on top of the fighting and displacement of people, she said. "We are in a dire situation, the latest analysis indicates that 14 million people are already at risk of severe or acute hunger," McGroarty added, adding that two million children are at risk of malnutrition. Wheat production has fallen 40 per cent after one of the driest periods in almost 30 years. "It's had a devastating impact as well on livestock," McGroarty explained. "As the conflict has escalated right across the country, farmers are unable to harvest the land, they're fleeing from their homes," she said. Orchards have been destroyed in some areas, along with civilian infrastructure such as bridges, dams and roads. "So, today, when you have the combined impact of the conflict with the drought, food is getting expensive." The price of a bag of wheat is today 24 per cent higher than the five-year average. (With inputs from agencies)

One-third Afghan population at risk of severe or acute hunger, says WFP

United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that most Afghans are unable to leave their homeland and those in danger "have no clear way out".

Spokesperson of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Shabia Mantoo reiterated UN's call to neighbour countries of Afghanistan to keep their borders open to allow people to seek asylum. She called the situation in Afghanistan "evolving crisis".

"The vast majority of Afghans are not able to leave the country through regular channels," she told a Geneva news briefing. "As of today, those who may be in danger have no clear way out."

Mantoo said that there have only been "small-scale movements" of Afghans crossing into Pakistan and Iran. These two countries already host 90 per cent of the 2.6 million Afghan refugees registered since fleeing their homeland over the last decades.

More than 18,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since the Taliban took over Afghanistan's capital, a NATO official said on Friday, pledging to redouble evacuation efforts as criticism of the West's handling of the crisis mounted.

Mantoo welcomed the evacuation of Afghan nationals through such separate bilateral programmes, but stressed that they should not substitute for an "urgent and wider international humanitarian response".

"UNHCR remains concerned about the risk of human rights violations against civilians in this evolving context, including women and girls," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that most Afghans are unable to leave their homeland and those in danger "have no clear way out". Spokesperson of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Shabia Mantoo reiterated UN's call to neighbour countries of Afghanistan to keep their borders open to allow people to seek asylum.

United Nations refugee agency said on Friday that most Afghans are unable to leave their homeland and those in danger "have no clear way out". Spokesperson of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Shabia Mantoo reiterated UN's call to neighbour countries of Afghanistan to keep their borders open to allow people to seek asylum. She called the situation in Afghanistan "evolving crisis". "The vast majority of Afghans are not able to leave the country through regular channels," she told a Geneva news briefing. "As of today, those who may be in danger have no clear way out." Mantoo said that there have only been "small-scale movements" of Afghans crossing into Pakistan and Iran. These two countries already host 90 per cent of the 2.6 million Afghan refugees registered since fleeing their homeland over the last decades. More than 18,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since the Taliban took over Afghanistan's capital, a NATO official said on Friday, pledging to redouble evacuation efforts as criticism of the West's handling of the crisis mounted. Mantoo welcomed the evacuation of Afghan nationals through such separate bilateral programmes, but stressed that they should not substitute for an "urgent and wider international humanitarian response". "UNHCR remains concerned about the risk of human rights violations against civilians in this evolving context, including women and girls," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghans in danger 'have no clear way out': UN

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has left many shaken. Those who survived the Kabul exodus, and managed to get evacuated safely now recounts the details of the last few harrowing days.

Afghanistan Turmoil: Survivors of Kabul exodus recount details of harrowing couple of days

NATO forces say that more than 18,000 people have been evacuated so far from Kabul airport since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. WION tells you what is happening on the ground.

NATO says over 18,000 evacuated from Kabul airport since Taliban takeover

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state.

"We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.

"From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling."

But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing.

The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency.

It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London.

"Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted.

On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said.

But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular.

"It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added.

Near-monopoly

In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin.

The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming.

The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR).

Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities.

At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates.

Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found.

As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show.

'Too tied up'

The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs.

In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth".

Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward.

It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces.

Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical.

"They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times."

"They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it."

"Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers.

Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained.

"I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so. Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state. "We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul. "From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling." But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing. The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency. It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London. "Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted. On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said. But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular. "It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added. Near-monopoly In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin. The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming. The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR). Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities. At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates. Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found. As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show. 'Too tied up' The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs. In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth". Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward. It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces. Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical. "They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times." "They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it." "Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers. Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained. "I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Taliban vow to ban heroin, but can they survive without it?

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn moved to secure accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them against being targeted at a time when the Taliban has taken over the country.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn move to secure accounts of Afghans amid Taliban takeover

Afghanistan has slid into chaos, the trouble is not just political the financial implications of the breakneck Taliban victory are also looming over the country. With halted foreign aid the biggest question is what's next for Afghanistan's economy?

Who will help the Taliban to replace foreign sources?

It's been 5 days since Taliban took over Kabul. 38 million afghans now live under the Taliban. Desperation has grown among the Afghans to flee from the country.

Desperation grows among Afghans for evacuation after Taliban's takeover of Kabul

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease.&nbsp;

In the wake of the panic and fear affecting the streets of the Afghan capital, some heart-breaking videos have emerged on social media.&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-facebook-twitter-and-linkedin-secure-users-accounts-amid-taliban-takeover-407020">Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover</a></h2>

The videos show helpless Afghan women trying to ensure the safety of their children, some even throwing their children over wired fencing to the departing soldiers.

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It's been five days since the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> took over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a>. NATO forces have said that over 18,000 people have been evacuated so far. But, what is the future of 38 million Afghans, who now live under the Taliban? 
 
Mohammed Saleh tells you more <a href="https://t.co/fZmXuu8PhE">pic.twitter.com/fZmXuu8PhE</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1428640644138864643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In one such video, a small girl is seen being lifted over the perimeter fence of the Kabul airport to be handed over to an American soldier.

Other videos have emerged, purportedly showing mothers throwing their children over the razor wires in hopes that the soldiers would help.

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FEAR of Taliban is so much that Desperate women threw Babies &amp; Little Girls OVER RAZOR WIRE at airport compound asking British soldiers to take them 😭💔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Talibans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Talibans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveAfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveAfghanWomen</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wmpkl7Bnj1">pic.twitter.com/Wmpkl7Bnj1</a>
— JAI SHRI PAWAN (@cool_flute) <a href="https://twitter.com/cool_flute/status/1428298535644983298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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These videos, seen this week on social media, highlight Afghans' sense of desperation and fear of what the Taliban's sudden return to power will mean.

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Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a> Army troops guarding the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> airport started taking children of Afghans who are not on the list. They can now live any where there is No rule of terror &amp; horror. These children, especially the girls, will have No future in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> under rule of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Y51ZaE29jt">pic.twitter.com/Y51ZaE29jt</a>
— Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) <a href="https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1428496327072260097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A chaotic scene has seen thousands of people trying to get into Kabul's airport attempting to reach flights to the west. As a result of the ensuing chaos, several people have been killed or wounded.

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When asked about the video, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children from Afghanistan. Wallace further stated that the child was passed down the wall while her family was being escorted out.

"We can't just take a minor on their own,"&nbsp;Wallace&nbsp;told Sky News.

In the days since the Taliban took over Kabul, officials have assured Afghans and foreign powers that they will not seek revenge on former enemies or violate the rights of women and girls.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-child-lifted-over-kabul-airport-wall-by-us-soldiers-406985">Watch: Child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers</a>

They’ve stated that they would respect the rights of women, according to Islamic law.

However, Afghanistan's people are sceptical. Kabul's roads have largely remained empty, with very few people venturing out of their homes. Women remain missing from the scene.

Between 1996 and 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan; girls could not attend school, women could not work, and if they wanted to go out, they had to be accompanied by a male relative.

If someone broke the rules, they were subject to humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban's religious police.

Following recent events at Kabul airport, questions have been raised about foreign nations' responsibility to Afghan refugees fleeing persecution.

Hundreds of migrants have arrived at airports across Europe and beyond, however many more are still waiting, stuck and afraid.

&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these videos

Courtesy: @cool_flute,&nbsp;@SourceBeijing,&nbsp;@BabakTaghvaee

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease.

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease. In the wake of the panic and fear affecting the streets of the Afghan capital, some heart-breaking videos have emerged on social media. Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover The videos show helpless Afghan women trying to ensure the safety of their children, some even throwing their children over wired fencing to the departing soldiers. It's been five days since the #Taliban took over #Kabul. NATO forces have said that over 18,000 people have been evacuated so far. But, what is the future of 38 million Afghans, who now live under the Taliban? Mohammed Saleh tells you more pic.twitter.com/fZmXuu8PhE — WION (@WIONews) August 20, 2021 × In one such video, a small girl is seen being lifted over the perimeter fence of the Kabul airport to be handed over to an American soldier. Other videos have emerged, purportedly showing mothers throwing their children over the razor wires in hopes that the soldiers would help. FEAR of Taliban is so much that Desperate women threw Babies & Little Girls OVER RAZOR WIRE at airport compound asking British soldiers to take them 😭💔 #Afghanistan #Talibans #Taliban #SaveAfghanWomen pic.twitter.com/Wmpkl7Bnj1 — JAI SHRI PAWAN (@cool_flute) August 19, 2021 × These videos, seen this week on social media, highlight Afghans' sense of desperation and fear of what the Taliban's sudden return to power will mean. Today, #US Army troops guarding the #Kabul airport started taking children of Afghans who are not on the list. They can now live any where there is No rule of terror & horror. These children, especially the girls, will have No future in #Afghanistan under rule of #Taliban. pic.twitter.com/Y51ZaE29jt — Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) August 19, 2021 × A chaotic scene has seen thousands of people trying to get into Kabul's airport attempting to reach flights to the west. As a result of the ensuing chaos, several people have been killed or wounded. When asked about the video, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children from Afghanistan. Wallace further stated that the child was passed down the wall while her family was being escorted out. "We can't just take a minor on their own," Wallace told Sky News. In the days since the Taliban took over Kabul, officials have assured Afghans and foreign powers that they will not seek revenge on former enemies or violate the rights of women and girls. Also read | Watch: Child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers They’ve stated that they would respect the rights of women, according to Islamic law. However, Afghanistan's people are sceptical. Kabul's roads have largely remained empty, with very few people venturing out of their homes. Women remain missing from the scene. Between 1996 and 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan; girls could not attend school, women could not work, and if they wanted to go out, they had to be accompanied by a male relative. If someone broke the rules, they were subject to humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban's religious police. Following recent events at Kabul airport, questions have been raised about foreign nations' responsibility to Afghan refugees fleeing persecution. Hundreds of migrants have arrived at airports across Europe and beyond, however many more are still waiting, stuck and afraid. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these videos Courtesy: @cool_flute, @SourceBeijing, @BabakTaghvaee (With inputs from agencies)

Heartbreaking: Desperate Afghan mothers throw children over Kabul airport fence in bid to escape Taliban

A former Royal Marine commando, Paul "Pen" Farthing explained to Sky News his journey to Kabul airport so that he could help his wife Kaisa evacuate.

She boarded a C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft as she made her way to her native Norway. She was flown in what appeared to be an almost empty plane, while thousands waited in the airport chaos to leave the country.

Farthing expressed despair that some planes are not even fully loaded with passengers due to the continuing chaos at the airport.&nbsp;

Aircraft are taking off from the airport every hour "regardless of whether they're full or not...People can't get in, they cannot get into the airport," Sky News quoted him as saying.

"We are going to leave people behind, that is an absolute given...This is an absolute screw-up of an evacuation. We are going to be watching some absolutely horrific scenes."

He expressed anger at the Western governments and despaired at the "terrifying, absolutely terrifying" situation in Kabul.

Thousands of people have been&nbsp;waiting desperately at the Kabul airport to get a chance at moving out from the country.&nbsp;Some have even lost their lives while making an attempt to escape.

People have flooded the&nbsp;Hamid Karzai international airport&nbsp;as there have been&nbsp;reports of people clinging to the top of aircraft to get out of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

In a desperate attempt,&nbsp;640 Afghans flew in US cargo plane, just to get miles away from their country, which has now been taken over by Taliban.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-facebook-twitter-and-linkedin-secure-users-accounts-amid-taliban-takeover-407020">Also read |&nbsp;Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover</a>

While people are struggling to get out of the country, this couple managed to make&nbsp;their journey in the dark to avoid the huge crowds of "at least a couple of thousand people" that are forming outside the airport each day.

"Going at night obviously has its own hazards - it was the choice of two evils and thankfully it paid off," he was quoted by Sky News.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Mr Farthing shared an image of the empty plane.

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Kaisa is on her way home! BUT this aircraft is empty…scandalous as thousands wait outside <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> airport being crushed as they cannot get in Sadly people will be left behind when this mission is over as we CANNOT get it right 💔<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cnnbrk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cnnbrk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCBreaking?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCBreaking</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyNews</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/itvnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@itvnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/FoAxFrzT1K">pic.twitter.com/FoAxFrzT1K</a>
— Pen Farthing (@PenFarthing) <a href="https://twitter.com/PenFarthing/status/1428449527225372681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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On seeing the image, people were angered and questioned the situation.

"This situation is scandalous, this must never be repeated, i truly dont think the government and high knobs truly assess what is going on at ground level and the minute by minute stress of what Pen and his team face,Pen needs action NOT airy fairy words that sound right," wrote a person in the comment section.

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Mr <a href="https://twitter.com/BWallaceMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BWallaceMP</a> why is this plane leaving Kabul without passengers? Please for goodness sake, give us a good reason...why?!
— Julie Smyth 💙 (@Julie_A_Smyth) <a href="https://twitter.com/Julie_A_Smyth/status/1428467265519955974?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Great news that Kaisa is on her way home! Desperately sad that planes are taking off empty because people just can't get into the airport.
— Linda Rixon (@linda_rixon) <a href="https://twitter.com/linda_rixon/status/1428451788651388945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=&lt;blockquote class=twitter-tweet&gt;&lt;p lang=en dir=ltr&gt;Great news that Kaisa is on her way home! Desperately sad that planes are taking off empty because people just can't get into the airport.&lt;/p&gt;— Linda Rixon (@linda_rixon) &lt;a data-cke-saved-href=https://twitter.com/linda_rixon/status/1428451788651388945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw href=https://twitter.com/linda_rixon/status/1428451788651388945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&gt;August 19, 2021&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Mr Farthing also managed to get his pregnant country manager and her young son to the airport "very, very early this morning before other people had come out to make their own attempt".&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A former Royal Marine commando, Paul "Pen" Farthing explained to Sky News his journey to Kabul airport so that he could help his wife Kaisa evacuate. She boarded a C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft as she made her way to her native Norway.

A former Royal Marine commando, Paul "Pen" Farthing explained to Sky News his journey to Kabul airport so that he could help his wife Kaisa evacuate. She boarded a C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft as she made her way to her native Norway. She was flown in what appeared to be an almost empty plane, while thousands waited in the airport chaos to leave the country. Farthing expressed despair that some planes are not even fully loaded with passengers due to the continuing chaos at the airport. Aircraft are taking off from the airport every hour "regardless of whether they're full or not...People can't get in, they cannot get into the airport," Sky News quoted him as saying. "We are going to leave people behind, that is an absolute given...This is an absolute screw-up of an evacuation. We are going to be watching some absolutely horrific scenes." He expressed anger at the Western governments and despaired at the "terrifying, absolutely terrifying" situation in Kabul. Thousands of people have been waiting desperately at the Kabul airport to get a chance at moving out from the country. Some have even lost their lives while making an attempt to escape. People have flooded the Hamid Karzai international airport as there have been reports of people clinging to the top of aircraft to get out of Afghanistan. In a desperate attempt, 640 Afghans flew in US cargo plane, just to get miles away from their country, which has now been taken over by Taliban. Also read | Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover While people are struggling to get out of the country, this couple managed to make their journey in the dark to avoid the huge crowds of "at least a couple of thousand people" that are forming outside the airport each day. "Going at night obviously has its own hazards - it was the choice of two evils and thankfully it paid off," he was quoted by Sky News. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Mr Farthing shared an image of the empty plane. Kaisa is on her way home! BUT this aircraft is empty…scandalous as thousands wait outside #Kabul airport being crushed as they cannot get in Sadly people will be left behind when this mission is over as we CANNOT get it right 💔@SecDef @VP @cnnbrk @BBCBreaking @SkyNews @itvnews pic.twitter.com/FoAxFrzT1K — Pen Farthing (@PenFarthing) August 19, 2021 × On seeing the image, people were angered and questioned the situation. "This situation is scandalous, this must never be repeated, i truly dont think the government and high knobs truly assess what is going on at ground level and the minute by minute stress of what Pen and his team face,Pen needs action NOT airy fairy words that sound right," wrote a person in the comment section. Mr @BWallaceMP why is this plane leaving Kabul without passengers? Please for goodness sake, give us a good reason...why?! — Julie Smyth 💙 (@Julie_A_Smyth) August 19, 2021 × Great news that Kaisa is on her way home! Desperately sad that planes are taking off empty because people just can't get into the airport. — Linda Rixon (@linda_rixon) August 19, 2021 × Mr Farthing also managed to get his pregnant country manager and her young son to the airport "very, very early this morning before other people had come out to make their own attempt".

Nick of time: Ex-UK commando evacuates wife in nearly empty plane as thousands struggle to flee Afghanistan

After the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan last weekend, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said Afghanistan will no longer be able to access the lender's resources. An IMF spokesperson said it was due to "lack of clarity within the international community" over recognising a government in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan will no longer be able to access the lender's resources: IMF

While most of the western countries have denied accepting the Taliban's rule, some have promoted reconciliation. In the latest, the Afghan embassy Tajikistan has removed the picture of former President Ashraf Ghani. WION tracks the Taliban blitz and the resistance in Kabul.

Tracking the Taliban blitz and the resistance

Former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled Kabul as the Taliban took over the country, is now settled in UAE. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said that the country has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family on humanitarian grounds.

UAE foreign ministry announces Ashraf Ghani in country

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday that he hopes to return home, after fleeing to the United Arab Emirates after the Taliban's capture of Afghanistan.

After fleeing from Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani says he hopes to return

One of the first women governors in Afghanistan, Salima Mazari, who took up arms to fight the Taliban has reportedly been capture by the Taliban. At a time when many political leaders fled Afghanistan Mazari stayed on till the surrender of Balkh province.

Taliban captures first woman governor of Afghanistan, Salima Mazari

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed.<o:p></o:p>

The boy had arrived at the hotel four days ago. He had managed to escape his home country Afghanistan as the Taliban started taking control of the South Asian country.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-may-not-last-long-says-afghan-delegation-in-pakistan-406687" hreflang="en">LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak</a></h2>

<o:p></o:p>

He died after plummeting from a window at the hotel.<o:p></o:p>

"I heard a big loud noise and then a couple of seconds later I heard the mother screaming, ‘my boy!’," one of the guests told the local media.<o:p></o:p>

As per local reports, the five-year-old boy was staying at the hotel with his mother, father, two brothers and two sisters.<o:p></o:p>

"We can confirm that the five-year-old boy who sadly lost his life is from Afghanistan," the South Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-woman-child-lifted-over-kabul-airport-wall-by-us-soldiers-406985">Watch: Woman, child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers</a>

The family is being attended by specially trained officers, the police confirmed.<o:p></o:p>

Sheffield has been helping all Afghan refugees who have at some point helped the UK army and are now in danger due to the takeover of Taliban in Afghanistan.<o:p></o:p>

"We are seeing terrible scenes in Afghanistan and as a city we will not simply stand by when people are in crisis," said Sheffield City Council co-operative executive members Alison Teal and Paul Wood.<o:p></o:p>

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed.

A five-year-old boy fell from a window of the Sheffield Metropolitan Hotel on Blonk Street at 2.30pm on Wednesday. This boy was a refuge who had fled from Afghanistan, South Yorkshire police confirmed. The boy had arrived at the hotel four days ago. He had managed to escape his home country Afghanistan as the Taliban started taking control of the South Asian country. LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak He died after plummeting from a window at the hotel. "I heard a big loud noise and then a couple of seconds later I heard the mother screaming, ‘my boy!’," one of the guests told the local media. As per local reports, the five-year-old boy was staying at the hotel with his mother, father, two brothers and two sisters. "We can confirm that the five-year-old boy who sadly lost his life is from Afghanistan," the South Yorkshire Police said in a statement. Watch: Woman, child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers The family is being attended by specially trained officers, the police confirmed. Sheffield has been helping all Afghan refugees who have at some point helped the UK army and are now in danger due to the takeover of Taliban in Afghanistan. "We are seeing terrible scenes in Afghanistan and as a city we will not simply stand by when people are in crisis," said Sheffield City Council co-operative executive members Alison Teal and Paul Wood.

UK: 5 year old Afghan refugee dies after falling from hotel window

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