As the United States continued its pullout from<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-i-was-evicted-money-rumours-false-ashraf-ghani-defends-decisions-406670"> Afghanistan</a>, US President Joe Biden said US troops could stay longer in the country to ensure all Americans leave the country.

On the chaos witnessed since Monday amid the pullout, the US President speaking to a US network said: "We're gonna go back in hindsight and look -- but the idea that somehow, there's a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens. I don't know how that happened."

Watch:&nbsp;

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The US president conceded that America is experiencing&nbsp;"more difficulty" in getting those people who helped the country during the operations.

"They're cooperating, letting American citizens get out, American personnel get out, embassies get out. We're having some more difficulty having those who helped us when we were in there," the US president said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-us-troops-could-stay-longer-in-kabul-to-rescue-last-americans-president-biden-406687">LIVE: Afghanistan crisis - as it happens</a>

America is set to evacuate thousands of interpreters who had helped the troops during the war with the Taliban.&nbsp;

On the scenes witnessed at the Hamid Karzai international airport, the US president said: "What I thought was, we have to gain control of this. We have to move this more quickly. We have to move in a way in which we can take control of that airport. And we did."

The US has reportedly evacuated 3,200 people from Afghanistan including embassy officials even as the US administration is targeting to evacuate 9,000 people every day.

"The last president negotiated a year earlier that he'd be out by May 1 and that the return, there'd be no attack on American forces. That's what was done. That's why nothing was happening," the President told the Amerian network.

"I had a simple choice. If I said, 'we're gonna stay,' then we'd better be prepared to put a whole lot hell of a lot more troops in," Biden said.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

As the United States continued its pullout from Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden said US troops could stay longer in the country to ensure all Americans leave the country.

As the United States continued its pullout from Afghanistan, US President Joe Biden said US troops could stay longer in the country to ensure all Americans leave the country. On the chaos witnessed since Monday amid the pullout, the US President speaking to a US network said: "We're gonna go back in hindsight and look -- but the idea that somehow, there's a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens. I don't know how that happened." Watch: The US president conceded that America is experiencing "more difficulty" in getting those people who helped the country during the operations. "They're cooperating, letting American citizens get out, American personnel get out, embassies get out. We're having some more difficulty having those who helped us when we were in there," the US president said. LIVE: Afghanistan crisis - as it happens America is set to evacuate thousands of interpreters who had helped the troops during the war with the Taliban. On the scenes witnessed at the Hamid Karzai international airport, the US president said: "What I thought was, we have to gain control of this. We have to move this more quickly. We have to move in a way in which we can take control of that airport. And we did." The US has reportedly evacuated 3,200 people from Afghanistan including embassy officials even as the US administration is targeting to evacuate 9,000 people every day. "The last president negotiated a year earlier that he'd be out by May 1 and that the return, there'd be no attack on American forces. That's what was done. That's why nothing was happening," the President told the Amerian network. "I had a simple choice. If I said, 'we're gonna stay,' then we'd better be prepared to put a whole lot hell of a lot more troops in," Biden said. (With inputs from Agencies)

'I don't know how that happens': President Biden says there was no way to withdraw from Afghanistan without 'chaos ensuing'

Taliban fighters opened fire at the demonstrators in Afghanistan's Jalalabad Protesters were demanding Afghan flag to be reinstalled on government buildings Some journalists covering the protest were also assaulted by Taliban fighters

Watch: Taliban fighters open fire at protesters Afghanistan

In a recent video that has emerged on the internet, Taliban militants&nbsp;can be seen laughing after a journalist asked a question pertaining to democracy and female politicians in the country.&nbsp;

Uploaded on Twitter by author David Patrikarakos, the video shows a female journalist, asking Taliban&nbsp;members if they would be willing to accept democratic governance that voted in female politicians.&nbsp;

"Stop filming. Stop it. It made me laugh," replied one of the members.&nbsp;

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Taliban collapses with laughter as journalist asks if they would be willing to accept democratic governance that voted in female politicians - and then tells camera to stop filming. “It made me laugh” he says.<a href="https://t.co/km0s1Lkzx5">pic.twitter.com/km0s1Lkzx5</a>
— David Patrikarakos (@dpatrikarakos) <a href="https://twitter.com/dpatrikarakos/status/1427567411692244992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Courtesy: Twitter/@dpatrikarakos

Meanwhile, after the fall of Kabul, in the first indication of the Taliban's&nbsp;concessions concerning women's rights, the group said that it was fine with women receiving primary and higher education which includes attending university.

Women "can get education from primary to higher education -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)," said Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesperson for its political office in Doha

Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working, and women were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public.

Shaheen also indicated that burqa will not be compulsory for women but a hijab would be.

"The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen, spokesman for the group's political office in Doha, told Britain's Sky News.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

In a recent video that has emerged on the internet, Taliban militants can be seen laughing after a journalist asked a question pertaining to democracy and female politicians in the country.

In a recent video that has emerged on the internet, Taliban militants can be seen laughing after a journalist asked a question pertaining to democracy and female politicians in the country. Uploaded on Twitter by author David Patrikarakos, the video shows a female journalist, asking Taliban members if they would be willing to accept democratic governance that voted in female politicians. "Stop filming. Stop it. It made me laugh," replied one of the members. Taliban collapses with laughter as journalist asks if they would be willing to accept democratic governance that voted in female politicians - and then tells camera to stop filming. “It made me laugh” he says.pic.twitter.com/km0s1Lkzx5 — David Patrikarakos (@dpatrikarakos) August 17, 2021 × Courtesy: Twitter/@dpatrikarakos Meanwhile, after the fall of Kabul, in the first indication of the Taliban's concessions concerning women's rights, the group said that it was fine with women receiving primary and higher education which includes attending university. Women "can get education from primary to higher education -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)," said Suhail Shaheen, Taliban spokesperson for its political office in Doha Under the militants' hardline 1996-2001 rule, girls' schools were closed, women were prevented from travelling and working, and women were forced to wear an all-covering burqa in public. Shaheen also indicated that burqa will not be compulsory for women but a hijab would be. "The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen, spokesman for the group's political office in Doha, told Britain's Sky News. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

Watch: Taliban members break into laughter when asked about democracy and female politicians

SITE monitoring group said on Wednesday that senior Taliban members met former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and top official Abdullah Abdullah.&nbsp;

Abdullah had led the government's peace council during failed talks between the warring sides in Qatar.

Taliban leaders "have said that they pardoned all former government officials and thus there is no need for anyone to leave the country," SITE said, after the Taliban published images of Karzai meeting Anas Haqqani, a member of the Taliban negotiating team.

The head of the hardline group, Haibatullah Akhundzada, meanwhile ordered the release of "political detainees", the Taliban tweeted.&nbsp;

"From tomorrow, all provincial governors must release all political detainees -- major and minor -- without any restrictions or conditions, and deliver them to their families," it said in Arabic.

The Taliban insisted Tuesday in their first press conference since seizing power at the weekend that they would not seek "revenge" and declared a general amnesty.

A government would soon be formed, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, adding that the Taliban would "connect with all sides".

Former president Ashraf Ghani -- who succeeded Karzai in 2014 -- fled the country as the Taliban encircled Kabul, taking refuge in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

SITE monitoring group said on Wednesday that senior Taliban members met former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and top official Abdullah Abdullah. Abdullah had led the government's peace council during failed talks between the warring sides in Qatar.

SITE monitoring group said on Wednesday that senior Taliban members met former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai and top official Abdullah Abdullah. Abdullah had led the government's peace council during failed talks between the warring sides in Qatar. Taliban leaders "have said that they pardoned all former government officials and thus there is no need for anyone to leave the country," SITE said, after the Taliban published images of Karzai meeting Anas Haqqani, a member of the Taliban negotiating team. The head of the hardline group, Haibatullah Akhundzada, meanwhile ordered the release of "political detainees", the Taliban tweeted. "From tomorrow, all provincial governors must release all political detainees -- major and minor -- without any restrictions or conditions, and deliver them to their families," it said in Arabic. The Taliban insisted Tuesday in their first press conference since seizing power at the weekend that they would not seek "revenge" and declared a general amnesty. A government would soon be formed, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, adding that the Taliban would "connect with all sides". Former president Ashraf Ghani -- who succeeded Karzai in 2014 -- fled the country as the Taliban encircled Kabul, taking refuge in the United Arab Emirates. (With inputs from agencies)

Senior Taliban leaders meet ex-Afghan president Hamid Karzai: Report

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the world on his official Facebook page on Wednesday after fleeing the country.

Ghani, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 'humanitarian grounds,' left the nation shortly after surrendering to the Taliban as the Taliban advanced on Kabul, the capital city, to 'avoid more carnage.'&nbsp;

In a video message delivered in Pashto, Ghani stated that he had placed security in the hands of the country's troops and that the Taliban were looking for him.

He said he was obliged to escape to avoid a major tragedy.&nbsp;

"They were looking for me. What happened in Afghanistan 25 years ago was going to happen again. That was something that needed to be avoided. A shameful development like that needed to be avoided, "he said.

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Ghani also dismissed rumours that he had taken money with him. According to previous reports, Ghani escaped with two cars and a cash-laden chopper.&nbsp;

"I wanted to transfer power to the Taliban peacefully. But I was evicted from Afghanistan against my will. The allegation that I took money from Afghanistan is baseless. You can verify this with UAE Customs. I did not have time to change my shoes. My security asked me to leave as it was imminent to me as head of state, "said Ghani.

"The Taliban, I was told, were in Kabul. Even though we had agreed that the Taliban would not enter Kabul, they did it nonetheless. I didn't want to be hanged since I am the honour of Afghanistan as president. Death does not frighten me," he added.

He stated that he left the nation without his books, which he described as his "primary assets."

He went on to say that certain secret documents had been left at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.

"They (secret documents) are in the hands of others; I left with nothing except a salwar kameez and a waistcoat; I did not take anything," Ghani explained.&nbsp;

Ghani said that he is in the United Arab Emirates, where he is meeting with others to continue his "efforts to bring peace to Afghans."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the world on his official Facebook page on Wednesday after fleeing the country. Ghani, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 'humanitarian grounds,' left the nation shortly after surrendering to the Taliban as the Taliban advanced on Kabul, the capital city, to 'avoid more carnage.

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the world on his official Facebook page on Wednesday after fleeing the country. Ghani, who is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 'humanitarian grounds,' left the nation shortly after surrendering to the Taliban as the Taliban advanced on Kabul, the capital city, to 'avoid more carnage.' In a video message delivered in Pashto, Ghani stated that he had placed security in the hands of the country's troops and that the Taliban were looking for him. He said he was obliged to escape to avoid a major tragedy. "They were looking for me. What happened in Afghanistan 25 years ago was going to happen again. That was something that needed to be avoided. A shameful development like that needed to be avoided, "he said. × Ghani also dismissed rumours that he had taken money with him. According to previous reports, Ghani escaped with two cars and a cash-laden chopper. "I wanted to transfer power to the Taliban peacefully. But I was evicted from Afghanistan against my will. The allegation that I took money from Afghanistan is baseless. You can verify this with UAE Customs. I did not have time to change my shoes. My security asked me to leave as it was imminent to me as head of state, "said Ghani. "The Taliban, I was told, were in Kabul. Even though we had agreed that the Taliban would not enter Kabul, they did it nonetheless. I didn't want to be hanged since I am the honour of Afghanistan as president. Death does not frighten me," he added. He stated that he left the nation without his books, which he described as his "primary assets." He went on to say that certain secret documents had been left at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. "They (secret documents) are in the hands of others; I left with nothing except a salwar kameez and a waistcoat; I did not take anything," Ghani explained. Ghani said that he is in the United Arab Emirates, where he is meeting with others to continue his "efforts to bring peace to Afghans." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | 'I was evicted, money rumours false': Ashraf Ghani defends decisions

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

The Afghan embassy in Tajikistan has replaced former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's picture with Amrullah Saleh, who on Tuesday declared himself as 'care taker' President of Afghanistan.

Afghan embassy in Tajikistan replaces Ghani's photo with Amrullah Saleh's

During the first press conference held by the Taliban since taking power in Kabul on Sunday, the group said they seek no “revenge” on opponents and that everyone will be “forgiven.”

Taliban holds presser, says it does not seek 'revenge,' & that all will be 'forgiven'

The bustling streets of Kabul are now empty. Some cautious residents venture outside of their homes to see what life is like under the Taliban. Taliban fighters were seen driving around the Afghan capital.

Bustling streets of Kabul remain empty as Taliban fighters patrol the streets

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have spoken out regarding the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, as well as calamity-stricken Haiti. 
 
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posted a joint statement on their Archewell Foundation website encouraging followers to unite and support organizations "doing critical work" to help those in need. 
 
They wrote, "The world is exceptionally fragile right now. As we all feel the many layers of pain due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are left speechless. As we all watch the growing humanitarian disaster in Haiti, and the threat of it worsening after last weekend`s earthquake, we are left heartbroken. And as we all witness the continuing global health crisis, exacerbated by new variants and constant misinformation, we are left scared." 
 
The royals further shared, "When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realize it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we, as a people, are being conditioned to accept it. It`s easy to find ourselves feeling powerless, but we can put our values into action -- together." 
 
"To start, we encourage you to join us in supporting a number of organizations doing critical work. We also urge those in positions of global influence to rapidly advance the humanitarian dialogues that are expected to take place this fall at multilateral gatherings such as the UN General Assembly and the G20 Leaders` Summit," the couple continued. 
 
"As an international community, it is the decisions we make now -- to alleviate suffering among those we know and those we may never meet -- that will prove our humanity," the duke and duchess concluded their statement. 
 
The message comes after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-harrys-message-to-military-veterans-amid-afghanistan-crisis-reach-out-to-each-other-406216"> Harry recently issued a joint statement with Dominic Reid</a>, the CEO of his Invictus Games. The 36-year-old previously served in the British Army for a decade, including two deployments in Afghanistan. 
 
In it, they call on the international community, particularly those who have served or whose family members have served in the country, to reach out to one another as emotions flare regarding the Taliban takeover. 
 
The Duke of Sussex founded the Invictus Games in 2014 in an effort to use athletics and competition to inspire servicemembers to recover both physically and mentally from injuries suffered in combat. 
 
The Taliban moved into several cities in the country in recent weeks, culminating in the takeover of the capital city of Kabul over the weekend. The fall of the city triggered the collapse of the government as US forces continued their planned withdrawal. 
 
Separately, Tropical Storm Grace also swept over Haiti with drenching rains just days after a powerful earthquake battered the impoverished Caribbean nation, adding to the misery of thousands who lost loved ones, suffered injuries or found themselves homeless and forcing overwhelmed hospitals and rescuers to act quickly. 
 
Heavy rain and strong winds overnight whipped at the country`s southwestern area, hit hardest by Saturday`s quake, and officials warned that rainfall could reach 15 inches in some areas before the storm moved on. Port-au-Prince, the capital, also saw heavy rains. Grace regained tropical storm status after falling to the level of a tropical depression.The storm arrived on the same day that the country`s Civil Protection Agency raised the death toll from the earthquake to 1,419 and the number of injured to 6,000, many of whom have had to wait for medical help lying outside in wilting heat. 
 
As per Fox News, officials said the magnitude 7.2 earthquake destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged nearly 5,000, leaving some 30,000 families homeless. Hospitals, schools, offices and churches also were demolished or badly damaged.The quake nearly wrecked some towns in the latest disaster to befall the Western Hemisphere`s poorest nation. Haitians already were struggling with the COVID pandemic, gang violence, worsening poverty and the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have spoken out regarding the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, as well as calamity-stricken Haiti. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posted a joint statement on their Archewell Foundation website encouraging followers to unite and support organizations "doing critical work" to help those in need.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have spoken out regarding the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan, as well as calamity-stricken Haiti. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex posted a joint statement on their Archewell Foundation website encouraging followers to unite and support organizations "doing critical work" to help those in need. They wrote, "The world is exceptionally fragile right now. As we all feel the many layers of pain due to the situation in Afghanistan, we are left speechless. As we all watch the growing humanitarian disaster in Haiti, and the threat of it worsening after last weekend`s earthquake, we are left heartbroken. And as we all witness the continuing global health crisis, exacerbated by new variants and constant misinformation, we are left scared." The royals further shared, "When any person or community suffers, a piece of each of us does so with them, whether we realize it or not. And though we are not meant to live in a state of suffering, we, as a people, are being conditioned to accept it. It`s easy to find ourselves feeling powerless, but we can put our values into action -- together." "To start, we encourage you to join us in supporting a number of organizations doing critical work. We also urge those in positions of global influence to rapidly advance the humanitarian dialogues that are expected to take place this fall at multilateral gatherings such as the UN General Assembly and the G20 Leaders` Summit," the couple continued. "As an international community, it is the decisions we make now -- to alleviate suffering among those we know and those we may never meet -- that will prove our humanity," the duke and duchess concluded their statement. The message comes after Harry recently issued a joint statement with Dominic Reid, the CEO of his Invictus Games. The 36-year-old previously served in the British Army for a decade, including two deployments in Afghanistan. In it, they call on the international community, particularly those who have served or whose family members have served in the country, to reach out to one another as emotions flare regarding the Taliban takeover. The Duke of Sussex founded the Invictus Games in 2014 in an effort to use athletics and competition to inspire servicemembers to recover both physically and mentally from injuries suffered in combat. The Taliban moved into several cities in the country in recent weeks, culminating in the takeover of the capital city of Kabul over the weekend. The fall of the city triggered the collapse of the government as US forces continued their planned withdrawal. Separately, Tropical Storm Grace also swept over Haiti with drenching rains just days after a powerful earthquake battered the impoverished Caribbean nation, adding to the misery of thousands who lost loved ones, suffered injuries or found themselves homeless and forcing overwhelmed hospitals and rescuers to act quickly. Heavy rain and strong winds overnight whipped at the country`s southwestern area, hit hardest by Saturday`s quake, and officials warned that rainfall could reach 15 inches in some areas before the storm moved on. Port-au-Prince, the capital, also saw heavy rains. Grace regained tropical storm status after falling to the level of a tropical depression.The storm arrived on the same day that the country`s Civil Protection Agency raised the death toll from the earthquake to 1,419 and the number of injured to 6,000, many of whom have had to wait for medical help lying outside in wilting heat. As per Fox News, officials said the magnitude 7.2 earthquake destroyed more than 7,000 homes and damaged nearly 5,000, leaving some 30,000 families homeless. Hospitals, schools, offices and churches also were demolished or badly damaged.The quake nearly wrecked some towns in the latest disaster to befall the Western Hemisphere`s poorest nation. Haitians already were struggling with the COVID pandemic, gang violence, worsening poverty and the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry speak out about Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Haiti's earthquake

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: Welcome Ghani, family on humanitarian grounds

It has been three days since the Taliban controlled Kabul and seized control over the dreams of millions of Afghans, the women in Afghanistan fear the worst at this point. WION tells you what does future holds for Afghan women?

As the Taliban return to Kabul, what does future holds for Afghan women?

The British government said it would take in upto 5,000 refugees this year under the Afghanistan resettlement programme, rising to up to 20,000 in the long term. The programme will prioritise women, girls and other minorities.

UK to accept upto 5,000 refugees this year under Afghan resettlement scheme

Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has returned to Afghanistan after decades. Baradar is the second senior-most leader in the Taliban hierarchy after Haibatullah Akhundzada.

Taliban's co-founder Mullah Baradar returns to Afghanistan after decades

As the Taliban becomes a dominant force in Afghanistan, sources say that Pakistan-based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) are making presence in parts of the civil-war torn country Afghanistan.

Sources: Pak terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba built check posts in Kabul

The Taliban has reportedly captured Salima Mazari, one of the first women governors in Afghanistan and the woman who took up arms to fight them. Mazari has been captured by the Taliban after the insurgents gained control over the entire nation and the Afghan leadership.

Salima Mazari, who took up arms against Taliban captured in Afghanistan

World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned against interruptions in humanitarian aid to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The WHO said that Afghanistan's fragile health system was vulnerable.

"Sustained access to humanitarian assistance, including essential health services and medical supplies, is a critical lifeline for millions of Afghans, and must not be interrupted," a statement said.

"Months of violence have taken a heavy toll on Afghanistan's fragile health system, which had already been facing shortages in essential supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic," it added.

The WHO called on "all parties to respect and protect civilians, health workers, patients and health facilities".

WHO said that 26 health facilities were attacked between January and July this year. It added that 11 health workers were killed. This, said WHO, made security at health facilities a "major challenge"

Afghanistan fell after a meteoric Taliban offensive, and before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden for the last American soldiers to pull out.

Many aid donor countries remain on guard about the new regime in the country, where the Taliban ruled with an iron hand from 1996 to 2001.

The United States has said it expects the Taliban to respect human rights, especially those of women.

Germany, Finland and Sweden said on Tuesday that they would stop sending development aid to Afghanistan for now.

Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have remained silent so far, but they could freeze financial assistance to the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned against interruptions in humanitarian aid to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The WHO said that Afghanistan's fragile health system was vulnerable.

World Health Organisation on Wednesday warned against interruptions in humanitarian aid to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The WHO said that Afghanistan's fragile health system was vulnerable. "Sustained access to humanitarian assistance, including essential health services and medical supplies, is a critical lifeline for millions of Afghans, and must not be interrupted," a statement said. "Months of violence have taken a heavy toll on Afghanistan's fragile health system, which had already been facing shortages in essential supplies amid the Covid-19 pandemic," it added. The WHO called on "all parties to respect and protect civilians, health workers, patients and health facilities". WHO said that 26 health facilities were attacked between January and July this year. It added that 11 health workers were killed. This, said WHO, made security at health facilities a "major challenge" Afghanistan fell after a meteoric Taliban offensive, and before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden for the last American soldiers to pull out. Many aid donor countries remain on guard about the new regime in the country, where the Taliban ruled with an iron hand from 1996 to 2001. The United States has said it expects the Taliban to respect human rights, especially those of women. Germany, Finland and Sweden said on Tuesday that they would stop sending development aid to Afghanistan for now. Both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have remained silent so far, but they could freeze financial assistance to the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan must continue, says WHO

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday on the situation in Afghanistan and they agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach, the White House said. 
 
The two leaders "discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans," the White House said in a statement. 
 
The decision by US&nbsp;President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to stick to the troop withdrawal deal struck by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump has stirred widespread criticism at home and among US&nbsp;allies. 
 
The United States and Western allies resumed evacuating diplomats and civilians on Tuesday, the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans thronged the runway. 
 
As they rush to evacuate, foreign powers are assessing how to respond to the transformed situation on the ground after Afghan forces melted away in just days, with what many had predicted as the likely fast unraveling of women's rights. 
 
A Downing Street spokesperson said Johnson in the call with Biden "stressed the importance of not losing the gains made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, of protecting ourselves against any emerging threat from terrorism and of continuing to support the people of Afghanistan," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

US President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday on the situation in Afghanistan and they agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach, the White House said.

US President Joe Biden spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday on the situation in Afghanistan and they agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach, the White House said. The two leaders "discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans," the White House said in a statement. The decision by US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, to stick to the troop withdrawal deal struck by his Republican predecessor Donald Trump has stirred widespread criticism at home and among US allies. The United States and Western allies resumed evacuating diplomats and civilians on Tuesday, the day after scenes of chaos at Kabul airport as Afghans thronged the runway. As they rush to evacuate, foreign powers are assessing how to respond to the transformed situation on the ground after Afghan forces melted away in just days, with what many had predicted as the likely fast unraveling of women's rights. A Downing Street spokesperson said Johnson in the call with Biden "stressed the importance of not losing the gains made in Afghanistan over the last 20 years, of protecting ourselves against any emerging threat from terrorism and of continuing to support the people of Afghanistan," a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Biden, Johnson discuss Afghanistan on call, agree to hold G7 meeting

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is in the UAE. This was confirmed by UAE in a brief statement. It said that the country is hosting Ghani on "humanitarian grounds". Ghani fled Afghanistan amid a Taliban takeover.

"The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds," said UAE in a brief statement.

On Sunday (August 15), as Taliban closed in on Kabul, Ghani fled Afghanistan. The insurgent shortly walked into the Afghan capital without any resistance from Afghan National Army.

In a Facebook post, Ghani said the "Taliban have won" and that he fled to avoid a "flood of bloodshed".

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-3-killed-dozens-injured-after-militants-open-fire-on-anti-taliban-protesters-406627">Watch: 3 killed, dozens injured after militants open fire on anti-Taliban protesters</a>

Till today, his whereabouts were unknown. There were speculations that he had fled to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Oman.

This would not be the first time that the oil-rich Gulf country opens its arms to former leaders and their relatives, now persona non grata in their country.

In 2017, the emirate of Dubai hosted former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison.

Spain's king Juan Carlos went into self-exile in the UAE in August last year as questions mounted over the origins of his fortune, and the UAE was Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's home during her eight years in exile before she was assassinated in her home country in 2007.

The UAE is one of three nations, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which recognised the previous Taliban regime, which ruled from 1996 to 2001.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is in the UAE. This was confirmed by UAE in a brief statement. It said that the country is hosting Ghani on "humanitarian grounds".

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is in the UAE. This was confirmed by UAE in a brief statement. It said that the country is hosting Ghani on "humanitarian grounds". Ghani fled Afghanistan amid a Taliban takeover. "The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds," said UAE in a brief statement. On Sunday (August 15), as Taliban closed in on Kabul, Ghani fled Afghanistan. The insurgent shortly walked into the Afghan capital without any resistance from Afghan National Army. In a Facebook post, Ghani said the "Taliban have won" and that he fled to avoid a "flood of bloodshed". Also Read | Watch: 3 killed, dozens injured after militants open fire on anti-Taliban protesters Till today, his whereabouts were unknown. There were speculations that he had fled to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Oman. This would not be the first time that the oil-rich Gulf country opens its arms to former leaders and their relatives, now persona non grata in their country. In 2017, the emirate of Dubai hosted former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was sentenced in absentia to five years in prison. Spain's king Juan Carlos went into self-exile in the UAE in August last year as questions mounted over the origins of his fortune, and the UAE was Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's home during her eight years in exile before she was assassinated in her home country in 2007. The UAE is one of three nations, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which recognised the previous Taliban regime, which ruled from 1996 to 2001. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan ex-president Ashraf Ghani is in UAE

Members of the US&nbsp;Congress, including many of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats, said on Tuesday they were increasingly frustrated with events in Afghanistan, vowing to investigate what went wrong. 
 
"The events of recent days have been the culmination of a series of mistakes made by Republican and Democratic administrations over the past 20 years," Senator Bob Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. 
 
"We are now witnessing the horrifying result of many years of policy and intelligence failures," Menendez said. 
 
Menendez said his committee would hold a hearing on US&nbsp;policy towards Afghanistan, including negotiations between former Republican President Donald Trump's administration and the Taliban and the Biden's administration's execution of the withdrawal. 
 
Committee Republicans said they wanted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to testify, "to understand why the State Department was so ill prepared for the contingencies unfolding before us," according to a letter sent to Menendez. 
 
"Updates from the State Department have been inconsistent, lacked important detail, and not be responsive to Members and the American people," the Republicans wrote. 
 
The date of the hearing was not immediately announced. 
 
Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic Intelligence Committee chairman, had said on Monday he intended to work with other committees "to ask tough but necessary questions" about why the United States was not better prepared for the collapse of the Afghan government. 
 
Republicans continued their harsh criticism of Biden's policies. 
 
"The security and humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Afghanistan could have been avoided if you had done any planning," Republicans on the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee wrote in a letter to the White House on Tuesday.

Members of the US Congress, including many of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats, said on Tuesday they were increasingly frustrated with events in Afghanistan, vowing to investigate what went wrong.

Members of the US Congress, including many of President Joe Biden's fellow Democrats, said on Tuesday they were increasingly frustrated with events in Afghanistan, vowing to investigate what went wrong. "The events of recent days have been the culmination of a series of mistakes made by Republican and Democratic administrations over the past 20 years," Senator Bob Menendez, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. "We are now witnessing the horrifying result of many years of policy and intelligence failures," Menendez said. Menendez said his committee would hold a hearing on US policy towards Afghanistan, including negotiations between former Republican President Donald Trump's administration and the Taliban and the Biden's administration's execution of the withdrawal. Committee Republicans said they wanted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to testify, "to understand why the State Department was so ill prepared for the contingencies unfolding before us," according to a letter sent to Menendez. "Updates from the State Department have been inconsistent, lacked important detail, and not be responsive to Members and the American people," the Republicans wrote. The date of the hearing was not immediately announced. Senator Mark Warner, the Democratic Intelligence Committee chairman, had said on Monday he intended to work with other committees "to ask tough but necessary questions" about why the United States was not better prepared for the collapse of the Afghan government. Republicans continued their harsh criticism of Biden's policies. "The security and humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Afghanistan could have been avoided if you had done any planning," Republicans on the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee wrote in a letter to the White House on Tuesday.

US lawmakers to probe Biden administration over Afghanistan

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power.

Popal, 34, was granted asylum in Denmark in 2016, and considers herself "privileged" not to have to now seek safe haven from the hardline Islamists.

The team which Popal helped create in 2007 is made up of foreign- and Afghanistan-based players, with the threat of reprisals against those still in the country high given their previous high-profile criticisms of the regime.

Gunmen are already being sent house to house searching for "enemies", she said, despite the group's attempt to ease concerns of a return to brutal oppression.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/please-hold-my-hand-and-help-me-afghan-athlete-wants-to-participate-in-tokyo-paralympics-issues-plea-for-help-406477">'Please hold my hand and help me': Afghan athlete wants to participate in Tokyo Paralympics, issues plea for help</a>

Her own family in the western city of Herat have already recounted a change, she said.

"Women family members of mine that have been out in the street have either been told to turn round and go home and not go to school or been beaten," she told AFP by phone from Copenhagen.

No protection

But Popal, who is now the women's team director, said the women footballers risk far worse.

"I was one of the main people in the Afghan association who founded the women's team with the purpose to stand together as women of Afghanistan and use football as an avenue of activism," she said.

"We wanted to give the message to the world and to the Taliban that we (women) are not weak, you may kill our sisters but we will show you we are with them.

"These are young girls who went on social media and publicly said the Taliban was the enemy.

"My players are now seeing that armed enemy outside their doors and windows and they are scared as to what will happen to them."

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fall-of-kabul-striking-photos-point-to-uncertain-future-406352">Fall of Kabul: Striking photos point to uncertain future</a>

Popal described the situation as "heartbreaking" and said players were struggling to understand how they had been left by the pull-out of US-led international forces.

"When they call me or send voice messages to me they are saying, 'Why have they (the West) betrayed us? Why have politicians abandoned the women of Afghanistan? What have we done wrong?'" she said.

With access to Kabul airport blocked and also unlikely the players would be accepted for immediate evacuation, Popal said help for them within the country is not evident either.

"At the moment those players living in the country are moving from one spot to another," she said.

"The scary thing is nobody wants to give them protection because the Taliban are striking fear into them saying, 'If you do not give us information and identify who are against us then you and your family will be killed'."

'The dreams are fading'

Popal said she faced sexism when she was finance officer for the national football association: some men refused to accept their pay cheques from her due to her being a woman.

But she said that was nothing compared to life for women under the Taliban from 1996 until they were ousted after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

The Taliban said on Tuesday they would respect women's rights and permit them to be educated and work, albeit under Sharia law.

But Popal said those were "just empty, empty words".

"When they announce that it will be under Sharia law, well, we have seen what that means for women already in the past in Afghanistan and in other countries too," she added.

"If they are following Sharia law then that gives no rights to women whatsoever. All these achievements and dreams (for women) are fading away."

Popal said it was hard to believe that history is repeating itself two decades on, describing it as "traumatising to see my childhood repeating before my eyes".

"I was a child when the Taliban took over and I was told not to go outside and play in the street or go to school which was burned down by the Taliban eventually.

"When the Taliban started beating my father and threatening my family we left and for almost eight years we were in Pakistan refugee camps.

"Then we went back to Afghanistan as there was&nbsp;hope of a new Afghanistan.

"However, empty and fake promises were made and the country once again is left alone and back to square one, and women are without any protection."

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power.

Afghanistan's former women's football captain Khalida Popal on Wednesday said worries about the safety of the country's female players have left her unable to sleep since the Taliban returned to power. Popal, 34, was granted asylum in Denmark in 2016, and considers herself "privileged" not to have to now seek safe haven from the hardline Islamists. The team which Popal helped create in 2007 is made up of foreign- and Afghanistan-based players, with the threat of reprisals against those still in the country high given their previous high-profile criticisms of the regime. Gunmen are already being sent house to house searching for "enemies", she said, despite the group's attempt to ease concerns of a return to brutal oppression. ALSO READ | 'Please hold my hand and help me': Afghan athlete wants to participate in Tokyo Paralympics, issues plea for help Her own family in the western city of Herat have already recounted a change, she said. "Women family members of mine that have been out in the street have either been told to turn round and go home and not go to school or been beaten," she told AFP by phone from Copenhagen. No protection But Popal, who is now the women's team director, said the women footballers risk far worse. "I was one of the main people in the Afghan association who founded the women's team with the purpose to stand together as women of Afghanistan and use football as an avenue of activism," she said. "We wanted to give the message to the world and to the Taliban that we (women) are not weak, you may kill our sisters but we will show you we are with them. "These are young girls who went on social media and publicly said the Taliban was the enemy. "My players are now seeing that armed enemy outside their doors and windows and they are scared as to what will happen to them." ALSO READ | Fall of Kabul: Striking photos point to uncertain future Popal described the situation as "heartbreaking" and said players were struggling to understand how they had been left by the pull-out of US-led international forces. "When they call me or send voice messages to me they are saying, 'Why have they (the West) betrayed us? Why have politicians abandoned the women of Afghanistan? What have we done wrong?'" she said. With access to Kabul airport blocked and also unlikely the players would be accepted for immediate evacuation, Popal said help for them within the country is not evident either. "At the moment those players living in the country are moving from one spot to another," she said. "The scary thing is nobody wants to give them protection because the Taliban are striking fear into them saying, 'If you do not give us information and identify who are against us then you and your family will be killed'." 'The dreams are fading' Popal said she faced sexism when she was finance officer for the national football association: some men refused to accept their pay cheques from her due to her being a woman. But she said that was nothing compared to life for women under the Taliban from 1996 until they were ousted after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. The Taliban said on Tuesday they would respect women's rights and permit them to be educated and work, albeit under Sharia law. But Popal said those were "just empty, empty words". "When they announce that it will be under Sharia law, well, we have seen what that means for women already in the past in Afghanistan and in other countries too," she added. "If they are following Sharia law then that gives no rights to women whatsoever. All these achievements and dreams (for women) are fading away." Popal said it was hard to believe that history is repeating itself two decades on, describing it as "traumatising to see my childhood repeating before my eyes". "I was a child when the Taliban took over and I was told not to go outside and play in the street or go to school which was burned down by the Taliban eventually. "When the Taliban started beating my father and threatening my family we left and for almost eight years we were in Pakistan refugee camps. "Then we went back to Afghanistan as there was hope of a new Afghanistan. "However, empty and fake promises were made and the country once again is left alone and back to square one, and women are without any protection."

'The dreams are fading': Taliban return causes anguish for Afghan female football pioneer

The Taliban is now gearing up to install a government. But, Amrullah Saleh wants to challenge the Taliban. The defiant Vice President has declared that he is the "legitimate caretaker President" of Afghanistan. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: A defiant Amrullah Saleh vows to fight the Taliban

The women of Afghanistan are fearing the worst under the Taliban's rule. Girls are afraid they won't be able to go back to school. Female journalists & lawmakers are fearing for their lives. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Women of Afghanistan fear the worst under Taliban

Russia says Kabul is safer under the Taliban. Pakistan says Afghans have broken the shackles of slavery. China backs the Taliban to bring peace to Afghanistan. Why are countries rushing to legitimise the Taliban? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Why are Pakistan, China & Russia legitimising Taliban

A defiant Joe Biden defended his decision to hastily pull out American troops from Afghanistan. The US president shifted blame to the Afghan leadership, saying there is no right time to withdraw. Molly Gambhir tells you what Biden got wrong in his speech.

Gravitas: Biden defends pull-out, blames Afghan army

The Taliban is beating the drum of victory by having a gala time. They were seen swirling on spinning wheels, jumping on trampolines & working out at abandoned gyms. Molly Gambhir gets you 7 videos from the new 'Islamic Emirate'.

Gravitas: 7 Videos that show life under Taliban

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-un-says-world-will-scrutinise-taliban-actions-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions</a></h2>

Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill.

The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government."

There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/doomed-from-start-us-invasion-of-afghanistan-was-a-bad-idea-says-last-soviet-leader-gorbachev-406256">Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev</a>

Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.&nbsp;

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai. That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill. The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government." There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed. Also read | Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.

Taliban leader reported to be in Kabul for talks

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.&nbsp;

“We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. 
 
Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. 
 
In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, Taliban's <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zabehulah_M33</a> says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. <a href="https://t.co/eXuzPbMfzM">pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1427674758359965699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle.&nbsp;

The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. 
 
The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government. “We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of #Afghanistan, Taliban's @Zabehulah_M33 says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM — WION (@WIONews) August 17, 2021 × The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle. The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

In first press conference, Taliban say they seek no ‘revenge’, will respect women’s rights

The Taliban addressed their first press conference since taking over Kabul on Tuesday. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid asserted that the rights of women will be protected "within the limits of Islamic law".

Women's rights will be protected within Islamic law, says Taliban in first PC after Kabul takeover

During their first press conference since taking over Kabul on Tuesday, the Taliban spoke on their relationship with Al-Qaeda and their leadership in Afghanistan in the future after WION's Anas Mallick posed the questions.

Taliban speaks on relationship with Al-Qaeda during first PC after Kabul takeover

While speaking in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK will do “everything to avert a humanitarian crisis” in Afghanistan. Johnson also added that deploying UK troops to fight the Taliban is not an option.

Johnson says UK will do anything to avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

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