US Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton along with their wives stood somberly side by side at the National September 11 Memorial to mark the anniversary of the nation's worst terror attack. They all shared a moment of silence on the occasion. &nbsp;

These leaders gathered at the site where the World Trade Centre towers fell two decades ago. They also wore blue ribbons and held hands over hearts. &nbsp;

Watched by hundreds of Americans gathered at the remembrance, a procession also marched with a flag at the memorial. Some people also carried photos of loved ones lost in the attacks.

Watch |&nbsp;US: Moments of silence to commemorate timings of 9/11 terror attack

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A jet flew overhead in an eerie echo of the attacks before the event began. Biden marked the 9/11 anniversary for the first time as commander in chief. He is the fourth president to console the nation on the anniversary of that dreadful day. &nbsp;

At the trio of sites where the planes crashed, the president paid his respects. But he left the speech-making to others. &nbsp;

After the ceremony in New York City, the US president will visit the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a plane fell from the sky after heroic passengers fought terrorists to prevent it from reaching its Washington destination.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-leaders-remember-911-victims-and-survivors-412392" hreflang="en">World leaders remember 9/11 victims and survivors</a> &nbsp;

Finally, Biden will head to the Pentagon, where the world's mightiest military suffered an unthinkable blow to its very home. &nbsp;

The current US president now shoulders the responsibility borne by his predecessors to prevent future tragedy. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton along with their wives stood somberly side by side at the National September 11 Memorial to mark the anniversary of the nation's worst terror attack.

US Presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton along with their wives stood somberly side by side at the National September 11 Memorial to mark the anniversary of the nation's worst terror attack. They all shared a moment of silence on the occasion. These leaders gathered at the site where the World Trade Centre towers fell two decades ago. They also wore blue ribbons and held hands over hearts. Watched by hundreds of Americans gathered at the remembrance, a procession also marched with a flag at the memorial. Some people also carried photos of loved ones lost in the attacks. Watch | US: Moments of silence to commemorate timings of 9/11 terror attack × A jet flew overhead in an eerie echo of the attacks before the event began. Biden marked the 9/11 anniversary for the first time as commander in chief. He is the fourth president to console the nation on the anniversary of that dreadful day. At the trio of sites where the planes crashed, the president paid his respects. But he left the speech-making to others. After the ceremony in New York City, the US president will visit the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where a plane fell from the sky after heroic passengers fought terrorists to prevent it from reaching its Washington destination. Also Read: World leaders remember 9/11 victims and survivors Finally, Biden will head to the Pentagon, where the world's mightiest military suffered an unthinkable blow to its very home. The current US president now shoulders the responsibility borne by his predecessors to prevent future tragedy. (With inputs from agencies)

With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC

The White House has said that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks for the first time in 7 months.

The discussion between the two leaders was to ensure that the ''competition'' between the two world powers does become the cause of ''conflict.''

''The dynamic remains competitive and that we don't have any situation in the future where we veer into unintended conflict," Biden said during the phone call.

In the ''candid'' and ''in-depth'' phone call, Jinping said&nbsp;"Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world," as per Chinese state media.

"And this is a question of the century that both countries must answer," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lashes-out-deploys-fighter-jets-after-us-warship-sails-past-mischief-reef-in-south-china-sea-411697">China lashes out, deploys fighter jets after US warship sails past Mischief Reef in South China Sea</a>

This&nbsp;was only the second phone call between the two leaders since Biden took office in January. The relations between&nbsp;Washington and Beijing have been at the lowest point in decades.

Former US President Donald's trade war against the number two economy of the world was responsible for the nosedive in the US-China relationship.

From the origins of COVID-19 to human rights, the occasional high-level meetings since Xi and Biden's first call in February have yielded scant progress.

Urging&nbsp;multilateralism, Biden's administration has kept tariffs in place on Beijing and remains tough on other matters of contention.

The White House has said that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks for the first time in 7 months. The discussion between the two leaders was to ensure that the ''competition'' between the two world powers does become the cause of ''conflict.

The White House has said that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks for the first time in 7 months. The discussion between the two leaders was to ensure that the ''competition'' between the two world powers does become the cause of ''conflict.'' ''The dynamic remains competitive and that we don't have any situation in the future where we veer into unintended conflict," Biden said during the phone call. In the ''candid'' and ''in-depth'' phone call, Jinping said "Whether China and the US can properly handle their relations... is critical for the future and destiny of the world," as per Chinese state media. "And this is a question of the century that both countries must answer," he added. Also read | China lashes out, deploys fighter jets after US warship sails past Mischief Reef in South China Sea This was only the second phone call between the two leaders since Biden took office in January. The relations between Washington and Beijing have been at the lowest point in decades. Former US President Donald's trade war against the number two economy of the world was responsible for the nosedive in the US-China relationship. From the origins of COVID-19 to human rights, the occasional high-level meetings since Xi and Biden's first call in February have yielded scant progress. Urging multilateralism, Biden's administration has kept tariffs in place on Beijing and remains tough on other matters of contention.

White House says Biden, Jinping hold first phone call in seven months

The Biden administration on Wednesday released a plan to produce almost half of the nation’s electricity from the sun by 2050 as part of its effort to combat climate change.

Solar energy provided less than four&nbsp;per cent of the country’s electricity last year and the administration’s target of 45&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;would represent a huge leap and will most likely take a fundamental reshaping of the energy industry. In a new report, the Energy Department said the country needed to double the amount of solar energy installed every year over the next four years compared with last year. And then it will need to double annual installations again by 2030.

Adding that many solar panels, on rooftops and on open ground, will not be easy. In February, a division of the Energy Department projected that the share of electricity produced by all renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydroelectric dams, would reach 42&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;by 2050 based on current trends and policies.

The new department blueprint is in line with what most climate scientists say is needed. Those experts say that reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050 is essential to limiting the worst effects of global warming — and much greater use of renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines will be needed to achieve that goal.

But administration officials have provided only a broad outline for how they hope to get there. Many of the details will ultimately be decided by lawmakers in Congress, which is working on a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a much larger Democratic measure that could authorise $3.5 trillion in federal spending.

One thing going for the administration is that the cost of solar panels has fallen substantially over the last decade, making them the cheapest source of energy in many parts of the country. The use of solar and wind energy has also grown much faster in recent years than most government and independent analysts had predicted.

“One of the things we’re hoping that people see and take from this report is that it is affordable to decarbonise the grid,” said Becca Jones-Albertus, director of the Solar Energy Technology Office in the Energy Department. “The grid will remain reliable. We just need to build.”

The administration is making the case that the United States needs to act quickly because not doing anything to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels also has significant costs, particularly from extreme weather linked to climate change. In a Tuesday visit to inspect damage from the intense rainfall caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in New Jersey and New York, President Joe Biden said, “The nation and the world are in peril.”

Some recent natural disasters have been compounded by weaknesses in the energy system. Ida, for example, dealt a huge blow to the electric grid in Louisiana, where hundreds of thousands of people have been without power for days. Last winter, a storm left much of Texas without electricity for days, too. And in California, utility equipment has ignited several large wildfires, killing scores of people and destroying thousands of homes and businesses.

Even so, many analysts and even some in the solar industry are skeptical that the administration can achieve its green targets. In addition to the 45&nbsp;per cent solar target, Biden has said he wants to bring net planet-warming emissions from the power sector to zero by 2035. He also wants to add hundreds of offshore wind turbines to the seven currently in the waters off the nation’s coasts and have as many as half of all new cars sold be electric by 2030.

While renewable energy has grown fast, it contributes about 20 per cent of the country’s electricity. Natural gas and coal contribute about 60per cent.

“That kind of quick acceleration of deployment is only going to happen through smart policy decisions,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “That’s the part where having a goal is important, but having clear steps on how to get there is the issue.”

Challenges like trade disputes could also complicate Biden’s push for more solar power. China dominates the global supply chain for solar panels, and the administration recently began blocking imports connected with China’s Xinjiang region over concerns about the use of forced labor. While many solar companies say they are working to shift away from materials made in Xinjiang, energy experts say the import ban could slow the construction of solar projects throughout the country in the short term.

Biden wants to use tax credits to encourage the use of solar power systems and batteries at homes, businesses and utilities. The administration also wants local governments to make it quicker to obtain permits and build new solar projects — in some places it can take months to put panels on a single-family house, for example. And officials want to offer various incentives to utility companies to encourage the use of solar.

Jennifer Granholm, Biden’s energy secretary, said part of the administration’s strategy would focus on its Clean Electricity Payment Program, which would reward utilities for adding more renewable energy to the electric grid, including rooftop solar. Many utility companies have fought against rooftop solar panels because they see a threat to their business and would rather build large solar farms that they own and control.

“Both have to happen, and the utilities will be incentivised to take down the barriers,” Granholm said. “We’ve got to do a series of things.”

The Biden administration on Wednesday released a plan to produce almost half of the nation’s electricity from the sun by 2050 as part of its effort to combat climate change.

The Biden administration on Wednesday released a plan to produce almost half of the nation’s electricity from the sun by 2050 as part of its effort to combat climate change. Solar energy provided less than four per cent of the country’s electricity last year and the administration’s target of 45 per cent would represent a huge leap and will most likely take a fundamental reshaping of the energy industry. In a new report, the Energy Department said the country needed to double the amount of solar energy installed every year over the next four years compared with last year. And then it will need to double annual installations again by 2030. Adding that many solar panels, on rooftops and on open ground, will not be easy. In February, a division of the Energy Department projected that the share of electricity produced by all renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydroelectric dams, would reach 42 per cent by 2050 based on current trends and policies. The new department blueprint is in line with what most climate scientists say is needed. Those experts say that reducing net emissions of greenhouse gases to zero by 2050 is essential to limiting the worst effects of global warming — and much greater use of renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines will be needed to achieve that goal. But administration officials have provided only a broad outline for how they hope to get there. Many of the details will ultimately be decided by lawmakers in Congress, which is working on a bipartisan infrastructure bill and a much larger Democratic measure that could authorise $3.5 trillion in federal spending. One thing going for the administration is that the cost of solar panels has fallen substantially over the last decade, making them the cheapest source of energy in many parts of the country. The use of solar and wind energy has also grown much faster in recent years than most government and independent analysts had predicted. “One of the things we’re hoping that people see and take from this report is that it is affordable to decarbonise the grid,” said Becca Jones-Albertus, director of the Solar Energy Technology Office in the Energy Department. “The grid will remain reliable. We just need to build.” The administration is making the case that the United States needs to act quickly because not doing anything to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels also has significant costs, particularly from extreme weather linked to climate change. In a Tuesday visit to inspect damage from the intense rainfall caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in New Jersey and New York, President Joe Biden said, “The nation and the world are in peril.” Some recent natural disasters have been compounded by weaknesses in the energy system. Ida, for example, dealt a huge blow to the electric grid in Louisiana, where hundreds of thousands of people have been without power for days. Last winter, a storm left much of Texas without electricity for days, too. And in California, utility equipment has ignited several large wildfires, killing scores of people and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. Even so, many analysts and even some in the solar industry are skeptical that the administration can achieve its green targets. In addition to the 45 per cent solar target, Biden has said he wants to bring net planet-warming emissions from the power sector to zero by 2035. He also wants to add hundreds of offshore wind turbines to the seven currently in the waters off the nation’s coasts and have as many as half of all new cars sold be electric by 2030. While renewable energy has grown fast, it contributes about 20 per cent of the country’s electricity. Natural gas and coal contribute about 60per cent. “That kind of quick acceleration of deployment is only going to happen through smart policy decisions,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “That’s the part where having a goal is important, but having clear steps on how to get there is the issue.” Challenges like trade disputes could also complicate Biden’s push for more solar power. China dominates the global supply chain for solar panels, and the administration recently began blocking imports connected with China’s Xinjiang region over concerns about the use of forced labor. While many solar companies say they are working to shift away from materials made in Xinjiang, energy experts say the import ban could slow the construction of solar projects throughout the country in the short term. Biden wants to use tax credits to encourage the use of solar power systems and batteries at homes, businesses and utilities. The administration also wants local governments to make it quicker to obtain permits and build new solar projects — in some places it can take months to put panels on a single-family house, for example. And officials want to offer various incentives to utility companies to encourage the use of solar. Jennifer Granholm, Biden’s energy secretary, said part of the administration’s strategy would focus on its Clean Electricity Payment Program, which would reward utilities for adding more renewable energy to the electric grid, including rooftop solar. Many utility companies have fought against rooftop solar panels because they see a threat to their business and would rather build large solar farms that they own and control. “Both have to happen, and the utilities will be incentivised to take down the barriers,” Granholm said. “We’ve got to do a series of things.”

From 4% to 45%: Biden sets an ambitious blueprint for solar energy

This Sept. 11, a diminished president will preside over a diminished nation.

We are a country that could not keep a demagogue from the White House; could not stop an insurrectionist mob from storming the Capitol; could not win (or at least avoid losing) a war against a morally and technologically retrograde enemy; cannot conquer a disease for which there are safe and effective vaccines; and cannot bring itself to trust the government, the news media, the scientific establishment, the police or any other institution meant to operate for the common good.

A civilisation “is born stoic and dies epicurean,” wrote historian Will Durant about the Babylonians. Our civilisation was born optimistic and enlightened, at least by the standards of the day. Now it feels as if it’s fading into paranoid senility.

Joe Biden was supposed to be the man of the hour: a calming presence exuding decency, moderation and trust. As a candidate, he sold himself as a transitional president, a fatherly figure in the mold of George H.W. Bush who would restore dignity and prudence to the Oval Office after the mendacity and chaos that came before. It’s why I voted for him, as did so many others who once tipped red.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/illnesses-associated-with-911-have-caused-more-deaths-than-the-attack-report-411514" hreflang="en">Illnesses associated with 9/11 have caused more deaths than the attack: Report</a>

Instead, Biden has become the emblem of the hour: headstrong but shaky, ambitious but inept. He seems to be the last person in America to realise that, whatever the theoretical merits of the decision to withdraw our remaining troops from Afghanistan, the military and intelligence assumptions on which it was built were deeply flawed, the manner in which it was executed was a national humiliation and a moral betrayal, and the timing was catastrophic.

We find ourselves commemorating the first great jihadi victory over America, in 2001, right after delivering the second great jihadi victory over America, in 2021. The Sept. 11 memorial at the World Trade Center — water cascading into one void, and then trickling, out of sight, into another — has never felt more fitting.

Now Biden proposes to follow this up with his $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which The Times’ Jonathan Weisman describes as “the most significant expansion of the nation’s safety net since the war on poverty in the 1960s.”

When Lyndon Johnson launched his War on Poverty, its associated legislation — from food stamps to Medicare — passed with bipartisan majorities in a lopsidedly Democratic Congress. Biden has similar ambitions without the same political means. This is not going to turn out well.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/911-attacks-bush-administrations-big-guns-where-they-are-now-411644" hreflang="en">9/11 attacks: Bush administration's big guns &amp; where they are now</a>

Last week, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., published an essay in The Wall Street Journal in which he said, “I, for one, won’t support a $3.5 trillion bill, or anywhere near that level of additional spending, without greater clarity about why Congress chooses to ignore the serious effects inflation and debt have on existing government programs.”

Is the White House paying any more attention to Manchin’s message than it did to classified intelligence briefs over the summer warning of the prospect of a swift Taliban victory?

Maybe Biden supposes that the legislation, if passed, will prove increasingly popular over time, like Obamacare. That’s the optimistic scenario. Alternatively, he could suffer a legislative calamity like Hillary Clinton’s health care reform in 1994, which would have ended Bill Clinton’s presidency save for his sharp swing to the center, including ending “welfare as we know it” two years later.

Even the Obamacare/optimistic precedent was followed by a Democratic rout in 2010, when the party lost 63 House seats. If history repeats itself at the 2022 midterms, I doubt that even Joe Biden’s closest aides think he has the stamina to fight his way back in 2024. Has Kamala Harris shown the political talent to pick up the pieces?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-tours-hurricane-hit-areas-in-america-411607">WATCH |</a>

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Perhaps what will save the Democrats is that Biden’s weakness will tempt Donald Trump to seek (and almost certainly gain) the Republican nomination. But then there’s the chance he’d win the election.

There’s a way back from this cliff’s edge. It begins with Biden finding a way to acknowledge publicly the gravity of his administration’s blunders. The most shameful aspect of the Afghanistan withdrawal was the incompetence of the State Department when it came to expediting visas for thousands of people eligible to come to the United States. Accountability could start with Antony Blinken’s resignation.

The president might also seize the “strategic pause” Manchin has proposed and push House Democrats to pass the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill without holding it hostage to the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill. Infrastructure is far more popular with middle-of-the-road voters than the Great Society reprise that was never supposed to be a part of the Biden brand.

My sense is that Biden will do neither. The last few months have told us something worrying about this president: He’s proud, inflexible, and thinks he’s much smarter than he really is. That’s bad news for the administration. It’s worse news for a country that desperately needs to avoid another failed presidency.

This Sept. 11, a diminished president will preside over a diminished nation. We are a country that could not keep a demagogue from the White House; could not stop an insurrectionist mob from storming the Capitol; could not win (or at least avoid losing) a war against a morally and technologically retrograde enemy; cannot conquer a disease for which there are safe and effective vaccines; and cannot bring itself to trust the government, the news media, the scientific establishment, the police or any other institution meant to operate for the common good.

This Sept. 11, a diminished president will preside over a diminished nation. We are a country that could not keep a demagogue from the White House; could not stop an insurrectionist mob from storming the Capitol; could not win (or at least avoid losing) a war against a morally and technologically retrograde enemy; cannot conquer a disease for which there are safe and effective vaccines; and cannot bring itself to trust the government, the news media, the scientific establishment, the police or any other institution meant to operate for the common good. A civilisation “is born stoic and dies epicurean,” wrote historian Will Durant about the Babylonians. Our civilisation was born optimistic and enlightened, at least by the standards of the day. Now it feels as if it’s fading into paranoid senility. Joe Biden was supposed to be the man of the hour: a calming presence exuding decency, moderation and trust. As a candidate, he sold himself as a transitional president, a fatherly figure in the mold of George H.W. Bush who would restore dignity and prudence to the Oval Office after the mendacity and chaos that came before. It’s why I voted for him, as did so many others who once tipped red. Also read | Illnesses associated with 9/11 have caused more deaths than the attack: Report Instead, Biden has become the emblem of the hour: headstrong but shaky, ambitious but inept. He seems to be the last person in America to realise that, whatever the theoretical merits of the decision to withdraw our remaining troops from Afghanistan, the military and intelligence assumptions on which it was built were deeply flawed, the manner in which it was executed was a national humiliation and a moral betrayal, and the timing was catastrophic. We find ourselves commemorating the first great jihadi victory over America, in 2001, right after delivering the second great jihadi victory over America, in 2021. The Sept. 11 memorial at the World Trade Center — water cascading into one void, and then trickling, out of sight, into another — has never felt more fitting. Now Biden proposes to follow this up with his $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, which The Times’ Jonathan Weisman describes as “the most significant expansion of the nation’s safety net since the war on poverty in the 1960s.” When Lyndon Johnson launched his War on Poverty, its associated legislation — from food stamps to Medicare — passed with bipartisan majorities in a lopsidedly Democratic Congress. Biden has similar ambitions without the same political means. This is not going to turn out well. Also read | 9/11 attacks: Bush administration's big guns & where they are now Last week, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., published an essay in The Wall Street Journal in which he said, “I, for one, won’t support a $3.5 trillion bill, or anywhere near that level of additional spending, without greater clarity about why Congress chooses to ignore the serious effects inflation and debt have on existing government programs.” Is the White House paying any more attention to Manchin’s message than it did to classified intelligence briefs over the summer warning of the prospect of a swift Taliban victory? Maybe Biden supposes that the legislation, if passed, will prove increasingly popular over time, like Obamacare. That’s the optimistic scenario. Alternatively, he could suffer a legislative calamity like Hillary Clinton’s health care reform in 1994, which would have ended Bill Clinton’s presidency save for his sharp swing to the center, including ending “welfare as we know it” two years later. Even the Obamacare/optimistic precedent was followed by a Democratic rout in 2010, when the party lost 63 House seats. If history repeats itself at the 2022 midterms, I doubt that even Joe Biden’s closest aides think he has the stamina to fight his way back in 2024. Has Kamala Harris shown the political talent to pick up the pieces? WATCH | Perhaps what will save the Democrats is that Biden’s weakness will tempt Donald Trump to seek (and almost certainly gain) the Republican nomination. But then there’s the chance he’d win the election. There’s a way back from this cliff’s edge. It begins with Biden finding a way to acknowledge publicly the gravity of his administration’s blunders. The most shameful aspect of the Afghanistan withdrawal was the incompetence of the State Department when it came to expediting visas for thousands of people eligible to come to the United States. Accountability could start with Antony Blinken’s resignation. The president might also seize the “strategic pause” Manchin has proposed and push House Democrats to pass the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill without holding it hostage to the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill. Infrastructure is far more popular with middle-of-the-road voters than the Great Society reprise that was never supposed to be a part of the Biden brand. My sense is that Biden will do neither. The last few months have told us something worrying about this president: He’s proud, inflexible, and thinks he’s much smarter than he really is. That’s bad news for the administration. It’s worse news for a country that desperately needs to avoid another failed presidency.

Can Biden save his presidency?

As the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 completes 20 years, focus is back on Afghanistan. The hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country has thrown up a challenging situation.

WION's New York Correspondent Susan Tehrani spoke with Bernard Kerik, former commissioner of New York City Police who was on ground when the terrorist attack took place.

WION: You were at the base of the twin towers when the second plane hit on September 11, 2001, and on the days that followed, you lead New York Police Department (NYPD) through the aftermath of 9/11 and so many lives depended on the decisions that you would make so you had really a bird’s eye view of what was happening on ground zero. And here we are 20 years on. Where do we stand now? Considering the fact that President Biden insists that the war in Afghanistan is over.

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Kerik: Well listen, he may think that the war in Afghanistan is over but the war between radical Islam and the West is not. And unfortunately for us, the president has made a decision of allowing close to 200,000 Afghans into the United States that I am confident cannot be valid. (They) cannot be monitored and tracked once they get here and melt into the community.&nbsp;

I was there on Sept 11, I watched dozens of people jumping to death, I had 23 members in my department that I lost. We lost 343 firefighters, 37 police officers and thousands of civilians in the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, and we did so because 19 people got into this country. Now we are gonna have 200,000 people coming out of a country that we have been fighting in for last 20 years.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

You know I watched a press conference today where the commanders and the president said that we will be working with the Taliban to get whoever is left/what Americans left or first of all there should not be any Americans left in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Secondly, there is not negotiating with the Taliban, there is not coordinating with the Taliban, there is no diplomatic relationship with the Taliban and if you don't believe me turn on the news from yesterday and the day before, they were taking a round in Afghanistan with our equipment, our uniforms with flag-draped coffins calling for the death of America. These are the people that the president believes today that we can communicate with. That is the complete joke so you know I used to talk about the threat we face, in over the last 20 years I pretty much said my greatest fear was radical Islam.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-is-our-most-important-partner-says-taliban-spokesperson-zabihullah-mujahid-410510">China is our most important partner, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid</a>

I am also afraid of this infusion of socialism coming into the United States right now. But I have never been worried about radical Islam on the inside of this country like I will be now as a result of the incompetence of this leadership and stupidity or a lack of common sense and logic over what has happened over the last two weeks.

WION: A lot of lawmakers also share same sentiments. They say that the president's strategy has been to basically set the condition for another 9/11. I would like to get your opinion on whether or not that is overblown first of all and second he recently said that he has never been worried.

Kerik: Well, listen I would disagree with them if one said that there is strategy because there is no strategy. They did things that were completely...there was a lack of common sense, there was lack of logic, there was lack of policy. What they did that pulling out of Afghanistan before there was a removal of diplomatic personnel, a lot of coordinators and co-operators, from the Afghan military or intrepreters who put their lives for us for 20 years, for this president. In fact, the interpreters that were with him were left in the country. So, there was no real plan. And although I don't always agree with Senator Graham, this time 100 percent I agree. We are now going to face a substantial threat as a result for what happened. And I heard within the last 2-3 hours now United States’ military equipment has been observed in Iran, this is outragious. This is completely outragious and stupid. It should have never happened. And it all lies on President Biden.

WION: There was a question now whether or not ISIS is the new Al-Qaeda

Kerik: There is a bottom line. I don't call them ISIS/ Al-Qaeda/ Hamas. I can give you 30 different names. There is a bottom line. There is a group of people in the Middle East that despises our freedom and they strongly believe that if we don't pray to their God the way they do than they actually have the right to kill us.&nbsp;

These are the same people who gonna blow off Israel off the map and they will like to do the same with our county as well. That is the threat we face. These days I don't care what their names are. I don't care if it is ISIS or Al-Qaeda or the Taliban or whatever. It doesn't make any difference to me. The bottom line is that the threat is still there. It is the threat that we going to face and now as a result of what happened in Afghanistan, it is going to be worse than we had to deal in last 20 years.

WION: I want to go back when you were there on ground zero when the planes hit the World Trade Centre 20 years ago and now we hear army general, for example, acknowledged the fact that the Taliban might be ruthless but we don't cooperate with them on counter-terrorism issues. What goes on your mind when you hear something like that?

<img alt="911" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d006a247-8a2b-4ffb-8827-cb271cf9580c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/911.JPG" />

Kerik: General Milley can't believe that and if he does, he is a moron. And with his mind, his education, his experiences, his time in service, he cannot believe that. And if he does, he should not be in the job in the first place. He is basically echoing the radical that the White House is talking about. He is just repeating that the president, his press secretary is saying. But for God’s sake I cannot believe that General Milley actually believes that because if he does, we are in a lot of problem that I anticipate.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-co-founder-mullah-abdul-ghani-baradar-to-lead-new-afghan-government-sources-410403">Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to lead new Afghan government: Sources</a>

WION: Do you think that the president is facing the crisis of confidence right now with the American public and the lawmakers on both sides criticising his policies?

Kerik: I think the president is facing lack of confidence from the first day he has taken over the office. This is in my opinion. And I think most people will agree with me. Take away the politics. I have been watching/ listening to him. There are two problems I have. One, he has a lack of mental and physical capabilities. He is not controlling his own destiny. And I know that we all know that. Because he tells us.&nbsp;

There are all these slips over the podium right. 'I was told I can't take questions; I was told not to answer that question, I was told we are not going to do this/that. I am not allowed to take that question'. This is my problem with him, this the President of the United States. I wanna know who is controlling him. Who tells him that you are not allowed to do that. Who told him who are not allowed ro take questions.&nbsp;

I promise you I want to see somebody telling President Trump you are not allowed to do that or you are not going to do that or don't do this. One, the person will be fired. Two, he is gonna do what he is supposed to do. This president gets on the podium and consistently, over and over again tells us he is not in charge. So okay I wanna know who he is.

WION: Commissioner, what went through your head, when you were present there on September 11, 2001? When you were there on ground zero at that moment?

<img alt="Twin towers" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="06f53fab-f300-490b-a234-18586faeda32" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/TWIN%20TOWERS%202.JPG" />

Kerik: Well, when the first plane hit, I was actually in my office. I got down to the streets in 7 to 8 minutes. And as I tried getting to World Trade Centre, I watched people jump to death from tower one.&nbsp;

While I was waiting for the mayor, the second plane slammed through the north side of the tower and at that point, I understood that we were under attack. And at that point the city’s response changed. It went through responding to a crisis. Accident to an attack on the United States of America. What went through my mind immediately after the second plane hit that how many planes were there. What are the buildings, targets will be (attacked). I remember closing down police headquarters, city hall, the United Nations, other places/ areas that could be on target and calling on the White House, asking for support so those are some of the things that went through my mind immediately in the aftermath when second plane hit.

WION: Your final thoughts on where do we go from here 20 years on from September 11th, 2021?

Kerik: We need to reflect back on the leadership. We have to reflect back on the leadership of (former) Mayor Rudy Giuliani, President Bush and what I try to do is remind there were people who did not leave New York City that day, remind them about the men and women of the New York City police dept etc. They affected the greatest rescue operation in the history for us. They took 20,000-25,000 people out of those buildings, out of those surrounding areas and they evacuated more than a million people. This feat has not been accomplished before. I hope this never happens again.&nbsp;

I would like to say this. We don't need four planes flying into country to create another threat like 9/11. There is a possibility people not liking this country to create the same amount of fear, same amount of economic damage to this country by doing another thing that can happen. And you know I am just hoping the intelligence community/ military is up to the task.

As the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 completes 20 years, focus is back on Afghanistan. The hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country has thrown up a challenging situation.

As the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 completes 20 years, focus is back on Afghanistan. The hasty withdrawal of American forces from the country has thrown up a challenging situation. WION's New York Correspondent Susan Tehrani spoke with Bernard Kerik, former commissioner of New York City Police who was on ground when the terrorist attack took place. WION: You were at the base of the twin towers when the second plane hit on September 11, 2001, and on the days that followed, you lead New York Police Department (NYPD) through the aftermath of 9/11 and so many lives depended on the decisions that you would make so you had really a bird’s eye view of what was happening on ground zero. And here we are 20 years on. Where do we stand now? Considering the fact that President Biden insists that the war in Afghanistan is over. Kerik: Well listen, he may think that the war in Afghanistan is over but the war between radical Islam and the West is not. And unfortunately for us, the president has made a decision of allowing close to 200,000 Afghans into the United States that I am confident cannot be valid. (They) cannot be monitored and tracked once they get here and melt into the community. I was there on Sept 11, I watched dozens of people jumping to death, I had 23 members in my department that I lost. We lost 343 firefighters, 37 police officers and thousands of civilians in the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, and we did so because 19 people got into this country. Now we are gonna have 200,000 people coming out of a country that we have been fighting in for last 20 years. × You know I watched a press conference today where the commanders and the president said that we will be working with the Taliban to get whoever is left/what Americans left or first of all there should not be any Americans left in Afghanistan. Secondly, there is not negotiating with the Taliban, there is not coordinating with the Taliban, there is no diplomatic relationship with the Taliban and if you don't believe me turn on the news from yesterday and the day before, they were taking a round in Afghanistan with our equipment, our uniforms with flag-draped coffins calling for the death of America. These are the people that the president believes today that we can communicate with. That is the complete joke so you know I used to talk about the threat we face, in over the last 20 years I pretty much said my greatest fear was radical Islam. Also Read | China is our most important partner, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid I am also afraid of this infusion of socialism coming into the United States right now. But I have never been worried about radical Islam on the inside of this country like I will be now as a result of the incompetence of this leadership and stupidity or a lack of common sense and logic over what has happened over the last two weeks. WION: A lot of lawmakers also share same sentiments. They say that the president's strategy has been to basically set the condition for another 9/11. I would like to get your opinion on whether or not that is overblown first of all and second he recently said that he has never been worried. Kerik: Well, listen I would disagree with them if one said that there is strategy because there is no strategy. They did things that were completely...there was a lack of common sense, there was lack of logic, there was lack of policy. What they did that pulling out of Afghanistan before there was a removal of diplomatic personnel, a lot of coordinators and co-operators, from the Afghan military or intrepreters who put their lives for us for 20 years, for this president. In fact, the interpreters that were with him were left in the country. So, there was no real plan. And although I don't always agree with Senator Graham, this time 100 percent I agree. We are now going to face a substantial threat as a result for what happened. And I heard within the last 2-3 hours now United States’ military equipment has been observed in Iran, this is outragious. This is completely outragious and stupid. It should have never happened. And it all lies on President Biden. WION: There was a question now whether or not ISIS is the new Al-Qaeda Kerik: There is a bottom line. I don't call them ISIS/ Al-Qaeda/ Hamas. I can give you 30 different names. There is a bottom line. There is a group of people in the Middle East that despises our freedom and they strongly believe that if we don't pray to their God the way they do than they actually have the right to kill us. These are the same people who gonna blow off Israel off the map and they will like to do the same with our county as well. That is the threat we face. These days I don't care what their names are. I don't care if it is ISIS or Al-Qaeda or the Taliban or whatever. It doesn't make any difference to me. The bottom line is that the threat is still there. It is the threat that we going to face and now as a result of what happened in Afghanistan, it is going to be worse than we had to deal in last 20 years. WION: I want to go back when you were there on ground zero when the planes hit the World Trade Centre 20 years ago and now we hear army general, for example, acknowledged the fact that the Taliban might be ruthless but we don't cooperate with them on counter-terrorism issues. What goes on your mind when you hear something like that? Kerik: General Milley can't believe that and if he does, he is a moron. And with his mind, his education, his experiences, his time in service, he cannot believe that. And if he does, he should not be in the job in the first place. He is basically echoing the radical that the White House is talking about. He is just repeating that the president, his press secretary is saying. But for God’s sake I cannot believe that General Milley actually believes that because if he does, we are in a lot of problem that I anticipate. Also Read | Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar to lead new Afghan government: Sources WION: Do you think that the president is facing the crisis of confidence right now with the American public and the lawmakers on both sides criticising his policies? Kerik: I think the president is facing lack of confidence from the first day he has taken over the office. This is in my opinion. And I think most people will agree with me. Take away the politics. I have been watching/ listening to him. There are two problems I have. One, he has a lack of mental and physical capabilities. He is not controlling his own destiny. And I know that we all know that. Because he tells us. There are all these slips over the podium right. 'I was told I can't take questions; I was told not to answer that question, I was told we are not going to do this/that. I am not allowed to take that question'. This is my problem with him, this the President of the United States. I wanna know who is controlling him. Who tells him that you are not allowed to do that. Who told him who are not allowed ro take questions. I promise you I want to see somebody telling President Trump you are not allowed to do that or you are not going to do that or don't do this. One, the person will be fired. Two, he is gonna do what he is supposed to do. This president gets on the podium and consistently, over and over again tells us he is not in charge. So okay I wanna know who he is. WION: Commissioner, what went through your head, when you were present there on September 11, 2001? When you were there on ground zero at that moment? Kerik: Well, when the first plane hit, I was actually in my office. I got down to the streets in 7 to 8 minutes. And as I tried getting to World Trade Centre, I watched people jump to death from tower one. While I was waiting for the mayor, the second plane slammed through the north side of the tower and at that point, I understood that we were under attack. And at that point the city’s response changed. It went through responding to a crisis. Accident to an attack on the United States of America. What went through my mind immediately after the second plane hit that how many planes were there. What are the buildings, targets will be (attacked). I remember closing down police headquarters, city hall, the United Nations, other places/ areas that could be on target and calling on the White House, asking for support so those are some of the things that went through my mind immediately in the aftermath when second plane hit. WION: Your final thoughts on where do we go from here 20 years on from September 11th, 2021? Kerik: We need to reflect back on the leadership. We have to reflect back on the leadership of (former) Mayor Rudy Giuliani, President Bush and what I try to do is remind there were people who did not leave New York City that day, remind them about the men and women of the New York City police dept etc. They affected the greatest rescue operation in the history for us. They took 20,000-25,000 people out of those buildings, out of those surrounding areas and they evacuated more than a million people. This feat has not been accomplished before. I hope this never happens again. I would like to say this. We don't need four planes flying into country to create another threat like 9/11. There is a possibility people not liking this country to create the same amount of fear, same amount of economic damage to this country by doing another thing that can happen. And you know I am just hoping the intelligence community/ military is up to the task.

Exclusive: Blame for Afghanistan 'lies on President Biden', says 9/11-era NYPD commissioner 

Giant trees knocked sideways. Homes boarded up with plywood. Off-kilter street signs.&nbsp;Less than a week after Hurricane Ida battered the Gulf Coast, US President Joe Biden walked the streets of a hard-hit Louisiana neighbourhood on Friday and told local residents, "I know you're hurting, I know you're hurting."

Biden pledged robust federal assistance to get people back on their feet and said the government already had distributed USD 100 million directly to individuals in the state in USD 500 cheques to give them a first slice of critical help. Many people, he said, don't know what help is available because they can't get cellphone service.

Watch:&nbsp;Floods Batter United States financial capital New York

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Residents welcomed Biden's presence. They laughed and also posed for selfies.&nbsp;More formally, Biden met with state and local officials in LaPlace, a community between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain that suffered major wind and water damage and was left with sheared-off roofs and flooded homes.

"I promise we're going to have your back," Biden said.&nbsp;He also took a flyover tour of pummelled areas including Lafitte, Grand Isle, Port Fourchon and Lafourche Parish, where Parish President Archie Chaisson said 25 per cent of the homes in his community of 100,000 were gone or had catastrophic damage.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-in-six-states-to-adopt-law-similar-to-texas-anti-abortion-law-410641" hreflang="en">Republicans in six states to adopt law similar to Texas anti-abortion law</a>

The president later met privately with Governor&nbsp;John Bel Edwards, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, who is from Louisiana, and local officials including Chaisson.

The devastation was clear even as Air Force One approached New Orleans, with uprooted trees and blue tarps covering shredded houses coming into view. The road to LaPlace exhibited power-line wood poles jutting from the ground at odd angles.

Giant trees knocked sideways. Homes boarded up with plywood. Off-kilter street signs. Less than a week after Hurricane Ida battered the Gulf Coast, US President Joe Biden walked the streets of a hard-hit Louisiana neighbourhood on Friday and told local residents, "I know you're hurting, I know you're hurting.

Giant trees knocked sideways. Homes boarded up with plywood. Off-kilter street signs. Less than a week after Hurricane Ida battered the Gulf Coast, US President Joe Biden walked the streets of a hard-hit Louisiana neighbourhood on Friday and told local residents, "I know you're hurting, I know you're hurting." Biden pledged robust federal assistance to get people back on their feet and said the government already had distributed USD 100 million directly to individuals in the state in USD 500 cheques to give them a first slice of critical help. Many people, he said, don't know what help is available because they can't get cellphone service. Watch: Floods Batter United States financial capital New York × Residents welcomed Biden's presence. They laughed and also posed for selfies. More formally, Biden met with state and local officials in LaPlace, a community between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain that suffered major wind and water damage and was left with sheared-off roofs and flooded homes. "I promise we're going to have your back," Biden said. He also took a flyover tour of pummelled areas including Lafitte, Grand Isle, Port Fourchon and Lafourche Parish, where Parish President Archie Chaisson said 25 per cent of the homes in his community of 100,000 were gone or had catastrophic damage. Also Read: Republicans in six states to adopt law similar to Texas anti-abortion law The president later met privately with Governor John Bel Edwards, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, who is from Louisiana, and local officials including Chaisson. The devastation was clear even as Air Force One approached New Orleans, with uprooted trees and blue tarps covering shredded houses coming into view. The road to LaPlace exhibited power-line wood poles jutting from the ground at odd angles.

Biden walks through storm-ravaged Louisiana, pledges to get people back on feet 

US President Joe Biden faced criticism from 9/11 era NYPD commissioner who said that blame for situation in Afghanistan lay with Biden. The former commissioner had an exclusive interaction with WION. Meanwhile, Taliban have praised China. Taliban spokesperson Zavihullah Mujahid called China Afghanistan's most important partner. Read this and more in Top 10 World News

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blame-for-afghanistan-lies-on-president-biden-says-911-era-nypd-commissioner-410532">Exclusive: Blame for Afghanistan 'lies on President Biden', says 9/11-era NYPD commissioner&nbsp;</a>

The former commissioner of New York City Police had some strong words to offer on state of affairs

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8cfd1e61-a6a7-499b-bbad-c2ad169339f1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Biden_9.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-is-our-most-important-partner-says-taliban-spokesperson-zabihullah-mujahid-410510">China is our most important partner, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid</a> 
 
With the help of China, the Taliban will fight for an economic comeback in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid tells Italian newspaper.

<img alt="Taliban" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c33cb16a-7dde-44a2-a5c4-d0701e68e83c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Taliban_2.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christ-was-first-communist-would-have-joined-us-russian-marxist-leader-zyuganov-410535">Christ was first Communist, would have joined us: Russian Marxist leader Zyuganov</a> 
 
In an interview with KP Radio on Thursday, Gennady Zyuganov, the leader of Russia's communist party, the KPRF, made the explosive remarks. "The first communist on the earth... was Jesus Christ," he claims.

<img alt="Christ" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58758c5b-d8d5-400c-bf80-4bfc94519c40" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Christ.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hunted-by-the-men-they-jailed-afghanistans-women-judges-seek-escape-410505">Hunted by the men they jailed, Afghanistan's women judges seek escape</a>

While some women judges were able to flee in recent weeks, most were left behind and are still trying to get out, said judges and activists working around the clock to help them escape.&nbsp;

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2eb8f6ae-99f6-427c-ace0-e699e385fd2d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Woman%20judge.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-no-longer-a-superpower-suggests-uk-defence-secretary-410539">US no longer a superpower, suggests UK defence secretary</a> 
 
The strong words from British Foreign Secretary Ben Wallace came just days after final withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

<img alt="UK" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39c8ed91-c26e-42fd-9e08-7aaab721e5ae" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/UK.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/turkish-envoy-firat-sunel-welcomes-india-taliban-engagement-bats-for-furthering-ankara-delhi-ties-410543">Turkish Envoy Firat Sunel welcomes India-Taliban engagement; bats for furthering Ankara-Delhi ties</a> 
 
Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Turkey's Ambassador to India, Envoy Sunel explained, "We believe that steady and gradual engagement with the Taliban is one of the key factors for stability in Afghanistan."

<img alt="Turkey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79c67430-4b94-4172-b7e4-53aba3050395" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Turk.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shenandoah-valley-women-choose-to-not-get-vaccinated-here-is-why-410525">Shenandoah Valley women choose to not get vaccinated, here is why</a> 
 
The nurses' employer, Valley Health, the parent company of Winchester Medical Center had given the nurses an ultimatum: Get the shot or face termination.

<img alt="Vaccine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ef7c6ac9-679a-448e-8668-d320a1bbf42d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vaccine_5.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-astrazeneca-settle-vaccine-supply-dispute-out-of-court-410444">EU and AstraZeneca settle vaccine supply dispute out of court</a>

<img alt="Astrazeneca" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de5f682c-d9c7-47f7-a860-3c554bcc84f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vaccines.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fake-banksy-nft-sold-for-ps244k-through-artists-website-410517">Fake Banksy NFT sold for £244k through artist's website</a>

The auction ended early after the man offered 90 per cent more than rival bidders. Banksy's team told the BBC "any Banksy NFT auctions are not affiliated with the artist in any shape or form"

<img alt="Banksy" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0a71ef4-1d16-4c68-b2cd-447eb5385fa2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Banksy.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-create-new-pet-abduction-offence-after-rise-in-dog-thefts-410500">UK to create new pet abduction offence after rise in dog thefts</a> 
 
The offence is among the recommendations of a task force launched in May to tackle the reported rise in dog and other pet thefts, which have soared during the coronavirus crisis

<img alt="Dogs" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45b26cbe-909e-4e38-ae6a-a3199d60d029" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/dogs_1.JPG" />

US President Joe Biden faced criticism from 9/11 era NYPD commissioner who said that blame for situation in Afghanistan lay with Biden. The former commissioner had an exclusive interaction with WION.

US President Joe Biden faced criticism from 9/11 era NYPD commissioner who said that blame for situation in Afghanistan lay with Biden. The former commissioner had an exclusive interaction with WION. Meanwhile, Taliban have praised China. Taliban spokesperson Zavihullah Mujahid called China Afghanistan's most important partner. Read this and more in Top 10 World News Exclusive: Blame for Afghanistan 'lies on President Biden', says 9/11-era NYPD commissioner The former commissioner of New York City Police had some strong words to offer on state of affairs China is our most important partner, says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid With the help of China, the Taliban will fight for an economic comeback in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid tells Italian newspaper. Christ was first Communist, would have joined us: Russian Marxist leader Zyuganov In an interview with KP Radio on Thursday, Gennady Zyuganov, the leader of Russia's communist party, the KPRF, made the explosive remarks. "The first communist on the earth... was Jesus Christ," he claims. Hunted by the men they jailed, Afghanistan's women judges seek escape While some women judges were able to flee in recent weeks, most were left behind and are still trying to get out, said judges and activists working around the clock to help them escape. US no longer a superpower, suggests UK defence secretary The strong words from British Foreign Secretary Ben Wallace came just days after final withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. Turkish Envoy Firat Sunel welcomes India-Taliban engagement; bats for furthering Ankara-Delhi ties Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Turkey's Ambassador to India, Envoy Sunel explained, "We believe that steady and gradual engagement with the Taliban is one of the key factors for stability in Afghanistan." Shenandoah Valley women choose to not get vaccinated, here is why The nurses' employer, Valley Health, the parent company of Winchester Medical Center had given the nurses an ultimatum: Get the shot or face termination. EU and AstraZeneca settle vaccine supply dispute out of court Fake Banksy NFT sold for £244k through artist's website The auction ended early after the man offered 90 per cent more than rival bidders. Banksy's team told the BBC "any Banksy NFT auctions are not affiliated with the artist in any shape or form" UK to create new pet abduction offence after rise in dog thefts The offence is among the recommendations of a task force launched in May to tackle the reported rise in dog and other pet thefts, which have soared during the coronavirus crisis

Top 10 World News: Biden faces criticism, Taliban praise China, more

As the Taliban cements its position in Afghanistan, a top US General&nbsp;describe the Taliban as a "ruthless group" and has said that it's unclear whether they would change even as&nbsp;US defence secretary&nbsp;Lloyd Austin&nbsp;praised the American troops in Afghanistan and the massive evacuation mission undertaken by the forces.

Meanwhile, US President Biden offered Ukraine $60 million in new security aid including Javelin anti-armor systems and other "defensive lethal and nonlethal capabilities" amid threat from Russia.

Australia is experiencing prolonged lockdown as Sydney continues to record new cases. Melbourne has been under restrictions as Australian health officials battle the Delta variant.

Click on the headline to know more

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-a-ruthless-group-will-remain-focused-on-isis-k-says-us-410082">'Taliban a ruthless group': Will remain focused on ISIS-K, says US</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5878ff16-05c5-4a86-ac50-8879a5f523ba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/TT1_1.jpg" />

&nbsp;

US President&nbsp;Joe Biden&nbsp;had promised to hunt down ISIS-K fighters in retaliation against suicide bombing at the Kabul airport in which 13 US service members were killed

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-vows-support-to-ukraine-offers-60-million-in-new-security-aid-410078">Biden vows support to Ukraine, offers $60 million in new security aid</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="457e6eb8-4a2b-4b04-83b5-8b955c061153" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/RR2.jpg" />

Ukraine and Russia have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/permanent-cycle-of-crisis-australian-doctors-warn-against-easing-of-covid-19-curbs-410085">'Permanent cycle of crisis': Australian doctors warn against easing of COVID-19 curbs</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/permanent-cycle-of-crisis-australian-doctors-warn-against-easing-of-covid-19-curbs-410085"><img alt="Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="41d7ad26-8b85-4e03-b1a9-2c2c7bf21a4a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sy1.jpg" /></a>

The Australian Medical Association (AMA)&nbsp;has said that even with a higher vaccination rate, the country's&nbsp;hospitals are not ready to cope with the government's reopening plans

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-england-2021-4th-test-pitch-conditions-at-kennington-oval-london-weather-report-and-stats-410094">India vs England 2021, 4th Test: Pitch conditions at Kennington Oval, London weather report and stats</a>

&nbsp;

<img alt="Kohli" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e1586f7f-2508-4384-94da-49ea902eb734" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Roger1.jpg" />

India vs England, 4th Test: Ahead of the fourth and penultimate Test between both sides, here's a look at the pitch and weather conditions at Kennington Oval, London.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-al-qaeda-calls-for-liberation-of-kashmir-410074">Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas - Al Qaeda calls for liberation of Kashmir</a>

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As the Taliban cements its position in Afghanistan, a top US General describe the Taliban as a "ruthless group" and has said that it's unclear whether they would change even as US defence secretary Lloyd Austin praised the American troops in Afghanistan and the massive evacuation mission undertaken by the forces.

As the Taliban cements its position in Afghanistan, a top US General describe the Taliban as a "ruthless group" and has said that it's unclear whether they would change even as US defence secretary Lloyd Austin praised the American troops in Afghanistan and the massive evacuation mission undertaken by the forces. Meanwhile, US President Biden offered Ukraine $60 million in new security aid including Javelin anti-armor systems and other "defensive lethal and nonlethal capabilities" amid threat from Russia. Australia is experiencing prolonged lockdown as Sydney continues to record new cases. Melbourne has been under restrictions as Australian health officials battle the Delta variant. Click on the headline to know more 'Taliban a ruthless group': Will remain focused on ISIS-K, says US US President Joe Biden had promised to hunt down ISIS-K fighters in retaliation against suicide bombing at the Kabul airport in which 13 US service members were killed Biden vows support to Ukraine, offers $60 million in new security aid Ukraine and Russia have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 'Permanent cycle of crisis': Australian doctors warn against easing of COVID-19 curbs The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has said that even with a higher vaccination rate, the country's hospitals are not ready to cope with the government's reopening plans India vs England 2021, 4th Test: Pitch conditions at Kennington Oval, London weather report and stats India vs England, 4th Test: Ahead of the fourth and penultimate Test between both sides, here's a look at the pitch and weather conditions at Kennington Oval, London. Watch: Gravitas - Al Qaeda calls for liberation of Kashmir

Morning news brief: Australia lockdown woes, Biden vows support to Ukraine & more

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'.

Al&nbsp;Qaeda, &nbsp;the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-expect-us-to-reopen-embassy-in-kabul-have-trade-relations-taliban-409822">Taliban</a> for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief&nbsp;in 2011 in Pakistan.

In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force."

Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir.

"Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban.

It asked the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan to "prepare for the next stage of struggle" as it called for the "liberation" of Palestine land from Israel, asserting that the "victory" of the Taliban in Afghanistan was a "prelude" to the liberation of Palestine.

Watch:

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"America and NATO's Afghan debacle marks the end of the dark era in Western hegemony," it said in the letter, while calling up the Afghan nation to abide by the "Sharia-based policies".

The letter addressed to the Taliban specifically mentions Taliban leader&nbsp;Hibbatullah Akhundzada while praising its late founder&nbsp;Mullah Muhammad Umar who it said&nbsp;"stood firm".

The letter also mentions former president George W Bush who "promised us defeat". Al-Qaida also mentioned Mullah Akhtar Mansour as a "defiant, uncompromising leader" while addressing Jalal ud Din Haqqani as a "mentor of Mujahideen" and "father of martyrs".

"Events proved the way of jihad is the only way that leads victory and empowerment," al Qaeda claimed in the letter.

The terror group made scathing remarks against America claiming that its global reputation was "tarnished" and it was "disgraced and humiliated".

The Taliban fighters had entered Kabul on August 15 as the US escalated its pullout effort. A suicide bomb attack had taken place amid the evacuation at Kabul airport which was claimed by ISIS-K. The attack had claimed the lives of 13 US service members including several Afghans.

The US on Monday night completed its military evacuation as the last C-17 cargo plane left Afghanistan&nbsp;at the stroke of midnight.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'.

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'. Al Qaeda, the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the Taliban for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief in 2011 in Pakistan. In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force." Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir. "Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban. It asked the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan to "prepare for the next stage of struggle" as it called for the "liberation" of Palestine land from Israel, asserting that the "victory" of the Taliban in Afghanistan was a "prelude" to the liberation of Palestine. Watch: "America and NATO's Afghan debacle marks the end of the dark era in Western hegemony," it said in the letter, while calling up the Afghan nation to abide by the "Sharia-based policies". The letter addressed to the Taliban specifically mentions Taliban leader Hibbatullah Akhundzada while praising its late founder Mullah Muhammad Umar who it said "stood firm". The letter also mentions former president George W Bush who "promised us defeat". Al-Qaida also mentioned Mullah Akhtar Mansour as a "defiant, uncompromising leader" while addressing Jalal ud Din Haqqani as a "mentor of Mujahideen" and "father of martyrs". "Events proved the way of jihad is the only way that leads victory and empowerment," al Qaeda claimed in the letter. The terror group made scathing remarks against America claiming that its global reputation was "tarnished" and it was "disgraced and humiliated". The Taliban fighters had entered Kabul on August 15 as the US escalated its pullout effort. A suicide bomb attack had taken place amid the evacuation at Kabul airport which was claimed by ISIS-K. The attack had claimed the lives of 13 US service members including several Afghans. The US on Monday night completed its military evacuation as the last C-17 cargo plane left Afghanistan at the stroke of midnight. (With inputs from Agencies)

Al Qaeda 'congratulates' Taliban; mentions Kashmir, Palestine in letter

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington.&nbsp;

These are the highlights of his address to the nation: 
 
‘It was time to end this war’

Hours after the last US jets left Afghanistan, President Joe Biden made his strongest defence yet for his administration's handling of the drawdown.

Biden said celebrating the end of the US occupation of Afghanistan that he was not ready to allow a "forever war" turn into a "forever exit," noting that the US managed to get the majority of Americans out before the final flights departed.&nbsp;

Biden warns ISIS-K: 'You will pay the ultimate price'

"We will continue the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries," Biden said Tuesday.

"And to ISIS-K: We are not done with you yet," he said, using another acronym for the Afghan offshoot of the Islamic State jihadist group.

US remains ‘committed’ to getting out the remaining Americans from Afghanistan

The president said that "90 per cent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave" while adding that for those who remained beyond the 31 August withdrawal deadline, "there is no deadline."

"We remain committed to getting them out, if they want to come out," he said.

Biden slams Trump’s withdrawal plan

Biden lambasted Trump's agreement with the Taliban to depart by 1 May without any cooperative governance agreements or promises to release hundreds of Taliban prisoners, claiming that the Taliban are in their best position in more than a decade.&nbsp; 
 
I take responsibility for the decision: Biden defends evacuation plan

He stated, "I accept responsibility for the decision."

“Imagine if we started evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American forces and evacuating over 120,000 people in the midst of a civil war,” he continued.

"There would still have been a mad rush to the airport, a breakdown in government confidence and control, and a very difficult and risky mission.” 
 
“The simple truth is that there is no way to evacuate from the conclusion of a war without facing the types of complications, obstacles, and risks we did,” he said. "none.”&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington.

The Islamic State-Khorasan, which killed 13 US troops in a suicide attack at Kabul airport, has been warned by US President Joe Biden that they will face increased retaliation from Washington. These are the highlights of his address to the nation: ‘It was time to end this war’ Hours after the last US jets left Afghanistan, President Joe Biden made his strongest defence yet for his administration's handling of the drawdown. Biden said celebrating the end of the US occupation of Afghanistan that he was not ready to allow a "forever war" turn into a "forever exit," noting that the US managed to get the majority of Americans out before the final flights departed. Biden warns ISIS-K: 'You will pay the ultimate price' "We will continue the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan and other countries," Biden said Tuesday. "And to ISIS-K: We are not done with you yet," he said, using another acronym for the Afghan offshoot of the Islamic State jihadist group. US remains ‘committed’ to getting out the remaining Americans from Afghanistan The president said that "90 per cent of Americans in Afghanistan who wanted to leave were able to leave" while adding that for those who remained beyond the 31 August withdrawal deadline, "there is no deadline." "We remain committed to getting them out, if they want to come out," he said. Biden slams Trump’s withdrawal plan Biden lambasted Trump's agreement with the Taliban to depart by 1 May without any cooperative governance agreements or promises to release hundreds of Taliban prisoners, claiming that the Taliban are in their best position in more than a decade. I take responsibility for the decision: Biden defends evacuation plan He stated, "I accept responsibility for the decision." “Imagine if we started evacuations in June or July, bringing in thousands of American forces and evacuating over 120,000 people in the midst of a civil war,” he continued. "There would still have been a mad rush to the airport, a breakdown in government confidence and control, and a very difficult and risky mission.” “The simple truth is that there is no way to evacuate from the conclusion of a war without facing the types of complications, obstacles, and risks we did,” he said. "none.” (With inputs from agencies)

Highlights of Biden's speech: The President discusses ‘tough decisions’ after US troops leave Afghanistan

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan.

Biden hailed the success of the US airlift of more than 120,000 civilians from Afghanistan, a day after the last US troops left the nation.

"One of the largest airlifts in history was done," Biden remarked.

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"To those who wish America harm, we will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price," says US President <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> 
 
Watch LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/OxEFGlewjf">https://t.co/OxEFGlewjf</a> <a href="https://t.co/s88jLo92l3">pic.twitter.com/s88jLo92l3</a>
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"In all of history, no nation has ever done anything like it; only the United States had the talent, will, and ability to achieve it," he remarked.&nbsp; 
 
Joe Biden declared today at a White House press briefing that he would not continue a "forever war" or a "forever exit" by delaying the withdrawal deadline, which had already passed.

The president went on to say that the August 31 deadline was set to "save American lives," rather than being a "arbitrary deadline."

He also promised to continue assisting those in need, stating, "We are far from done."

"The basic conclusion is that there is no evacuation from the end of a conflict that can avoid the problems that we faced," Biden remarked. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan.

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US military personnel enabled the 'extraordinary success of the mission' in Afghanistan. He said thousands of troops and diplomats "risked their lives" to get people on board planes and out of Afghanistan. Biden hailed the success of the US airlift of more than 120,000 civilians from Afghanistan, a day after the last US troops left the nation. "One of the largest airlifts in history was done," Biden remarked. "To those who wish America harm, we will hunt you down and you will pay the ultimate price," says US President @JoeBiden Watch LIVE: https://t.co/OxEFGlewjf pic.twitter.com/s88jLo92l3 — WION (@WIONews) August 31, 2021 × "In all of history, no nation has ever done anything like it; only the United States had the talent, will, and ability to achieve it," he remarked. Joe Biden declared today at a White House press briefing that he would not continue a "forever war" or a "forever exit" by delaying the withdrawal deadline, which had already passed. The president went on to say that the August 31 deadline was set to "save American lives," rather than being a "arbitrary deadline." He also promised to continue assisting those in need, stating, "We are far from done." "The basic conclusion is that there is no evacuation from the end of a conflict that can avoid the problems that we faced," Biden remarked. (With inputs from agencies)

President Joe Biden calls US evacuation from Afghanistan 'extraordinary success'

With the US troop withdrawal finally over, former president Donald Trump said that never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as by Americans from Afghanistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The United States flew its last military flight out of Kabul to bring back all of its armed forces from the war-torn country. The move marked the end of the America's longest war.

Watch | Gravitas: Thanks to America, Taliban now has an Air Force

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In the aftermath, the Taliban has regained control in the country, which they lost after the US invasion in retaliation for the 9/11 attacks.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan," Trump said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/major-general-chris-donahue-last-us-soldier-to-leave-afghanistan-409547" hreflang="en">Major General Chris Donahue: Last US soldier to leave Afghanistan</a> &nbsp;

"In addition to the obvious, ALL EQUIPMENT should be demanded to be immediately returned to the United States, and that includes every penny of the USD 85 billion dollars in cost," the former president said. &nbsp;

"If it is not handed back, we should either go in with unequivocal military force and get it, or at least bomb the hell out of it. Nobody ever thought such stupidity, as this feeble-brained withdrawal, was possible!" he added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the US troop withdrawal finally over, former president Donald Trump said that never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as by Americans from Afghanistan.

With the US troop withdrawal finally over, former president Donald Trump said that never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as by Americans from Afghanistan. The United States flew its last military flight out of Kabul to bring back all of its armed forces from the war-torn country. The move marked the end of the America's longest war. Watch | Gravitas: Thanks to America, Taliban now has an Air Force × In the aftermath, the Taliban has regained control in the country, which they lost after the US invasion in retaliation for the 9/11 attacks. "Never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan," Trump said. Also Read | Major General Chris Donahue: Last US soldier to leave Afghanistan "In addition to the obvious, ALL EQUIPMENT should be demanded to be immediately returned to the United States, and that includes every penny of the USD 85 billion dollars in cost," the former president said. "If it is not handed back, we should either go in with unequivocal military force and get it, or at least bomb the hell out of it. Nobody ever thought such stupidity, as this feeble-brained withdrawal, was possible!" he added. (With inputs from agencies)

With last US military flight out of Kabul, Trump slams worst withdrawal from war in history

As the 20-year military presence of the US in Afghanistan ends, President Joe Biden said Taliban must honour commitments on safe passage. There are 200 Americans still left, who want to move out. &nbsp;

Biden added the Secretary of State Antony Blinken will lead the continued coordination with international partners to ensure the safe passage for any US citizens, Afghan partners or foreign nationals, who still want to leave the war-torn country. &nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: American Defence firms exploits desperation of Afghans

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Blinken said less than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan, who want to leave, and the US will make efforts to get them out. The US would work with the neighbours of Afghanistan to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once the Kabul airport re-opens, Blinken added. &nbsp;

The US president also said the continued efforts also include the work to build on the UN Security Council resolution, which sent a clear message about the international community’s expectations from the Taliban that it would deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-completes-military-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-409541" hreflang="en">US completes military withdrawal from Afghanistan</a>

President said, “The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As the 20-year military presence of the US in Afghanistan ends, President Joe Biden said Taliban must honour commitments on safe passage. There are 200 Americans still left, who want to move out.

As the 20-year military presence of the US in Afghanistan ends, President Joe Biden said Taliban must honour commitments on safe passage. There are 200 Americans still left, who want to move out. Biden added the Secretary of State Antony Blinken will lead the continued coordination with international partners to ensure the safe passage for any US citizens, Afghan partners or foreign nationals, who still want to leave the war-torn country. Watch | Gravitas: American Defence firms exploits desperation of Afghans × Blinken said less than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan, who want to leave, and the US will make efforts to get them out. The US would work with the neighbours of Afghanistan to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once the Kabul airport re-opens, Blinken added. The US president also said the continued efforts also include the work to build on the UN Security Council resolution, which sent a clear message about the international community’s expectations from the Taliban that it would deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. Also Read | US completes military withdrawal from Afghanistan President said, “The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan." (With inputs from agencies)

Biden urges Taliban to honour commitments as under 200 Americans still left in Afghanistan  

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport.

In a video that has gone viral on the internet, Biden appears to look down at his watch, sparking criticism from conservatives.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/teachers-should-be-priority-group-for-covid-19-jabs-says-who-409369">Also read |&nbsp;Teachers should be priority group for COVID-19 jabs, says WHO</a>

Nicholas Fondacaro, a news analyst for the Media Research Center, tweeted the video, saying, "It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it".

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It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. <a href="https://t.co/M3QVzJbTIm">pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm</a>
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/1432046273666895875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican wrote.

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Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered. <a href="https://t.co/sFfW032JNm">https://t.co/sFfW032JNm</a>
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMikeHuckabee/status/1432051833606918152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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What is really sad is that he stood there with his hand over his heart. As Commander and Chief he should have showed proper respect and saluted the fallen!!!
— Eddie St Martin (@EddieStMartin1) <a href="https://twitter.com/EddieStMartin1/status/1432074349884985346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Disgusting <a href="https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX">https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX</a>
— Kelli Berry (@Berrykelli8) <a href="https://twitter.com/Berrykelli8/status/1432244915069603848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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He’s so rude <a href="https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr">https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr</a>
— RERE (@RobinAu02766894) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinAu02766894/status/1432131854686109701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Department of Defense&nbsp;identified the 13 members of the US&nbsp;military who were killed in the attack on the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan&nbsp;as they worked to evacuate people to safety.

They hailed from across the country,&nbsp;from California to Wyoming to Tennessee, and had an average age of just over 22. Eleven were Marines, one was a Navy medic and another was a member of the Army.

&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport.

US President Joe Biden is being attacked for appearing to look at his watch during a ceremony for the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing near the Kabul airport. In a video that has gone viral on the internet, Biden appears to look down at his watch, sparking criticism from conservatives. Also read | Teachers should be priority group for COVID-19 jabs, says WHO Nicholas Fondacaro, a news analyst for the Media Research Center, tweeted the video, saying, "It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it". It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 29, 2021 × "Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered," former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican wrote. Many of us remember Pres Bush 41 checking his watch during a debate and how awful it looked (even though we all felt same way about that debate.) But this is shocking and will be remembered. https://t.co/sFfW032JNm — Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) August 29, 2021 × What is really sad is that he stood there with his hand over his heart. As Commander and Chief he should have showed proper respect and saluted the fallen!!! — Eddie St Martin (@EddieStMartin1) August 29, 2021 × Disgusting https://t.co/wpmIiP2JpX — Kelli Berry (@Berrykelli8) August 30, 2021 × He’s so rude https://t.co/kwYQ4H6oBr — RERE (@RobinAu02766894) August 30, 2021 × The Department of Defense identified the 13 members of the US military who were killed in the attack on the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan as they worked to evacuate people to safety. They hailed from across the country, from California to Wyoming to Tennessee, and had an average age of just over 22. Eleven were Marines, one was a Navy medic and another was a member of the Army.

Biden slammed for appearing to look at his watch during Marine homage ceremony

US President Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday morning&nbsp;to pay respects to the 13 service members who were killed in Kabul in an attack earlier in the week.

Biden&nbsp;and his wife, Jill, "will meet with the families of fallen American service members who gave their lives to save Americans, our partners, and our Afghan allies in Kabul," ahead of a transfer of the remains, according to the president's daily schedule.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-loud-explosion-heard-in-kabul-few-hours-after-bidens-warning-409224">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Loud explosion heard in Kabul few hours after Biden's warning</a>

Thursday's attack, which was claimed by ISIS-K,&nbsp;the Afghan affiliate of Islamic State, was the most lethal incident or&nbsp;US&nbsp;service members in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;in a decade.

The bombing took place just outside the gates of the airport, where thousands of people have gathered to try to get a flight out since the Taliban returned to power on August&nbsp;15..

Biden&nbsp;has vowed to punish those responsible for the airport bomb.

The&nbsp;US military said on Saturday that it had&nbsp;killed&nbsp;two ISIS-K militants in a drone attack in&nbsp;Afghanistan.

This comes in after a loud explosion was heard in the capital city of Afghanistan.

While it is not yet clear where exactly did the explosion happen, smoke was seen rising from the&nbsp;Khwaja Bugra area in PD15.

As per local reports, it is being believed by the locals that the source of the explosion was a rocket that has hit a house near the north gate of Kabul airport. However, the airport has not been hit.

US President Joe Biden traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday morning to pay respects to the 13 service members who were killed in Kabul in an attack earlier in the week.

US President Joe Biden traveled to the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday morning to pay respects to the 13 service members who were killed in Kabul in an attack earlier in the week. Biden and his wife, Jill, "will meet with the families of fallen American service members who gave their lives to save Americans, our partners, and our Afghan allies in Kabul," ahead of a transfer of the remains, according to the president's daily schedule. Also read | Afghanistan: Loud explosion heard in Kabul few hours after Biden's warning Thursday's attack, which was claimed by ISIS-K, the Afghan affiliate of Islamic State, was the most lethal incident or US service members in Afghanistan in a decade. The bombing took place just outside the gates of the airport, where thousands of people have gathered to try to get a flight out since the Taliban returned to power on August 15.. Biden has vowed to punish those responsible for the airport bomb. The US military said on Saturday that it had killed two ISIS-K militants in a drone attack in Afghanistan. This comes in after a loud explosion was heard in the capital city of Afghanistan. While it is not yet clear where exactly did the explosion happen, smoke was seen rising from the Khwaja Bugra area in PD15. As per local reports, it is being believed by the locals that the source of the explosion was a rocket that has hit a house near the north gate of Kabul airport. However, the airport has not been hit.

Biden visits US air base to pay tribute to service personnel killed in Kabul

Just before nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna&nbsp;to get rid of sanctions, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei has compared US President Joe Biden with his predecessor Donald Trump. Khamenei said Biden is no different from Trump and called him 'predatory wolf'. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The supreme leader slammed the behaviour of the US on Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal on Saturday. He said the country behaved as if Iran had left the accord as the US unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018 and imposed harsh sanctions. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Iranian, Gulf Arab officials meet in Baghdad

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Talking about the signatories to the deal from Europe, Khamenei said, “they are like the US as well, but in words and rhetoric they are always demanding, as if it was Iran that for long ridiculed and undermined negotiations”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The remarks came when he met with President Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet, which had earlier gained a sweeping vote of confidence in the parliament on Wednesday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-ida-strengthens-louisiana-braces-for-severe-blow-409120" hreflang="en">Hurricane Ida strengthens, Louisiana braces for severe blow</a>

Earlier, Iran's supreme leader declared Tehran would not accept Washington's "stubborn" demands in talks to revive a 2015 nuclear deal and said the United States had failed to guarantee that it would never abandon the pact again. &nbsp;

"The Americans acted completely cowardly and maliciously," state TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying. &nbsp;

"They once violated the nuclear deal at no cost by exiting it. Now they explicitly say that they cannot give guarantees that it would not happen again." &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Just before nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna to get rid of sanctions, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei has compared US President Joe Biden with his predecessor Donald Trump.

Just before nuclear talks with world powers in Vienna to get rid of sanctions, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei has compared US President Joe Biden with his predecessor Donald Trump. Khamenei said Biden is no different from Trump and called him 'predatory wolf'. The supreme leader slammed the behaviour of the US on Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal on Saturday. He said the country behaved as if Iran had left the accord as the US unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018 and imposed harsh sanctions. Watch: Iranian, Gulf Arab officials meet in Baghdad × Talking about the signatories to the deal from Europe, Khamenei said, “they are like the US as well, but in words and rhetoric they are always demanding, as if it was Iran that for long ridiculed and undermined negotiations”. The remarks came when he met with President Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet, which had earlier gained a sweeping vote of confidence in the parliament on Wednesday. Also Read: Hurricane Ida strengthens, Louisiana braces for severe blow Earlier, Iran's supreme leader declared Tehran would not accept Washington's "stubborn" demands in talks to revive a 2015 nuclear deal and said the United States had failed to guarantee that it would never abandon the pact again. "The Americans acted completely cowardly and maliciously," state TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying. "They once violated the nuclear deal at no cost by exiting it. Now they explicitly say that they cannot give guarantees that it would not happen again." (With inputs from agencies)

Before talks, Iran's supreme leader says 'predatory wolf' Biden no different from Trump  

A senior&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;official&nbsp;held&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;for the&nbsp;first&nbsp;time&nbsp;since President&nbsp;Joe&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;took office in January to focus on managing risk between the two countries, a US official&nbsp;told Reuters on Friday.

The United States has put countering China at the heart of its national security policy for years and&nbsp;Biden's administration has described rivalry with Beijing as "the biggest geopolitical test" of this century.

Relations between China and the United States have grown increasingly tense, with the world's two largest economies clashing over everything from Taiwan and China's human rights record to its&nbsp;military&nbsp;activity in the South China Sea.

Despite the tensions and heated rhetoric, US military&nbsp;officials have long sought to have open lines of communication with their&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;counterparts to be able to mitigate potential flare-ups or deal with any accidents.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-virus-origins-us-intelligence-community-says-it-was-not-developed-as-biological-weapon-408909">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19 virus&nbsp;origins:&nbsp;US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon</a>

Michael Chase, deputy assistant secretary of defence for China, spoke last week with&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;Major General Huang Xueping, deputy director for the People's Liberation Army Office for International&nbsp;Military&nbsp;Cooperation.

"(They) utilised the U.S.-PRC Defence Telephone Link to conduct a secure video conference," the US official&nbsp;said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the two militaries," the&nbsp;official&nbsp;added.

Officials said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has yet to speak with his&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;counterpart, in part because there was a debate about which&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;official&nbsp;was Austin's counterpart.

Vice President Kamala Harris said on Thursday that the United States welcomes competition and does not seek conflict with Beijing, but will speak up on issues such as maritime&nbsp;disputes in the South China Sea.

China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan lay claim to parts of the South China Sea, which is crossed by vital shipping lanes and contains gas fields and rich fishing grounds.

Biden&nbsp;has ramped up sanctions on China over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.

In a shift from his predecessor as president, Donald Trump,&nbsp;Biden&nbsp;has broadly sought to rally allies and partners to help counter what the White House says is China's increasingly coercive economic and foreign policies.

A senior Pentagon official held talks with the Chinese military for the first time since President Joe Biden took office in January to focus on managing risk between the two countries, a US official told Reuters on Friday.

A senior Pentagon official held talks with the Chinese military for the first time since President Joe Biden took office in January to focus on managing risk between the two countries, a US official told Reuters on Friday. The United States has put countering China at the heart of its national security policy for years and Biden's administration has described rivalry with Beijing as "the biggest geopolitical test" of this century. Relations between China and the United States have grown increasingly tense, with the world's two largest economies clashing over everything from Taiwan and China's human rights record to its military activity in the South China Sea. Despite the tensions and heated rhetoric, US military officials have long sought to have open lines of communication with their Chinese counterparts to be able to mitigate potential flare-ups or deal with any accidents. Also read | COVID-19 virus origins: US intelligence community says it was 'not developed' as biological weapon Michael Chase, deputy assistant secretary of defence for China, spoke last week with Chinese Major General Huang Xueping, deputy director for the People's Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation. "(They) utilised the U.S.-PRC Defence Telephone Link to conduct a secure video conference," the US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the two militaries," the official added. Officials said US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has yet to speak with his Chinese counterpart, in part because there was a debate about which Chinese official was Austin's counterpart. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Thursday that the United States welcomes competition and does not seek conflict with Beijing, but will speak up on issues such as maritime disputes in the South China Sea. China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan lay claim to parts of the South China Sea, which is crossed by vital shipping lanes and contains gas fields and rich fishing grounds. Biden has ramped up sanctions on China over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. In a shift from his predecessor as president, Donald Trump, Biden has broadly sought to rally allies and partners to help counter what the White House says is China's increasingly coercive economic and foreign policies.

Pentagon holds talks with Chinese military for first time under Biden

The United States President Joe Biden paid tribute to US soldiers who lost their lives in suicide bomb blasts at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan on Thursday (August 26) and hailed them as "selfless heroes".&nbsp;

Biden also issued a stern warning to those who are responsible for the attacks that caused mayhem at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport amid the mass evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The United States President Joe Biden paid tribute to US soldiers who lost their lives in suicide bomb blasts at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan on Thursday (August 26) and hailed them as "selfless heroes".

The United States President Joe Biden paid tribute to US soldiers who lost their lives in suicide bomb blasts at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan on Thursday (August 26) and hailed them as "selfless heroes". Biden also issued a stern warning to those who are responsible for the attacks that caused mayhem at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport amid the mass evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan.

temp article for testing - do not publish - 2

President Joe Biden is being briefed on the bloody attack against Kabul's airport, the White House said Thursday, delaying a planned meeting with Israel's visiting prime minister and canceling another event.

"The president has been briefed and he is in the Situation Room," an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"The president met with his national security team this morning... and commanders on the ground. He will continue to be briefed on updates on the evolving situation throughout the day," the White House said in a statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-chaotic-scenes-in-airport-hospital-after-kabul-airport-terror-attack-408595">Also read |&nbsp;WATCH: Chaotic scenes in airport, hospital after Kabul airport terror attack</a>

As a result of the crisis, a meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett planned for 11:30 "will be delayed," a White House official said.

"There is not yet an updated time for the meeting," a spokesman for Bennett said, adding the delay was due "to the events in Afghanistan."

At least six people were killed and a dozen wounded outside Kabul's airport in two explosions as the United States entered the final days of a massive evacuation of troops and allies to end its two-decade war against the Taliban.

In addition to disrupting the long-planned Oval Office meeting with Israel's new prime minister, the crisis prompted cancelation of a scheduled video conference between Biden and state governors who are set to house Afghan refugees from the massive US airlift.

The daily briefing by Biden's press secretary, Jen Psaki, was also delayed as the White House scrambled to cope with the emergency.

President Joe Biden is being briefed on the bloody attack against Kabul's airport, the White House said Thursday, delaying a planned meeting with Israel's visiting prime minister and canceling another event.

President Joe Biden is being briefed on the bloody attack against Kabul's airport, the White House said Thursday, delaying a planned meeting with Israel's visiting prime minister and canceling another event. "The president has been briefed and he is in the Situation Room," an official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "The president met with his national security team this morning... and commanders on the ground. He will continue to be briefed on updates on the evolving situation throughout the day," the White House said in a statement. Also read | WATCH: Chaotic scenes in airport, hospital after Kabul airport terror attack As a result of the crisis, a meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett planned for 11:30 "will be delayed," a White House official said. "There is not yet an updated time for the meeting," a spokesman for Bennett said, adding the delay was due "to the events in Afghanistan." At least six people were killed and a dozen wounded outside Kabul's airport in two explosions as the United States entered the final days of a massive evacuation of troops and allies to end its two-decade war against the Taliban. In addition to disrupting the long-planned Oval Office meeting with Israel's new prime minister, the crisis prompted cancelation of a scheduled video conference between Biden and state governors who are set to house Afghan refugees from the massive US airlift. The daily briefing by Biden's press secretary, Jen Psaki, was also delayed as the White House scrambled to cope with the emergency.

Biden clears agenda to focus on Afghan airport attack

Lieutenant general Sami Sadat of Afghanistan army launched a harsh attack on the US and Afghan governments, saying that politics and presidents had failed his Army.

In his opinion article for The New York Times, Sami Sadat wrote that Joe Biden’s full and accelerated withdrawal has only made matters worse. The US president&nbsp;ignored the conditions on the ground, wrote Sadat.

"The last days of the fighting were surreal. We engaged in an intense exchange of fire on the ground against the Taliban as American fighter jets circled above us, in fact spectators. Our sense of abandonment and betrayal was matched only by the frustration the American pilots felt and conveyed to us – being forced to witness the war on the ground, seemingly unable to help us," he wrote. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-100-afghan-evacuees-may-have-ties-with-isis-reports-408262">Also read | Nearly 100 Afghan evacuees may have ties with ISIS: Reports</a> 
 
"We have been betrayed by politics and presidents. It wasn’t just an Afghan war; it was an international war, with many military personnel involved. It would have been impossible for a single army, ours, to resume work and fight. It was a military defeat, but it stemmed from a political failure," he wrote. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/anticipated-taliban-takeover-but-timeline-surprised-us-cds-bipin-rawat-408238" hreflang="en">Anticipated Taliban takeover but timeline surprised us: CDS Bipin Rawat</a>

Appreciating his soldiers he wrote that "My corps, which had carried on even after I was called away to Kabul, was one of the last to give up its arms — only after the capital fell." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-panjshir-valley-a-graveyard-for-invaders-408018">Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;Panjshir Valley: A graveyard for invaders</a>

"The Taliban had a firm American end date and feared no military retaliation for anything they had done in the meantime, sensing the unwillingness of the United States. And so the Taliban continued to gain strength. My soldiers and I suffered up to seven Taliban car bombings per day in July and the first week of August in Helmand province," he wrote. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-will-help-pakistan-conquer-kashmir-leader-of-imran-khans-party-408045">Watch | Taliban will help Pakistan conquer Kashmir: Leader of Imran Khan’s party</a>

Sadat had been using firepower as well as social media to wage a war against the Taliban, especially in its heartland. 
 
In Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand, the 36-year-old commander of the country's Special Forces had been fighting the Taliban and keeping them out. 
&nbsp; 
In southwestern Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Sami Sadat led the Afghan National Army's 215th Maiwand Corps. 
&nbsp; 
Prior to that, he was the Afghan National Intelligence Agency's Senior Director.

Lieutenant general Sami Sadat of Afghanistan army launched a harsh attack on the US and Afghan governments, saying that politics and presidents had failed his Army.

Lieutenant general Sami Sadat of Afghanistan army launched a harsh attack on the US and Afghan governments, saying that politics and presidents had failed his Army. In his opinion article for The New York Times, Sami Sadat wrote that Joe Biden’s full and accelerated withdrawal has only made matters worse. The US president ignored the conditions on the ground, wrote Sadat. "The last days of the fighting were surreal. We engaged in an intense exchange of fire on the ground against the Taliban as American fighter jets circled above us, in fact spectators. Our sense of abandonment and betrayal was matched only by the frustration the American pilots felt and conveyed to us – being forced to witness the war on the ground, seemingly unable to help us," he wrote. Also read | Nearly 100 Afghan evacuees may have ties with ISIS: Reports "We have been betrayed by politics and presidents. It wasn’t just an Afghan war; it was an international war, with many military personnel involved. It would have been impossible for a single army, ours, to resume work and fight. It was a military defeat, but it stemmed from a political failure," he wrote. Also read | Anticipated Taliban takeover but timeline surprised us: CDS Bipin Rawat Appreciating his soldiers he wrote that "My corps, which had carried on even after I was called away to Kabul, was one of the last to give up its arms — only after the capital fell." Also Read | Panjshir Valley: A graveyard for invaders "The Taliban had a firm American end date and feared no military retaliation for anything they had done in the meantime, sensing the unwillingness of the United States. And so the Taliban continued to gain strength. My soldiers and I suffered up to seven Taliban car bombings per day in July and the first week of August in Helmand province," he wrote. Watch | Taliban will help Pakistan conquer Kashmir: Leader of Imran Khan’s party Sadat had been using firepower as well as social media to wage a war against the Taliban, especially in its heartland. In Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand, the 36-year-old commander of the country's Special Forces had been fighting the Taliban and keeping them out. In southwestern Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Sami Sadat led the Afghan National Army's 215th Maiwand Corps. Prior to that, he was the Afghan National Intelligence Agency's Senior Director.

Commander of Afghan army speaks out: We were betrayed by politics and presidents

With thousands of desperate Afghans and foreigners massed at Kabul's airport in the hope of fleeing Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers, US&nbsp;President Joe Biden is expected to decide as soon as Tuesday on whether to extend an August&nbsp;31 deadline to airlift Americans and their allies to safety. 
 
Biden warned on Sunday that the evacuation was going to be "hard and painful" and much could still go wrong. US&nbsp;troops might stay beyond an August&nbsp;31 deadline to oversee the evacuation, he said.

Watch:&nbsp;'Why is world silent?', asks Afghan's First Female Sikh MP Anarkali Kaur Honaryar

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On Monday, an administration official told Reuters that Biden would decide within 24 hours whether to extend the timeline to give the Pentagon time to prepare. 
 
Beyond the need to remove thousands of Americans, citizens of allied countries and Afghans who worked with US&nbsp;forces, Department of Defense officials said it would still take days to fly out the 6,000 troops deployed to secure and run the airlift.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-afghan-army-chief-wali-muhammad-ahmadzai-at-kabul-airport-set-to-leave-afghanistan-407948">Former Afghan Army chief at Kabul airport, set to leave Afghanistan</a> 
 
Some Biden advisers were arguing against extending the self-imposed deadline for security reasons. Biden could signal his intentions at a virtual meeting of the Group of Seven wealthy nations on Tuesday. 
 
Two US&nbsp;officials had said the expectation was that the United States would continue evacuations past August&nbsp;31. A senior State Department official told reporters the country's commitment to at-risk Afghans "doesn't end on August&nbsp;31."

A Taliban official said foreign forces had not sought an extension and it would not be granted if they had. Washington said negotiations were continuing.

With thousands of desperate Afghans and foreigners massed at Kabul's airport in the hope of fleeing Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers, US President Joe Biden is expected to decide as soon as Tuesday on whether to extend an August 31 deadline to airlift Americans and their allies to safety.

With thousands of desperate Afghans and foreigners massed at Kabul's airport in the hope of fleeing Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers, US President Joe Biden is expected to decide as soon as Tuesday on whether to extend an August 31 deadline to airlift Americans and their allies to safety. Biden warned on Sunday that the evacuation was going to be "hard and painful" and much could still go wrong. US troops might stay beyond an August 31 deadline to oversee the evacuation, he said. Watch: 'Why is world silent?', asks Afghan's First Female Sikh MP Anarkali Kaur Honaryar × On Monday, an administration official told Reuters that Biden would decide within 24 hours whether to extend the timeline to give the Pentagon time to prepare. Beyond the need to remove thousands of Americans, citizens of allied countries and Afghans who worked with US forces, Department of Defense officials said it would still take days to fly out the 6,000 troops deployed to secure and run the airlift. Also Read: Former Afghan Army chief at Kabul airport, set to leave Afghanistan Some Biden advisers were arguing against extending the self-imposed deadline for security reasons. Biden could signal his intentions at a virtual meeting of the Group of Seven wealthy nations on Tuesday. Two US officials had said the expectation was that the United States would continue evacuations past August 31. A senior State Department official told reporters the country's commitment to at-risk Afghans "doesn't end on August 31." A Taliban official said foreign forces had not sought an extension and it would not be granted if they had. Washington said negotiations were continuing.

Biden expected to decide within 24 hours on Afghan evacuation deadline

When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody."&nbsp;

Joe Biden defended his decision to remove American soldiers from Afghanistan at a press conference at the White House on Sunday, saying it was now on to the Taliban to look for the country's people.&nbsp;

When a journalist asked if he now trusted the Taliban, Biden said, "I don't trust anyone. "Taliban must make a critical decision. Is the Taliban going to try to bring Afghanistan's people together and cater for their needs, as no other party has done in the last 100 years?"&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shocking-images-of-children-at-kabul-airport-amid-evacuation-407731">In Pics:&nbsp;Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation</a>

"Taliban has said and we will see whether they mean or not. They are seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they would be recognised by other countries. They have told other countries as well as us that they do not want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. All this talk now, so far Taliban has not taken actions against US forces," he added.

His remarks come as countries continue to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan through the Kabul airport, which is under US forces'' control.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | "I don’t trust anybody, including you, I love you but there is not a lot of people I trust. Taliban has to make a fundamental decision," says US President Joe Biden on being asked --do you trust them (Taliban) now? <a href="https://t.co/LDREjZm5Yn">pic.twitter.com/LDREjZm5Yn</a>
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The evacuations are being carried out as the security situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban and the collapse of Ashraf Ghani's government.

Since August 14, the US military has evacuated roughly 25,100 people from Afghanistan, with a total of 30,000 since the end of July. 
 
Watch | Taliban 'mock US' with propaganda photo copying Iwo Jima flag raising

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Biden stated that he is in talks with senior military leaders about extending the Afghan evacuation mission beyond the August 31 deadline.&nbsp;

"Kabul evacuation is among the largest and most difficult airlifts in history," Biden had said.

The US has enlarged the safe zone surrounding the Kabul airport, according to Biden.

"We've made a lot of improvements, including expanding the safe zone and increasing access surrounding the airport," he added.

Biden described the withdrawal from Afghanistan as the "most difficult and biggest airlift in history" on Friday.

He had promised that all Americans and friends would be evacuated from the war-torn country.

(With inputs from agencies)

When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody.

When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody." Joe Biden defended his decision to remove American soldiers from Afghanistan at a press conference at the White House on Sunday, saying it was now on to the Taliban to look for the country's people. When a journalist asked if he now trusted the Taliban, Biden said, "I don't trust anyone. "Taliban must make a critical decision. Is the Taliban going to try to bring Afghanistan's people together and cater for their needs, as no other party has done in the last 100 years?" In Pics: Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation "Taliban has said and we will see whether they mean or not. They are seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they would be recognised by other countries. They have told other countries as well as us that they do not want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. All this talk now, so far Taliban has not taken actions against US forces," he added. His remarks come as countries continue to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan through the Kabul airport, which is under US forces'' control. #WATCH | "I don’t trust anybody, including you, I love you but there is not a lot of people I trust. Taliban has to make a fundamental decision," says US President Joe Biden on being asked --do you trust them (Taliban) now? pic.twitter.com/LDREjZm5Yn — ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2021 × The evacuations are being carried out as the security situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban and the collapse of Ashraf Ghani's government. Since August 14, the US military has evacuated roughly 25,100 people from Afghanistan, with a total of 30,000 since the end of July. Watch | Taliban 'mock US' with propaganda photo copying Iwo Jima flag raising Biden stated that he is in talks with senior military leaders about extending the Afghan evacuation mission beyond the August 31 deadline. "Kabul evacuation is among the largest and most difficult airlifts in history," Biden had said. The US has enlarged the safe zone surrounding the Kabul airport, according to Biden. "We've made a lot of improvements, including expanding the safe zone and increasing access surrounding the airport," he added. Biden described the withdrawal from Afghanistan as the "most difficult and biggest airlift in history" on Friday. He had promised that all Americans and friends would be evacuated from the war-torn country. (With inputs from agencies)

'I don't trust anybody': US President Biden on being asked if he trusts Taliban 

As he confronts a barrage of criticism for his management of the US departure, US President Biden spoke on Friday about the effort to evacuate American people and Afghan friends from Afghanistan in the face of the Taliban's takeover.&nbsp;

"This is one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history," Biden said in a televised address from the White House. "I cannot promise what the final outcome will be." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/muscles-sliced-off-strangled-with-scarf-nine-men-of-the-hazara-minority-killed-by-taliban-407237">Also read | Muscles sliced off, strangled with scarf: Nine men of the Hazara minority killed by Taliban</a>

The president said US forces have airlifted 13,000 people out of Afghanistan since August 14, and 18,000 since July, with thousands more evacuated on private charter flights "facilitated by the US government." 
 
Here are the highlights of the speech of US President Joe Biden: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>The Kabul evacuation was among 'largest and most difficult airlifts in history.</li>
	<li>US has airlifted 13,000 people out of Kabul since Aug 14.</li>
	<li>Biden says cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation.</li>
	<li>US allies do not raise the 'question of our credibility'.</li>
	<li>Cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation. 
	&nbsp;
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	Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks on the evacuation of American citizens and their families, SIV applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans. <a href="https://t.co/1YZRbu3Znj">https://t.co/1YZRbu3Znj</a>
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According to the Pentagon, 22,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) candidates would be transferred to the United States and accommodated at three military sites. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-burn-down-amusement-park-in-afghanistan-406897">Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan</a>

Officials have recognised, however, that this amount may climb, and relief organisations and some politicians have called for it to be significantly raised.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

As he confronts a barrage of criticism for his management of the US departure, US President Biden spoke on Friday about the effort to evacuate American people and Afghan friends from Afghanistan in the face of the Taliban's takeover.

As he confronts a barrage of criticism for his management of the US departure, US President Biden spoke on Friday about the effort to evacuate American people and Afghan friends from Afghanistan in the face of the Taliban's takeover. "This is one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history," Biden said in a televised address from the White House. "I cannot promise what the final outcome will be." Also read | Muscles sliced off, strangled with scarf: Nine men of the Hazara minority killed by Taliban The president said US forces have airlifted 13,000 people out of Afghanistan since August 14, and 18,000 since July, with thousands more evacuated on private charter flights "facilitated by the US government." Here are the highlights of the speech of US President Joe Biden: The Kabul evacuation was among 'largest and most difficult airlifts in history. US has airlifted 13,000 people out of Kabul since Aug 14. Biden says cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation. US allies do not raise the 'question of our credibility'. Cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation. Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks on the evacuation of American citizens and their families, SIV applicants and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans. https://t.co/1YZRbu3Znj — The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 20, 2021 × According to the Pentagon, 22,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) candidates would be transferred to the United States and accommodated at three military sites. Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan Officials have recognised, however, that this amount may climb, and relief organisations and some politicians have called for it to be significantly raised. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan: Biden says cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation

With a new US school year beginning, President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned governors who oppose student mask requirements that they could face legal action for intimidating educators seeking to protect children against Covid-19.

In the latest political flashpoint over the coronavirus pandemic, Republican governors in Florida and Texas, two of the country's largest states, have rejected recommendations by health authorities to require that students wear masks when they return to the classroom.

Florida's Board of Education raised eyebrows when it voted this week to slap punishments on two school districts that instituted mask mandates in defiance of Governor Ron DeSantis.

Biden did not mention DeSantis by name, but his comments in a White House address appeared squarely aimed at the governor, who is believed to harbor presidential ambitions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/life-under-taliban-in-kabul-the-pakistan-connection-406584">Also read |&nbsp;Life under Taliban in Kabul &amp; the Pakistan connection</a>

"Unfortunately... some politicians are trying to turn public safety measures,&nbsp;that is, children wearing masks in school, into political disputes for their own political gain," Biden said. "They're setting a dangerous tone."

As a response, the president said he instructed Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to use "legal action, if appropriate, against governors who are trying to block and intimidate local school officials and educators."

"If you aren't going to fight Covid-19, at least get out of the way of everyone else who's trying."

Biden also slammed protesters who have interrupted school board meetings, singling out angry parents in Tennessee who he said threatened doctors and nurses making the case for masking children in schools.

"The intimidation and threats we're seeing across the country are wrong. They're unacceptable," Biden said.

The United States is facing a resurgence of Covid-19 infections, as the Delta variant spreads.

Along with fierce opposition to mask mandates in certain quarters, the country's mass vaccination program also faces some resistance, particularly in politically conservative regions in the South and Midwest.

With a new US school year beginning, President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned governors who oppose student mask requirements that they could face legal action for intimidating educators seeking to protect children against Covid-19.

With a new US school year beginning, President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned governors who oppose student mask requirements that they could face legal action for intimidating educators seeking to protect children against Covid-19. In the latest political flashpoint over the coronavirus pandemic, Republican governors in Florida and Texas, two of the country's largest states, have rejected recommendations by health authorities to require that students wear masks when they return to the classroom. Florida's Board of Education raised eyebrows when it voted this week to slap punishments on two school districts that instituted mask mandates in defiance of Governor Ron DeSantis. Biden did not mention DeSantis by name, but his comments in a White House address appeared squarely aimed at the governor, who is believed to harbor presidential ambitions. Also read | Life under Taliban in Kabul & the Pakistan connection "Unfortunately... some politicians are trying to turn public safety measures, that is, children wearing masks in school, into political disputes for their own political gain," Biden said. "They're setting a dangerous tone." As a response, the president said he instructed Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to use "legal action, if appropriate, against governors who are trying to block and intimidate local school officials and educators." "If you aren't going to fight Covid-19, at least get out of the way of everyone else who's trying." Biden also slammed protesters who have interrupted school board meetings, singling out angry parents in Tennessee who he said threatened doctors and nurses making the case for masking children in schools. "The intimidation and threats we're seeing across the country are wrong. They're unacceptable," Biden said. The United States is facing a resurgence of Covid-19 infections, as the Delta variant spreads. Along with fierce opposition to mask mandates in certain quarters, the country's mass vaccination program also faces some resistance, particularly in politically conservative regions in the South and Midwest.

Biden warns of action against governors opposing school mask mandates

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