<p>President Joe Biden has informed G7 leaders that the US mission in Kabul is "on pace" to end by an August 31 pullout deadline.</p>

<p>However, Biden has warned the deadline would depend on Taliban cooperation regarding evacuee access to Kabul airport and has ordered contingency plans to "adjust the timeline" if necessary.</p>

<p>Biden sent thousands of US&nbsp;troops to the Kabul airport after the Taliban militant group took over the city and much of the country less than two weeks ago.</p>

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<p>The nearly 6,000 US&nbsp;troops are helping to evacuate American citizens and at-risk Afghans and to protect the airport so other countries can evacuate their citizens as well.</p>

<p>Biden sent CIA Director William Burns to meet Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday in the highest level official encounter since the militant group took over the Afghan capital.</p>

<p>The Pentagon earlier said that it was confident the military can evacuate all Americans who want to leave. Whether thousands of at-risk Afghans would all be evacuated was unclear.</p>

<p>"We're absolutely still aiming towards the end of the month," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, while adding that the Pentagon may need additional bases to house evacuees from Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Kirby said "several thousand" Americans have been evacuated from Afghanistan but declined to give a more specific figure. He also said he was unable to provide the percentage of Americans in Afghanistan who have now been evacuated.</p>

<p>Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers said on Tuesday they wanted all foreign evacuations from the country completed by August&nbsp;31 and they would not agree to an extension as Group of Seven leaders met to discuss the crisis.</p>

<p>Western troops have been working frantically to get foreigners and Afghans onto planes and out of the country and Biden has faced growing pressure from allies to negotiate more time for the airlift.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


President Joe Biden has informed G7 leaders that the US mission in Kabul is "on pace" to end by an August 31 pullout deadline. However, Biden has warned the deadline would depend on Taliban cooperation regarding evacuee access to Kabul airport and has ordered contingency plans to "adjust the timeline" if necessary.

President Joe Biden has informed G7 leaders that the US mission in Kabul is "on pace" to end by an August 31 pullout deadline. However, Biden has warned the deadline would depend on Taliban cooperation regarding evacuee access to Kabul airport and has ordered contingency plans to "adjust the timeline" if necessary. Biden sent thousands of US troops to the Kabul airport after the Taliban militant group took over the city and much of the country less than two weeks ago. The nearly 6,000 US troops are helping to evacuate American citizens and at-risk Afghans and to protect the airport so other countries can evacuate their citizens as well. Biden sent CIA Director William Burns to meet Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday in the highest level official encounter since the militant group took over the Afghan capital. The Pentagon earlier said that it was confident the military can evacuate all Americans who want to leave. Whether thousands of at-risk Afghans would all be evacuated was unclear. "We're absolutely still aiming towards the end of the month," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, while adding that the Pentagon may need additional bases to house evacuees from Afghanistan. Kirby said "several thousand" Americans have been evacuated from Afghanistan but declined to give a more specific figure. He also said he was unable to provide the percentage of Americans in Afghanistan who have now been evacuated. Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers said on Tuesday they wanted all foreign evacuations from the country completed by August 31 and they would not agree to an extension as Group of Seven leaders met to discuss the crisis. Western troops have been working frantically to get foreigners and Afghans onto planes and out of the country and Biden has faced growing pressure from allies to negotiate more time for the airlift. (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden says US 'on pace' to end Afghan mission by August 31

<p>In his first comments on Afghanistan, India's Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has said that "Taliban takeover was anticipated" but the "time line surprised us".</p>

<p>On August 15, Taliban took over the Afghan national capital Kabul as the then Afghan president Ashraf Ghani left the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Everything that has happened was something that was anticipated, only the timelines have changed. From the Indian preceptive, we were anticipating Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Yes, the timeline certainly surprised us because we were anticipating this thing happening couple of months down the line but it is much the same — the same Taliban which was there 20 years ago."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/all-is-well-in-cyberspace-websites-of-ousted-afghanistan-govt-are-still-up-a-week-after-taliban-takeover-408189" hreflang="en">All is well? Websites of ousted Afghan govt still up despite Taliban takeover</a></strong></p>

<p>Since then, India has evacuated a large number of its nationals and opened the gates for Afghans, particularly the minority Sikhs and Hindus. Over the weekend, two&nbsp;Afghan Sikh MPs — Anarkali Honaryar and Narendra Singh Khalsa — also reached Delhi even as fears grow if Taiban will respect the minority rights.</p>

<p>The top Indian General highlighted Indian concerns over terror saying, "We were concerned about how terrorist activity from Afghanistan could overflow into India. So to that extend, our contingency planning had been ongoing and we are prepared for it."</p>

<p>As of now, the main worry is that Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed might establish safe haven in the country under Taliban rule. India has raised the matter at several multilateral meetings including the United Nations and&nbsp;BRICS.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-resistance-movement-will-never-die-in-afghanistan-says-ahmad-wali-massoud-408207"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></p>

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<p>He dismissed any relation between Indo-Pacific and Afghan crisis impacting each other saying, "Indo pacific is on different plane all together. Dealing with Afghanistan, Taliban, terrorism, from that perspective is something which we are all together fighting the global war on terrorism,"&nbsp;explaining that any support from Quad on dealing with terror "will be welcomed".</p>

<p>India, along with US, have been strong supporter of Indo-Pacific vision that sees Indian and Pacific ocean as one construct but China sees this with suspicion.&nbsp;"Indo pacific should not be looked through same prism (as Afghanistan) — they are two&nbsp;different issues. Yes, there is&nbsp;challenge to security in the region, both pose challenge to security, but they are on two different planes and those two parallel lines are unlikely to meet,"&nbsp;Rawat pointed.</p>


In his first comments on Afghanistan, India's Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has said that "Taliban takeover was anticipated" but the "time line surprised us".

In his first comments on Afghanistan, India's Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has said that "Taliban takeover was anticipated" but the "time line surprised us". On August 15, Taliban took over the Afghan national capital Kabul as the then Afghan president Ashraf Ghani left the country. "Everything that has happened was something that was anticipated, only the timelines have changed. From the Indian preceptive, we were anticipating Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Yes, the timeline certainly surprised us because we were anticipating this thing happening couple of months down the line but it is much the same — the same Taliban which was there 20 years ago." Also read | All is well? Websites of ousted Afghan govt still up despite Taliban takeover Since then, India has evacuated a large number of its nationals and opened the gates for Afghans, particularly the minority Sikhs and Hindus. Over the weekend, two Afghan Sikh MPs — Anarkali Honaryar and Narendra Singh Khalsa — also reached Delhi even as fears grow if Taiban will respect the minority rights. The top Indian General highlighted Indian concerns over terror saying, "We were concerned about how terrorist activity from Afghanistan could overflow into India. So to that extend, our contingency planning had been ongoing and we are prepared for it." As of now, the main worry is that Pakistan-based terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed might establish safe haven in the country under Taliban rule. India has raised the matter at several multilateral meetings including the United Nations and BRICS. WATCH | He dismissed any relation between Indo-Pacific and Afghan crisis impacting each other saying, "Indo pacific is on different plane all together. Dealing with Afghanistan, Taliban, terrorism, from that perspective is something which we are all together fighting the global war on terrorism," explaining that any support from Quad on dealing with terror "will be welcomed". India, along with US, have been strong supporter of Indo-Pacific vision that sees Indian and Pacific ocean as one construct but China sees this with suspicion. "Indo pacific should not be looked through same prism (as Afghanistan) — they are two different issues. Yes, there is challenge to security in the region, both pose challenge to security, but they are on two different planes and those two parallel lines are unlikely to meet," Rawat pointed.

Anticipated Taliban takeover but timeline surprised us, says India's Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat

<p>Ahmad Wali Massoud, the brother of the legendary anti-Taliban warlord&nbsp;Ahmad Shah Massoud, said on Wednesday that resistance would not die in Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking exclusively with WION, Massoud described the situation in Afghanistan as "chaotic".</p>

<p>"There is no government...People are panicking, they are running for their lives. Everyone wants to come out of Kabul and different cities," he said.</p>

<p>With surprising speed, Taliban took control of&nbsp;Afghanistan on August 15, following&nbsp;pullout of US troops.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Massoud asserted that resistance to Taliban rule had already started, with Panjshir Valley being at the core of the resistance.</p>

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<p>Panjshir Valley lies north of Kabul and is famed for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-panjshir-valley-a-graveyard-for-invaders-408018">being extremely hard to conquer</a>. Taliban forces have surrounded it but they have not been able to enter and are calling for negotiations.</p>

<p>Massoud warned that if a political solution is not found, the resistance will not remain limited to Panjshir Valley and will spread to entire country.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-panjshir-valley-a-graveyard-for-invaders-408018"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;&nbsp;Panjshir Valley: A graveyard for invaders</strong></a></p>

<p>He said that the younger generation, women and civil society were already part of the resistance.</p>

<p>He was dismissive of Taliban's recent statements about their new rule being different than the last one.</p>

<p>"At the moment they have not shown if they are different than the old Taliban," he said.</p>

<p>Taliban's previous rule was marked by their hardcore religious views and opposition to women's rights.</p>


Ahmad Wali Massoud, the brother of the legendary anti-Taliban warlord Ahmad Shah Massoud, said on Wednesday that resistance would not die in Afghanistan. Speaking exclusively with WION, Massoud described the situation in Afghanistan as "chaotic".

Ahmad Wali Massoud, the brother of the legendary anti-Taliban warlord Ahmad Shah Massoud, said on Wednesday that resistance would not die in Afghanistan. Speaking exclusively with WION, Massoud described the situation in Afghanistan as "chaotic". "There is no government...People are panicking, they are running for their lives. Everyone wants to come out of Kabul and different cities," he said. With surprising speed, Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, following pullout of US troops. However, Massoud asserted that resistance to Taliban rule had already started, with Panjshir Valley being at the core of the resistance. × Panjshir Valley lies north of Kabul and is famed for being extremely hard to conquer. Taliban forces have surrounded it but they have not been able to enter and are calling for negotiations. Massoud warned that if a political solution is not found, the resistance will not remain limited to Panjshir Valley and will spread to entire country. Also Read | Panjshir Valley: A graveyard for invaders He said that the younger generation, women and civil society were already part of the resistance. He was dismissive of Taliban's recent statements about their new rule being different than the last one. "At the moment they have not shown if they are different than the old Taliban," he said. Taliban's previous rule was marked by their hardcore religious views and opposition to women's rights.

Exclusive: Resistance will not die in Afghanistan, says late anti-Taliban leader's brother

<p>Five members of an all-girl Afghan robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday evening, fleeing an uncertain future at home after the recent collapse of the U.S.-backed government and takeover by the Taliban militant group.</p>

<p>"We give you the warmest welcome to Mexico," said Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Martha Delgado as she greeted them during a news conference at Mexico City's international airport.</p>

<p>The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops from the country. The White House and U.S. allies are racing to complete the evacuation of all foreigners and vulnerable Afghans before the expiry of an August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban, U.S. President Joe Biden said this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The team, made up of girls and women as young as 14, has been heralded for winning international awards for its robots and started work in March on an open-source, low-cost ventilator as the coronavirus pandemic hit the war-torn nation.</p>

<p>The Taliban, which previously barred girls from schools and women from working when they ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, has promised to prioritize women's rights and girls' education.</p>

<p>Mexico has pledged to aid Afghan women and girls. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter on Aug. 18 that the country had begun "processing of the first refugee applications of Afghan citizens, especially women and girls who have requested it," with the aid of Guillermo Puente Ordorica, Ambassador of Mexico in Iran.</p>

<p>Tuesday's safe arrival in Mexico was made possible by an "extensive international effort and coordination from a group of volunteers" who helped the girls, according to a volunteer who requested anonymity for fear of the safety of the families that remain under Taliban control.</p>

<p>The foreign ministry invited press to the arrival gates at Mexico City's airport at 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday, saying a "large group of people from Afghanistan is expected to arrive" and Ebrard will offer a message.</p>

<p>Other members of the robotics team landed in Qatar in recent days.</p>


Five members of an all-girl Afghan robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday evening, fleeing an uncertain future at home after the recent collapse of the U.S.-backed government and takeover by the Taliban militant group.

Five members of an all-girl Afghan robotics team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday evening, fleeing an uncertain future at home after the recent collapse of the U.S.-backed government and takeover by the Taliban militant group. "We give you the warmest welcome to Mexico," said Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister Martha Delgado as she greeted them during a news conference at Mexico City's international airport. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last week as the United States and its allies withdrew troops from the country. The White House and U.S. allies are racing to complete the evacuation of all foreigners and vulnerable Afghans before the expiry of an August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban, U.S. President Joe Biden said this week. The team, made up of girls and women as young as 14, has been heralded for winning international awards for its robots and started work in March on an open-source, low-cost ventilator as the coronavirus pandemic hit the war-torn nation. The Taliban, which previously barred girls from schools and women from working when they ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, has promised to prioritize women's rights and girls' education. Mexico has pledged to aid Afghan women and girls. Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter on Aug. 18 that the country had begun "processing of the first refugee applications of Afghan citizens, especially women and girls who have requested it," with the aid of Guillermo Puente Ordorica, Ambassador of Mexico in Iran. Tuesday's safe arrival in Mexico was made possible by an "extensive international effort and coordination from a group of volunteers" who helped the girls, according to a volunteer who requested anonymity for fear of the safety of the families that remain under Taliban control. The foreign ministry invited press to the arrival gates at Mexico City's airport at 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday, saying a "large group of people from Afghanistan is expected to arrive" and Ebrard will offer a message. Other members of the robotics team landed in Qatar in recent days.

Fleeing an uncertain future, Afghan all-girl robotics team members land in Mexico

<p>Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, several countries have been running evacuation flights for their citizens and passport holders. While the world is applauding this humanitarian help, some people might be misusing it for selfish reasons.</p>

<p>Now, United States government officials have warned that nearly 100 Afghan evacuees are on intelligence agency watch lists and may be related to terrorist groups like Islamic State.</p>

<p><strong>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></strong></p>

<p>As per western media reports, as many as 100 Afghan evacuees who have been rescued from Kabul and are potential candidates for Special Immigration Visas (SIV) may have close ties with ISIS.</p>

<p>These evacuated people were flagged by an intelligence agency as people who have been on their watch list. They were identified through the US government’s automated biometric identification system, as per a government official.</p>

<p>However, no official comment has been given by the US government on this matter.</p>

<p>"Intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals are conducting screening and security vetting for all SIV applicants and other vulnerable Afghans before they are allowed into the United States," the State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "We are surging resources to evaluate each case and process these as efficiently as possible to protect homeland security."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-campaigns-to-saveafghanwomen-408135"><strong>WATCH |</strong></a></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-campaigns-to-saveafghanwomen-408135/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>As of now, the identified evacuees are being treated as possible matches, and the confirmation about their association with terrorist organisations is still pending.</p>

<p>The US government claims that all Afghan evacuees are being screened by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) using facial recognition, fingerprint and iris scanner and being matched with the law enforcement databases.</p>

<p>However, some media reports have also stated that the CBP is struggling to keep up with the incoming number of evacuees. "CBP on the ground has old tech and they don't know how to use it, integrate it. And there's not enough people to process' all of the evacuees,"&nbsp;an official told a western media house.</p>


Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, several countries have been running evacuation flights for their citizens and passport holders. While the world is applauding this humanitarian help, some people might be misusing it for selfish reasons.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, several countries have been running evacuation flights for their citizens and passport holders. While the world is applauding this humanitarian help, some people might be misusing it for selfish reasons. Now, United States government officials have warned that nearly 100 Afghan evacuees are on intelligence agency watch lists and may be related to terrorist groups like Islamic State. Also read | Anticipated Taliban takeover but timeline surprised us: CDS Bipin Rawat As per western media reports, as many as 100 Afghan evacuees who have been rescued from Kabul and are potential candidates for Special Immigration Visas (SIV) may have close ties with ISIS. These evacuated people were flagged by an intelligence agency as people who have been on their watch list. They were identified through the US government’s automated biometric identification system, as per a government official. However, no official comment has been given by the US government on this matter. "Intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals are conducting screening and security vetting for all SIV applicants and other vulnerable Afghans before they are allowed into the United States," the State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "We are surging resources to evaluate each case and process these as efficiently as possible to protect homeland security." WATCH | As of now, the identified evacuees are being treated as possible matches, and the confirmation about their association with terrorist organisations is still pending. The US government claims that all Afghan evacuees are being screened by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) using facial recognition, fingerprint and iris scanner and being matched with the law enforcement databases. However, some media reports have also stated that the CBP is struggling to keep up with the incoming number of evacuees. "CBP on the ground has old tech and they don't know how to use it, integrate it. And there's not enough people to process' all of the evacuees," an official told a western media house.

Nearly 100 Afghan evacuees may have ties with Islamic State: Reports

Afghans are growing desperate to escape life under the Taliban's rule. This comes as US President Joe Biden makes it official that US-led evacuations will end next week. Many Afghans fear a repeat of the brutal five-year Taliban regime that was toppled in 2001.

Afghanistan: US-Led evacuations to conclude next week

<p>In a bid to revive his prospects after announcing a snap election, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday promised to introduce a two-year ban on foreign buyers if re-elected to the office.</p>

<p>The PM made the announcement to placate the locals who have been grappling with soaring home prices. The federal elections &nbsp;are scheduled to take place on September 20.</p>

<p>“If you work hard, if you save, that dream of having your own place should be in reach,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying at a campaign stop in Hamilton, a fast-growing city outside Toronto.</p>

<p>Housing affordability has become the central theme in this election campaign, as the prices have sky-rocketed during the pandemic.</p>

<p>The surge in the price of homes is largely being attributed to foreign buyers, especially non-residents from China and Hong Kong who have been spending a good amount of fortune in Vancouver real estate.</p>

<p>According to Reuters, the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) home price index is up 69.7% since November 2015, when Trudeau first took office.</p>

<p>The average cost of a home was C$669,200 ($529,840) in July—a 16% rise from a year ago, according to the CREA.</p>

<p>“We’ll crack down on predatory speculators,” Trudeau was quoted as saying. “</p>

<p>Trudeau’s&nbsp;Liberal's Party of Canada&nbsp;has also proposed to introduce tax-free savings accounts for first-time buyers and more oversight of the real estate industry to fight money laundering. They’re also vowing to add or repair 1.4 million homes over the next four years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Banking on a strong response against the COVID pandemic, Trudeau on August 15 called for snap elections. However, recent polls show that the difference between the governing Liberals and the opposition Conservative is narrowing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-nationalism-push-in-quebec-is-posing-as-election-challenge-for-canada-pm-trudeau-388085">Why nationalism push in Quebec is posing as election challenge for Canada PM Trudeau?</a></p>

<p>According to Nanos Research&nbsp;poll, ballot support for the Liberals stands at 32.5%, while the Conservatives are at 31.4%.</p>

<p>Another polling agency Ipsos showed that the Liberals have lost 3 points over a week and now have 33% support nearly the same as the Conservatives, who are at 32%.</p>

<p>Another national poll conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute underscored the&nbsp;statistical tie, with the Liberals again at 33%, a lead of just 2 points over the Conservatives.</p>

<p>Trudeau’s attempt to garner a parliamentary majority in the September 20 elections is also likely to face further headwinds as the government attempts to tackle criticism over it’s “withdrawal fiasco” in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>According to local outlet Global News, “the first week of the campaign was dominated by criticisms over the Trudeau government’s slow evacuation.”</p>

<p>However, poll experts are of the view that international geopolitics “hardly” play a decisive role in Canadian elections.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a bid to revive his prospects after announcing a snap election, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday promised to introduce a two-year ban on foreign buyers if re-elected to the office.

In a bid to revive his prospects after announcing a snap election, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday promised to introduce a two-year ban on foreign buyers if re-elected to the office. The PM made the announcement to placate the locals who have been grappling with soaring home prices. The federal elections are scheduled to take place on September 20. “If you work hard, if you save, that dream of having your own place should be in reach,” Reuters quoted Trudeau as saying at a campaign stop in Hamilton, a fast-growing city outside Toronto. Housing affordability has become the central theme in this election campaign, as the prices have sky-rocketed during the pandemic. The surge in the price of homes is largely being attributed to foreign buyers, especially non-residents from China and Hong Kong who have been spending a good amount of fortune in Vancouver real estate. According to Reuters, the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) home price index is up 69.7% since November 2015, when Trudeau first took office. The average cost of a home was C$669,200 ($529,840) in July—a 16% rise from a year ago, according to the CREA. “We’ll crack down on predatory speculators,” Trudeau was quoted as saying. “ Trudeau’s Liberal's Party of Canada has also proposed to introduce tax-free savings accounts for first-time buyers and more oversight of the real estate industry to fight money laundering. They’re also vowing to add or repair 1.4 million homes over the next four years. Banking on a strong response against the COVID pandemic, Trudeau on August 15 called for snap elections. However, recent polls show that the difference between the governing Liberals and the opposition Conservative is narrowing. Also read | Why nationalism push in Quebec is posing as election challenge for Canada PM Trudeau? According to Nanos Research poll, ballot support for the Liberals stands at 32.5%, while the Conservatives are at 31.4%. Another polling agency Ipsos showed that the Liberals have lost 3 points over a week and now have 33% support nearly the same as the Conservatives, who are at 32%. Another national poll conducted by the non-profit Angus Reid Institute underscored the statistical tie, with the Liberals again at 33%, a lead of just 2 points over the Conservatives. Trudeau’s attempt to garner a parliamentary majority in the September 20 elections is also likely to face further headwinds as the government attempts to tackle criticism over it’s “withdrawal fiasco” in Afghanistan. According to local outlet Global News, “the first week of the campaign was dominated by criticisms over the Trudeau government’s slow evacuation.” However, poll experts are of the view that international geopolitics “hardly” play a decisive role in Canadian elections. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid tight election race, Canadian PM Trudeau promises 2-year ban on foreign home buyers

<p>The trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has grown by 50% in the previous week following the Taliban's capture of Afghan borders and dry ports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the difficulties in transit, Afghanistan's chamber of commerce and industry reported that trade had increased, according to local media sources.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Khan Jan Alokozai, the chamber's deputy, challenges in the transit sector remain obvious due to bank closures, but Afghanistan's exports and Pakistan's imports have increased.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-will-help-pakistan-conquer-kashmir-leader-of-imran-khans-party-408045"><strong>Watch | Taliban will help Pakistan conquer Kashmir: Leader of Imran Khan’s party</strong></a><br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on Monday, August 23, members of Afghanistan's chamber of business and investment met with Taliban members and voiced their concerns about the private sector, which the Taliban promised to address.</p>

<p>Iran has also stated that it has expanded gas and oil exports in response to the Taliban's request.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-are-normal-civilians-pakistan-cant-hunt-them-down-pm-imran-khan-401633"><strong>Also read | Taliban are 'normal civilians': PM Imran Khan</strong></a></p>

<p>Spokesperson of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate AIE Zabiullah Mujahid in a gathering on Monday said that they are focused on the economic situation and are working hard to implement the schemes they have prepared.</p>

<p>In a rare move, AIE’s commission for economic and financial affairs has directed customs not to allow the export of metals until another announcement.</p>

<p>According to the commission, foreign countries are paying less for the metal, but domestic manufacturing and businesses want large quantities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the World Bank said on Tuesday that it was suspending financial assistance to Afghanistan due to concerns over the plight of women under Taliban control.</p>

<p>The Afghan economy is increasingly reliant on foreign aid, and food costs are growing.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has grown by 50% in the previous week following the Taliban's capture of Afghan borders and dry ports. Despite the difficulties in transit, Afghanistan's chamber of commerce and industry reported that trade had increased, according to local media sources.

The trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan has grown by 50% in the previous week following the Taliban's capture of Afghan borders and dry ports. Despite the difficulties in transit, Afghanistan's chamber of commerce and industry reported that trade had increased, according to local media sources. According to Khan Jan Alokozai, the chamber's deputy, challenges in the transit sector remain obvious due to bank closures, but Afghanistan's exports and Pakistan's imports have increased. Watch | Taliban will help Pakistan conquer Kashmir: Leader of Imran Khan’s party Meanwhile, on Monday, August 23, members of Afghanistan's chamber of business and investment met with Taliban members and voiced their concerns about the private sector, which the Taliban promised to address. Iran has also stated that it has expanded gas and oil exports in response to the Taliban's request. Also read | Taliban are 'normal civilians': PM Imran Khan Spokesperson of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate AIE Zabiullah Mujahid in a gathering on Monday said that they are focused on the economic situation and are working hard to implement the schemes they have prepared. In a rare move, AIE’s commission for economic and financial affairs has directed customs not to allow the export of metals until another announcement. According to the commission, foreign countries are paying less for the metal, but domestic manufacturing and businesses want large quantities. Meanwhile, the World Bank said on Tuesday that it was suspending financial assistance to Afghanistan due to concerns over the plight of women under Taliban control. The Afghan economy is increasingly reliant on foreign aid, and food costs are growing. (With inputs from agencies)

After Taliban's takeover, Afghanistan-Pakistan trade increased by 50%

<p>A horse-drawn caisson with a flag-draped coffin passed slowly through the gates of Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, a hushed tableau against a city loud with recriminations about the lost war in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The cortège carried Donald Rumsfeld, a hard-charging, two-time secretary of defense and one of the war’s chief architects, whose burial on a sweltering August afternoon served as another coda to the 20-year conflict.</p>

<p>Rumsfeld died June 29, at 88, of complications related to multiple myeloma. The date for his interment and an earlier private funeral service Monday at Fort Myer, Virginia, had been set long before, but the timing meant that Rumsfeld was laid to rest during the same kind of shell shock as on Oct. 7, 2001, when the United States launched its first airstrikes in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>And yet, the ceremonies seemed to take place in a contained, parallel universe, sealed off from the strife of Washington. “This was very much about the man and his times, and not any particular issue of the day,” said Larry Di Rita, a top deputy to Rumsfeld at the Pentagon during the George W. Bush administration.</p>

<p>Say what you will about the man known as “Rummy,” and many have, harshly, for turning away from Afghanistan and waging a war in Iraq that left thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead and ultimately wrecked the end of Rumsfeld’s political life. But at Memorial Chapel at Fort Myers, the eulogists recalled a different man.</p>

<p>“Our capital city has many familiar types,” former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld’s longtime ally, recalled of his closest friend, according to his prepared remarks and confirmed by guests at the funeral. “Yet in all my years around this company town, I have never heard anyone described as ‘the Rumsfeld type.’ There is no such thing because nothing about Don was typical or derivative or standard-issue.”</p>

<p>Cheney also brought up some of Rumsfeld’s signature maxims, which Rumsfeld would sometimes adapt from familiar Washington sayings. “Harry Truman supposedly said, ‘If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,’ ” Cheney said. “To this, Don added the Rumsfeld corollary: Get a small dog — he might turn on you.”</p>

<p>The words “Afghanistan” or “Iraq” were barely spoken by Cheney and a procession of other eulogists, among them Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the outset of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Victoria Clarke, Rumsfeld’s longtime communications aide at the Pentagon.</p>

<p>Clarke invoked one of Rumsfeld’s favorite sayings, or so-called Rumsfeld Rules. “Cemeteries are filled with irreplaceable people,” Clarke said before the burial, quoting her former boss, but amending the rule in his honor. “Arlington National Cemetery will soon have someone who is truly irreplaceable.”</p>

<p>Details of the funeral and burial were closely held by the Rumsfeld family and none were released publicly after it was over. Guests included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who knelt before Rumsfeld’s widow, Joyce, who was in a wheelchair, and presented her with the flag from her husband’s coffin.</p>

<p>Others there were Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Paul Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld’s No 2 at the Pentagon who pushed hard for the war in Iraq.</p>

<p>“Mostly, it was just a lot of people who hadn’t seen each other in a long time, in some cases since Rumsfeld left the Pentagon,’’ said David Hume Kennerly, a presidential photographer whom Rumsfeld brought on as the official chronicler of President Gerald Ford’s White House when Rumsfeld was Ford’s chief of staff. “And there were a lot of stories being shared.”</p>

<p>The stories surfaced in the eulogies, which were often drawn from the inside of the Pentagon, where Rumsfeld served as defense secretary to Ford in the 1970s and a quarter century later to President George W. Bush.</p>

<p>“There’s 9/11, of course,” Clarke recalled, when Rumsfeld left his office to assist rescue crews after a hijacked American Airlines plane crashed into the western side of the Pentagon, killing all 64 people aboard the jet and an additional 125 inside. “Many of us were in the building trying to figure out what had happened,” Clarke said. “He’s the one who went and found out.”</p>

<p>A former Navy pilot, Princeton-educated wrestler and competitive squash player into his 80s, Rumsfeld’s aggressive style was well-established. “He gave no quarter, and there was often blood at the end of the match,” said Di Rita, a frequent squash opponent of his boss. “When you played with him, it was basically just Don Rumsfeld being Don Rumsfeld.”</p>

<p>Clarke also told the story of seeing Rumsfeld walk down to the Pentagon briefing room and pick up a misshapen paper clip he spotted in the hallway. He spent the meeting twisting and reworking the lonely paper clip back into fighting shape.</p>

<p>“Good as new,” he told Clarke, holding up the paper clip as he left the briefing room.</p>

<p>A few hours later, a document was sent down to Clarke’s office, held together with that same paper clip. “Saving the taxpayers’ money,” Rumsfeld scrawled on a yellow Post-it note affixed to the restored object.</p>

<p>Cheney described the tumultuous period after Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in 1974, and Ford was about to name his own vice president. Rumsfeld was a finalist for the job, and happened to be at Cheney’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, listening on a kitchen radio as the process culminated.</p>

<p>“We heard news reports describing the scene at the Rockefeller estate,” Cheney recalled, referring to Ford’s eventual choice, former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. There was a fleet of sedans outside the mansion, Cheney noted, with family jets primed to fly the Rockefeller entourage to Washington.</p>

<p>“Don laughed at the superior resources Rockefeller brought to the competition,” Cheney remembered. “He said to me, ‘Here’s Nelson Rockefeller with planeloads of people flying down from New York, and all I’ve got is you, Cheney.’ ”</p>

<p>Participants said the assembly erupted into laughter, led by the chuckling Cheney himself. It took a few seconds for solemnity to be restored. “Until we meet again, goodbye, old friend,” Cheney said at the close of his remarks, his voice catching, according to a guest, in a rare hint of public emotion.</p>

<p>“I had responsibilities and experiences far beyond anything I could have ever known,” Cheney said, crediting Rumsfeld for all of them. “He decided he could trust me and it changed my life.”</p>

<p>Left unsaid, for better or for worse: It changed history, too.</p>


A horse-drawn caisson with a flag-draped coffin passed slowly through the gates of Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, a hushed tableau against a city loud with recriminations about the lost war in Afghanistan.

A horse-drawn caisson with a flag-draped coffin passed slowly through the gates of Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, a hushed tableau against a city loud with recriminations about the lost war in Afghanistan. The cortège carried Donald Rumsfeld, a hard-charging, two-time secretary of defense and one of the war’s chief architects, whose burial on a sweltering August afternoon served as another coda to the 20-year conflict. Rumsfeld died June 29, at 88, of complications related to multiple myeloma. The date for his interment and an earlier private funeral service Monday at Fort Myer, Virginia, had been set long before, but the timing meant that Rumsfeld was laid to rest during the same kind of shell shock as on Oct. 7, 2001, when the United States launched its first airstrikes in Afghanistan. And yet, the ceremonies seemed to take place in a contained, parallel universe, sealed off from the strife of Washington. “This was very much about the man and his times, and not any particular issue of the day,” said Larry Di Rita, a top deputy to Rumsfeld at the Pentagon during the George W. Bush administration. Say what you will about the man known as “Rummy,” and many have, harshly, for turning away from Afghanistan and waging a war in Iraq that left thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis dead and ultimately wrecked the end of Rumsfeld’s political life. But at Memorial Chapel at Fort Myers, the eulogists recalled a different man. “Our capital city has many familiar types,” former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld’s longtime ally, recalled of his closest friend, according to his prepared remarks and confirmed by guests at the funeral. “Yet in all my years around this company town, I have never heard anyone described as ‘the Rumsfeld type.’ There is no such thing because nothing about Don was typical or derivative or standard-issue.” Cheney also brought up some of Rumsfeld’s signature maxims, which Rumsfeld would sometimes adapt from familiar Washington sayings. “Harry Truman supposedly said, ‘If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,’ ” Cheney said. “To this, Don added the Rumsfeld corollary: Get a small dog — he might turn on you.” The words “Afghanistan” or “Iraq” were barely spoken by Cheney and a procession of other eulogists, among them Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the outset of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Victoria Clarke, Rumsfeld’s longtime communications aide at the Pentagon. Clarke invoked one of Rumsfeld’s favorite sayings, or so-called Rumsfeld Rules. “Cemeteries are filled with irreplaceable people,” Clarke said before the burial, quoting her former boss, but amending the rule in his honor. “Arlington National Cemetery will soon have someone who is truly irreplaceable.” Details of the funeral and burial were closely held by the Rumsfeld family and none were released publicly after it was over. Guests included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who knelt before Rumsfeld’s widow, Joyce, who was in a wheelchair, and presented her with the flag from her husband’s coffin. Others there were Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Paul Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld’s No 2 at the Pentagon who pushed hard for the war in Iraq. “Mostly, it was just a lot of people who hadn’t seen each other in a long time, in some cases since Rumsfeld left the Pentagon,’’ said David Hume Kennerly, a presidential photographer whom Rumsfeld brought on as the official chronicler of President Gerald Ford’s White House when Rumsfeld was Ford’s chief of staff. “And there were a lot of stories being shared.” The stories surfaced in the eulogies, which were often drawn from the inside of the Pentagon, where Rumsfeld served as defense secretary to Ford in the 1970s and a quarter century later to President George W. Bush. “There’s 9/11, of course,” Clarke recalled, when Rumsfeld left his office to assist rescue crews after a hijacked American Airlines plane crashed into the western side of the Pentagon, killing all 64 people aboard the jet and an additional 125 inside. “Many of us were in the building trying to figure out what had happened,” Clarke said. “He’s the one who went and found out.” A former Navy pilot, Princeton-educated wrestler and competitive squash player into his 80s, Rumsfeld’s aggressive style was well-established. “He gave no quarter, and there was often blood at the end of the match,” said Di Rita, a frequent squash opponent of his boss. “When you played with him, it was basically just Don Rumsfeld being Don Rumsfeld.” Clarke also told the story of seeing Rumsfeld walk down to the Pentagon briefing room and pick up a misshapen paper clip he spotted in the hallway. He spent the meeting twisting and reworking the lonely paper clip back into fighting shape. “Good as new,” he told Clarke, holding up the paper clip as he left the briefing room. A few hours later, a document was sent down to Clarke’s office, held together with that same paper clip. “Saving the taxpayers’ money,” Rumsfeld scrawled on a yellow Post-it note affixed to the restored object. Cheney described the tumultuous period after Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in 1974, and Ford was about to name his own vice president. Rumsfeld was a finalist for the job, and happened to be at Cheney’s home in Bethesda, Maryland, listening on a kitchen radio as the process culminated. “We heard news reports describing the scene at the Rockefeller estate,” Cheney recalled, referring to Ford’s eventual choice, former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. There was a fleet of sedans outside the mansion, Cheney noted, with family jets primed to fly the Rockefeller entourage to Washington. “Don laughed at the superior resources Rockefeller brought to the competition,” Cheney remembered. “He said to me, ‘Here’s Nelson Rockefeller with planeloads of people flying down from New York, and all I’ve got is you, Cheney.’ ” Participants said the assembly erupted into laughter, led by the chuckling Cheney himself. It took a few seconds for solemnity to be restored. “Until we meet again, goodbye, old friend,” Cheney said at the close of his remarks, his voice catching, according to a guest, in a rare hint of public emotion. “I had responsibilities and experiences far beyond anything I could have ever known,” Cheney said, crediting Rumsfeld for all of them. “He decided he could trust me and it changed my life.” Left unsaid, for better or for worse: It changed history, too.

Donald Rumsfeld, architect of war in Afghanistan, is laid to rest

<p>Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed who fled from her home country amid the rise of power of Taliban, opened up about her harrowing escape and the current scenario of Afghanistan.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/afghan-pop-star-aryana-flees-from-country-amid-fear-of-life-under-taliban-rule-406914">Aryana Sayeed</a> and her fiance, Hasib, got out of Afghanistan as soon as the Taliban took over control of the landlocked nation. She recently spoke about her experience. She said, "I was feeling that I'm going to die here, literally. I was hopeless. This is like a miracle that we're getting out."</p>

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<p>Giving a detailed description of the chaos at Kabul airport from where she flew out, Aryana said that the scene was horrific with women fainting and babies crying. The crowds that had gathered there were desperate with people shoving one another to get on a plane out of the country. ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-afghan-pop-star-aryana-sayeed-india-our-only-friend-pakistan-instructed-taliban-408024">Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed: India our only friend, Pakistan instructed Taliban</a></p>

<p>​​"They are hopeless, absolutely hopeless," she said. "They are left with no food and no shelter and they are living in fear right now. And my heart just bleeds for them."</p>

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<p>The Afghan pop star&nbsp;remembered how a woman even attempted to give her baby to the pop star to take along with her to Turkey. She said, "I cannot separate a baby from the mother, and the mother actually wanted me to take the baby but then I couldn't. The soldiers asked me if this was my baby and I said, 'Look it's not mine but could you please let her in because the baby is gonna die,' and they said, 'I'm sorry madam. We cannot do that...'"</p>

<p>Aryana Sayeed and fiance are now in Los Angeles and she said she's worried about the millions who were left behind.&nbsp;The pop star has pleaded with the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-harry-meghan-markle-donate-to-afghan-organisation-amid-country-crisis-407818">&nbsp;international community</a>&nbsp;to conduct talks and find a solution to bring peace to Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>


Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed who fled from her home country amid the rise of power of Taliban, opened up about her harrowing escape and the current scenario of Afghanistan.

Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed who fled from her home country amid the rise of power of Taliban, opened up about her harrowing escape and the current scenario of Afghanistan. Aryana Sayeed and her fiance, Hasib, got out of Afghanistan as soon as the Taliban took over control of the landlocked nation. She recently spoke about her experience. She said, "I was feeling that I'm going to die here, literally. I was hopeless. This is like a miracle that we're getting out." View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝝠𝗥𝗬𝝠𝗡𝝠 𝗦𝝠𝗬𝗘𝗘𝗗 👑 آریانا سعید (@aryanasayeedofficial) × Giving a detailed description of the chaos at Kabul airport from where she flew out, Aryana said that the scene was horrific with women fainting and babies crying. The crowds that had gathered there were desperate with people shoving one another to get on a plane out of the country. ALSO READ: Afghan pop star Aryana Sayeed: India our only friend, Pakistan instructed Taliban "They are hopeless, absolutely hopeless," she said. "They are left with no food and no shelter and they are living in fear right now. And my heart just bleeds for them." View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝝠𝗥𝗬𝝠𝗡𝝠 𝗦𝝠𝗬𝗘𝗘𝗗 👑 آریانا سعید (@aryanasayeedofficial) × The Afghan pop star remembered how a woman even attempted to give her baby to the pop star to take along with her to Turkey. She said, "I cannot separate a baby from the mother, and the mother actually wanted me to take the baby but then I couldn't. The soldiers asked me if this was my baby and I said, 'Look it's not mine but could you please let her in because the baby is gonna die,' and they said, 'I'm sorry madam. We cannot do that...'" Aryana Sayeed and fiance are now in Los Angeles and she said she's worried about the millions who were left behind. The pop star has pleaded with the international community to conduct talks and find a solution to bring peace to Afghanistan.

I felt I would die: Pop star Aryana Sayeed who fled Afghanistan recounts her escape from Taliban

<p>Afghanistan's Taliban has appointed former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir as acting defense minister, Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel reported on Tuesday, citing a source in the Islamist movement.</p>

<p>Zakir was released from the notorious Cuba-based camp, which is run by the US, during George W Bush's Presidency in 2007.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-resistance-movement-will-never-die-in-afghanistan-says-ahmad-wali-massoud-408207/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Arrested&nbsp;by US troops&nbsp;after their invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Zakir had&nbsp;reportedly carried the number eight while in prison.</p>

<p>He&nbsp;directed military operations in Helmand before taking over as the Taliban's general military commander.</p>

<p>Born in 1973, he is an ethnic Pashtun and a member of the Alizai tribe.</p>

<p>With the United States approaching the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, 75 lawmakers signed a letter saying the US Navy-run prison in&nbsp;Guantanamo&nbsp;Bay, Cuba&nbsp;was in disrepair, costly and a two-decade-old human rights embarrassment to the country.</p>

<p>The prison was activated in late 2001 when the United States combed the world for members and supporters of Al-Qaeda complicit in the September 11 and other attacks against US assets and facilities.</p>

<p>But detaining and secretly rendering hundreds of men to&nbsp;Guantanamo, subjecting many to torture, and holding them for years without charges or due process heavily tainted Washington's demands for justice after the 9/11 attacks.</p>

<p>Only a handful of prisoners have been charged under the military courts system set up for&nbsp;Guantanamo, and their cases have mostly ground to a halt.</p>

<p>The prison has become a symbol of the excesses in the "war on terror" launched after the 2001 attacks.</p>

<p>The United States and its allies have evacuated more than 70,000 people, including their citizens, NATO personnel and Afghans at risk, since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban swept into the capital, Kabul.</p>

<p>Western countries are now rushing to complete the airlift before the deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops under an agreement struck with the Taliban last year to end America's longest war.</p>

<p>While the focus is now on those people trying to flee, the risk of starvation, disease, and persecution is rising for the rest of the population after the chaotic exodus from Kabul airport ends, aid agencies say.</p>


Afghanistan's Taliban has appointed former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir as acting defense minister, Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel reported on Tuesday, citing a source in the Islamist movement.

Afghanistan's Taliban has appointed former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir as acting defense minister, Qatar-based Al Jazeera news channel reported on Tuesday, citing a source in the Islamist movement. Zakir was released from the notorious Cuba-based camp, which is run by the US, during George W Bush's Presidency in 2007. Arrested by US troops after their invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Zakir had reportedly carried the number eight while in prison. He directed military operations in Helmand before taking over as the Taliban's general military commander. Born in 1973, he is an ethnic Pashtun and a member of the Alizai tribe. With the United States approaching the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, 75 lawmakers signed a letter saying the US Navy-run prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba was in disrepair, costly and a two-decade-old human rights embarrassment to the country. The prison was activated in late 2001 when the United States combed the world for members and supporters of Al-Qaeda complicit in the September 11 and other attacks against US assets and facilities. But detaining and secretly rendering hundreds of men to Guantanamo, subjecting many to torture, and holding them for years without charges or due process heavily tainted Washington's demands for justice after the 9/11 attacks. Only a handful of prisoners have been charged under the military courts system set up for Guantanamo, and their cases have mostly ground to a halt. The prison has become a symbol of the excesses in the "war on terror" launched after the 2001 attacks. The United States and its allies have evacuated more than 70,000 people, including their citizens, NATO personnel and Afghans at risk, since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban swept into the capital, Kabul. Western countries are now rushing to complete the airlift before the deadline for the withdrawal of foreign troops under an agreement struck with the Taliban last year to end America's longest war. While the focus is now on those people trying to flee, the risk of starvation, disease, and persecution is rising for the rest of the population after the chaotic exodus from Kabul airport ends, aid agencies say.

Taliban appoints ex-Guantanamo detainee as acting defence minister: Report

Former Afghan envoy to the UK and founder of the Massoud foundation Ahmad Wali Massoud speaks exclusively to WION divulging the details about the current situation in Afghanistan.

WION Exclusive: 'Resistance movement will never die in Afghanistan', says Ahmad Wali Massoud

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="15">Afghanistan’s first female Sikh MP, <strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar,</strong> who reached Delhi on Sunday, expressed concerns over the developing situation in her country, asking the international community to support and speak up.</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="16">Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent <strong>Sidhant Sibal </strong>in Delhi, she said, "Why is the world silent? Are the people of Afghanistan not human? Aren’t they supposed to live a safe life? Every 15 years or 20 years, we become refugees. We Afghans build homes, only to be destroyed again. "</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="18">Anarkali reached India on an<strong> IAF plane from Kabul,</strong> a week after the national capital fell to the Taliban. She broke down while speaking. "The country is the motherland, and in her lap is where we find love <em>(Vatan, Desh maa hai, unki god&nbsp;mai pyar hai).</em> I hope things will be all right, and we will go back to our country.".</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="20">Anarkali is a doctor by profession and is the first non-Muslim member of the Afghan national assembly. A graduate of Kabul University, she has been a member of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and was awarded the <strong>UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="22"><strong>WION: You had to leave your country and take refuge in another one. How have things changed for you?</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="25"><strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: </strong>I never thought that one day, I would be forced to live in a different country, that too, in a matter of one week. The situation changed so drastically for us. We always thought that the Afghan peace process would bring good results. We thought that the Taliban who fought with the government would one day surrender. We thought that the peace process would bring good results for women, minorities, the Hindus and the Sikhs in Afghanistan.</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="27"><strong>WION: We have started a campaign for women in Afghanistan. Do you think problems will increase for women under Taliban rule?</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="29"><strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar:</strong> We told the international community that before the situation takes a drastic turn, they should help us. But no one listened. They all said the Taliban had changed. Now, everyone is saying the Taliban will never change. NATO military forces have left Afghanistan, but they now feel it was not the right decision. In the last 20 years, we received monetary support from the US, India for development related works. It was their taxpayers’ money. Kabul airport was also developed with the help of aid from other countries. But when I left the airport, it did not look the same as it was used to. We have worked hard in the last 20 years, but now there is a growing perception among the people of Afghanistan that we have gone 100 years back. Everyone, including me, is depressed. Even though I have safely arrived here, my thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan who have to live in such a bad situation. People are finding ways to leave Afghanistan.</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="31"><strong>WION: Do you have anything to say to the Indian government?</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="33"><strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: </strong>I would like to express my gratitude to the Indian government, PM Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Air Force (IAF) and especially to Puneet Singh Chandhok (president of the Indian World Forum, an organisation coordinating the evacuation efforts with the MEA and the IAF). He was in constant contact with me. He found every way to get us back. There were days when we didn’t have food and shelter. He was there with us all day and night and responded every time we called. The situation was so bad that we didn’t even have time to pack up our things as we were under attack by Taliban militants. We had kids with us.</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="35"><strong>WION: Do you hope to go to Afghanistan soon? Have you been offered Indian citizenship?</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="37"><strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: </strong>I don’t know how long we will stay here. It can only be speculated. So far, we were provided a visa by the Indian government as soon as we arrived here. Even though I am scared, I do want to visit my country. I studied and worked there. It is our right to save our country, but we have nothing in our hands. I never thought that I would have to leave the country in such a condition. I hope things get back to normal soon.</p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="39"><strong>WION: Who do you think is responsible for the crisis in Afghanistan?</strong></p>

<p data-changed="true" data-paragraphid="41"><strong>Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: </strong>Let things go normal. The truth will come out, eventually. Everyone knows why Afghanistan is going through such a crisis. We all know who supported the Afghanistan government, and who supported the Taliban.</p>


Afghanistan’s first female Sikh MP, Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, who reached Delhi on Sunday, expressed concerns over the developing situation in her country, asking the international community to support and speak up.

Afghanistan’s first female Sikh MP, Anarkali Kaur Honaryar, who reached Delhi on Sunday, expressed concerns over the developing situation in her country, asking the international community to support and speak up. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Delhi, she said, "Why is the world silent? Are the people of Afghanistan not human? Aren’t they supposed to live a safe life? Every 15 years or 20 years, we become refugees. We Afghans build homes, only to be destroyed again. " Anarkali reached India on an IAF plane from Kabul, a week after the national capital fell to the Taliban. She broke down while speaking. "The country is the motherland, and in her lap is where we find love (Vatan, Desh maa hai, unki god mai pyar hai). I hope things will be all right, and we will go back to our country.". Anarkali is a doctor by profession and is the first non-Muslim member of the Afghan national assembly. A graduate of Kabul University, she has been a member of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and was awarded the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. WION: You had to leave your country and take refuge in another one. How have things changed for you? Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: I never thought that one day, I would be forced to live in a different country, that too, in a matter of one week. The situation changed so drastically for us. We always thought that the Afghan peace process would bring good results. We thought that the Taliban who fought with the government would one day surrender. We thought that the peace process would bring good results for women, minorities, the Hindus and the Sikhs in Afghanistan. WION: We have started a campaign for women in Afghanistan. Do you think problems will increase for women under Taliban rule? Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: We told the international community that before the situation takes a drastic turn, they should help us. But no one listened. They all said the Taliban had changed. Now, everyone is saying the Taliban will never change. NATO military forces have left Afghanistan, but they now feel it was not the right decision. In the last 20 years, we received monetary support from the US, India for development related works. It was their taxpayers’ money. Kabul airport was also developed with the help of aid from other countries. But when I left the airport, it did not look the same as it was used to. We have worked hard in the last 20 years, but now there is a growing perception among the people of Afghanistan that we have gone 100 years back. Everyone, including me, is depressed. Even though I have safely arrived here, my thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan who have to live in such a bad situation. People are finding ways to leave Afghanistan. WION: Do you have anything to say to the Indian government? Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: I would like to express my gratitude to the Indian government, PM Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Indian Air Force (IAF) and especially to Puneet Singh Chandhok (president of the Indian World Forum, an organisation coordinating the evacuation efforts with the MEA and the IAF). He was in constant contact with me. He found every way to get us back. There were days when we didn’t have food and shelter. He was there with us all day and night and responded every time we called. The situation was so bad that we didn’t even have time to pack up our things as we were under attack by Taliban militants. We had kids with us. WION: Do you hope to go to Afghanistan soon? Have you been offered Indian citizenship? Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: I don’t know how long we will stay here. It can only be speculated. So far, we were provided a visa by the Indian government as soon as we arrived here. Even though I am scared, I do want to visit my country. I studied and worked there. It is our right to save our country, but we have nothing in our hands. I never thought that I would have to leave the country in such a condition. I hope things get back to normal soon. WION: Who do you think is responsible for the crisis in Afghanistan? Anarkali Kaur Honaryar: Let things go normal. The truth will come out, eventually. Everyone knows why Afghanistan is going through such a crisis. We all know who supported the Afghanistan government, and who supported the Taliban.

‘Why is world silent?’, asks Afghanistan’s first female Sikh MP

The Organisation of Islamic cooperation urged the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terror haven. But OIC stops short of punishing terror-backing members like Pakistan. Palki Sharma tells you why these divisions render OIC toothless.

Gravitas: Muslim world divided on Taliban

Thousands of Afghan refugees are fleeing the Taliban's brutal rule. Where are these refugees going? Which countries have agreed to take them? Palki Sharma gets you a comprehensive report.

Where are Afghan refugees going?

Afghanistan's first female Sikh MP Anarkali Kaur Honaryar who reached Delhi on Sunday expressed concerns over the developing situation in her country asked the international community to support and speak up. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal in Delhi, she said, "The world is silent, why? are people of Afghanistan not human, aren't they supposed to be safe. Every 15 years or so, or 20 years, we become a refugee, why Afghans built their homes, only to be destroyed".

'Why is world silent?', asks Afghan's First Female Sikh MP Anarkali Kaur Honaryar

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="3">An Afghan mayor, who fled to Germany after the Taliban takeover, &nbsp;revealed on Tuesday that the Taliban had a list of persons who took a liberal stance during past internationally recognised governments.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="4">Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, recounted the Taliban looking for her at her home and assaulting the security officers stationed there.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="5">The former mayor of Maidan Shahr, which is located west of Kabul, stated that Afghanistan will always be theirs, regardless of who governs the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="6">"Afghanistan was ours &amp; it'll remain ours no matter who comes. If women like me are not there now, it's because... just like a tiger who takes two steps back to come back with more force...We have to show to the world the real face of Taliban in Afghanistan, " ANI quoted Ghafari as saying.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> "Afghanistan was ours &amp; it'll remain ours... If women like me are now not there it's because... Just like a tiger who takes two steps back to come back with more force," says Zarifa Ghafari who was one of the country's first female mayors of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan <a href="https://t.co/Fx42eNQq9J">pic.twitter.com/Fx42eNQq9J</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1430199495946477569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The status of women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has become one of the most hotly debated topics in recent days, especially after it became clear that the Taliban would run the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="8">"They have a list of people who took a liberal approach earlier…Do you know why they (Taliban) are killing people like me? Because they don't want other people to know what they are. They don't want Afghans to stand against them, " Ghafari said.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">"I want to talk to the Taliban leaders. I am taking responsibility. I even forget the death of my father. I want to negotiate with them on behalf of every unspoken woman, " she added.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="10">She also addressed the involvement of outside actors such as Pakistan in the ongoing issue.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11">Pakistan has been accused of assisting the Taliban in their offensive against government forces for a long time.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="12">"Pakistan's role is crystal clear, and every Afghan kid understands it," she stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="13">In March 2020, the Trump administration presented Ghafari with the International Women of Courage Award, during which she warned that Afghan women are "always worried for the future" since they "have not forgotten the Taliban's reign."</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="14">At the age of 26, Ghafari made history when she became the youngest and first female mayor in Afghanistan's Maidan Wardak province.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="15">Ghafari, like other women who have managed to break free, is now frightened about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="16"><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


An Afghan mayor, who fled to Germany after the Taliban takeover, revealed on Tuesday that the Taliban had a list of persons who took a liberal stance during past internationally recognised governments.

An Afghan mayor, who fled to Germany after the Taliban takeover, revealed on Tuesday that the Taliban had a list of persons who took a liberal stance during past internationally recognised governments. Zarifa Ghafari, one of Afghanistan's first female mayors, recounted the Taliban looking for her at her home and assaulting the security officers stationed there. The former mayor of Maidan Shahr, which is located west of Kabul, stated that Afghanistan will always be theirs, regardless of who governs the country. "Afghanistan was ours & it'll remain ours no matter who comes. If women like me are not there now, it's because... just like a tiger who takes two steps back to come back with more force...We have to show to the world the real face of Taliban in Afghanistan, " ANI quoted Ghafari as saying. #WATCH "Afghanistan was ours & it'll remain ours... If women like me are now not there it's because... Just like a tiger who takes two steps back to come back with more force," says Zarifa Ghafari who was one of the country's first female mayors of Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/Fx42eNQq9J — ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2021 × The status of women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has become one of the most hotly debated topics in recent days, especially after it became clear that the Taliban would run the country. "They have a list of people who took a liberal approach earlier…Do you know why they (Taliban) are killing people like me? Because they don't want other people to know what they are. They don't want Afghans to stand against them, " Ghafari said. "I want to talk to the Taliban leaders. I am taking responsibility. I even forget the death of my father. I want to negotiate with them on behalf of every unspoken woman, " she added. She also addressed the involvement of outside actors such as Pakistan in the ongoing issue. Pakistan has been accused of assisting the Taliban in their offensive against government forces for a long time. "Pakistan's role is crystal clear, and every Afghan kid understands it," she stated. In March 2020, the Trump administration presented Ghafari with the International Women of Courage Award, during which she warned that Afghan women are "always worried for the future" since they "have not forgotten the Taliban's reign." At the age of 26, Ghafari made history when she became the youngest and first female mayor in Afghanistan's Maidan Wardak province. Ghafari, like other women who have managed to break free, is now frightened about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan's role in Afghan crisis is clear, every child knows this: Female Afghan mayor

<p>The first-ever bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been postponed until next year over logistic and multiple issues, both boards decided on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"Pakistan has accepted Afghanistan Board's request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul and other issues," Pakistan Cricket Board said.</p>

<p>The series -- Afghanistan's home series -- due to be played in Sri Lankan port city of Hambantota was also hit by increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka where a ten-day lockdown was announced on Saturday.</p>

<p>"There were a lack of broadcast facilities which was also a hurdle and both the boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/people-criticise-only-important-people-says-ajinkya-rahane-over-chatter-around-his-form-407880">'People criticise only important people,' says Ajinkya Rahane over chatter around his form</a></strong></p>

<p>The three-match series was part of One-day Super League, a qualification process for the 2023 World Cup (50 overs) to be held in India.</p>

<p>Since the Taliban take over of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of USA and NATO forces and the collapse of the elected government there was a flight disruption in Kabul.</p>

<p>Afghanistan had also tried to move the series to Pakistan, but even that was not viable which finally prompted the two Boards to postpone the series.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indvseng-mark-wood-injury-adds-to-england-pace-problems-ahead-of-third-test-407846">INDvsENG: Mark Wood injury adds to England pace problems ahead of third Test</a></strong></p>

<p>International players have also found it hard to cope with the Covid-19 situation since last year as they have to live under bio-secure bubble conditions, causing them mental issues.</p>

<p>Considering that, Pakistan had decided to rest its key players including skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali for the Afghanistan series.</p>

<p>Afghanistan had last month announced a 17-man squad for the series including their star leg-spinner Rashid Khan.</p>


The first-ever bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been postponed until next year over logistic and multiple issues, both boards decided on Tuesday.

The first-ever bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been postponed until next year over logistic and multiple issues, both boards decided on Tuesday. "Pakistan has accepted Afghanistan Board's request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul and other issues," Pakistan Cricket Board said. The series -- Afghanistan's home series -- due to be played in Sri Lankan port city of Hambantota was also hit by increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka where a ten-day lockdown was announced on Saturday. "There were a lack of broadcast facilities which was also a hurdle and both the boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022." ALSO READ | 'People criticise only important people,' says Ajinkya Rahane over chatter around his form The three-match series was part of One-day Super League, a qualification process for the 2023 World Cup (50 overs) to be held in India. Since the Taliban take over of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of USA and NATO forces and the collapse of the elected government there was a flight disruption in Kabul. Afghanistan had also tried to move the series to Pakistan, but even that was not viable which finally prompted the two Boards to postpone the series. ALSO READ | INDvsENG: Mark Wood injury adds to England pace problems ahead of third Test International players have also found it hard to cope with the Covid-19 situation since last year as they have to live under bio-secure bubble conditions, causing them mental issues. Considering that, Pakistan had decided to rest its key players including skipper Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali for the Afghanistan series. Afghanistan had last month announced a 17-man squad for the series including their star leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Pakistan-Afghanistan ODI series postponed until next year

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 500 tonnes of medical supplies including surgical equipment and severe malnutrition kits due to be delivered to Afghanistan this week are stuck because of Kabul airport restrictions.

Reports: WHO says Kabul airport curbs blocking medical supplies for Afghans

Iran has resumed fuel exports to Afghanistan following a request from the Taliban. The price of gasoline in the country has turned $900 per tonne as many panicked Afghans drove out of cities, fearing reprisals from the Taliban.

Iran resumes fuel exports to Afghanistan after Taliban request

<p>China said on Tuesday that slapping sanctions on the Taliban in Afghanistan would be harmful, and urged the international community to support the country's opportunities for good change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Afghanistan is an independent and sovereign country. The United States and its allies should learn from the lessons of history, reflect and act prudently on issues related to Afghanistan,” said Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Imposing sanctions and pressure at every turn cannot solve the problem and will only be counterproductive.”</p>

<p>When asked about the G7 leaders' proposal to put further sanctions on the Taliban, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that implementing sanctions and applying pressure will not solve problems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Afghanistan is an independent sovereign country. The US and its allies should learn from the past experience, and deeply reflect upon and act prudently on Afghanistan-related issues," Wang said.</p>

<p>The international community should encourage and work for the positive developments of the Afghan situation, support peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and assist the nation to improve people's livelihood and enhance its ability to achieve self-development, he said.</p>

<p>“Wantonly slapping sanctions and exerting pressure solves no problem and will only be counterproductive," he said.</p>

<p>On Monday, Wang hinted that China would increase financial aid to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, saying that China would play a "positive role" in assisting the war-torn country despite international pressure to halt funding to Kabul until the Afghan militant group changed its hardline religious policies.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


China said on Tuesday that slapping sanctions on the Taliban in Afghanistan would be harmful, and urged the international community to support the country's opportunities for good change.

China said on Tuesday that slapping sanctions on the Taliban in Afghanistan would be harmful, and urged the international community to support the country's opportunities for good change. “Afghanistan is an independent and sovereign country. The United States and its allies should learn from the lessons of history, reflect and act prudently on issues related to Afghanistan,” said Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson. “Imposing sanctions and pressure at every turn cannot solve the problem and will only be counterproductive.” When asked about the G7 leaders' proposal to put further sanctions on the Taliban, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that implementing sanctions and applying pressure will not solve problems. “Afghanistan is an independent sovereign country. The US and its allies should learn from the past experience, and deeply reflect upon and act prudently on Afghanistan-related issues," Wang said. The international community should encourage and work for the positive developments of the Afghan situation, support peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, and assist the nation to improve people's livelihood and enhance its ability to achieve self-development, he said. “Wantonly slapping sanctions and exerting pressure solves no problem and will only be counterproductive," he said. On Monday, Wang hinted that China would increase financial aid to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, saying that China would play a "positive role" in assisting the war-torn country despite international pressure to halt funding to Kabul until the Afghan militant group changed its hardline religious policies. (With inputs from agencies)

Imposing sanctions on Taliban will be counterproductive: China

Briefing the media for the second time after its capture of Afghanistan, the Taliban spokesperson said that they are talking to every stakeholder for govt formation. He also said that they are training Talibs on how to speak to women and advised women to stay at home.

Talking to every stakeholder for govt formation: Taliban

As the Taliban takes charge of Afghanistan, women fear losing everything that they have worked for in the last 20 years. WION brings you a report.

Fear and frustration run high among Afghan women as Taliban take charge

<p>The Biden administration's plan of withdrawing all American personnel out of Afghanistan by August 31 has not changed, according to US Defence Department Press Secretary John Kirby.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Every day, we are making progress in bringing Americans out, as well as Special Immigrant Visa applications and vulnerable Afghans,” he continued.</p>

<p>Kirby stated, “We are committed to getting any and all Americans who wish to go out.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We still believe – certainly now that we have been able to increase the capacity and the flow -- we believe that we have the ability to get that done by the end of the month.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Tuesday that his group will accept "no extensions" to the August 31 deadline set by the Biden administration for the removal of all American forces from Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the Pentagon, new bases may be required to house Afghans evacuated from the war-torn country.</p>

<p>According to CNN, the US has evacuated some 12,700 individuals from Kabul airport in the last 24 hours, citing a White House official.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Biden administration's plan of withdrawing all American personnel out of Afghanistan by August 31 has not changed, according to US Defence Department Press Secretary John Kirby.

The Biden administration's plan of withdrawing all American personnel out of Afghanistan by August 31 has not changed, according to US Defence Department Press Secretary John Kirby. “Every day, we are making progress in bringing Americans out, as well as Special Immigrant Visa applications and vulnerable Afghans,” he continued. Kirby stated, “We are committed to getting any and all Americans who wish to go out.” “We still believe – certainly now that we have been able to increase the capacity and the flow -- we believe that we have the ability to get that done by the end of the month.” Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Tuesday that his group will accept "no extensions" to the August 31 deadline set by the Biden administration for the removal of all American forces from Afghanistan. According to the Pentagon, new bases may be required to house Afghans evacuated from the war-torn country. According to CNN, the US has evacuated some 12,700 individuals from Kabul airport in the last 24 hours, citing a White House official. (With inputs from agencies)

'No change' to August 31 withdrawal deadline: Pentagon’s John Kirby

<p>With the Taliban warning the US of “consequences” if the August 31 deadline for evacuation process is delayed, the United Kingdom and Spain have said it would be impossible to evacuate all Afghans who worked with the western forces within the deadline.</p>

<p>Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles said the country will try to evacuate as many people as possible. “But there are people who will be left behind due to the dramatic situation on the ground”, she was quoted as saying by local media.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, her UK counterpart Ben Wallace, too, issued a similar warning.</p>

<p>“Not everyone would be evacuated before the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban,” the BBC quoted Wallace as saying.</p>

<p>“We have taken out 2,000 people in the last 24 hours and 10,000 since April,” Wallace said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-evade-wions-question-on-secret-meeting-between-mullah-baradar-and-cia-chief-408084">Watch | Taliban evade WION’s question on secret meeting between Mullah Baradar and CIA chief</a></p>

<p>On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group “will not accept” any extensions&nbsp;to the August 31 deadline set by United States President Biden for ending the airlift operation in Kabul.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns was alleged to have secretly met Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday to hold talks on extending the evacuation deadline, the Washington Post reported.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


With the Taliban warning the US of “consequences” if the August 31 deadline for evacuation process is delayed, the United Kingdom and Spain have said it would be impossible to evacuate all Afghans who worked with the western forces within the deadline.

With the Taliban warning the US of “consequences” if the August 31 deadline for evacuation process is delayed, the United Kingdom and Spain have said it would be impossible to evacuate all Afghans who worked with the western forces within the deadline. Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles said the country will try to evacuate as many people as possible. “But there are people who will be left behind due to the dramatic situation on the ground”, she was quoted as saying by local media. Earlier in the day, her UK counterpart Ben Wallace, too, issued a similar warning. “Not everyone would be evacuated before the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban,” the BBC quoted Wallace as saying. “We have taken out 2,000 people in the last 24 hours and 10,000 since April,” Wallace said. Watch | Taliban evade WION’s question on secret meeting between Mullah Baradar and CIA chief On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group “will not accept” any extensions to the August 31 deadline set by United States President Biden for ending the airlift operation in Kabul. Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns was alleged to have secretly met Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday to hold talks on extending the evacuation deadline, the Washington Post reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Not everyone will get out of Afghanistan within August 31 deadline, warn UK, Spain

<p>With the Taliban warning the US of “consequences” if the August 31 deadline for evacuation process is delayed, the United Kingdom and Spain have said it would be impossible to evacuate all Afghans who worked with the western forces within the deadline.</p>

<p>Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles said the country will try to evacuate as many people as possible. “But there are people who will be left behind due to the dramatic situation on the ground”, she was quoted as saying by local media.</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, her UK counterpart Ben Wallace, too, issued a similar warning.</p>

<p>“Not everyone would be evacuated before the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban,” the BBC quoted Wallace as saying.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-evade-wions-question-on-secret-meeting-between-mullah-baradar-and-cia-chief-408084">Watch | Taliban evade WION’s question on secret meeting between Mullah Baradar and CIA chief</a></p>

<p>“We have taken out 2,000 people in the last 24 hours and 10,000 since April,” Wallace said.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group “will not accept” any extensions&nbsp;to the August 31 deadline set by United States President Biden for ending the airlift operation in Kabul.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns was alleged to have secretly met Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday to hold talks on extending the evacuation deadline, the Washington Post reported.</p>

<p>(<em>With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


With the Taliban warning the US of “consequences” if the August 31 deadline for evacuation process is delayed, the United Kingdom and Spain have said it would be impossible to evacuate all Afghans who worked with the western forces within the deadline. Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles said the country will try to evacuate as many people as possible. “But there are people who will be left behind due to the dramatic situation on the ground”, she was quoted as saying by local media. Earlier in the day, her UK counterpart Ben Wallace, too, issued a similar warning. “Not everyone would be evacuated before the August 31 deadline agreed with the Taliban,” the BBC quoted Wallace as saying. Watch | Taliban evade WION’s question on secret meeting between Mullah Baradar and CIA chief “We have taken out 2,000 people in the last 24 hours and 10,000 since April,” Wallace said. On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group “will not accept” any extensions to the August 31 deadline set by United States President Biden for ending the airlift operation in Kabul. Meanwhile, CIA Director William Burns was alleged to have secretly met Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday to hold talks on extending the evacuation deadline, the Washington Post reported. (With inputs from agencies)

In the last couple of days, the world has witnessed the fear of the Taliban militants on the innocent people of Afghanistan. There is mayhem everywhere and people are fleeing the country in a bid to escape the atrocities of the militant group which has taken over Afghanistan by force. However, amid all this turmoil, a small place in Afghanistan draws our attention because unlike the rest of the country here there is no chaos, no one is fleeing, no one is forced to hide or be afraid of knocking at the door. This place is called the Panjshir Valley, the bastion of the Northern Alliance. Here's everything you need to know about this beautiful Valley of Afghanistan.

Panjshir: Here's everything you need to know about the Valley of Resistance

Emergency G7 summit is being held on the Afghanistan crisis. G7 leaders are seeking unity on Taliban sanctions.

WION Live Broadcast: G7 meet on Afghan pullout deadline

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="15">The Taliban said they would not agree to an extension of a looming deadline to evacuate Afghans from Kabul airport, even as Western countries said they were running out of time.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="17">In answer to WION's Anas Mallick's query concerning a covert meeting between the chief of the American intelligence agency CIA, William J Burns, and Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, the spokesperson declined to confirm or deny it.</p>

<p>"All diplomats and embassies, including the United States, have been meeting with the Islamic Emirates Political Office," a Taliban spokeswoman asserted.</p>

<p>He said he can not confirm Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar's meeting with CIA Director.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> at the Taliban press conference in Kabul. In response to <a href="https://twitter.com/AnasMallick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnasMallick</a>’s question on a secret meeting between Taliban leader Mullah Baradar &amp; the CIA chief, the spokesperson refuses to confirm/deny. Says the political office has been meeting all embassies in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afganistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afganistan</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Ppamy2WJVv">pic.twitter.com/Ppamy2WJVv</a></p>
— Palki Sharma (@palkisu) <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu/status/1430167767823573003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to the Washington Post, who cited anonymous US officials, CIA Director William J Burns conducted a secret meeting with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="20">According to the Washington Post, this was the highest-level face-to-face meeting between the two sides and came more than a week after the militant organisation seized power in Afghanistan.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shocking-images-of-children-trapped-at-kabul-airport-amid-evacuation-407731"><strong>Pictures | Shocking images of children trapped at Kabul airport amid evacuation</strong></a></p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="21">About 50,000 foreigners and Afghans have fled the country from Kabul's airport since the Taliban swept into power nine days ago, according to the US government.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="22">Many Afghans fear a repeat of the brutal interpretation of sharia law the Taliban implemented when they were first in power from 1996-2001, and retribution for working with the US-backed government over the past two decades.<br />
<br />
<strong>Watch | Kabul airport witnesses rush after people flee Afghanistan owing to Taliban's siege</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kabul-airport-witnesses-rush-after-people-flee-afghanistan-owing-to-talibans-siege-408035/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="23">The Taliban, who ended two decades of war with an astonishingly swift rout of government forces, have been publicly tolerant of the evacuation effort.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="24"><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The Taliban said they would not agree to an extension of a looming deadline to evacuate Afghans from Kabul airport, even as Western countries said they were running out of time.

The Taliban said they would not agree to an extension of a looming deadline to evacuate Afghans from Kabul airport, even as Western countries said they were running out of time. In answer to WION's Anas Mallick's query concerning a covert meeting between the chief of the American intelligence agency CIA, William J Burns, and Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, the spokesperson declined to confirm or deny it. "All diplomats and embassies, including the United States, have been meeting with the Islamic Emirates Political Office," a Taliban spokeswoman asserted. He said he can not confirm Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar's meeting with CIA Director. .@WIONews at the Taliban press conference in Kabul. In response to @AnasMallick’s question on a secret meeting between Taliban leader Mullah Baradar & the CIA chief, the spokesperson refuses to confirm/deny. Says the political office has been meeting all embassies in #Afganistan. pic.twitter.com/Ppamy2WJVv — Palki Sharma (@palkisu) August 24, 2021 × According to the Washington Post, who cited anonymous US officials, CIA Director William J Burns conducted a secret meeting with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday. According to the Washington Post, this was the highest-level face-to-face meeting between the two sides and came more than a week after the militant organisation seized power in Afghanistan. Pictures | Shocking images of children trapped at Kabul airport amid evacuation About 50,000 foreigners and Afghans have fled the country from Kabul's airport since the Taliban swept into power nine days ago, according to the US government. Many Afghans fear a repeat of the brutal interpretation of sharia law the Taliban implemented when they were first in power from 1996-2001, and retribution for working with the US-backed government over the past two decades. Watch | Kabul airport witnesses rush after people flee Afghanistan owing to Taliban's siege The Taliban, who ended two decades of war with an astonishingly swift rout of government forces, have been publicly tolerant of the evacuation effort. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Taliban evade WION’s question on secret meeting between Mullah Baradar and CIA chief

A mother gives birth mid-air, another runs out of food as she tries to flee Afghanistan. 14.2 Million Afghan women are trapped in the Taliban tyranny. Palki Sharma says the world must come together to #SaveAfghanWomen.

#SaveAfghanWomen: A Gravitas Campaign

The Taliban has said that India should not worry about the safety of Indians in Kabul. But, New Delhi is not taking any chances. It plans to continue evacuations & also crack the whip on separatists & extremists living in India. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Taliban tries to 'reach out' to India

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