Although the air attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels continue, the US has removed its most advanced missile defence system and Patriot batteries from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. The revelation was made by the satellite images analysed by AP. &nbsp;

As America's Gulf Arab allies nervously watched the chaotic US troops withdrawal from war-torn Afghanistan, the redeployment of the defences from Prince Sultan Air Base outside Riyadh was carried out. It also included the last-minute evacuations from Kabul airport. &nbsp;

Watch | Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban's response to peaceful protest

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The tens of thousands of US forces still remain across the Arabian Peninsula to check Iran threat. But Gulf Arab nations worry about the future plans of the US as its military perceives a growing threat in Asia that requires those missile defences. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With the negotiations appearing to be stalled in Vienna over Iran's collapsed nuclear deal with world powers, tensions remain high raising the danger of future confrontations in the region. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-gets-countrys-richest-man-as-pm-amid-economic-turmoil-412310" hreflang="en">Lebanon gets country’s richest man as PM amid economic turmoil</a>

Prince Sultan Air Base is located some 115 kilometers (70 miles) southeast of Riyadh. It has hosted several thousand US troops since a 2019 missile-and-drone attack on the heart of the kingdom's oil production. &nbsp;

Though claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the attack appears to have been carried out by Iran, say experts and physical debris left behind. Tehran has denied launching the attack. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Although the air attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels continue, the US has removed its most advanced missile defence system and Patriot batteries from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

Although the air attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels continue, the US has removed its most advanced missile defence system and Patriot batteries from Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. The revelation was made by the satellite images analysed by AP. As America's Gulf Arab allies nervously watched the chaotic US troops withdrawal from war-torn Afghanistan, the redeployment of the defences from Prince Sultan Air Base outside Riyadh was carried out. It also included the last-minute evacuations from Kabul airport. Watch | Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban's response to peaceful protest × The tens of thousands of US forces still remain across the Arabian Peninsula to check Iran threat. But Gulf Arab nations worry about the future plans of the US as its military perceives a growing threat in Asia that requires those missile defences. With the negotiations appearing to be stalled in Vienna over Iran's collapsed nuclear deal with world powers, tensions remain high raising the danger of future confrontations in the region. Also Read: Lebanon gets country’s richest man as PM amid economic turmoil Prince Sultan Air Base is located some 115 kilometers (70 miles) southeast of Riyadh. It has hosted several thousand US troops since a 2019 missile-and-drone attack on the heart of the kingdom's oil production. Though claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, the attack appears to have been carried out by Iran, say experts and physical debris left behind. Tehran has denied launching the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Even as Houthi attacks continue, US removes missile defences in Saudi Arabia

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move.

“Have at it,” a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers.

The US is in the midst of the Delta variant outbreak with cases surging across various states. As per reports, around 80 million eligible Americans have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left around 650,000 people dead in the United States.

Asserting that he was fed with rising Delta cases, the 78-year-old president said, “We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recorded-highest-new-covid-19-cases-worldwide-in-past-week-who-401286">US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO</a>

Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that while he supports the vaccine, people have the right of personal choice.

Watch&nbsp;

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"The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz was quoted by news agency AFP as saying.

"It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate. While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health,” he added.

The Republican National Committee, governors of a number of Republican-ruled states and conservative private legal groups, announced plans to mount legal challenges to the vaccination mandates.

"See you in court," said Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota. "South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom."

The Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday reported 23,700 new confirmed cases of the virus as well as 5,907 new probable cases. The state additionally reported 408 more fatalities attributed to the Delta variant-fuelled disease.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move.

United States President Joe Biden’s latest aggressive push to inoculate more people, including those showing resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, has sparked a backlash from the Republicans, who have threatened to approach the court against the move. “Have at it,” a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers. The US is in the midst of the Delta variant outbreak with cases surging across various states. As per reports, around 80 million eligible Americans have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left around 650,000 people dead in the United States. Asserting that he was fed with rising Delta cases, the 78-year-old president said, “We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing.” Also read | US recorded highest new COVID-19 cases worldwide in past week: WHO Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz said that while he supports the vaccine, people have the right of personal choice. Watch "The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz was quoted by news agency AFP as saying. "It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate. While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health,” he added. The Republican National Committee, governors of a number of Republican-ruled states and conservative private legal groups, announced plans to mount legal challenges to the vaccination mandates. "See you in court," said Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota. "South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom." The Texas Department of State Health Services on Thursday reported 23,700 new confirmed cases of the virus as well as 5,907 new probable cases. The state additionally reported 408 more fatalities attributed to the Delta variant-fuelled disease. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden’s aggressive vaccine mandate sparks backlash from Republicans

US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced sweeping new federal vaccine requirements that would affect a total of 100 million Americans. Biden sharply criticised the 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated.

Joe Biden announces sweeping measures to vaccinate Americans

September 11 is the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, with commemoration ceremonies being held in New York, Pennsylvania and near Washington. In 2001, Justin Tirelli, fire and emergency medical services captain at the Arlington County Fire Department in Virginia, had been on the job only a few months. On September 11th, he was called to work after a plane crashed into the Pentagon. WION-VOA co-production brings you this report.

September 11, 2001: A turning point in American history

The US Justice Department has sued Texas over a new state law that bans most abortions, arguing that it was enacted “in open defiance of the Constitution.”

US Justice Department sues Texas over state's new abortion law

Some 200 passengers, including US citizens, left&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;airport on Thursday, on the first flight carrying foreigners out of the Afghan capital since a US-led evacuation ended on August 30.

The flight to Doha comes as the Taliban continue their transition from insurgents to governing power, less than a month after they marched into&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;and ousted former president Ashraf Ghani.

Thursday afternoon's Qatar Airways flight took some 200 people from&nbsp;Kabul's airport&nbsp;the first since a mammoth, chaotic airlift of more than 120,000 people came to a dramatic close with the US pullout.

An Afghan-American dual citizen, waiting to board the flight with his family, said the US State Department had called him in the morning and told him to go to the airport.

"We got in contact with the State Department, they gave me a call this morning and said to go to the airport," the father, who asked not to be named, told AFP.

In the days that followed the Taliban's blitz, the airport had become a tragic symbol of desperation among Afghans terrified of the militants' return to power&nbsp;with thousands of people crowding around its gates daily, and some even clinging to jets as they took off.

More than 100 people were killed, including 13 US troops, in a suicide attack on August 26 near the airport that was claimed by the Islamic State group's local chapter.

Waiting with suitcases

Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera TV on Thursday showed families including women, children and elderly people waiting with suitcases at the airport for their turn to leave.

It was not immediately clear whether any countries other than Qatar had played a role in organising the airlift.

Qatar has acted as the central intermediary between the Taliban and the international community in recent years, and numerous countries, including the United States, have relocated their embassies from&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;to Doha in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover.

"We are very appreciative of the Qataris," one man told the channel, giving his nationality as Canadian.

Away from the airport, there was a noticeably stronger Taliban presence on the streets of&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;as armed fighters -- including special forces in military fatigues -- stood guard on street corners and manned checkpoints, according to AFP journalists.

Protest ban

Qatar's special envoy to Afghanistan, Mutlaq al-Qahtani, called it a "historic day" for the airport.

He also said it marked a major step on the road to "reopening ... the airport to international flights, but it may be gradual".

Most of the early Afghan evacuees were desperate to flee fearing Taliban reprisals for having worked with foreign powers during the 20-year, US-led occupation.

The United States has repeatedly pledged to continue working to evacuate any American citizens still in Afghanistan after last month's airlift ended.

Earlier Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said only around 100 Americans remained in Afghanistan.

"It's right around 100 right now and we're working to get those American citizens who want to depart out of the country, as well as legal permanent residents and other key partners," Psaki told MSNBC.

The Taliban have said they will not prevent anyone who wishes to from leaving the country, even as they have urged skilled Afghans, such as doctors and engineers, to remain.

The Islamist hardliners have pledged&nbsp;a more moderate brand of rule than in their notoriously oppressive 1996-2001 reign. However, they have shown clear signs that they will not tolerate opposition.&nbsp;

Earlier this week armed Taliban militants dispersed&nbsp;hundreds of protesters in cities across Afghanistan, including&nbsp;Kabul, Faizabad&nbsp;in the northeast and in Herat in the west, where two people were shot dead.

Late Wednesday, they moved to snuff out any further civil unrest, saying protests would need prior authorisation from the justice ministry, adding that no demonstrations were allowed "for the time being".

One protest organiser told AFP rallies in&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;had been cancelled because of the overnight ban.

Promises of inclusion

A Taliban interim government, drawn exclusively from loyalist ranks, formally began work this week with established hardliners in all key posts and no women despite previous promises of an inclusive administration for all Afghans.

All the top positions have been handed to key leaders from the movement and in particular the Haqqani network -- the most violent Taliban faction, known for devastating attacks.

The dreaded Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice&nbsp;previously responsible for arresting and punishing people for failing to follow the movement's restrictive interpretation of sharia is being reinstated.

Some 200 passengers, including US citizens, left Kabul airport on Thursday, on the first flight carrying foreigners out of the Afghan capital since a US-led evacuation ended on August 30.

Some 200 passengers, including US citizens, left Kabul airport on Thursday, on the first flight carrying foreigners out of the Afghan capital since a US-led evacuation ended on August 30. The flight to Doha comes as the Taliban continue their transition from insurgents to governing power, less than a month after they marched into Kabul and ousted former president Ashraf Ghani. Thursday afternoon's Qatar Airways flight took some 200 people from Kabul's airport the first since a mammoth, chaotic airlift of more than 120,000 people came to a dramatic close with the US pullout. An Afghan-American dual citizen, waiting to board the flight with his family, said the US State Department had called him in the morning and told him to go to the airport. "We got in contact with the State Department, they gave me a call this morning and said to go to the airport," the father, who asked not to be named, told AFP. In the days that followed the Taliban's blitz, the airport had become a tragic symbol of desperation among Afghans terrified of the militants' return to power with thousands of people crowding around its gates daily, and some even clinging to jets as they took off. More than 100 people were killed, including 13 US troops, in a suicide attack on August 26 near the airport that was claimed by the Islamic State group's local chapter. Waiting with suitcases Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera TV on Thursday showed families including women, children and elderly people waiting with suitcases at the airport for their turn to leave. It was not immediately clear whether any countries other than Qatar had played a role in organising the airlift. Qatar has acted as the central intermediary between the Taliban and the international community in recent years, and numerous countries, including the United States, have relocated their embassies from Kabul to Doha in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover. "We are very appreciative of the Qataris," one man told the channel, giving his nationality as Canadian. Away from the airport, there was a noticeably stronger Taliban presence on the streets of Kabul as armed fighters -- including special forces in military fatigues -- stood guard on street corners and manned checkpoints, according to AFP journalists. Protest ban Qatar's special envoy to Afghanistan, Mutlaq al-Qahtani, called it a "historic day" for the airport. He also said it marked a major step on the road to "reopening ... the airport to international flights, but it may be gradual". Most of the early Afghan evacuees were desperate to flee fearing Taliban reprisals for having worked with foreign powers during the 20-year, US-led occupation. The United States has repeatedly pledged to continue working to evacuate any American citizens still in Afghanistan after last month's airlift ended. Earlier Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said only around 100 Americans remained in Afghanistan. "It's right around 100 right now and we're working to get those American citizens who want to depart out of the country, as well as legal permanent residents and other key partners," Psaki told MSNBC. The Taliban have said they will not prevent anyone who wishes to from leaving the country, even as they have urged skilled Afghans, such as doctors and engineers, to remain. The Islamist hardliners have pledged a more moderate brand of rule than in their notoriously oppressive 1996-2001 reign. However, they have shown clear signs that they will not tolerate opposition. Earlier this week armed Taliban militants dispersed hundreds of protesters in cities across Afghanistan, including Kabul, Faizabad in the northeast and in Herat in the west, where two people were shot dead. Late Wednesday, they moved to snuff out any further civil unrest, saying protests would need prior authorisation from the justice ministry, adding that no demonstrations were allowed "for the time being". One protest organiser told AFP rallies in Kabul had been cancelled because of the overnight ban. Promises of inclusion A Taliban interim government, drawn exclusively from loyalist ranks, formally began work this week with established hardliners in all key posts and no women despite previous promises of an inclusive administration for all Afghans. All the top positions have been handed to key leaders from the movement and in particular the Haqqani network -- the most violent Taliban faction, known for devastating attacks. The dreaded Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice previously responsible for arresting and punishing people for failing to follow the movement's restrictive interpretation of sharia is being reinstated.

First evacuation flight takes off from Kabul since US troop withdrawal

Three spy chiefs, three meetings, one agenda- Afghanistan. Palki Sharma tells you why top security and espionage officials from the US, UK and Russia are making a beeline for New Delhi.

Gravitas: US, UK & Russia dispatch their spy chiefs to India

Antony Blinken visited Germany to discuss a joint strategy on how to engage with the Taliban. Will the US embrace, arrest or ignore the blacklisted ministers? What is the cost of America's 'pragmatic' engagement? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: How will US deal with blacklisted Taliban ministers?

Several leading US&nbsp;airlines&nbsp;on Thursday cut their forecasts for the third quarter, citing lower bookings and increased cancelations due to the&nbsp;latest&nbsp;wave&nbsp;of&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;infections.

After a better than expected July, American&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;"experienced softness in August" in bookings and an increase in cancellations, attributed "to the rise in&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;cases associated with the delta variant," the company said in a securities filing.

American now expects third-quarter revenues to be 24 to 28 percent lower than the comparable period of 2019, worse than the July estimater for a drop of about 20 percent.

United&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;also lowered projections, saying it "has seen in the last few weeks a deceleration in customer bookings for travel compared to previous estimations due to the recent spike in&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;cases associated with the Delta variant."&nbsp;

Despite the&nbsp;drag&nbsp;from&nbsp;the recent rise in infections, "the current spike in cases has been significantly less impactful to date than prior spikes and is expected to be temporary in nature," United said&nbsp;in a securities filing.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-extends-covid-curbs-in-tokyo-till-september-end-411864">Also read |&nbsp;Japan extends Covid curbs in Tokyo till September end</a>

"Based on demand patterns following prior waves of&nbsp;Covid-19, the Company expects bookings to begin to recover once cases peak."

After suffering through a devastating 2020 due to&nbsp;Covid-19, US&nbsp;airlines&nbsp;have partially recovered thanks to the progress on vaccinations and an uptick in domestic travel.

However, business travel and international travel remain well below their pre-pandemic levels and are not expected to fully recover before 2022 or later.

Delta Air Lines, Southwest&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;and JetBlue&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;also lowered some forecasts in securities filings, citing similar dynamics.&nbsp;

Executives&nbsp;from&nbsp;leading carriers are scheduled to present at an investor conference later Thursday.

Several leading US airlines on Thursday cut their forecasts for the third quarter, citing lower bookings and increased cancelations due to the latest wave of Covid-19 infections.

Several leading US airlines on Thursday cut their forecasts for the third quarter, citing lower bookings and increased cancelations due to the latest wave of Covid-19 infections. After a better than expected July, American Airlines "experienced softness in August" in bookings and an increase in cancellations, attributed "to the rise in Covid-19 cases associated with the delta variant," the company said in a securities filing. American now expects third-quarter revenues to be 24 to 28 percent lower than the comparable period of 2019, worse than the July estimater for a drop of about 20 percent. United Airlines also lowered projections, saying it "has seen in the last few weeks a deceleration in customer bookings for travel compared to previous estimations due to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases associated with the Delta variant." Despite the drag from the recent rise in infections, "the current spike in cases has been significantly less impactful to date than prior spikes and is expected to be temporary in nature," United said in a securities filing. Also read | Japan extends Covid curbs in Tokyo till September end "Based on demand patterns following prior waves of Covid-19, the Company expects bookings to begin to recover once cases peak." After suffering through a devastating 2020 due to Covid-19, US airlines have partially recovered thanks to the progress on vaccinations and an uptick in domestic travel. However, business travel and international travel remain well below their pre-pandemic levels and are not expected to fully recover before 2022 or later. Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airlines also lowered some forecasts in securities filings, citing similar dynamics. Executives from leading carriers are scheduled to present at an investor conference later Thursday.

US airlines warn of drag from latest Covid-19 wave

The first commercial flight from Qatar Airways has arrived in Kabul. Taliban authorities have agreed to allow 200 Americans and several other foreign nationals still in Afghanistan to leave the country.

First commercial flight arrives at Kabul airport

Taliban authorities have agreed to allow 200 Americans and several other foreign nationals still in Afghanistan to leave the country, one week after US troops and government officials completed their evacuation operation from the country. WION's Anas Mallick brings you a report.

Taliban agrees to allow 200 Americans and other foreigners to leave Afghanistan

In US, labour unions of various airlines are planning strikes. Strikes will be held over fatigue and overscheduling.

Labour unions of various airlines plan strikes in US

A research study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has claimed that adults under 45 years old who consumed cannabis within the last 30 days suffered from nearly double the number of heart attacks than the adults who didn’t smoke up.

The research, published by Canadian Medical Association Journal, raises eyebrows of many as there has been a movement across the world, including the US&nbsp;and Canada, to legalise the use, distribution and production of cannabis for personal use.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-authorises-export-of-dried-cannabis-flowers-400240">Colombia authorises export of dried cannabis flowers</a>

The research notes, “With cannabis use on the rise, thanks in part to the pandemic, and legalization across the US continuing, its potential health risks have become an important area of research.”

The researchers also discovered that consuming cannabis in other ways was also linked to an elevated risk of heart attacks.

“Additionally, this association was consistent across different forms of cannabis consumption, including smoking, vaporization, and other methods such as edibles," study co-author Dr Karim Ladha, clinician-scientist and staff anesthesiologist at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto in Canada, said in a statement.

"This suggests that no method of consumption is safer than another in this regard,” he said.

The researchers analysed health data from over 33,000 adults ages 18 to 44 who were part of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention surveys in 2017 and 2018.

Of the 17 per cent of adults who reported using cannabis within the previous month, 1.3 per cent later had a heart attack while only 0.8per cent of non-cannabis users reported the same.

“Some people assume that consuming cannabis is safe and can’t harm your body, but that is incorrect," Ladha later told CNN.

“There’s increasing evidence that this could potentially be harmful to you, both in the short term and the long term,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A research study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has claimed that adults under 45 years old who consumed cannabis within the last 30 days suffered from nearly double the number of heart attacks than the adults who didn’t smoke up.

A research study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has claimed that adults under 45 years old who consumed cannabis within the last 30 days suffered from nearly double the number of heart attacks than the adults who didn’t smoke up. The research, published by Canadian Medical Association Journal, raises eyebrows of many as there has been a movement across the world, including the US and Canada, to legalise the use, distribution and production of cannabis for personal use. Also read | Colombia authorises export of dried cannabis flowers The research notes, “With cannabis use on the rise, thanks in part to the pandemic, and legalization across the US continuing, its potential health risks have become an important area of research.” The researchers also discovered that consuming cannabis in other ways was also linked to an elevated risk of heart attacks. “Additionally, this association was consistent across different forms of cannabis consumption, including smoking, vaporization, and other methods such as edibles," study co-author Dr Karim Ladha, clinician-scientist and staff anesthesiologist at St. Michael's Hospital and the University of Toronto in Canada, said in a statement. "This suggests that no method of consumption is safer than another in this regard,” he said. The researchers analysed health data from over 33,000 adults ages 18 to 44 who were part of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention surveys in 2017 and 2018. Of the 17 per cent of adults who reported using cannabis within the previous month, 1.3 per cent later had a heart attack while only 0.8per cent of non-cannabis users reported the same. “Some people assume that consuming cannabis is safe and can’t harm your body, but that is incorrect," Ladha later told CNN. “There’s increasing evidence that this could potentially be harmful to you, both in the short term and the long term,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Smoking cannabis could double risk of heart attack, claims study

Boeing's management is under threat. A US judge ruled that Boeing's board of directors must face a lawuit from shareholdres.

Boeing's management under threat after ruling that Boeing must face lawsuit from shareholders

Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). &nbsp;&nbsp;

China called the incident the “biggest destroyer of peace”. The SCS is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade lanes. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Calling it a part of Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP), the US navy’s destroyer USS Benfold sailed past the Mischief Reef, located close to Spratly Islands, on Wednesday. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;US President Joe Biden tours hurricane hit areas in America

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The Mischief Reef is ring-shaped and located some 250km from the Philippines coast. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a statement, Lt Mark Langford, deputy public affairs officer, US 7th Fleet, said, “On September 8, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This FONOP upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea. USS Benfold demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in its natural state, is not entitled to a territorial sea under international law.” &nbsp;

Issuing a strong statement against the US warship’s movements in the SCS, China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) southern theatre command (STC) spokesperson, Tian Junli, said the operation was carried out without the approval of the Chinese government.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-airstrikes-potentially-killed-over-40000-civilians-since-911-says-report-411636" hreflang="en">US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report</a>

Carrying out follow-up surveillance, the PLA air force issued a warning to warship, he said. “The US’s serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security is another ironclad evidence of its aggressive navigation hegemony and militarisation of the South China Sea,” Junli added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS).

Lashing out at the US, China deployed fighter jets on Wednesday after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef close to the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (SCS). China called the incident the “biggest destroyer of peace”. The SCS is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade lanes. Calling it a part of Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP), the US navy’s destroyer USS Benfold sailed past the Mischief Reef, located close to Spratly Islands, on Wednesday. Watch: US President Joe Biden tours hurricane hit areas in America × The Mischief Reef is ring-shaped and located some 250km from the Philippines coast. In a statement, Lt Mark Langford, deputy public affairs officer, US 7th Fleet, said, “On September 8, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This FONOP upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea. USS Benfold demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in its natural state, is not entitled to a territorial sea under international law.” Issuing a strong statement against the US warship’s movements in the SCS, China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) southern theatre command (STC) spokesperson, Tian Junli, said the operation was carried out without the approval of the Chinese government. Also Read: US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report Carrying out follow-up surveillance, the PLA air force issued a warning to warship, he said. “The US’s serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security is another ironclad evidence of its aggressive navigation hegemony and militarisation of the South China Sea,” Junli added. (With inputs from agencies)

China lashes out, deploys fighter jets after US warship sails past Mischief Reef in South China Sea

US President Joe Biden continued his tour of damage caused by Hurricane Ida, traveling to New York and New Jersey to see the first-hand devastation caused by the massive storm inflicted on the Northeast.

Biden tours flood-hit area, calls for action on climate change

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars.

Basing its findings on the declaration made by the US that it launched at least 91,340 strikes across seven major conflict zones, including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Libya, the London-based group sought to find the number of civilian casualties linked to the ‘forever wars’, spanning two decades of conflict which formally ended on August 31 with the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

Based on that total, Airwars concluded “US actions likely killed at least 22,679 civilians, with that number potentially as high as 48,308”.

According to research compiled by Airwars, the deadliest year in the past two decades for civilian victims of US airstrikes was 2003 when a minimum of 5,529 civilians were reported to have been killed, almost all during the invasion of Iraq that year.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-911-a-day-or-is-it-an-era-411151">&nbsp;Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era?</a>

The next deadliest year was 2017 when at least 4,931 civilians were likely killed, the vast majority in coalition&nbsp;bombing of Iraq and Syria.

Since taking the office, Joe Biden—the fourth to manage the “forever wars” after his predecessors George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump—promised to reduce US reliance on airstrikes amid a formal review of the government's drone policy.&nbsp;

“The threat from terrorism continues, but it’s changed. Our strategy needs to change too,” Biden said, vowing action against the Daesh branch in Afghanistan (Daesh-K) after the group claimed responsibility for the August 26 attack at Kabul airport that killed over 160 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members.

The US military has not provided the official estimates of civilian deaths nor have they published such findings. Airwaves cited&nbsp;its data from sources like the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Iraq Body Count NGO and The Nation.

(With&nbsp;inputs from agencies)

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars.

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars. Basing its findings on the declaration made by the US that it launched at least 91,340 strikes across seven major conflict zones, including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Libya, the London-based group sought to find the number of civilian casualties linked to the ‘forever wars’, spanning two decades of conflict which formally ended on August 31 with the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Based on that total, Airwars concluded “US actions likely killed at least 22,679 civilians, with that number potentially as high as 48,308”. According to research compiled by Airwars, the deadliest year in the past two decades for civilian victims of US airstrikes was 2003 when a minimum of 5,529 civilians were reported to have been killed, almost all during the invasion of Iraq that year. Also read | Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era? The next deadliest year was 2017 when at least 4,931 civilians were likely killed, the vast majority in coalition bombing of Iraq and Syria. Since taking the office, Joe Biden—the fourth to manage the “forever wars” after his predecessors George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump—promised to reduce US reliance on airstrikes amid a formal review of the government's drone policy. “The threat from terrorism continues, but it’s changed. Our strategy needs to change too,” Biden said, vowing action against the Daesh branch in Afghanistan (Daesh-K) after the group claimed responsibility for the August 26 attack at Kabul airport that killed over 160 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members. The US military has not provided the official estimates of civilian deaths nor have they published such findings. Airwaves cited its data from sources like the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Iraq Body Count NGO and The Nation. (With inputs from agencies)

US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report

US President Joe Biden toured the hurricane hit areas in America. He declared climate change as an existential crisis.

US  President Joe Biden tours hurricane hit areas in America

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that “nobody saw the endgame coming” in Afghanistan and called on the international community to “work in the collective interest” of Afghans.

These were the first public comments by the minister on the current situation in Afghanistan, which saw a surprise takeover from the Taliban of Kabul on August 15. Earlier, he only made a public statement&nbsp;on the Afghanistan evacuation process but didn't express his views on the Taliban seizing power.

Speaking at the JG Crawford Oration 2021, he pointed out, “All of us understood for some years that the presence of the United States and its allies would wind down eventually in Afghanistan... The fact was that for all the debate and deliberations on it, it would be a fair statement to assert that the endgame was not something that anybody saw it coming. It wasn't exactly the scenario anybody was prepared for.”

Ever since the fall of Kabul, India left no stones unturned to evacuate as many of the citizens it can. It has been coordinating with several countries like the US, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Oman and lifted more than 500 people, of which more than 200 are Afghans, mostly Sikhs and Hindus.&nbsp;

Highlighting New Delhi’s role in taking up the Afghanistan issue in the United Nations Security Council, he said, “I should emphasise that in the UNSC, in the month where we held the presidency, the members passed resolution 2593 on Taliban, demanding that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for terrorism, and expecting them to live up to their promises of forming an inclusive government, and better treatment of minorities, women, children.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-will-the-taliban-govern-a-history-of-rebel-rule-offers-clues-410481">How will the Taliban govern? A history of rebel rule offers clues</a>

India is the non-permanent member of the council and it held the chair of the presidency in August, presiding over key meetings. Under its presidency, three meetings took place on Afghanistan—on August 6, August 16, and August 30—the last one saw a resolution being passed on the Afghanistan crisis. The resolution saw the backing of 13 countries, while the remaining two—Russia and China—abstained from voting.

Cautioning against some countries’ “natural temptation of diplomacy to score a point above the others and try to get ahead in the game", he said, “This is the time for the international community to actually come together and work in what is true for the collective interest.”

While heartbreaking visuals of Afghans fleeing the country via the Hamid Karzai International Airport emerged, there has been a deafening silence by the international community on the crisis. During the UNSC meeting, a divide emerged between the West, led by the US, and Russia and China on the issue of engaging with the Taliban.

Speaking on the role of the US in the aftermath of the Afghan crisis, the EAM said, “US is the US, it has deep strengths, an extraordinary capacity to re-invent itself, re-energize itself. We have seen that in history and that some variant of the debate would have also happened in the 1970s&nbsp;after Washington's Vietnam debacle.”

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that “nobody saw the endgame coming” in Afghanistan and called on the international community to “work in the collective interest” of Afghans.

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that “nobody saw the endgame coming” in Afghanistan and called on the international community to “work in the collective interest” of Afghans. These were the first public comments by the minister on the current situation in Afghanistan, which saw a surprise takeover from the Taliban of Kabul on August 15. Earlier, he only made a public statement on the Afghanistan evacuation process but didn't express his views on the Taliban seizing power. Speaking at the JG Crawford Oration 2021, he pointed out, “All of us understood for some years that the presence of the United States and its allies would wind down eventually in Afghanistan... The fact was that for all the debate and deliberations on it, it would be a fair statement to assert that the endgame was not something that anybody saw it coming. It wasn't exactly the scenario anybody was prepared for.” Ever since the fall of Kabul, India left no stones unturned to evacuate as many of the citizens it can. It has been coordinating with several countries like the US, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Oman and lifted more than 500 people, of which more than 200 are Afghans, mostly Sikhs and Hindus. Highlighting New Delhi’s role in taking up the Afghanistan issue in the United Nations Security Council, he said, “I should emphasise that in the UNSC, in the month where we held the presidency, the members passed resolution 2593 on Taliban, demanding that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for terrorism, and expecting them to live up to their promises of forming an inclusive government, and better treatment of minorities, women, children.” Also read | How will the Taliban govern? A history of rebel rule offers clues India is the non-permanent member of the council and it held the chair of the presidency in August, presiding over key meetings. Under its presidency, three meetings took place on Afghanistan—on August 6, August 16, and August 30—the last one saw a resolution being passed on the Afghanistan crisis. The resolution saw the backing of 13 countries, while the remaining two—Russia and China—abstained from voting. Cautioning against some countries’ “natural temptation of diplomacy to score a point above the others and try to get ahead in the game", he said, “This is the time for the international community to actually come together and work in what is true for the collective interest.” While heartbreaking visuals of Afghans fleeing the country via the Hamid Karzai International Airport emerged, there has been a deafening silence by the international community on the crisis. During the UNSC meeting, a divide emerged between the West, led by the US, and Russia and China on the issue of engaging with the Taliban. Speaking on the role of the US in the aftermath of the Afghan crisis, the EAM said, “US is the US, it has deep strengths, an extraordinary capacity to re-invent itself, re-energize itself. We have seen that in history and that some variant of the debate would have also happened in the 1970s after Washington's Vietnam debacle.”

Endgame was not something that anybody saw coming: Jaishankar on Afghanistan

After the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida in the Louisiana United States, the area remains without power. The flood has led houses to submerge underwater. Hurricane Ida has destroyed 22,000 power poles so far. The cleanup work is still under progress by the authorities.

US: Long road to recovery after hurricane Ida

Welcoming possible US involvement in the reconstruction of the country, the Taliban says it is ready to have relations with Washington, the group’s spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sputnik. &nbsp;

The group wants relations that can serve the interests of both Afghanistan and the United States. The spokesman said, "Yes, of course, in a new chapter if America wants to have a relation with us, which could be in the interest of both countries and both peoples, and if they want to participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, they are welcome."

Watch: Reports challenge prospect of Mullah Baradar leading new Afghanistan govt

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Shaheen added, the Taliban will not have any relations with Israel but wants to maintain a dialogue with all of its neighbours. &nbsp;

The leader said, "Of course, we won't have any relation with Israel. We want to have relations with other countries, Israel is not among these countries… We would like to have relations with all the regional countries and neighbouring countries as well as Asian countries." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-built-databases-a-potential-tool-of-taliban-repression-411368" hreflang="en">US-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression</a>

Meanwhile, the Taliban has also invited former Afghan military men to join the new hardline leadership. &nbsp;

"Afghan soldiers, who have been trained over the last 20 years, will be requested to rejoin security departments alongside Taliban fighters," said spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid at a press conference in Kabul. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Welcoming possible US involvement in the reconstruction of the country, the Taliban says it is ready to have relations with Washington, the group’s spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sputnik.

Welcoming possible US involvement in the reconstruction of the country, the Taliban says it is ready to have relations with Washington, the group’s spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sputnik. The group wants relations that can serve the interests of both Afghanistan and the United States. The spokesman said, "Yes, of course, in a new chapter if America wants to have a relation with us, which could be in the interest of both countries and both peoples, and if they want to participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, they are welcome." Watch: Reports challenge prospect of Mullah Baradar leading new Afghanistan govt × Shaheen added, the Taliban will not have any relations with Israel but wants to maintain a dialogue with all of its neighbours. The leader said, "Of course, we won't have any relation with Israel. We want to have relations with other countries, Israel is not among these countries… We would like to have relations with all the regional countries and neighbouring countries as well as Asian countries." Also Read: US-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression Meanwhile, the Taliban has also invited former Afghan military men to join the new hardline leadership. "Afghan soldiers, who have been trained over the last 20 years, will be requested to rejoin security departments alongside Taliban fighters," said spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid at a press conference in Kabul. (With inputs from agencies)

With reconstruction on mind, Taliban ready to have relations with US

The US evacuated four Americans from Afghanistan via an overland route. This is the first US extraction since pullout. Roughly, 124,000 people were evacuated by US from Kabul last month.

US evacuates Americans from Afghanistan after troop withdrawal

Over two decades, the United States and its allies spent hundreds of millions of dollars building databases for the Afghan people. The nobly stated goal: Promote law and order and government accountability and modernize a war-ravaged land.

But in the Taliban's lightning seizure of power, most of that digital apparatus,&nbsp;including biometrics for verifying identities,&nbsp;apparently fell into the Taliban hands. Built with few data-protection safeguards, it risks becoming the high-tech jackboots of a surveillance state. As the Taliban get their governing feet, there are worries it will be used for social control and to punish perceived foes.

Putting such data to work constructively boosting education, empowering women, battling corruption&nbsp;requires democratic stability, and these systems were not architected for the prospect of defeat.

"It is a terrible irony,"&nbsp;said Frank Pasquale, Brooklyn Law School scholar of surveillance technologies. "It's a real object lesson in The road to hell is paved with good intentions.'"

Since Kabul fell August&nbsp;15, indications have emerged that government data may have been used in Taliban efforts to identify and intimidate Afghans who worked with the US&nbsp;Forces.

People are getting ominous and threatening phone calls, texts and WhatsApp messages, said Neesha Suarez, constituent services director for Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, an Iraq War veteran whose office is trying to help stranded Afghans who worked with the U.S. Find a way out.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-open-fire-to-disperse-demonstrators-who-chant-anti-pakistan-slogans-in-kabul-411312">Taliban open fire to disperse demonstrators who chant anti-Pakistan slogans in Kabul</a>

A 27-year-old US&nbsp;Contractor in Kabul told The Associated Press he and co-workers who developed a US-funded database used to manage army and police payrolls got phone calls summoning them to the Defense Ministry. He is in hiding, changing his location daily, he said, asking not to be identified for his safety.

In victory, the Taliban's leaders say they are not interested in retribution. Restoring international aid and getting foreign-held assets unfrozen are a priority. There are few signs of the draconian restrictions "especially on women"&nbsp;they imposed when they ruled from 1996 to 2001. There are also no indications that Afghans who worked with Americans have been systematically persecuted.

Ali Karimi, a University of Pennsylvania scholar, is among Afghans unready to trust the Taliban. He worries the databases will give rigid fundamentalist theocrats, known during their insurgency for ruthlessly killing enemy collaborators, "the same capability as an average US&nbsp;Government agency when it comes to surveillance and interception.? The Taliban are on notice that the world will be watching how they wield the data.

Watch

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"All Afghans and their international partners have an obligation together to ensure sensitive government data only be used for development purposes&nbsp;and not for policing or social control by the Taliban or to serve other governments in the region, said Nader Nadery," a peace negotiator and head of the civil service commission in the former government.

Uncertain for the moment is the fate of one of the most sensitive databases, the one used to pay soldiers and police.

The Afghan Personnel and Pay System has data on more than 700,000 security forces members dating back 40 years, said a senior security official from the fallen government. Its more than 40 data fields include birth dates, phone numbers, fathers' and grandfathers' names, fingerprints and iris and face scans, said two Afghan contractors who worked on it, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

Only authorized users can access that system, so if the Taliban can't find one, they can be expected to try to hack it, said the former official, who asked not to be identified for fear of the safety of relatives in Kabul. He expected Pakistan's ISI intelligence service, long the Taliban's patron, to render technical assistance. US&nbsp;Analysts expect Chinese, Russian and Iranian intelligence also to offer such services.

Originally conceived to fight payroll fraud, that system was supposed to interface eventually with a powerful database at the Defense and Interior ministries modelled on one the Pentagon created in 2004 to achieve identity "dominance"&nbsp;by collecting fingerprints and iris and face scans in combat areas.

But the homegrown Afghanistan Automated Biometric Identification Database grew from a tool to vet army and police recruits for loyalty to contain 8.5 million records, including on government foes and the civilian population. When Kabul fell it was being upgraded, along with a similar database in Iraq, under a $75 million contract signed in 2018. 
US&nbsp;Officials say it was secured before the Taliban could access it.

Before the US&nbsp;pullout, the entire database was erased with military-grade data-wiping software, said William Graves, chief engineer at the Pentagon's biometrics project management office.

Similarly, 20 years of data collected from telecommunications and internet intercepts since 2001 by Afghanistan's intelligence agency were wiped clean, said the former Afghan security official.

Among crucial databases that remained are the Afghanistan Financial Management Information System, which held extensive details on foreign contractors, and an Economy Ministry database that compiled all international development and aid agency funding sources, the former security official said.

Then there is the data with iris scans and fingerprints for about 9 million Afghans&nbsp;controlled by the National Statistics and Information Agency. A biometric scan has been required in recent years to obtain a passport or a driver's license and to take a civil service or university entrance exam.

Western aid organizations led by the World Bank, one of the funders, praised the data's utility for empowering women, especially in registering land ownership and obtaining bank loans. The agency was working to create electronic national IDs, known as e-Tazkira, in an unfinished project somewhat modelled on India's biometrically enabled Aadhaar national ID.

"That's the treasure chest,"&nbsp;said a Western election assistance official, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize future missions.

"It is unclear whether voter registration databases&nbsp;records on more than 8 million Afghan"&nbsp;are in Taliban hands, the official said. Full printouts were made during the 2019 presidential elections, though the biometric records used then for anti-fraud voter verification were retained by the German technology provider. After the 2018 parliamentary elections, 5,000 portable biometric handhelds used for verification went inexplicably missing.

Yet another database the Taliban inherit contains iris and face scans and fingerprints on 420,000 government employees&nbsp;another anti-fraud measure&nbsp;which Nadery oversaw as civil service commissioner. It was eventually to have been merged with the e-Tazkira database, he said.

On August&nbsp;3, a government website touted the digital accomplishments of President Ashraf Ghani, who would soon flee into exile, saying biometric information on all civil servants, from every corner of the country" would allow them to them to be linked "under one umbrella"&nbsp;with banks and cellphone carriers for electronic payment. U.N. Agencies have also collected biometrics on Afghans for food distribution and refugee tracking.

The central agglomeration of such personal data is exactly what worries the 37 digital civil liberties groups who signed an Aug. 25 letter calling for the urgent shutdown and erasure, where possible, of Afghanistan's digital identity tool,&nbsp;among other measures. The letter said authoritarian regimes have exploited such data to target vulnerable people&nbsp;and digitized, searchable databases amplify the risks. Disputes over including ethnicity and religion in the e-Tazkira database&nbsp;for fear it could put digital bullseyes on minorities, as China has done in repressing its ethnic Uyghurs&nbsp;delayed its creation for most of a decade.

John Woodward, a Boston University professor and former CIA officer who pioneered the Pentagon's biometric collection, is worried about intelligence agencies hostile to the United States getting access to the data troves.

"ISI (Pakistani intelligence) would be interested to know who worked for the Americans,"&nbsp;said Woodward, and China, Russia and Iran have their own agendas. Their agents certainly have the technical chops to break into password-protected databases.

Over two decades, the United States and its allies spent hundreds of millions of dollars building databases for the Afghan people. The nobly stated goal: Promote law and order and government accountability and modernize a war-ravaged land.

Over two decades, the United States and its allies spent hundreds of millions of dollars building databases for the Afghan people. The nobly stated goal: Promote law and order and government accountability and modernize a war-ravaged land. But in the Taliban's lightning seizure of power, most of that digital apparatus, including biometrics for verifying identities, apparently fell into the Taliban hands. Built with few data-protection safeguards, it risks becoming the high-tech jackboots of a surveillance state. As the Taliban get their governing feet, there are worries it will be used for social control and to punish perceived foes. Putting such data to work constructively boosting education, empowering women, battling corruption requires democratic stability, and these systems were not architected for the prospect of defeat. "It is a terrible irony," said Frank Pasquale, Brooklyn Law School scholar of surveillance technologies. "It's a real object lesson in The road to hell is paved with good intentions.'" Since Kabul fell August 15, indications have emerged that government data may have been used in Taliban efforts to identify and intimidate Afghans who worked with the US Forces. People are getting ominous and threatening phone calls, texts and WhatsApp messages, said Neesha Suarez, constituent services director for Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, an Iraq War veteran whose office is trying to help stranded Afghans who worked with the U.S. Find a way out. Also read | Taliban open fire to disperse demonstrators who chant anti-Pakistan slogans in Kabul A 27-year-old US Contractor in Kabul told The Associated Press he and co-workers who developed a US-funded database used to manage army and police payrolls got phone calls summoning them to the Defense Ministry. He is in hiding, changing his location daily, he said, asking not to be identified for his safety. In victory, the Taliban's leaders say they are not interested in retribution. Restoring international aid and getting foreign-held assets unfrozen are a priority. There are few signs of the draconian restrictions "especially on women" they imposed when they ruled from 1996 to 2001. There are also no indications that Afghans who worked with Americans have been systematically persecuted. Ali Karimi, a University of Pennsylvania scholar, is among Afghans unready to trust the Taliban. He worries the databases will give rigid fundamentalist theocrats, known during their insurgency for ruthlessly killing enemy collaborators, "the same capability as an average US Government agency when it comes to surveillance and interception.? The Taliban are on notice that the world will be watching how they wield the data. Watch "All Afghans and their international partners have an obligation together to ensure sensitive government data only be used for development purposes and not for policing or social control by the Taliban or to serve other governments in the region, said Nader Nadery," a peace negotiator and head of the civil service commission in the former government. Uncertain for the moment is the fate of one of the most sensitive databases, the one used to pay soldiers and police. The Afghan Personnel and Pay System has data on more than 700,000 security forces members dating back 40 years, said a senior security official from the fallen government. Its more than 40 data fields include birth dates, phone numbers, fathers' and grandfathers' names, fingerprints and iris and face scans, said two Afghan contractors who worked on it, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Only authorized users can access that system, so if the Taliban can't find one, they can be expected to try to hack it, said the former official, who asked not to be identified for fear of the safety of relatives in Kabul. He expected Pakistan's ISI intelligence service, long the Taliban's patron, to render technical assistance. US Analysts expect Chinese, Russian and Iranian intelligence also to offer such services. Originally conceived to fight payroll fraud, that system was supposed to interface eventually with a powerful database at the Defense and Interior ministries modelled on one the Pentagon created in 2004 to achieve identity "dominance" by collecting fingerprints and iris and face scans in combat areas. But the homegrown Afghanistan Automated Biometric Identification Database grew from a tool to vet army and police recruits for loyalty to contain 8.5 million records, including on government foes and the civilian population. When Kabul fell it was being upgraded, along with a similar database in Iraq, under a $75 million contract signed in 2018. US Officials say it was secured before the Taliban could access it. Before the US pullout, the entire database was erased with military-grade data-wiping software, said William Graves, chief engineer at the Pentagon's biometrics project management office. Similarly, 20 years of data collected from telecommunications and internet intercepts since 2001 by Afghanistan's intelligence agency were wiped clean, said the former Afghan security official. Among crucial databases that remained are the Afghanistan Financial Management Information System, which held extensive details on foreign contractors, and an Economy Ministry database that compiled all international development and aid agency funding sources, the former security official said. Then there is the data with iris scans and fingerprints for about 9 million Afghans controlled by the National Statistics and Information Agency. A biometric scan has been required in recent years to obtain a passport or a driver's license and to take a civil service or university entrance exam. Western aid organizations led by the World Bank, one of the funders, praised the data's utility for empowering women, especially in registering land ownership and obtaining bank loans. The agency was working to create electronic national IDs, known as e-Tazkira, in an unfinished project somewhat modelled on India's biometrically enabled Aadhaar national ID. "That's the treasure chest," said a Western election assistance official, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize future missions. "It is unclear whether voter registration databases records on more than 8 million Afghan" are in Taliban hands, the official said. Full printouts were made during the 2019 presidential elections, though the biometric records used then for anti-fraud voter verification were retained by the German technology provider. After the 2018 parliamentary elections, 5,000 portable biometric handhelds used for verification went inexplicably missing. Yet another database the Taliban inherit contains iris and face scans and fingerprints on 420,000 government employees another anti-fraud measure which Nadery oversaw as civil service commissioner. It was eventually to have been merged with the e-Tazkira database, he said. On August 3, a government website touted the digital accomplishments of President Ashraf Ghani, who would soon flee into exile, saying biometric information on all civil servants, from every corner of the country" would allow them to them to be linked "under one umbrella" with banks and cellphone carriers for electronic payment. U.N. Agencies have also collected biometrics on Afghans for food distribution and refugee tracking. The central agglomeration of such personal data is exactly what worries the 37 digital civil liberties groups who signed an Aug. 25 letter calling for the urgent shutdown and erasure, where possible, of Afghanistan's digital identity tool, among other measures. The letter said authoritarian regimes have exploited such data to target vulnerable people and digitized, searchable databases amplify the risks. Disputes over including ethnicity and religion in the e-Tazkira database for fear it could put digital bullseyes on minorities, as China has done in repressing its ethnic Uyghurs delayed its creation for most of a decade. John Woodward, a Boston University professor and former CIA officer who pioneered the Pentagon's biometric collection, is worried about intelligence agencies hostile to the United States getting access to the data troves. "ISI (Pakistani intelligence) would be interested to know who worked for the Americans," said Woodward, and China, Russia and Iran have their own agendas. Their agents certainly have the technical chops to break into password-protected databases.

US-built databases a potential tool of Taliban repression

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency.

The name of the new town is&nbsp;"Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language. The plan includes autonomous electric cars and high-speed transportation which is set to cost $400 billion.

The sprawling city high tech city is reportedly going to be built in the West or Appalachia on cheap land which will grow in value due to large scale investment. Lore believes in wealth creation in a "fair way" while creating a "new model for society".

The internet billionaire has also reportedly hired an architectural firm to turn his dream into reality. Lore, 50, was the former president &amp; CEO of Walmart. He had launched an e-commerce website Jet.com in 2014.

Lore was born in Staten Island, New York and has been an Internet entrepreneur for a long time having launched The Pit which was an Internet company meant to rival eBay in 1999. The Pit was eventually sold to&nbsp;Topps for $5.7 million in 2001.

Reports say the billionaire plans to fund the major part of the new city from his own funds while trying to rope in investors and federal grants. The billionaire believers "Telosa" has the capability to one day become the size of New York with the plan running far ahead into 2030.

The gigantic plan involves innovative water technology as he seeks to build his utopian plan. The city could be based in Arizona, Nevada, Utah or Idaho. The main thrust behind the plan is to fight "increasing inequality" while creating an "urban blueprint" with renewable sources of energy powering the new model city.

Lore is scouting for land currently to host an "inclusive city" with diverse housing options and natural,&nbsp;safe public spaces. The core of the plan is based on "Equitism" with an "economic system in which citizens have a stake in the land".

(With inputs from Agencies)

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency. The name of the new town is "Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language.

American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build a city combining the best facilities from around the globe based on energy efficiency. The name of the new town is "Telosa" meaning “highest purpose” in the ancient Greek language. The plan includes autonomous electric cars and high-speed transportation which is set to cost $400 billion. The sprawling city high tech city is reportedly going to be built in the West or Appalachia on cheap land which will grow in value due to large scale investment. Lore believes in wealth creation in a "fair way" while creating a "new model for society". The internet billionaire has also reportedly hired an architectural firm to turn his dream into reality. Lore, 50, was the former president & CEO of Walmart. He had launched an e-commerce website Jet.com in 2014. Lore was born in Staten Island, New York and has been an Internet entrepreneur for a long time having launched The Pit which was an Internet company meant to rival eBay in 1999. The Pit was eventually sold to Topps for $5.7 million in 2001. Reports say the billionaire plans to fund the major part of the new city from his own funds while trying to rope in investors and federal grants. The billionaire believers "Telosa" has the capability to one day become the size of New York with the plan running far ahead into 2030. The gigantic plan involves innovative water technology as he seeks to build his utopian plan. The city could be based in Arizona, Nevada, Utah or Idaho. The main thrust behind the plan is to fight "increasing inequality" while creating an "urban blueprint" with renewable sources of energy powering the new model city. Lore is scouting for land currently to host an "inclusive city" with diverse housing options and natural, safe public spaces. The core of the plan is based on "Equitism" with an "economic system in which citizens have a stake in the land". (With inputs from Agencies)

Telosa: American billionaire Marc Lore plans to build model city based on 'Equitism'

Four people, including a mother and her infant, were killed by a gunman wearing full body armour in Florida on early Sunday morning (according to US time zone).

Notably, this is the second mass shooting incident that has taken place in Florida in the last four months.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the suspect, who is yet to be identified, was dressed in full body armour, including a bulletproof vest, when he was found outside a Lakeland home that had been “booby-trapped."

While trying to nab the gunman, two rounds of gunfire with police, where dozens “if not hundreds of rounds” were exchanged, Judd said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Update?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Update</a> to quadruple homicide in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakeland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakeland</a> <a href="https://t.co/mkGx2uxojS">https://t.co/mkGx2uxojS</a> <a href="https://t.co/L5tb5kHomH">pic.twitter.com/L5tb5kHomH</a>
— Polk County Sheriff 🚔 (@PolkCoSheriff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PolkCoSheriff/status/1434542863963000834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The suspect escaped from the house at some point, then retreated back to surrender.

Inside the home, authorities found an 11-year-old girl who had been shot multiple times.

She told the cops that there were three dead people inside, Judd said during a news conference Sunday

The officers then searched the home to check for explosives and other traps. When it was clear, they found a mother with an infant in her arms, and another unidentified victim all dead from gunshot wounds.

They also found another woman fatally shot in a neighbouring home.

Although the authorities haven’t been able to find out the motive for the killing, the sheriff said the attacker confronted a witness roughly nine hours before the shooting and told her, “God sent me here to speak with one of your daughters.”

The police said they are finding the relationship between the shooter and the victims.

The shooter also told authorities that he was on methamphetamines—a powerful, highly addictive recreational drug.

The attacker vehicle had also been stocked with supplies for a gunfight, authorities said, including bleeding control kits.

“He was a coward...It’s easy to shoot innocent children and babies and people in the middle of the night when you've got the gun and they don’t,” the sheriff said.

The shooter has been hospitalized and is expected to recover.

There has been a surge in mass shootings across the United States, with President Joe Biden terming it an “epidemic.”

The first shooting took place on June 11, where two people, including a child, were shot dead in a grocery store in Florida. The gunman later killed himself.

(With inputs from agencies)

Four people, including a mother and her infant, were killed by a gunman wearing full body armour in Florida on early Sunday morning (according to US time zone). Notably, this is the second mass shooting incident that has taken place in Florida in the last four months.

Four people, including a mother and her infant, were killed by a gunman wearing full body armour in Florida on early Sunday morning (according to US time zone). Notably, this is the second mass shooting incident that has taken place in Florida in the last four months. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the suspect, who is yet to be identified, was dressed in full body armour, including a bulletproof vest, when he was found outside a Lakeland home that had been “booby-trapped." While trying to nab the gunman, two rounds of gunfire with police, where dozens “if not hundreds of rounds” were exchanged, Judd said. #Update to quadruple homicide in #Lakeland https://t.co/mkGx2uxojS pic.twitter.com/L5tb5kHomH — Polk County Sheriff 🚔 (@PolkCoSheriff) September 5, 2021 × The suspect escaped from the house at some point, then retreated back to surrender. Inside the home, authorities found an 11-year-old girl who had been shot multiple times. She told the cops that there were three dead people inside, Judd said during a news conference Sunday The officers then searched the home to check for explosives and other traps. When it was clear, they found a mother with an infant in her arms, and another unidentified victim all dead from gunshot wounds. They also found another woman fatally shot in a neighbouring home. Although the authorities haven’t been able to find out the motive for the killing, the sheriff said the attacker confronted a witness roughly nine hours before the shooting and told her, “God sent me here to speak with one of your daughters.” The police said they are finding the relationship between the shooter and the victims. The shooter also told authorities that he was on methamphetamines—a powerful, highly addictive recreational drug. The attacker vehicle had also been stocked with supplies for a gunfight, authorities said, including bleeding control kits. “He was a coward...It’s easy to shoot innocent children and babies and people in the middle of the night when you've got the gun and they don’t,” the sheriff said. The shooter has been hospitalized and is expected to recover. There has been a surge in mass shootings across the United States, with President Joe Biden terming it an “epidemic.” The first shooting took place on June 11, where two people, including a child, were shot dead in a grocery store in Florida. The gunman later killed himself. (With inputs from agencies)

Mother, her infant among 4 killed by gunman in Florida

US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, embarks on a two-day Qatar visit, as he looks to form a united front with allies following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Blinken will also voice America's "deep gratitude" to Doha.

Antony Blinken to visit Qatar to hold ministerial meeting on Afghan crisis

The city of Mosul was the last bastion of ISIS in Iraq. It was retaken by the Iraqi army and a US-led coalition after the intense bombardment and fighting that left it in ruins. On The West Asia Post this week, Ghadi Francis tells you how Mosul is still struggling to rebuild.

The West Asia Post: Former ISIS stronghold mired in crisis

According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult/Politico polling,&nbsp;66 per cent of registered voters in the US have said that ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups in foreign countries pose a “critical threat” to the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of 61 per cent of Americans said that Islamist extremism overall poses a threat to vital US interests over the next decade.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Antony Blinken to visit Qatar to hold ministerial meeting on Afghan crisis

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After the Islamic State (IS) attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport that killed 13 US troops and over 90 Afghans during the evacuation,&nbsp;these numbers have&nbsp;witnessed a double-digit rise in roughly a week.&nbsp;

At least&nbsp;54 per cent US citizens&nbsp;consider ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups, a threat before the attack, the numbers were 49 per cent for those who saw Islamist extremism as an overall threat to the US.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-911-changed-air-travel-more-security-less-privacy-411141" hreflang="en">How 9/11 changed air travel: More security, less privacy</a>

Post the Kabul airport attack, roughly 67 per cent of Americans see terrorism in the US as a threat, up from 59 per cent between August 21 and 24.&nbsp;

The survey conducted by&nbsp;Morning Consult also showed that 26 per cent of registered American voters said security matters, including terrorism,&nbsp;foreign policy&nbsp;and border security were the most vital aspects for them when thinking about their votes for the federal office.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult/Politico polling, 66 per cent of registered voters in the US have said that ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups in foreign countries pose a “critical threat” to the country.

According to a survey conducted by Morning Consult/Politico polling, 66 per cent of registered voters in the US have said that ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups in foreign countries pose a “critical threat” to the country. A total of 61 per cent of Americans said that Islamist extremism overall poses a threat to vital US interests over the next decade. Watch: Antony Blinken to visit Qatar to hold ministerial meeting on Afghan crisis × After the Islamic State (IS) attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport that killed 13 US troops and over 90 Afghans during the evacuation, these numbers have witnessed a double-digit rise in roughly a week. At least 54 per cent US citizens consider ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups, a threat before the attack, the numbers were 49 per cent for those who saw Islamist extremism as an overall threat to the US. Also Read: How 9/11 changed air travel: More security, less privacy Post the Kabul airport attack, roughly 67 per cent of Americans see terrorism in the US as a threat, up from 59 per cent between August 21 and 24. The survey conducted by Morning Consult also showed that 26 per cent of registered American voters said security matters, including terrorism, foreign policy and border security were the most vital aspects for them when thinking about their votes for the federal office. (With inputs from agencies)

66% US citizens think terror groups pose threat to country 

Alexanda Kotey, 37, pleaded guilty to all eight counts against him at a plea hearing in US District Court. The charges include hostage-taking resulting in death and providing material support to the Islamic State group from 2012 through 2015.

Islamic State 'Beatle' pleads guilty over US hostage deaths

About 1,000 people, including Americans and Afghans holding visas for the US and other countries, are still stuck in Afghanistan. 6 days after the US troops withdrawal many people await the Taliban clearance for flights out of the country.

Over 1,000 await Taliban clearance for flights out of Afghanistan

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