US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Singapore's Prime Minister and will meet with the country's President as she kicks off a visit to Southeast Asia focused on strengthening ties with key allies in the region.

US Vice Prez Kamala Harris visits Singapore to strengthen ties, counter China's influence

A senior Taliban representative on Sunday blamed the United States for the chaotic situation at Kabul airport even as thousands of foreigners and Afghan nationals continued to throng the area in the hope of getting on board the evacuation flights.

“America, with all its power and facilities... has failed to bring order to the airport. There is peace and calm all over the country, but there is chaos only at Kabul airport," AFP quoted Taliban leader Amir Khan Mutaqi as saying.

Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban&nbsp;last ruled the country. He has been in touch with the Kabul leadership and former president Hamid Karzai after the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

For the past one week, Kabul airport has been witnessing desperate scenes with a large number of Afghan civilians and foreigners swamping the area in a desperate attempt to flee the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-takeover-of-afghanistan-a-us-backed-conspiracy-islamic-state-407284">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban takeover of Afghanistan a 'US-backed conspiracy': Islamic State</a>

While the US has been scrambling to expedite the evacuation process, the European Union admitted it was "impossible" to evacuate everyone at risk from the Taliban.

On Sunday, Britain's defence ministry said seven people had died in the crowds.

A journalist, who was among a group of fleeing media workers and academics fortunate enough to reach the airport, described desperate scenes of people surrounding their bus on the way in.

“They were showing us their passports and shouting ‘take us with you... please take us with you’,” AFP quoted the journalist as saying.

“The Taliban fighter in the truck ahead of us had to shoot in the air to make them go away,” the journalist said.

Britain’s Sky News on Saturday aired footage of at least three bodies covered in white tarpaulin outside the airport. It was not clear how they had died.

A senior Taliban representative on Sunday blamed the United States for the chaotic situation at Kabul airport even as thousands of foreigners and Afghan nationals continued to throng the area in the hope of getting on board the evacuation flights.

A senior Taliban representative on Sunday blamed the United States for the chaotic situation at Kabul airport even as thousands of foreigners and Afghan nationals continued to throng the area in the hope of getting on board the evacuation flights. “America, with all its power and facilities... has failed to bring order to the airport. There is peace and calm all over the country, but there is chaos only at Kabul airport," AFP quoted Taliban leader Amir Khan Mutaqi as saying. Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled the country. He has been in touch with the Kabul leadership and former president Hamid Karzai after the Taliban took over Afghanistan. For the past one week, Kabul airport has been witnessing desperate scenes with a large number of Afghan civilians and foreigners swamping the area in a desperate attempt to flee the country. Also read | Taliban takeover of Afghanistan a 'US-backed conspiracy': Islamic State While the US has been scrambling to expedite the evacuation process, the European Union admitted it was "impossible" to evacuate everyone at risk from the Taliban. On Sunday, Britain's defence ministry said seven people had died in the crowds. A journalist, who was among a group of fleeing media workers and academics fortunate enough to reach the airport, described desperate scenes of people surrounding their bus on the way in. “They were showing us their passports and shouting ‘take us with you... please take us with you’,” AFP quoted the journalist as saying. “The Taliban fighter in the truck ahead of us had to shoot in the air to make them go away,” the journalist said. Britain’s Sky News on Saturday aired footage of at least three bodies covered in white tarpaulin outside the airport. It was not clear how they had died.

Taliban blames US for ‘chaos’ at Kabul airport, says peace in rest of Afghanistan

With the possibility of an ISIS terror attack, the US military has decided to establish "alternative routes" to Kabul airport. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The development comes as US President Joe Biden met with senior officials to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism operations against the terror group ISIS-K on Saturday. &nbsp;

The Islamic State offshoot poses a threat to the airport and its surroundings. A US defence official told CNN, "There is a strong possibility ISIS-K is trying to carry off an attack at the airport." &nbsp;&nbsp;

A senior diplomat in Kabul also confirmed, they are aware of a credible but not immediate threat by Islamic State against Americans at Hamid Karzai International Airport. &nbsp;

To avert an attack, the military has established "alternative routes" for people to get to Kabul airport and its access gates. These new routes will be available to US citizens, third party nationals and qualified Afghans. &nbsp;

An official said, the Taliban are aware of the new effort and are coordinating with the US. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, UK's defence ministry said that at least seven people were killed in the chaos near Kabul airport. &nbsp;

Boris Johnson government's announcement comes even as reports said Taliban rulers had imposed some order around the chaotic Kabul airport on Sunday. &nbsp;

"Our sincere thoughts are with the families of the seven Afghan civilians, who have sadly died in crowds in Kabul," the UK defence ministry said in a statement. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the possibility of an ISIS terror attack, the US military has decided to establish "alternative routes" to Kabul airport. The development comes as US President Joe Biden met with senior officials to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism operations against the terror group ISIS-K on Saturday.

With the possibility of an ISIS terror attack, the US military has decided to establish "alternative routes" to Kabul airport. The development comes as US President Joe Biden met with senior officials to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan and counter-terrorism operations against the terror group ISIS-K on Saturday. The Islamic State offshoot poses a threat to the airport and its surroundings. A US defence official told CNN, "There is a strong possibility ISIS-K is trying to carry off an attack at the airport." A senior diplomat in Kabul also confirmed, they are aware of a credible but not immediate threat by Islamic State against Americans at Hamid Karzai International Airport. To avert an attack, the military has established "alternative routes" for people to get to Kabul airport and its access gates. These new routes will be available to US citizens, third party nationals and qualified Afghans. An official said, the Taliban are aware of the new effort and are coordinating with the US. Meanwhile, UK's defence ministry said that at least seven people were killed in the chaos near Kabul airport. Boris Johnson government's announcement comes even as reports said Taliban rulers had imposed some order around the chaotic Kabul airport on Sunday. "Our sincere thoughts are with the families of the seven Afghan civilians, who have sadly died in crowds in Kabul," the UK defence ministry said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

US forces establish alternate routes to Kabul airport over ISIS threat

A NATO official has said at least 20 people have lost their lives at Kabul airport during the evacuation process that began after the Taliban militants seized control of the capital city last week.

“The crisis outside the Kabul airport is unfortunate. Our focus is to evacuate all foreigners as soon as we can,” Reuters quoted the official, who didn’t wish to be named.

Large swathes of crowd have been gathering at the airport for the last one week in a last-ditched effort to fly out of the country amid fears of the return of stringent Sharia law the Taliban used to enforce when it was in power two decades ago.

Several western countries, including US, UK, had to suspend the evacuation process in the face of worsening security situation at the Taliban airport.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ashraf-ghanis-brother-pledges-allegiance-to-taliban-report-407612">Also read |&nbsp;Ashraf Ghani's brother pledges allegiance to Taliban: Report</a>

“Our forces are maintaining strict distance from outer areas of the Kabul airport to prevent any clashes with the Taliban,” the NATO official added.

On Saturday, the United States and Germany told their citizens in Afghanistan to avoid travelling to Kabul airport, citing security risks.

Army major general William Taylor told a Pentagon briefing on Saturday that 5,800 US troops remain at the airport and that the facility “remains secure”. Taylor said some gates into the airport were temporarily closed and reopened over the past day to facilitate a safe influx of evacuees.

Australia ran four flights into Kabul on Saturday night, evacuating more than 300 people, including Australians, Afghan visa holders, New Zealanders, US and British citizens, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

&nbsp;

A NATO official has said at least 20 people have lost their lives at Kabul airport during the evacuation process that began after the Taliban militants seized control of the capital city last week.

A NATO official has said at least 20 people have lost their lives at Kabul airport during the evacuation process that began after the Taliban militants seized control of the capital city last week. “The crisis outside the Kabul airport is unfortunate. Our focus is to evacuate all foreigners as soon as we can,” Reuters quoted the official, who didn’t wish to be named. Large swathes of crowd have been gathering at the airport for the last one week in a last-ditched effort to fly out of the country amid fears of the return of stringent Sharia law the Taliban used to enforce when it was in power two decades ago. Several western countries, including US, UK, had to suspend the evacuation process in the face of worsening security situation at the Taliban airport. Also read | Ashraf Ghani's brother pledges allegiance to Taliban: Report “Our forces are maintaining strict distance from outer areas of the Kabul airport to prevent any clashes with the Taliban,” the NATO official added. On Saturday, the United States and Germany told their citizens in Afghanistan to avoid travelling to Kabul airport, citing security risks. Army major general William Taylor told a Pentagon briefing on Saturday that 5,800 US troops remain at the airport and that the facility “remains secure”. Taylor said some gates into the airport were temporarily closed and reopened over the past day to facilitate a safe influx of evacuees. Australia ran four flights into Kabul on Saturday night, evacuating more than 300 people, including Australians, Afghan visa holders, New Zealanders, US and British citizens, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

At least 20 died in a week during evacuation at Kabul airport: NATO official

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing.

“Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday.

However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-asks-lithuanias-envoy-to-leave-beijing-over-taiwan-row-404881">Also read |&nbsp;China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row</a>

In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.”

The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult.

Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing.

However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision.

“While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement.

The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country.

The United States has agreed on “bilateral coordination action” to help Lithuania withstand the diplomatic onslaught from China after it allowed Taiwan to establish an embassy under its own name in the Baltic country. US secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Lithuania`s foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Saturday, weeks after China threatened to withdraw its ambassador to Vilnius and asked the latter to recall their envoy from Beijing. “Blinken and Gabrielius Landsbergis agreed that China’s unilateral aggressive actions and political pressure on Lithuania were totally unacceptable,” Reuters quoted a statement from the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry published on Sunday. However, the statement did not dwell into the specifics of the “bilateral action”. Also read | China asks Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing over Taiwan row In a separate statement, the US department of state said, “Blinken underscored ironclad US solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania in the face of the People`s Republic of China`s coercive behaviour.” The row between China and Lithuania erupted last month when Taiwan, which China considers to be a part of its territory under its One Country, Two Systems’ policy, said it was setting up a representative office in Vilnius under the name of ‘Taiwan’ instead of ‘Taipei’ — an act Beijing considers as a diplomatic insult. Protesting the move, China asked Lithuania's envoy to leave Beijing. However, Lithuania's foreign ministry expressed regret over Beijing's decision. “While respecting the principle of one China, (Lithuania) is determined to develop mutually beneficial relations with Taiwan,” the ministry said in a statement. The United States is Taiwan's strongest international backer and main supplier of arms, according to Reuters.

US, Lithuania agree on ‘bilateral coordination action’ against China over Taiwan row

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

"We should keep the door open to all possibilities," Mendicino said in an interview.

"If there were Afghans who had assisted coalition partners during the mission that also met the criteria for our humanitarian resettlement program, I think we should be prepared to consider such an arrangement," the minister said.

Canada is part of a coalition of countries frantically trying to evacuate Afghan citizens who supported Western missions in Afghanistan over the years, amidst a Taliban takeover of the country that occurred in days, rather than months as expected.

Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/experts-look-at-toxic-algae-after-california-family-is-found-dead-on-hiking-trail-407267">Also read |&nbsp;Experts look at toxic algae after California family is found dead on hiking trail</a>

Helping out Afghans who supported Canada's past missions has become a hot political topic ahead of the Sept. 20 election, called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday.

The Canadian Armed Forces flew 175 vulnerable Afghans and 13 foreign nationals out of Kabul late on Thursday, and evacuations "are scheduled to continue on a regular basis so long as the security situation permits," according to a statement.

Canada has evacuated nearly 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to date, the statement said.

Evacuation flights could include families of refugees already living in Canada 18 whose resettlement has so far been held up by bureaucracy, Mendicino said.

The independent tribunal that assesses asylum claims in Canada has agreed to expedite Afghan refugee applications, a crucial step for asylum claimants to reunite with their families, the minister said.

Separately, last week Canada committed to resettling 20,000 Afghan refugees who have already fled the country, and on Friday Mendicino said the government was keeping "an open mind" about potentially increasing that number.

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

Canada would consider taking in additional Afghan refugees on behalf of the United States or other allies if asked to do so, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday. "We should keep the door open to all possibilities," Mendicino said in an interview. "If there were Afghans who had assisted coalition partners during the mission that also met the criteria for our humanitarian resettlement program, I think we should be prepared to consider such an arrangement," the minister said. Canada is part of a coalition of countries frantically trying to evacuate Afghan citizens who supported Western missions in Afghanistan over the years, amidst a Taliban takeover of the country that occurred in days, rather than months as expected. Canada withdrew the bulk of its troops from Afghanistan in 2011, but participated in a NATO mission to train the Afghan military until 2014. Also read | Experts look at toxic algae after California family is found dead on hiking trail Helping out Afghans who supported Canada's past missions has become a hot political topic ahead of the Sept. 20 election, called by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday. The Canadian Armed Forces flew 175 vulnerable Afghans and 13 foreign nationals out of Kabul late on Thursday, and evacuations "are scheduled to continue on a regular basis so long as the security situation permits," according to a statement. Canada has evacuated nearly 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to date, the statement said. Evacuation flights could include families of refugees already living in Canada 18 whose resettlement has so far been held up by bureaucracy, Mendicino said. The independent tribunal that assesses asylum claims in Canada has agreed to expedite Afghan refugee applications, a crucial step for asylum claimants to reunite with their families, the minister said. Separately, last week Canada committed to resettling 20,000 Afghan refugees who have already fled the country, and on Friday Mendicino said the government was keeping "an open mind" about potentially increasing that number.

Canada would consider accepting Afghan refugees on behalf of US allies - Minister

Mexico&nbsp;said Friday that a&nbsp;court&nbsp;in the United States had agreed to&nbsp;hear&nbsp;its lawsuit&nbsp;against&nbsp;major&nbsp;gunmakers&nbsp;over cross-border firearms trafficking that it blames for fueling drug-related violence.

A federal&nbsp;court&nbsp;in Massachusetts accepted to consider the&nbsp;suit&nbsp;against&nbsp;companies "responsible for the negligent trade in weapons used by criminals here," Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said.

"It's a first great step," he wrote on Twitter.

The companies named in the&nbsp;suit, which was filed on August 4, include Smith &amp; Wesson, Beretta, Colt, Glock, Century Arms, Ruger and Barrett.

Together they manufacture more than two-thirds of the over half a million weapons that are illegally brought into&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;each year, according to the Mexican authorities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-takes-time-out-with-some-foosball-407253">Also read |&nbsp;Pope Francis takes time out with some Foosball</a>

The Latin American country accuses US manufacturers of developing different firearm models especially for Mexican drug traffickers.

Between 70 and 90 percent of all weapons recovered from crime scenes in&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;were smuggled in from the United States,&nbsp;Mexico's foreign ministry&nbsp;says.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for the damage caused by the firms' alleged "negligent practices," as well as the implementation of adequate standards to "monitor and discipline" arms dealers.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the US firearm industry trade association, has called the allegations "baseless" and told the Mexican government that it is responsible for crime within its own borders.

Mexico&nbsp;has seen more than 300,000 murders since 2006 when it deployed the military in the war on drug trafficking, most of them blamed on criminal gangs.

Mexico said Friday that a court in the United States had agreed to hear its lawsuit against major gunmakers over cross-border firearms trafficking that it blames for fueling drug-related violence.

Mexico said Friday that a court in the United States had agreed to hear its lawsuit against major gunmakers over cross-border firearms trafficking that it blames for fueling drug-related violence. A federal court in Massachusetts accepted to consider the suit against companies "responsible for the negligent trade in weapons used by criminals here," Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said. "It's a first great step," he wrote on Twitter. The companies named in the suit, which was filed on August 4, include Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Colt, Glock, Century Arms, Ruger and Barrett. Together they manufacture more than two-thirds of the over half a million weapons that are illegally brought into Mexico each year, according to the Mexican authorities. Also read | Pope Francis takes time out with some Foosball The Latin American country accuses US manufacturers of developing different firearm models especially for Mexican drug traffickers. Between 70 and 90 percent of all weapons recovered from crime scenes in Mexico were smuggled in from the United States, Mexico's foreign ministry says. The lawsuit seeks compensation for the damage caused by the firms' alleged "negligent practices," as well as the implementation of adequate standards to "monitor and discipline" arms dealers. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the US firearm industry trade association, has called the allegations "baseless" and told the Mexican government that it is responsible for crime within its own borders. Mexico has seen more than 300,000 murders since 2006 when it deployed the military in the war on drug trafficking, most of them blamed on criminal gangs.

Mexico says US court agrees to hear suit against gunmakers

The US military in Afghanistan sent helicopters to&nbsp;rescue&nbsp;over 150&nbsp;Americans&nbsp;unable to reach the&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;airport gates, an official said Friday, in the first evidence that US forces were willing and able to go beyond the US-secured compound to help people seeking evacuation.

The news came as American officials confirmed evacuation operations from Afghanistan stalled for about seven hours Friday, because the receiving base in Qatar was overflowing and could not take in evacuees.

That left thousands more Afghans already cleared to leave their country for the United States waiting at the&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;airport.

"It was early this morning, and it lasted about six to seven hours," Major General Hank Taylor told reporters, adding the backlog was subsequently cleared.

The US State Department has been criticised for being overly bureaucratic and not having enough staff to process thousands of Afghans seeking to come to the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-biden-says-cannot-guarantee-final-outcome-of-risky-kabul-evacuation-407326">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Biden says cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation</a>

Evacuee accounts from Qatar describe sleeping on the floor in sweltering heat in a US aircraft hanger for three days or more, with limited facilities.

Taylor said US aircraft flew some 6,000 people, including a couple of hundred US citizens, out of&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;in the 24 hours to early Friday, until the bottleneck halted flights.

Close to the perimeter

Flights from&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;resumed late Friday after US operations in Qatar arranged for trips for many evacuees onward to the US military base in Ramstein, Germany.

US citizens and Afghans who worked for the US forces in Afghanistan continued to attempt to get to the airport in&nbsp;Kabul&nbsp;to leave the country.

There were numerous accounts of some struggling to reach and enter the airport, some impeded by Taliban fighters who now control&nbsp;Kabul.

President Joe Biden said Friday that US troops had to go beyond the perimeter of the airport to retrieve 169&nbsp;Americans, potentially risking a conflict with the Taliban.

Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby downplayed the incident.

"They were very close to the perimeter of the airport. Very close," he said, adding later that they had been airlifted from the Baron hotel, near the airport, by three US Chinook helicopters.

The helicopters had been deployed due to concerns for the&nbsp;Americans' safety in traversing a huge crowd that had gathered outside the airport's Abbey entry gate.

"There was a large crowd established outside the Abbey Gate, a crowd that not everybody had confidence in, in terms of their ability to walk through it, and so local commanders on the scene took the initiative and flew these helicopters out there to pick them up," Kirby said.

Taylor said the Taliban have mostly been cooperating with US officials to allow those with US passports or visas to get to the airport and that there was "constant communication" between the US commander on the ground and the Taliban.

"We're seeing that things that we are asking for," such as passage to the airport, "is happening and getting better," he said.

The US military in Afghanistan sent helicopters to rescue over 150 Americans unable to reach the Kabul airport gates, an official said Friday, in the first evidence that US forces were willing and able to go beyond the US-secured compound to help people seeking evacuation.

The US military in Afghanistan sent helicopters to rescue over 150 Americans unable to reach the Kabul airport gates, an official said Friday, in the first evidence that US forces were willing and able to go beyond the US-secured compound to help people seeking evacuation. The news came as American officials confirmed evacuation operations from Afghanistan stalled for about seven hours Friday, because the receiving base in Qatar was overflowing and could not take in evacuees. That left thousands more Afghans already cleared to leave their country for the United States waiting at the Kabul airport. "It was early this morning, and it lasted about six to seven hours," Major General Hank Taylor told reporters, adding the backlog was subsequently cleared. The US State Department has been criticised for being overly bureaucratic and not having enough staff to process thousands of Afghans seeking to come to the United States. Also read | Afghanistan: Biden says cannot guarantee 'final outcome' of risky Kabul evacuation Evacuee accounts from Qatar describe sleeping on the floor in sweltering heat in a US aircraft hanger for three days or more, with limited facilities. Taylor said US aircraft flew some 6,000 people, including a couple of hundred US citizens, out of Kabul in the 24 hours to early Friday, until the bottleneck halted flights. Close to the perimeter Flights from Kabul resumed late Friday after US operations in Qatar arranged for trips for many evacuees onward to the US military base in Ramstein, Germany. US citizens and Afghans who worked for the US forces in Afghanistan continued to attempt to get to the airport in Kabul to leave the country. There were numerous accounts of some struggling to reach and enter the airport, some impeded by Taliban fighters who now control Kabul. President Joe Biden said Friday that US troops had to go beyond the perimeter of the airport to retrieve 169 Americans, potentially risking a conflict with the Taliban. Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby downplayed the incident. "They were very close to the perimeter of the airport. Very close," he said, adding later that they had been airlifted from the Baron hotel, near the airport, by three US Chinook helicopters. The helicopters had been deployed due to concerns for the Americans' safety in traversing a huge crowd that had gathered outside the airport's Abbey entry gate. "There was a large crowd established outside the Abbey Gate, a crowd that not everybody had confidence in, in terms of their ability to walk through it, and so local commanders on the scene took the initiative and flew these helicopters out there to pick them up," Kirby said. Taylor said the Taliban have mostly been cooperating with US officials to allow those with US passports or visas to get to the airport and that there was "constant communication" between the US commander on the ground and the Taliban. "We're seeing that things that we are asking for," such as passage to the airport, "is happening and getting better," he said.

US flies to rescue of Americans trying to escape Kabul

A swath of the US east coast, including New York City, was under alert Friday due to approaching storm Henri, which is expected to become the first hurricane to hit the New England area in decades.

Forecasters warned of violent winds, the risk of flash floods and surging seas as the storm churned in the Atlantic, with landfall expected on Sunday.

"Strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Henri is expected to become a hurricane tonight&nbsp;or Saturday," the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest bulletin.

Officials in the New England region, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont,&nbsp; warned people to get ready.

"All residents are advised to begin storm preparations today, and to pay close attention to local weather," said the office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker.&nbsp;

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His state, which will close parks and beaches from Saturday to Monday, was bracing for the high winds to knock out electricity for up to 300,000 locals, the governors office said.

NHC forecasters said Henri was packing sustained winds of nearly 70 miles&nbsp;per hour and threatened New York, as well as the neighbouring New England states with potentially 10 inches&nbsp;of rain in some areas.

Storm "swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," said the NHC bulletin.

If Henri strengthens as expected and stays on its current course, the storm would be the first hurricane to directly hit New England in 30 years.

"The last hurricane to make landfall onto New England was Hurricane Bob in 1991," Dennis Feltgen, an NHC spokesman, told AFP. That storm killed at least 17 people.&nbsp;

It's been almost a decade since such severe weather was expected in part of the region.

"The last time we had hurricane watches issued for the area was for Hurricane Irene, back in late August of 2011," tweeted the National Weather Service in New York City.&nbsp;

A swath of the US east coast, including New York City, was under alert Friday due to approaching storm Henri, which is expected to become the first hurricane to hit the New England area in decades.

A swath of the US east coast, including New York City, was under alert Friday due to approaching storm Henri, which is expected to become the first hurricane to hit the New England area in decades. Forecasters warned of violent winds, the risk of flash floods and surging seas as the storm churned in the Atlantic, with landfall expected on Sunday. "Strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and Henri is expected to become a hurricane tonight or Saturday," the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest bulletin. Officials in the New England region, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, warned people to get ready. "All residents are advised to begin storm preparations today, and to pay close attention to local weather," said the office of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. Also read | It rains instead of snow on Greenland summit for first time ever His state, which will close parks and beaches from Saturday to Monday, was bracing for the high winds to knock out electricity for up to 300,000 locals, the governors office said. NHC forecasters said Henri was packing sustained winds of nearly 70 miles per hour and threatened New York, as well as the neighbouring New England states with potentially 10 inches of rain in some areas. Storm "swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," said the NHC bulletin. If Henri strengthens as expected and stays on its current course, the storm would be the first hurricane to directly hit New England in 30 years. "The last hurricane to make landfall onto New England was Hurricane Bob in 1991," Dennis Feltgen, an NHC spokesman, told AFP. That storm killed at least 17 people. It's been almost a decade since such severe weather was expected in part of the region. "The last time we had hurricane watches issued for the area was for Hurricane Irene, back in late August of 2011," tweeted the National Weather Service in New York City.

Powerful storm threatens US east coast

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits.

Alameda county superior court Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22, a ballot measure approved in November last year, "infringes on the power of the legislature explicitly granted by the state constitution to regulate compensation for workers'&nbsp;injuries."

The voters had approved the measure Uber,&nbsp;Lyft and other services spent nearly $200m in its favour, making it the most expensive ballot measure in state history, reported the Guardian.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/over-70000-uber-drivers-in-uk-now-entitled-to-minimum-wage-other-workers-rights-371005#:~:text=More%20than%2070%2C000%20Uber%20drivers,the%20Supreme%20Court%20last%20months.&amp;text=Last%20year%2C%20Uber%20won%20a%20similar%20compromise%20in%20California.">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Over 70,000 Uber drivers in UK now entitled to minimum wage, other workers' rights&nbsp;</a>

Meanwhile, Uber has expressed displeasure over the order and said it would challenge the judgement.

"This ruling ignores the will of the overwhelming majority of California voters and defies both logic and the law. You don't have to take our word for it: California's attorney general strongly defended Proposition 22's constitutionality in this very case,"&nbsp;the company’s spokesman Noah Edwardsen was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

He said the measure will remain in force pending the appeal.

Proposition 22 shielded the app-based ride-hailing firms from a labour law that required such services to treat drivers as employees and not independent contractors or "gig workers", who don’t enjoy benefits such as paid sick leave or unemployment insurance.

Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the state if voters rejected the measure.

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits.

A judge in California has declared unconstitutional a referendum moved by the California voters which exempted ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Lyft from adhering to a state law requiring drivers to be classified as employees to enjoy job protection benefits. Alameda county superior court Judge Frank Roesch ruled that Proposition 22, a ballot measure approved in November last year, "infringes on the power of the legislature explicitly granted by the state constitution to regulate compensation for workers' injuries." The voters had approved the measure Uber, Lyft and other services spent nearly $200m in its favour, making it the most expensive ballot measure in state history, reported the Guardian. Also read | Over 70,000 Uber drivers in UK now entitled to minimum wage, other workers' rights Meanwhile, Uber has expressed displeasure over the order and said it would challenge the judgement. "This ruling ignores the will of the overwhelming majority of California voters and defies both logic and the law. You don't have to take our word for it: California's attorney general strongly defended Proposition 22's constitutionality in this very case," the company’s spokesman Noah Edwardsen was quoted as saying by the Guardian. He said the measure will remain in force pending the appeal. Proposition 22 shielded the app-based ride-hailing firms from a labour law that required such services to treat drivers as employees and not independent contractors or "gig workers", who don’t enjoy benefits such as paid sick leave or unemployment insurance. Uber and Lyft threatened to leave the state if voters rejected the measure.

Setback for Uber, Lyft as California judge declares gig worker initiative unconstitutional

US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he is nominating Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China and Rahm Emanuel as top envoy to Japan. &nbsp;

For months, the two top diplomatic positions have been in the process of finalisation but were made official only in an announcement by the White House in the midst of the biggest foreign policy crisis of the administration till now. &nbsp;

Career diplomat Burns has served presidents of both the parties. If he gets confirmed, the diplomat would assume one of the most critical ambassador posts in the administration. The rise of China is highly likely to be at the centre of several important policy discussions. &nbsp;

Burns, who is a former member of the foreign service, has previously served as State Department spokesman, Ambassador to NATO and to Greece, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and on the National Security Council staff on Soviet and Russian Affairs.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Emanuel, who is a former Chicago mayor, a senior adviser for President Bill Clinton, chief of staff to President Barack Obama and a member of Congress representing Illinois, has drawn the ire of progressive Democrats. He was also considered for a number of jobs within the Biden administration. &nbsp;

When Emanuel faces confirmation hearing, his track record in politics may get overshadowed by a series of controversies during his tenure as Chicago mayor. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he is nominating Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China and Rahm Emanuel as top envoy to Japan. For months, the two top diplomatic positions have been in the process of finalisation but were made official only in an announcement by the White House in the midst of the biggest foreign policy crisis of the administration till now.

US President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he is nominating Nicholas Burns as ambassador to China and Rahm Emanuel as top envoy to Japan. For months, the two top diplomatic positions have been in the process of finalisation but were made official only in an announcement by the White House in the midst of the biggest foreign policy crisis of the administration till now. Career diplomat Burns has served presidents of both the parties. If he gets confirmed, the diplomat would assume one of the most critical ambassador posts in the administration. The rise of China is highly likely to be at the centre of several important policy discussions. Burns, who is a former member of the foreign service, has previously served as State Department spokesman, Ambassador to NATO and to Greece, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and on the National Security Council staff on Soviet and Russian Affairs. Meanwhile, Emanuel, who is a former Chicago mayor, a senior adviser for President Bill Clinton, chief of staff to President Barack Obama and a member of Congress representing Illinois, has drawn the ire of progressive Democrats. He was also considered for a number of jobs within the Biden administration. When Emanuel faces confirmation hearing, his track record in politics may get overshadowed by a series of controversies during his tenure as Chicago mayor. (With inputs from agencies)

US President announces picks for ambassador to China, Japan positions

The mayor of Orlando city in Florida has asked the residents to cut back their water consumption so that liquid oxygen, which is used to treat the water supplies, can be diverted to hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. 

“Nationally, the demand for liquid oxygen is extremely high as the priority for its use is to save lives,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a&nbsp;Facebook post on Friday.

The Orlando Utility Commission treats the city’s water with liquid oxygen. With Florida reporting a surge in coronavirus cases, largely due to the outbreak of the Delta variant, the officials from the municipal commission have been urging residents to stop excessive use of water and be prepared to do so for several weeks. 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-announces-picks-for-ambassador-to-china-japan-positions-407363">Also read |&nbsp;US President&nbsp;announces picks for&nbsp;ambassador to China, Japan&nbsp;positions</a>

According to&nbsp;the Florida&nbsp;health department, the state has reported 150,118 fresh Covid cases in the past week. According to reports from the local media, deaths in Orlando area have overwhelmed crematoriums, which are out of rooms to store bodies.

“It’s critical that we continue to work together and each one of us do our part, as we have done throughout this pandemic, to mitigate the impacts the virus continues to have on our community,” Mayor Dyer had said during a news conference. 

“While this is another new challenge, I know that as a community, working together, we can overcome it with the help of our residents and businesses,” he added.

The municipal commission has been using liquid oxygen to remove the slight discolouration and rotten-egg smell that is found naturally in Florida’s water supply.

The mayor of Orlando city in Florida has asked the residents to cut back their water consumption so that liquid oxygen, which is used to treat the water supplies, can be diverted to hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The mayor of Orlando city in Florida has asked the residents to cut back their water consumption so that liquid oxygen, which is used to treat the water supplies, can be diverted to hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. “Nationally, the demand for liquid oxygen is extremely high as the priority for its use is to save lives,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a Facebook post on Friday. The Orlando Utility Commission treats the city’s water with liquid oxygen. With Florida reporting a surge in coronavirus cases, largely due to the outbreak of the Delta variant, the officials from the municipal commission have been urging residents to stop excessive use of water and be prepared to do so for several weeks. Also read | US President announces picks for ambassador to China, Japan positions According to the Florida health department, the state has reported 150,118 fresh Covid cases in the past week. According to reports from the local media, deaths in Orlando area have overwhelmed crematoriums, which are out of rooms to store bodies. “It’s critical that we continue to work together and each one of us do our part, as we have done throughout this pandemic, to mitigate the impacts the virus continues to have on our community,” Mayor Dyer had said during a news conference. “While this is another new challenge, I know that as a community, working together, we can overcome it with the help of our residents and businesses,” he added. The municipal commission has been using liquid oxygen to remove the slight discolouration and rotten-egg smell that is found naturally in Florida’s water supply.

Orlando mayor asks residents to limit water use amid Delta fuelled COVID surge

US President Joe Biden on Friday addresses the US evacuation from Afghanistan, as he tried to navigate the biggest crisis of his administration. Biden said that the US will continue anti-terror operations.

US President Joe Biden addresses crisis in Afghanistan and evacuation efforts

The US and NATO military invaded Afghanistan 20 years ago. The most mighty force on the planet aimed to expel both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda from the country. It turns out that it was just a daydream. 20 years on the humiliating departure of the US forces has come as a massive morale boost to terrorists all over the world.

Will Afghanistan become a safe haven for terror?

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle.

The Southeast Asia trip, also taking in Singapore and a virtual meeting with ASEAN regional representatives, was planned long before a Taliban victory last weekend triggered the US scramble from Afghanistan.

Harris has taken some flak, especially from right-wing commentators who see the choice of Vietnam as, at best, tone-deaf.

The writers of "Veep," a television comedy series satirizing a hapless vice president, "could not have scripted this better," tweeted Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary for president Donald Trump.

But US officials emphasize that the choice of Vietnam concerns geo-political challenges to come -- not the distant trauma of 1975 Saigon, when US helicopters ferried final evacuees from the embassy roof, as Viet Cong troops advanced.

The vice president "is focused on the threats of the future, not of the past," said a senior White House official, who asked not to be named.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-hill-bomb-threat-standoff-ends-as-suspect-surrenders-407037">Also read |&nbsp;Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders</a>

The official acknowledged that President Joe Biden's foreign policy focus is currently fixed on the crisis at Kabul airport, where a few thousand US troops are trying to evacuate potentially tens of thousands of US citizens and local allies.

But at a time when China is challenging US political sway and naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia is "strategically important and economically important to this country. That hasn't changed with Afghanistan," the White House official said.

"We can do more than one thing at a time."

Officials expressed confidence that the debacle in Afghanistan will not harm allies' trust in US commitment to far-reaching strategic goals across Asia.

"We are confident that our partners throughout the Indo-Pacific see the United States as a steadfast partner. And that's certainly going to be one of the things the vice president emphasizes on this trip," an official said.

Harris, an Asian-American whose mother was of Indian origin, will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam.

Before arriving in Hanoi late Tuesday, Harris will visit Singapore and meet, starting Monday, with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

She will also stop at the Changi Naval Base, where she'll address US sailors aboard the visiting USS Tulsa, underscoring American security commitments to Singapore.

Harris is set to hold Vietnamese government meetings on Wednesday and will attend the opening of a Southeast Asian regional branch of the US Centers for Disease Control.

The global response to the coronavirus pandemic is set to dominate a meeting of ASEAN nations that Harris will join.

In her final events on Thursday, Harris will meet civil society representatives in communist Vietnam to "underscore the importance we place on supporting civil society as a driver of social change," an official said.

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle.

Just as US forces struggle with the desperate evacuation from Afghanistan, Vice President Kamala Harris embarks Friday on a trip to Vietnam, site of perhaps an even more infamous American military debacle. The Southeast Asia trip, also taking in Singapore and a virtual meeting with ASEAN regional representatives, was planned long before a Taliban victory last weekend triggered the US scramble from Afghanistan. Harris has taken some flak, especially from right-wing commentators who see the choice of Vietnam as, at best, tone-deaf. The writers of "Veep," a television comedy series satirizing a hapless vice president, "could not have scripted this better," tweeted Sean Spicer, a former White House press secretary for president Donald Trump. But US officials emphasize that the choice of Vietnam concerns geo-political challenges to come -- not the distant trauma of 1975 Saigon, when US helicopters ferried final evacuees from the embassy roof, as Viet Cong troops advanced. The vice president "is focused on the threats of the future, not of the past," said a senior White House official, who asked not to be named. Also read | Capitol Hill bomb threat standoff ends as suspect surrenders The official acknowledged that President Joe Biden's foreign policy focus is currently fixed on the crisis at Kabul airport, where a few thousand US troops are trying to evacuate potentially tens of thousands of US citizens and local allies. But at a time when China is challenging US political sway and naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, Southeast Asia is "strategically important and economically important to this country. That hasn't changed with Afghanistan," the White House official said. "We can do more than one thing at a time." Officials expressed confidence that the debacle in Afghanistan will not harm allies' trust in US commitment to far-reaching strategic goals across Asia. "We are confident that our partners throughout the Indo-Pacific see the United States as a steadfast partner. And that's certainly going to be one of the things the vice president emphasizes on this trip," an official said. Harris, an Asian-American whose mother was of Indian origin, will be the first US vice president to visit Vietnam. Before arriving in Hanoi late Tuesday, Harris will visit Singapore and meet, starting Monday, with President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. She will also stop at the Changi Naval Base, where she'll address US sailors aboard the visiting USS Tulsa, underscoring American security commitments to Singapore. Harris is set to hold Vietnamese government meetings on Wednesday and will attend the opening of a Southeast Asian regional branch of the US Centers for Disease Control. The global response to the coronavirus pandemic is set to dominate a meeting of ASEAN nations that Harris will join. In her final events on Thursday, Harris will meet civil society representatives in communist Vietnam to "underscore the importance we place on supporting civil society as a driver of social change," an official said.

In midst of Afghan crisis, US VP Harris visits Vietnam

West Asia is closely monitoring the developments in Afghanistan, questioning the reliability of the US as a partner. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you what a Taliban takeover means for the region.

The West Asia Post: What does a Taliban takeover mean for West Asia?

The race to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans from Afghanistan is intensifying as prospects are uncertain for removing any Afghan allies before the deadline of August 31.

Unimaginable chaos erupts at Kabul airport as US ends its 'forever war' | WION-VOA Co-production

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

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

The Joe Biden Administration has left behind $20 billion military hardware on a platter for the Taliban. American Choppers, Humvees, Jets & rifles are now in the Taliban's hands. Palki Sharma tells you how this is another proof of Biden's unmitigated disaster.

Gravitas: These American weapons are now in Taliban's hands

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

Gravitas: Economic woes await broke Taliban regime

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

Gravitas | Afghanistan exit: Soviets V/S America

Taliban fighters have escalated search for Afghans who worked for US and NATO forces. A UN report has stated this. The UN report has been documented by UN threat assessment consultants which say the group has priority lists of individuals it wants to arrest.

Taliban fighters escalate search for workers of US, NATO forces

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday that it may impose higher penalties for automakers failing to meet fuel efficiency requirements in recent years. This is a decision that could cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars or more.

NHTSA to impose higher penalties for automakers failing to meet fuel efficiency requirements in US

In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Washington Post, Ahmad Massoud said "America can still be a great arsenal of democracy" by supporting his fighters.&nbsp;

The son of Afghanistan’s most famed anti-Taliban fighter says he has the forces to mount an effective resistance, but called on the United States to supply arms and ammunition to his militia.&nbsp;

In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Washington Post, Ahmad Massoud said “America can still be a great arsenal of democracy" by supporting his fighters.&nbsp;

“I write from the Panjshir Valley today, ready to follow in my father’s footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban," he said.&nbsp;

His father Ahmad Shah Massoud, known as the Lion of Panjshir, led the strongest resistance against the Taliban from his stronghold in the valley northeast of Kabul until his assassination in 2001.&nbsp;

Famed for its natural defences, the redoubt tucked into the Hindu Kush mountains never fell to the Taliban during the civil war of the 1990s, nor was it conquered by the Soviets a decade earlier, and is now Afghanistan’s last remaining holdout.&nbsp;

Hoping to follow in his “father’s footsteps", Massoud said he has been joined by former members of the country’s special forces and soldiers from the Afghan army “disgusted by the surrender of their commanders".&nbsp;

Social media images show Afghanistan’s defiant vice president Amrullah Saleh meeting with Massoud, and the duo appear to be assembling the first pieces of a guerrilla movement to take on the Taliban.&nbsp;

“But we need more weapons, more ammunition and more supplies," Massoud said.&nbsp;

‘Ground zero’

Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee Afghanistan since the hardline Islamist militants swept into the capital on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces and ending two decades of war.&nbsp;

Nearly 6,000 people — including US citizens and Afghans — have been evacuated by the US military, with the government urging the Taliban to allow safe passage for people to flee.&nbsp;

Massoud said the Taliban poses a threat beyond Afghanistan’s borders.&nbsp;

“Under Taliban control, Afghanistan will without doubt become ground zero of radical Islamist terrorism; plots against democracies will be hatched here once again."&nbsp; 
Massoud said his fighters are ready for the coming conflict, but need American assistance.&nbsp;

Since their takeover, the Taliban have been showing off the huge stash of weapons, equipment and munitions they have seized from Afghan forces — most of it supplied by the United States.&nbsp; 
Social media images showed Taliban fighters carrying M4 and M18 assault rifles, M24 sniper weapons, and driving around in the iconic US Humvees.&nbsp; 
The seizures have heightened criticism of President Joe Biden’s hasty withdrawal.&nbsp;

Massoud said that, after 20 years, the US and Afghanistan have shared “ideals and struggles" and he asked Washington to continue supporting the “cause of freedom" rather than abandon Afghans to the Taliban.&nbsp;

“You are our only remaining hope," he said.

In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Washington Post, Ahmad Massoud said "America can still be a great arsenal of democracy" by supporting his fighters. The son of Afghanistan’s most famed anti-Taliban fighter says he has the forces to mount an effective resistance, but called on the United States to supply arms and ammunition to his militia.

In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Washington Post, Ahmad Massoud said "America can still be a great arsenal of democracy" by supporting his fighters. The son of Afghanistan’s most famed anti-Taliban fighter says he has the forces to mount an effective resistance, but called on the United States to supply arms and ammunition to his militia. In an op-ed published Wednesday in The Washington Post, Ahmad Massoud said “America can still be a great arsenal of democracy" by supporting his fighters. “I write from the Panjshir Valley today, ready to follow in my father’s footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban," he said. His father Ahmad Shah Massoud, known as the Lion of Panjshir, led the strongest resistance against the Taliban from his stronghold in the valley northeast of Kabul until his assassination in 2001. Famed for its natural defences, the redoubt tucked into the Hindu Kush mountains never fell to the Taliban during the civil war of the 1990s, nor was it conquered by the Soviets a decade earlier, and is now Afghanistan’s last remaining holdout. Hoping to follow in his “father’s footsteps", Massoud said he has been joined by former members of the country’s special forces and soldiers from the Afghan army “disgusted by the surrender of their commanders". Social media images show Afghanistan’s defiant vice president Amrullah Saleh meeting with Massoud, and the duo appear to be assembling the first pieces of a guerrilla movement to take on the Taliban. “But we need more weapons, more ammunition and more supplies," Massoud said. ‘Ground zero’ Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee Afghanistan since the hardline Islamist militants swept into the capital on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces and ending two decades of war. Nearly 6,000 people — including US citizens and Afghans — have been evacuated by the US military, with the government urging the Taliban to allow safe passage for people to flee. Massoud said the Taliban poses a threat beyond Afghanistan’s borders. “Under Taliban control, Afghanistan will without doubt become ground zero of radical Islamist terrorism; plots against democracies will be hatched here once again." Massoud said his fighters are ready for the coming conflict, but need American assistance. Since their takeover, the Taliban have been showing off the huge stash of weapons, equipment and munitions they have seized from Afghan forces — most of it supplied by the United States. Social media images showed Taliban fighters carrying M4 and M18 assault rifles, M24 sniper weapons, and driving around in the iconic US Humvees. The seizures have heightened criticism of President Joe Biden’s hasty withdrawal. Massoud said that, after 20 years, the US and Afghanistan have shared “ideals and struggles" and he asked Washington to continue supporting the “cause of freedom" rather than abandon Afghans to the Taliban. “You are our only remaining hope," he said.

'Disgusted by surrender': Killed anti-Taliban fighter's son asks US for weapons

The chief scientist of the World Health Organization, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has warned of “even more dire situations” worldwide if high-income countries start administering vaccine boosters ahead of poorer countries without vaccines.

At a news conference in Geneva, she said, "We believe clearly that the data does not indicate that boosters are needed".

The WHO has repeatedly called for vaccine equity and “solidarity” among countries. Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief, said, “If we think about this in terms of an analogy, we’re planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we’re leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-warns-may-act-against-governors-opposing-school-mask-mandates-406712">Also read |&nbsp;Biden warns may act against governors opposing school mask mandates</a>

As per WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply, while low-income countries have vaccinated “barely 2 per cent of their people.” He said, "vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity."

This comes as the US said that it plans to make COVID-19 vaccine booster shots widely available September 20 onwards.&nbsp;

The decision has been taken given rise in infections due to Delta variant and also due to the data indicating diminishing protection from vaccines over time.

The officials are prepared to give third shot to Americans who completed their inoculation at least 8 months ago.&nbsp;

The booster shots initially will focus upon healthcare workers, nursing home residents and older people, among the first groups to be vaccinated in late 2020 and early 2021, top US health officials said in a joint statement.

The chief scientist of the World Health Organization, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has warned of “even more dire situations” worldwide if high-income countries start administering vaccine boosters ahead of poorer countries without vaccines.

The chief scientist of the World Health Organization, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has warned of “even more dire situations” worldwide if high-income countries start administering vaccine boosters ahead of poorer countries without vaccines. At a news conference in Geneva, she said, "We believe clearly that the data does not indicate that boosters are needed". The WHO has repeatedly called for vaccine equity and “solidarity” among countries. Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO’s emergencies chief, said, “If we think about this in terms of an analogy, we’re planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets, while we’re leaving other people to drown without a single life jacket.” Also read | Biden warns may act against governors opposing school mask mandates As per WHO director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply, while low-income countries have vaccinated “barely 2 per cent of their people.” He said, "vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity." This comes as the US said that it plans to make COVID-19 vaccine booster shots widely available September 20 onwards. The decision has been taken given rise in infections due to Delta variant and also due to the data indicating diminishing protection from vaccines over time. The officials are prepared to give third shot to Americans who completed their inoculation at least 8 months ago. The booster shots initially will focus upon healthcare workers, nursing home residents and older people, among the first groups to be vaccinated in late 2020 and early 2021, top US health officials said in a joint statement.

WHO warns against booster shots while US plans to make them available September onwards

Tropical storm&nbsp;Grace&nbsp;strengthened into a&nbsp;hurricane&nbsp;on Wednesday as it barreled toward&nbsp;Mexico's&nbsp;Caribbean&nbsp;coast, grounding flights and threatening to bring strong winds, flash flooding and large waves.

A&nbsp;hurricane&nbsp;warning was in effect for a string of beach resorts,&nbsp;including Cancun, on&nbsp;Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, the US National&nbsp;Hurricane&nbsp;Center (NHC) in Miami said.

At least 124 flights to or from Cancun were canceled, the city's mayor, Mara Lezama, said on Twitter.

At 0000 GMT, the Category One&nbsp;hurricane,&nbsp;the lowest on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles&nbsp;per hour, according to the NHC.

It was located 170 miles east of the Mexican town of Tulum and expected to make landfall early Thursday, having already drenched earthquake-stricken Haiti, the NHC said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delta-poses-a-greater-threat-new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-defends-lockdown-call-406553">Also read |&nbsp;'Delta poses a greater threat': New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern defends lockdown call</a>

The storm was then expected to cross the southwest Gulf of&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;before lashing the eastern states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas.

Grace&nbsp;was "expected to bring strong winds and a dangerous storm surge" to parts of the Yucatan, according to the NHC.

"Heavy rainfall from&nbsp;Grace&nbsp;will likely result in areas of flash and urban flooding, and will also be capable of producing mudslides," it said.

The storm surge will be accompanied by "large and destructive waves" near the&nbsp;coast, the NHC warned.

Businesses on&nbsp;Mexico's Riviera Maya boarded up windows, while fishermen and tour operators hauled their boats onto land and tourists soaked up the final hours in the sun.

At supermarkets in Cancun, some residents stocked up on food in preparation for the storm's arrival, although the authorities called on people to avoid panic buying.

"We don't know what it will be like," said 41-year-old housewife Hortencia Rodriguez.

"With Wilma we didn't prepare and we were hit hard," she said, referring to a Category 5&nbsp;hurricane&nbsp;that pummeled Cancun in 2005.

Authorities in&nbsp;Mexico's southeastern state of Quintana Roo set up 85 shelters for people who needed refuge from the storm.

Tropical storm Grace strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday as it barreled toward Mexico's Caribbean coast, grounding flights and threatening to bring strong winds, flash flooding and large waves.

Tropical storm Grace strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday as it barreled toward Mexico's Caribbean coast, grounding flights and threatening to bring strong winds, flash flooding and large waves. A hurricane warning was in effect for a string of beach resorts, including Cancun, on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said. At least 124 flights to or from Cancun were canceled, the city's mayor, Mara Lezama, said on Twitter. At 0000 GMT, the Category One hurricane, the lowest on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale, was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, according to the NHC. It was located 170 miles east of the Mexican town of Tulum and expected to make landfall early Thursday, having already drenched earthquake-stricken Haiti, the NHC said. Also read | 'Delta poses a greater threat': New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern defends lockdown call The storm was then expected to cross the southwest Gulf of Mexico before lashing the eastern states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas. Grace was "expected to bring strong winds and a dangerous storm surge" to parts of the Yucatan, according to the NHC. "Heavy rainfall from Grace will likely result in areas of flash and urban flooding, and will also be capable of producing mudslides," it said. The storm surge will be accompanied by "large and destructive waves" near the coast, the NHC warned. Businesses on Mexico's Riviera Maya boarded up windows, while fishermen and tour operators hauled their boats onto land and tourists soaked up the final hours in the sun. At supermarkets in Cancun, some residents stocked up on food in preparation for the storm's arrival, although the authorities called on people to avoid panic buying. "We don't know what it will be like," said 41-year-old housewife Hortencia Rodriguez. "With Wilma we didn't prepare and we were hit hard," she said, referring to a Category 5 hurricane that pummeled Cancun in 2005. Authorities in Mexico's southeastern state of Quintana Roo set up 85 shelters for people who needed refuge from the storm.

Mexico's Caribbean coast braces for Hurricane Grace

A&nbsp;wildfire&nbsp;that erupted outside&nbsp;California's&nbsp;state&nbsp;capital&nbsp;just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours.

At least two people had to be airlifted to hospital as the Caldor Fire tore through a small town around 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sacramento.

Thousands of people have been told to seek safety, with the blaze raging uncontrolled through the Eldorado National Forest.

"Please, please heed the warnings, and then when you're asked to get out, get out," Fire Chief Thom Porter said, according to the Sacramento Bee newspaper.

"We need you out of the way so we can protect your homes from these fires."

In a stunning demonstration of the way these blazes transform, the Caldor Fire, which began on Saturday, grew from around 6,500 acres on Tuesday morning, fanned by strong winds and huge reserves of tinder-dry fuel.

The Caldor Fire is one of scores raging across the desiccated western United States, as man-made climate change alters weather patterns and brings chronic drought to the region.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for parts of the town of Lower Lake, including two schools and a mobile home park, after a&nbsp;new&nbsp;blaze erupted there.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belarus-news-agency-targetted-by-police-amid-crackdown-406629">Also read |&nbsp;Belarus: News agency targetted by police amid crackdown</a>

"If you're in Lower Lake, you should probably get out of here," Sheriff Brian Martin said in a Facebook video.

"We've got some pretty sticky situations going on. This is a very, very serious event."

The Lake County News said firefighters had seen RVs ablaze, with reports that authorities were going door-to-door to urge people to flee the quickly developing Cache Fire.

Dixie Fire still burning

Further north, the huge Dixie Fire continued to burn.

It has now scorched more than 600,000 acres in the month since it started, and is the second biggest blaze in&nbsp;California's history.

Photos taken by an AFP journalist show towering flames consuming the trees along the side of a highway, as firefighters try to set containment lines.

In the town of Janesville, the burned out hulks of cars sit among the still-smoking undergrowth; elsewhere, mailboxes exposed to the ferocious heat of the flames have melted out of shape.

The acrid smoke created by wildfires sparked an air quality advisory Wednesday for residents in and around San Francisco.

Utility PG&amp;E on Tuesday began shutting off power supply to more than 50,000 customers.

The company, which has acknowledged that its equipment may have started the Dixie Fire, said the shut-offs were to avoid the danger of live lines falling on dry vegetation.

The last decade has seen a huge rise in the number of wildfires in the west of the United States.

Climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels has made the region dryer and hotter for longer, creating ideal conditions for the blazes to rage.

A wildfire that erupted outside California's state capital just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours.

A wildfire that erupted outside California's state capital just a few days ago had exploded to cover 54,000 acres by Wednesday, an eight-fold increase in 24 hours. At least two people had to be airlifted to hospital as the Caldor Fire tore through a small town around 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Sacramento. Thousands of people have been told to seek safety, with the blaze raging uncontrolled through the Eldorado National Forest. "Please, please heed the warnings, and then when you're asked to get out, get out," Fire Chief Thom Porter said, according to the Sacramento Bee newspaper. "We need you out of the way so we can protect your homes from these fires." In a stunning demonstration of the way these blazes transform, the Caldor Fire, which began on Saturday, grew from around 6,500 acres on Tuesday morning, fanned by strong winds and huge reserves of tinder-dry fuel. The Caldor Fire is one of scores raging across the desiccated western United States, as man-made climate change alters weather patterns and brings chronic drought to the region. On Wednesday, the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for parts of the town of Lower Lake, including two schools and a mobile home park, after a new blaze erupted there. Also read | Belarus: News agency targetted by police amid crackdown "If you're in Lower Lake, you should probably get out of here," Sheriff Brian Martin said in a Facebook video. "We've got some pretty sticky situations going on. This is a very, very serious event." The Lake County News said firefighters had seen RVs ablaze, with reports that authorities were going door-to-door to urge people to flee the quickly developing Cache Fire. Dixie Fire still burning Further north, the huge Dixie Fire continued to burn. It has now scorched more than 600,000 acres in the month since it started, and is the second biggest blaze in California's history. Photos taken by an AFP journalist show towering flames consuming the trees along the side of a highway, as firefighters try to set containment lines. In the town of Janesville, the burned out hulks of cars sit among the still-smoking undergrowth; elsewhere, mailboxes exposed to the ferocious heat of the flames have melted out of shape. The acrid smoke created by wildfires sparked an air quality advisory Wednesday for residents in and around San Francisco. Utility PG&E on Tuesday began shutting off power supply to more than 50,000 customers. The company, which has acknowledged that its equipment may have started the Dixie Fire, said the shut-offs were to avoid the danger of live lines falling on dry vegetation. The last decade has seen a huge rise in the number of wildfires in the west of the United States. Climate change linked to the burning of fossil fuels has made the region dryer and hotter for longer, creating ideal conditions for the blazes to rage.

New wildfire explodes near California state capital

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