US assessing whether Taliban serious about peace: Blinken
PARIS: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday Washington was assessing whether the Taliban were serious about ending the conflict in Afghanistan, and that trying to take back the country by force was not consistent with peace efforts. Blinken, who was visiting Paris, acknowledged attacks on Afghan security forces were increasing before planned […]
US to evacuate Afghan interpreters before pullout is over
WASHINGTON: The United States is planning to evacuate a group of vulnerable Afghan interpreters before it completes its withdrawal so they can wrap up their visa applications from safety, officials said on Thursday. The decision by President Joe Biden’s administration risks creating a sense of crisis in Afghanistan, just a day before Biden meets Afghan […]
No recognition if Taliban take Kabul by force, warns US
WASHINGTON: The United States has cautioned the Taliban that the world will not accept a government imposed by force in Afghanistan as an intelligence report warned that the current setup in Kabul could collapse within six months after the American withdrawal. At a Tuesday afternoon news briefing in Washington, State Department spokesperson Ned Price also […]
Taliban Capture Afghanistan’s Main Tajikistan Border Crossing: Officials
Kunduz: The Taliban captured Afghanistan’s main border crossing with Tajikistan, officials said Tuesday, with security forces abandoning their posts and some fleeing across the frontier. The seizure of Shir Khan Bandar, in the far north of Afghanistan, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Kunduz city, is the most significant gain for the Taliban since the […]
Swedish govt toppled in no-trust vote
STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s government was toppled on Monday after Stefan Lofven became the country’s first prime minister to lose a no-confidence vote, meaning he can now either resign or trigger a snap election. The motion of no confidence was filed on Thursday by the far right Sweden Democrats, after the Left Party, which has been propping […]
Taliban say Islamic system only way to peace in Afghanistan
KABUL: The Taliban said on Sunday they remain committed to peace talks but insisted a “genuine Islamic system” in Afghanistan was the only way to end the war and ensure rights — including for women. Talks between the militants and the Afghan government have been deadlocked for months and violence has surged across the country […]
Third pandemic wave arrives as Brazil surpasses 500,000 deaths
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil on Saturday became the second country after the United States to surpass 500,000 Covid-19 deaths as the South American giant grapples with a third wave of the pandemic. “500,000 lives lost due to the pandemic that affects our Brazil and the world,” Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tweeted. The Health Ministry reported […]
US entrusts Kabul airport’s security to Turkey
WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a meeting this week that Turkey would take a lead role in securing Kabul airport as the United States withdraws troops from Afghanistan, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday. However, the two leaders were not able to resolve the long-standing issue […]
China launches first crew to live on new space station
Under bright blue morning skies, China launched its first crewed space mission in five years on Thursday, sending three science-minded military pilots rocketing to a new orbiting station they’re expected to reach around midafternoon. The astronauts, already wearing their spacesuits, were seen off by space officials, other uniformed military personnel and a crowd of children […]
UN readies for more displaced Afghans after troop withdrawal
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations is preparing for a likely further displacement of civilians in Afghanistan after US and international troops leave the country in September, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said on Monday. Violence has been rising as foreign forces begin withdrawing and efforts to broker a peace settlement between the Afghan government and […]
