WORLD
US in talks with Taliban as Aug 31 deadline nears
President Joe Biden has left open the possibility of extending the ongoing evacuation beyond August 31, the date he previously set to end the US military mission in Afghanistan, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, however, made clear in an interview with Sky News that such extension would be unacceptable. At a White House briefing on Monday, Sullivan told reporters that the US has been consulting with allies and the Taliban on the evacuation issues.
Biden's rating drops below 50% for first time in 'summer of discontent'
The poll also finds fewer Americans support Biden's handling of the coronavirus and the economy now than they did last spring, and just a quarter of respondents approve of his handling of Afghanistan. The survey findings demonstrate the public has grown more pessimistic about the coronavirus since April, the country remains split over whether Covid-19 vaccines should be mandated and an electorate is divided over which political party should control Congress after the 2022 midterms, NBC reported.
Israel strikes Gaza in 'response' to incendiary balloons
Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman has said that the attack on Monday was made in response to the launch of incendiary balloons towards southern Israel, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday. According to the Palestinian security sources, the posts and facilities belong to al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas armed wing in southern, central and northern Gaza Strip. Medical sources said no injuries were reported, while the security sources said that Hamas militants evacuated all the posts and facilities in the Gaza Strip for fear of being targeted by Israeli airstrikes.
Kabul airport suspends operations till further notice
"All flights at the Hamid Karzai International Airport are suspended until further notice. Passengers looking to fly to different regions around the country and abroad will be notified in advance when flights will be resumed. These measures are taken to avoid crowds and unrest in the airport," read a statement published on the agency's Facebook page, Tass reported.
Indian Muslims must reject 'Islamic Emirate' in Afghanistan: IMSD
"We are deeply disturbed by the euphoria evident among a section of Indian Muslims, including religious leaders such as the office-bearers of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Umrain Mahfuz Rahmani and Maulana Sajjad Nomani, and the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind, over the Taliban's capture of power," a statement issued by the IMSD said.
Rally supporting Taliban held in POK
In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), a rally was organised by Taliban supporters on Monday morning, with LeT and JeM outfits coming out in support of the Taliban. The participants in the rally also fired in the air.
Russia may sign new contract with Turkey on S-400 missile supply
"Consultations are continuing. I believe they are already at their final stage," Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev said at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2021", without disclosing details of the possible contract, Xinhua news agency reported. Russia and Turkey signed their first deal on the S-400 systems in 2017 and Turkey received the first shipment in July 2019.
Dozens of Taliban fighters killed by Panjshir resistance
Fighters of the self-styled "Resistance-2" against the Taliban in Panjshir said that they have managed to retake Salah and Banu districts in Baghlan after killing "dozens" of Taliban fighters. Panjshir is the only one of Afghanistan's 34 provinces that is yet to fall to the militants, TRT World reported.
Biden urges unvaccinated Americans to receive jabs
Biden made the remarks on Monday after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave its full approval to the Pfizer vaccine earlier in the day, Xinhua news agency reported. "So let me say this loudly and clearly: If you're one of the millions of Americans who said that they will not get the shot until it has full and final approval of the FDA, it has now happened," said Biden.
US Covid cases, hospitalisations, deaths continue to climb
The current 7-day moving average of daily new cases (133,056) increased 14.0 per cent compared with the previous 7-day moving average (116,740), according to the latest CDC weekly report. As to the new hospital admissions, the current 7-day average for August 11-August 17 was 11,521, a 14.2 per cent increase from the prior 7-day average (10,088) from August 4- August 10, said the report, Xinhua news agency reported.
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