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Joe Biden's bid to evacuate 22,000 at-risk Afghans faces Taliban barrier
Some of these individuals are still in the provinces and have to go through several Taliban check-points before they can reach Kabul. Many of those who are in Kabul are unable to reach the airport as they cannot get past the gun-toting Taliban fighters who have set up barriers at crucial points.
Taliban's bid to change Afghanistan's national flag ignites fierce backlash
On Wednesday, the city of Jalalabad became a flashpoint in the battle of the flags, showcasing the clash between competing national identities and ideologiesIn Jalalabad, people took out a procession in support of their traditional national tricolour. They took down the white Taliban flag and replaced it with the national flag, causing the Taliban security to open fire.
Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity: WHO
According to the WHO, just 10 countries have administered 75 per cent of all vaccine supply, while low-income countries have vaccinated barely 2 per cent of their people. "Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.
If necessary US troops could remain in Kabul past Aug 31: Biden
Biden defended his decision to withdraw the US troops from Afghanistan while speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency. Asked if the US drawdown could have been handled better, Biden replied: "No, I don't think it could have been handled in a way that ... but the idea that somehow, to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens."
Covid vax campaign in US prevented 1,40,000 deaths till May
The study, published online by the journal Health Affairs, estimates the number of lives saved between December 21, 2020 to May 9, 2021 in each of the 50 states and Washington, DC. As a result of early vaccination efforts, the average state experienced five fewer deaths from Covid-19 per 10,000 adult residents.
Joe Biden admin takes new actions on masks, vaccination
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Biden said he is directing the Education Department to use its legal authority against some governors who are trying to block local school officials from requiring students to wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus, reports Xinhua news agency. "You know, we're not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children," Biden said.
Biden's approval rating dips below 50% for 1st time
The results came amid criticism over his administration's messy withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, after which the Taliban's swift takeover of the country ensued, as well as a resurgence of new Covid-19 cases and deaths across the US, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, RealClearPolitics gave him a 49.6 per cent approval rating on average during the 10-day period from August 7 to 17, while the disapproval rating stood at 47.2 per cent.
Horrible! Hundreds of men tear off female Tiktoker’s clothes in Pakistan (Watch Video)
A video of the incident went viral on social media that showed how the woman was manhandled violently by the men surrounding her. She was picked up, dragged through hundreds of men who were gathered at Minar-e-Pakistan to celebrate Independence Day. The unidentified woman said that she was shooting a TikTok video at a park in Lahore and had disturbed no one in the process.
Chaos from US Afghan drawdown unavoidable: Biden
Biden, who is facing mounting criticism from the public over the chaotic evacuation, defended his decision to withdraw the US troops from Afghanistan. Asked if the US drawdown could have been handled better, Biden replied: "No, I don't think it could have been handled in a way that ... but the idea that somehow, to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens."
Kabul remains calm while residents live in uncertainty
In a rapid but peaceful move, the Taliban fighters captured Kabul on Sunday. Since then the city has been calm with no major security incidents reported. However, the government offices, as well as private and state-run schools and universities, have mostly remained closed despite the Taliban's call on the employees to attend their offices and continue their work, reports Xinhua news agency.
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