WORLD
Abdullah confirms Ghani has left Afghanistan, likely for Tajikistan
Abdullah Abdullah has asked people to keep calm and for the Afghan security forces to cooperate in ensuring security. He asked the Taliban to allow some time for talks before entering the city of Kabul. Taliban forces have been seen within the city but most insurgents remain massed in the city's outskirts, the Guardian reported. Ghani has left Kabul for Tajikistan, a senior Afghan Interior Ministry official said.
Kabul residents flee city, country on fears of Taliban rule
Long queues of cars have formed as people try to find a way out of the city. Banks have also been busy as residents try to withdraw their savings, BBC reported. Afghan MP Farzana Kochai describeD the scene: "I'm in my house and looking at the people who are just trying to run." This leaves Kabul International Airport as the only way out of the country.
Abu Dhabi sets new protocol for international travellers
The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has also updated the travel procedures into the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) capital. The Alhosn app (the Covid-19 app in the UAE), needs to show a green status for entry into public places. All vaccinated persons have the green status. If it is grey, the person will be denied entry.
Afghan government handing over power to Taliban
The head of High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah is said to be mediating the process, Afghan media reported. Sources have also said that Ali Ahamd Jalali will be appointed as head of the new interim government. Meanwhile, the acting Ministers of Interior, and Foreign Affairs, in separate video clips, assured Kabul's people would be secure as they are protecting the city along with international allies.
Our forces will not enter Kabul city, awaiting peaceful transition: Taliban
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said fighters were remaining on the capital's outskirts as negotiations took place. "Our forces have not entered Kabul city, and we just issued a statement saying that our forces will not enter Kabul city," Shaheen told Al Jazeera from Doha where peace talks are taking place. "We are talking and awaiting a peaceful transfer – a transition of the capital city."
Afghans intrigued at 'being sold out' as cities handed over to Taliban
"They literally sold us out, there was no government resistance," one female resident of Kandahar told Al Jazeera. "I never imagined that Kandahar would be taken so easily," she said echoing a sentiment made by Afghans across the country when the Taliban was blazing through the districts since it stepped up an offensive in May after the United States began the final withdrawal of its forces from the country.
Taliban militants with flags seen on Kabul streets
VOA reported there is panic on the streets of Kabul as the news broke that the Taliban had entered the city. They are only on the outskirts, but government offices started getting evacuated. A VOA Afghan service reporter was in the passport office when everyone was told to leave immediately and go home.Traffic on the streets of Kabul became crazy as people scrambled to get home or to their families.
Taliban enters Kabul
The development comes as Taliban have captured Jalalabad, the last major city in the north of the country, without a struggle, the BBC reported. With reports of the Taliban closing in, the tension in Kabul is rising.
A BBC producer based there said he was suddenly evacuated from a government office a short time ago.
Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani under growing pressure to resign
With Kabul the only major city left standing, the President appears to face a stark choice between surrendering to the Taliban or a fight to hold the capital, the BBC reported. Overnight, US President Joe Biden said the Washington was urging him to pursue a political settlement to avoid further bloodshed. There had been speculation he would announce his resignation.
Pakistan govt punished media for being critical of its policies
Titled "Silencing the media", the Dawn newspaper editorial said all major bodies representing the media have rightly rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority and termed the intended law behind it a draconian one. The last few years have taken a heavy toll on the media industry both in terms of financial and editorial pressures. These have led to painful job cuts and the shrinking of space for quality journalism.
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