Carpe Diem Gazette

Afghanistan: Taliban has taken control of the country after withdrawal of US-led foreign forces. (File) Moscow:  Russia has yet to determine its position towards the Taliban, and will see how they act toward the Afghan population and Russian diplomats, President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson said on Thursday. "We think that the Taliban's dominance, the de facto rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan and them taking most over the country under their control is de facto an accomplished process," Dmitry Peskov told a briefing. He said Moscow now wanted to see how this would translate into the security situation for the Afghan people and Russian diplomats in the country. Moscow is interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan and will likely continue contacts with Washington on issues arising there, he added. "The situation certainly requires exchange of opinions, exchange of information, so, of course, it is highly likely that such contacts will continue,...

  A child waits with her family to board a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan. (Photo: Reuters) The Taliban have warned the United States of "consequences" if they do not withdraw forces by August 31. The Biden government, however, said they are on course to maintain the "red line" on evacuation and pullout. While warning the US and NATO allies that the Taliban will not accept an extension to the evacuation deadline, the group urged the US to stop taking "Afghan experts" such as doctors and engineers. As the deadline for evacuation nears, G7 leaders, during an emergency meeting on Tuesday, said safe evacuation of foreigners and Afghan partners out of Afghanistan remains the immediate priority. Putting a figure on India's evacuation efforts, Union Minister Hardeep Puri said the country has so far evacuated 228 Indians, excluding embassy staff. HERE ARE TOP 10 DEVELOPMENTS 1)  ...

  Ahmad Massoud, leader of the Panjshir resistance, says he wants to make the Taliban realise that the only way forward is through negotiation (Reuters image) Adelegation of 40 members of the Taliban met with the resistance forces in Panjshir for negotiations, however, the result of the talks is unclear. The anti-Taliban forces tweeted, "There are 2 ways either they will accept the values of the people of Khorasan or second resistance will be declared." Read:  Interactive | Who controls Taliban? Meet the leaders who hold the key to Afghanistan's future Deposed Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh who declared himself as the acting President of the country after the Taliban takeover has joined hands with the resistance forces and said only meaningful negotiations will be accepted. Read:  Don't want Afghanistan to become Talibanistan, resistance strong, says former V-P Amrullah Saleh | Exclusive He said in case the negotiations face, the resistance forces are ready for ...

  The nearly 6,000 US troops assisting evacuation at the Kabul airport will withdraw on August 31. (Reuters) President Joe Biden on Tuesday stuck by his plan to remove the nearly 6,000 US troops from Afghanistan by the end of August, contingent on whether the Taliban cooperates to allow the evacuation of more Americans and their Afghan allies. Biden announced a plan in April to withdraw 2,500 US troops who were still in Afghanistan after a 20-year war, but was forced to send thousands more back to evacuate those at risk as the US-backed government and military quickly collapsed. The chaotic and perilous evacuation from Kabul airport that ensued has unleashed a wave of criticism and presented Biden with his biggest crisis since taking office in January. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? US officials say the troop withdrawal must begin no later than Friday to be completed by August 31 and it will take several days. The troops at Kabul airport include Marines and paratroopers. As they pack up their ...