It was a defiant and passionate message delivered live to the nation from the White House. Joe Biden last night insisted he stood "squarely" by his decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan - as he partly blamed Donald Trump and the Afghan security services for the debacle.
The US president admitted the Taliban's sweep to power happened "more quickly" than he had anticipated. But he firmly rejected criticism of his choice to bring home American troops.
Watch his message below. Washington Editor Rozina Sabur says it will have struck a chord with many ordinary Americans.
Seven people died at Kabul's main airport as crowds surged onto the runway yesterday, some clinging to the wheels of departing American aircraft.
Overnight, the crew of a US military cargo plane was praised for what has been described as an act of "compassion" by flying 640 Afghans out of Kabul in one of the largest single airlifts in history. View an extraordinary picture from the plane.
Meanwhile, Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan plans to stay in Kabul "for as long as possible" to oversee efforts to pull out up to 4,000 British nationals and eligible Afghan staff.
"Cool-headed" Sir Laurie Bristow and a team of diplomats have set up an emergency consular operation at Kabul airport that could drag on until the end of the month.
Among the Britons is Miles Routledge, a 21-year-old physics undergraduate, who flew into Kabul on Friday in a "danger tourism" stunt.
It comes as Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban are to be resettled in Britain under proposals for a scheme similar to that which brought 20,000 Syrians to the UK.
Energy bills could soar under hydrogen homes plan
Homeowners face higher energy bills to pay for greener gas that could be used to heat just 10 per cent of the country's properties. The Government wants a subsidy scheme to help fund its ambition to produce 5GW of hydrogen for use in heavy industry, transport and home heating by 2030, it will announce today. The scheme will be modelled on subsidies that were key to boosting the UK's offshore wind industry over the past decade, which are levied on electricity bills. Environment Editor Emma Gatten explains why there is a risk that bill payers could be locked into paying for "pointless" technology development.
Britain's top 100 restaurants revealed - full list
The North is tasting sweet success. It has overtaken London as the best place in the UK to eat, claiming four out of the top five restaurants in a national award. Only one restaurant in the capital made the top five in the country for the first time. "Places like Manchester, York, Lancashire and the Lake District are now home to some of the most progressive dining rooms in the country," said Stefan Chomka, the editor of Restaurant magazine. View the full list of Britain's top 100 restaurants.
Daily dose of Matt Today's cartoon | View Matt's latest cartoon on the ongoing pingdemic. Also in the news: Today's other headlines
Star accused | Bob Dylan is accused of plying a 12-year-old girl with drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing her at his New York apartment in 1965, a new lawsuit alleges. The US singer, 80, groomed the child "as part of his plan to sexually molest and abuse" her, according to papers filed at court. The woman, now 65, is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial, according to US reports. Dylan denies the allegations.
Coronavirus | Union leaders want freedom for 'pinged' to isolate Refugees | ￡2m new migrant centre at Dover 'sends wrong signal' Huw Edwards | 'Pay cut affected my attitude towards News at 10' Bullfighting | Brigitte Bardot locks horns with mayor over cruelty' Mastermind | New host passes on making contestants squirm Around the world: Haiti surgeons operate in open air
Haitian doctors are performing surgery in the open air as hospitals are overwhelmed with people injured in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake. At least 1,419 people have died and hundreds are missing after the quake, but US Correspondent Jamie Johnson reports that rescue efforts are expected to be hampered by the arrival of a tropical storm and the likelihood of flash flooding and mudslides. View more world pictures.
Comment and analysis Tim Stanley | 'Shameful' exit suits president's political agenda Suzanne Moore | Afghan women's lives ripped apart overnight Shabnam Nasimi | Disgraceful naivety to think Taliban's changed Kyle Orton | Biden walked into this disaster with his eyes open Reader letters | Doubt cast on US fitness to lead the free world Editor's choice Going dry | Like Boris Johnson, I wanted a midlife booze break - here is how I did it The Secret Landlord | 'I've been a landlord for 20 years - here is everything I learnt' Holly Willoughby out, activist in | 'M&S heading in woke direction with Christmas ad' Sport briefing: Root takes the blame for horror show
It was a humiliating day. Joe Root shouldered full responsibility after India thumped England by 151 runs on a remarkable final day of the second Test at Lord’s, when tactics in the field were widely criticised. Defeat leaves England 1-0 down with three games to go in the five-match series. Read Tim Wigmore's report from Lord's and Sir Geoffrey Boycott's verdict: "England have been utterly, utterly stupid."
Business briefing: Tesla Autopilot crashes face scrutiny
Tesla is under investigation amid fears that flashing lights from emergency vehicles are confusing its electric cars' Autopilot system and triggering crashes. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it would look into almost a dozen crashes involving Autopilot, the software that regulates a car's speed and lane positioning.
Tonight's dinner
Mughlai chicken with almonds and sultanas | A delicious Indian dish by Diana Henry that is fragrant and creamy. View the recipe and try our Cookbook newsletter.
Your daily travel inspiration
Santorini's unsung volcanic twin | The glorious Greek island of Thirasia is often described as offering a slice of what Santorini was like 50 years ago, before the tourists descended. Heidi Fuller-Love says it offers a much quieter pace of life than its sister island.
And finally... for this morning's downtime
Inside the Queen's couturier | As a teenager, Kinvara Balfour spent two weeks at the House of Hartnell, the Royal family's go-to. She lifts the curtain on the work experience that shaped her love of fashion.
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