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Biden says troops will stay in Afghanistan for as long as it takes to evacuate all US civilians
Joe Biden has said American troops will stay in Afghanistan until all remaining US citizens —and citizens of American allies — are evacuated from the country after receiving criticism for the chaotic withdrawal of US forces.
In a defensive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, Mr Biden said there was no way of avoiding “chaos” by leaving Afghanistan, and that he was committed to evacuating Americans and US allies out before the deadline of 31 August, but that if any US citizens were still in the country, his forces would “stay till we get them all out."
In Thursday’s Pentagon briefing it was revealed that a further 2,000 people had been evacuated in the past 24 hours, but bottlenecks in getting people into the airport, rather than flight capacity, are the real challenge.
The Taliban is known to be in possession of 2,000 US-made armoured vehicles that were abandoned or seized from the Afghan Army.
On the domestic front, new unemployment claims have sunk to a pandemic low, and the Biden administration has announced it is wiping out $5.8bn of student debt for disabled Americans.
Recommended Afghanistan news – live: Raab says he will not resign as national flag raised in Kabul in defiance of Taliban Biden brushes off chaotic Kabul airport scenes as ‘five days ago’ in defensive ABC interview Trump goes off script to attack Bush in Hannity interview
Key points Biden claims ‘chaos’ was unavoidable with Afghanistan withdrawal US forces to stay until all Americans and allies evacuated, even after 31 August White House still facing criticism for withdrawing, as questions raised over intelligence Republicans call Biden comments ‘bald-faced lie’ and ‘shameless’
Show latest update 1629395948 What is the Doha agreement signed by the Trump administration?
The Taliban peace deal signed in Doha during the Trump administration was once hailed as historic, but is now front-and-centre of a Washington blame game.
Andy Gregory explains.
What is the Doha agreement signed by the Taliban? Accord once hailed as ‘historic’ is now front-and-centre in Washington blame game
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:59
1629395380 Independent senator tests positive for Covid
Independent Senator Angus King of Maine has announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19.
Mr King, who is fully vaccinated, listed in a statement all of the many precautions he has taken since the start of the pandemic.
“Despite all my efforts, when I began feeling mildly feverish yesterday, I took a test this morning at my doctor’s suggestion, and it came back positive,” he wrote.
“While I am not feeling great, I’m definitely feeling much better than I would have without the vaccine.”
He will quarantine at home.
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:49
1629395228 Voices: What do those who served in Afghanistan actually think of the Taliban takeover?
Jennifer Barnhill writes:
With the latest news of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, many may wonder what US military families have to say. Will we have an opinion about watching history repeat itself? What about the ignored warnings? Will the loss of life seem all the more painful now? Was this the right call?
What do American military families think of the Taliban taking over Afghanistan? ‘Nine deployments. So many friends lost along the way. And none of it was in vain. You hear me? None. Of. It.’
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:47
1629394148 Kabul: Former Afghan footballer died ‘falling from US plane’
A 19-year-old boy has been named as one of the people who died while trying to flee Afghanistan by climbing onto a departing US military plane, reports Sam Hanock.
Zaki Anvari was a former Afghan national youth team footballer who, according to his Facebook profile, lived in Kabul and was once a student at the city’s Esteghlal High School.
Despite the circumstances surrounding his death still being unclear, Afghan officials say Zaki died after falling from the C-17 aircraft while it was in the air.
Afghan teenager died ‘falling from US plane’ while trying to flee Kabul Zaki Anvari was one of thousands of Afghans who flocked to Kabul’s airport to escape the Taliban
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:29
1629393602 Readout of today’s White House Afghanistan meeting
Per a White House official, via the pool report:
This morning, the President and Vice President met with their national security team to discuss security, diplomatic, and intelligence updates in Afghanistan.
They discussed the status of operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), which continues to be secure and operational as a result of DOD’s efforts; our efforts to evacuate U.S. citizens, Embassy personnel, SIV applicants and their families, and vulnerable Afghans as quickly as possible; and that every day we operate troops on the ground are at risk.
The national security team updated the President and Vice President that DOD has evacuated 7,000 people since August 14 and 12,000 people since the end of July.
The President, Vice President, and their team also discussed their focus on monitoring for any potential terrorist threats in Afghanistan, including from ISIS-K.
The President and Vice President met with Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, Chairman Milley, Director Haines, Director Burns, National Security Advisor Sullivan, Ambassador Wilson, General McKenzie, Admiral Vasely, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Finer, Homeland Security Advisor Sherwood-Randall, and other senior officials.
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:20
1629393248 US cancels student loan debt for Americans with severe disabilities
The Biden administration announced today that it will automatically erase student loan debt for more than 300,000 Americans with severe disabilities that leave them unable to earn significant incomes.
This will wipe out more than $5.8bn in debt, according to the Education Department, marking the start of a broader overhaul of a scheme often criticised for having overly burdensome rules.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from borrowers with disabilities and advocates about the need for this change and we are excited to follow through on it,” said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
The federal government offers student debt relief for people who are “totally and permanently disabled” and have limited incomes. But the current rules require them to submit documentation of their disability and undergo a three-year monitoring period to prove they’re earning little pay.
Advocates have pressed for the elimination of the monitoring period entirely and to provide automatic debt relief to people who the Social Security Administration already identifies as permanently disabled.
Biden to cancel $5.8 billion in student debt - here’s what you need to know More than 323,000 student loan borrowers with disabilities will have their debts automatically discharged, canceling more than $5.8bn in student debt, according to the US Department of Education.
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:14
1629393008 Taliban’s presence at airport complicates Afghan evacuation
Those being evacuated have to go past Taliban checkpoints where they may have their documents torn up or face physical assault, writes Kim Sengupta in Kabul for The Independent.
Taliban’s menacing presence at Kabul airport complicates the evacuation effort Those being evacuated have to go past Taliban checkpoints where they may have their documents torn up or face physical assault, writes Kim Sengupta in Kabul
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 18:10
1629392108 US jobless claims hit a low for pandemic
Some good news for the White House today regarding unemployment claims.
Per the AP:
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fourth straight time to a pandemic low, the latest sign that America’s job market is rebounding from the pandemic recession as employers boost hiring to meet a surge in consumer demand.
The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims fell by 29,000 to 348,000. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, also fell — by 19,000, to just below 378,000, also a pandemic low.
The weekly pace of applications for unemployment aid has fallen more or less steadily since topping 900,000 in early January. The dwindling number of first-time jobless claims has coincided with the widespread administering of vaccines, which has led businesses to reopen or expand their hours and drawn consumers back to shops, restaurants, airports, and entertainment venues.
The White House released a statement from Joe Biden celebrating the news.
Our economy has created more than 4 million jobs since I took office – more jobs created at this point than any previous administration. Our economy is also growing at the fastest rate in the first half of a year in nearly 40 years. This morning’s news reinforces the historic nature of our economic recovery, due in part to the American Rescue Plan that got relief to those who needed it most, resources to our communities to fight Covid and vaccinations in the arms of the American people.
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 17:55
1629391508 Ousted Afghan president denies fleeing with $168m in cash
Ousted Afghan president Ashraf Ghani has dismissed claims he took a large amount of money with him when he fled Kabul as “lies”.
The country’s former leader, who is currently in exile in the United Arab Emirates, claimed he was “in talks to return” home despite fleeing the capital on Sunday as the militants seized control.
Daniel Keane reports.
Ashraf Ghani dismisses claims he took ￡123m with him as he fled Kabul as ‘lies’ It was reported Mr Ghani left Kabul with four cars and a helicopter stuffed with cash
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 17:45
1629391186 GOP senator test postive for Covid
Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi has tested positive for Covid-19.
He has mild symptoms and is fully vaccinated.
Mississippi is going through its worst outbreak of cases since the start of the pandemic. Only 36 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and the daily average number of cases is 3,526.
Since March 2020, there have been 396,394 confirmed cases of Covid in the state, and 7,916 deaths.
Oliver O'Connell 19 August 2021 17:39
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