It seemed at times as if an entire frantic city was trying to flee and not get left behind.

       Thousands of people stormed Kabul's airport today, triggering anarchy and leaving at least seven dead, as crowds tried to force their way on to flights and avoid being left to the Taliban.

       People mobbed the Tarmac and scaled walls and gantries as they attempted to fight their way onto aircraft.

       The scale of the desperation was disclosed in one astonishing mobile phone clip after another.

       This was the Saigon moment that only recently Joe Biden said could never happen in Afghanistan.

       In one staggering sequence, hundreds of young men could be seen running alongside a lumbering US military C-17 transporter as it taxied for take-off.

       Ben Farmer reveals how American marines and paratroopers guarded the perimeter of the airport, but were unable to keep order inside.

       Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said all military and civilian flights have been halted at the Kabul airport because of the crowds of civilians on the runways.

       Our liveblog has updates on the fast-moving situation and view the fall of Kabul in 12 extraordinary pictures.

       What next, then, for the Afghans who have been able to make it out? The Defence Secretary has announced the UK will waive border rules to allow Afghan asylum seekers to flee the Taliban to Britain without a passport.

       Ben Wallace said the Government wanted to make it easier for interpreters and contractors who supported Western forces to seek asylum in the UK.

       The Defence Secretary broke down in tears as he admitted "some people will be left behind".

       Mr Wallace, who served in the Scots Guards, was speaking about the evacuation effort from the country which is being led by 16 Air Assault Brigade, when he was overcome with emotion.

       Meanwhile, Ben Marlow analyses how the defence sector sell-off is the final nail in the coffin for UK foreign policy.

       'The Trump-Biden policy'

       President Joe Biden has found himself increasingly isolated and facing criticism for "hiding" at Camp David as the Taliban advanced following the US retreat.

       Mr Biden and First Lady Jill left for the presidential retreat in Maryland on Friday but it has only just been revealed that the President will return to Washington today, delivering his first comments later tonight.

       Comparisons are being drawn between the rush to escape Kabul and the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, when hundreds of Vietnamese and Americans flocked to the US Embassy to be airlifted from the country.

       Watch archive footage comparing 1975 to today.

       Mark Almond says the Saigon parallel provides false reassurance while former US national security adviser John Bolton details why history will label the US withdrawal "the Trump-Biden policy".

       'Imprisoned and raped'

       As the Taliban cement their sweeping victories across the country by seizing Kabul, many women are afraid.

       Among them is Kubra Behroz, who joined the Afghan National Army as a officer cadet in 2011, and now fears the repercussions.

       She has heard stories of women being beheaded for having been policewomen four years ago and is afraid of being "kidnapped, imprisoned and raped".

       So who are the men about to take control of Afghanistan?

       Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is poised to become the country's new president.

       Colin Freeman profiles the man born in Uruzgan province, who fought against the Soviet occupation before becoming one of the founders of the Taliban in 1994.

       Evening briefing: Today's essential headlines Covid liveblog | Autumn wave 'could see 1,000 hospitalisations a day' Travel latest | Booster jabs 'will be needed' for holidays Angela Merkel | Candidate to succeed German leader slumps in polls Psychedelic drugs | Start-up founded by aristocrat raises ￡58m For sale | The ￡3.3m mansion with a Darwinian heritage Comment and analysis Tom Harris | Ken Loach's expulsion shows Starmer is serious James Le Fanu | There are lies, damned lies – and Covid statistics Tim Stanley | Is it really wise to classify incels as terrorists? Shane Watson | Ten markers of social acceptance that bother us most Oliver Brown | Spurs' fans ire for Kane shows things change quickly Around the world: Haiti earthquake death toll surges

       The death toll from Haiti's devastating earthquake soared to nearly 1,300 on Sunday, as crews desperately dug through collapsed buildings for survivors in the Caribbean nation still reeling from its president's assassination. In Les Cayes most of the population spent the night sleeping outdoors in front of what remained of their houses amid fears of further aftershocks. These images show the devastation.

       Monday big-read

       Gentleman, spy, fantasist? The strange life of Greville Wynne

       Benedict Cumberbatch's new thriller The Courier is based on a notorious 1960s espionage case – and the bizarre, much-contemned man at its centre. Tom Fordy tells the story

       Read the full story

       Sport briefing: England stumble, risking Lord's defeat

       India look like they could be closing in on a famous victory in the final session of the second Test. Having set England a target of 272 for victory, the tourists got both the hosts' openers out for ducks. It is the first time that has happened in a home test. Scyld Berry reckons England lost their heads and threw away potential victory. Follow the thrilling climax here.

       Editor's choice Real life | I've ditched dating apps – but is it still possible to find love the old-fashioned way? 'It's a wellness marvel' | Why the traditional Russian banya is the next big health craze Marriage Diaries | My wife loves retirement, but I'm boredand it's making me resent her Business briefing: NZ trade deal 'highly possible'

       Hopes are growing that a trade deal with New Zealand, the second ground-up accord of the post-Brexit era, can be secured within weeks. An insider at the Department for International Trade said an announcement on New Zealand before the end of August is “highly possible” as discussions intensify. Read how Trade Secretary Liz Truss is understood to be driving a hard bargain on key areas of interest.

       Tonight starts now

       Mary Poppins, review | What is as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious as a trip to the theatre? Richard Eyre's 2004 musical is back, at the Prince Edward Theatre, and it makes for an unbeatably splendid evening. Fiona Mountford adored the production when it premiered, relished its West End revival in 2019 and, yes, cherishes its joyous post-Covid resurgence now. Read why it is the most delightful West End show in a long time.

       Three things for you Watch | The White Lotus, Sky Atlantic, 9pm and more of tonight's TV Read | The 12 best new children's books for this summer Play | Telegraph Puzzles featuring today's Crossword and Sudoku And finally... for this evening's downtime

       Mercedes-Benz EQS review | With 484 miles of range for ￡98,000, the EQS is an esoteric approach to battery power. Andrew English reviews the luxury electric car that is comfortable and practical.

       If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here . For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing - on podcasts, smart speakers and WhatsApp.