International

US Secretary Antony Blinken says Taliban have vowed to let Afghans 'depart freely'

The Taliban told the United States that 'they will let people with travel documents freely depart'. Word is that the Kabul airport will reopen soon, potentially opening an important corridor for Afghans seeking to leave

Why did Afghanistan's army collapse almost without a fight? Exhaustion, abandonment & corruption are the culprits

An Afghan official said ministers were lying to President Ashraf Ghani about the ground situation so that they could keep their jobs and privileges. Another ex-government official said nobody at the top showed leadership

Guinea crisis: UN chief Antonio Guterres condemns hostile 'takeover', calls for release of president

The UN Secretary General said via a tweet that he was personally keeping track of the ground situation

Heavy gunfire in Guinea capital Conakry; troops on streets, say witnesses

Authorities in the West African nation did not comment on the situation. Residents reported seeing a number of soldiers on the streets who asked them to return to their homes for safety

Thailand pro-democracy activists protest in Bangkok as PM survives no-confidence vote

Ahead of the rally, police used shipping containers to block major routes to the advertised protest site at the central Lumphini Park where more than 300 protesters had planned to march

Delhi's IGI Airport tightens security ahead of Independence Day; officials request flyers to reach in advance

Indira Gandhi International Airport authorities have ordered the closure of 'meet and greet' area till 20 August

Donald Trump loses legal battle to keep financial records from US House of Representatives as tussle with Congress intensifies

Mehta said in Monday's ruling that the committee "has shown that it is not engaged in a pure fishing expedition for President Trump's financial records".

Alabama senate passes toughest abortion ban bill in US, gives no exceptions to cases of rape or incest

The ACLU, promised to file a lawsuit to block its implementation, although the abortion bill's backers have expressly said they want to bring the case to the SC

Israel lifts ban on Palestinian fishing boats, takes first step in implementing a fragile truce

The Israel Navy often fires on Gazan boats since they exceed the limit it enforces. The fishing union in Gaza confirmed the lifting of the ban.

US-China end second day of talks to save trade deal as Donald Trump's 25% duty hike on $200 bn Chinese imports loom over Beijing

The trade-negotiations deals concluded on Thursday with Trump imposing heavy duties on Chinese products, the deal could risk in a heavy market collapse.