Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will keep its military personnel in Afghanistan despite US President Joe Biden`s commitment for August 31 troops withdrawal deadline in the war-ravaged country.
Trudeau`s remarks came after the virtual summit of G7 leaders who met to discuss whether an extension of the American military commitment to Afghanistan is needed for evacuating all foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans who helped the Americans and the NATO allies before the country`s recent fall to the Taliban.
Taliban Names Mohammad Idris to Lead Central Bank
The Taliban appointed an obscure official as acting central bank governor as signs emerge of a financial crunch in Afghanistan, with ATMs running out of cash and prices of essential goods spiraling.
Mohammad Idris, who headed the Taliban's economic commission, will address the looming banking issues and the problems of the people as head of Da Afghanistan Bank. Little is known about Idris, including his education background and professional qualifications in dealing with monetary, currency and banking policy.
The Taliban is negotiating with banks to become operational soon.
South Africa's Unemployment Rate World's Highest
South Africa's unemployment rate is now the highest in the world, according to a list of 82 countries monitored by Bloomberg.
It rose to 34.4% in the second quarter from 32.6% in the three months of the year, the news agency quoted Statistics South Africa as saying in its latest report.
Unemployment has been a long-standing problem in South Africa.
But analysts say recent restrictions to curb a third wave of coronavirus and last month's riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces are likely to continue harming one of Africa's biggest economies.
Aug 24, 2021
Taliban Warn of Consequences if US Delays Withdrawal Process
Ahead of an emergency G7 meeting on Afghanistan, the Taliban warned that there would be consequences if the US and the UK sought an extension to the August 31 deadline for the US-led troop withdrawal from the war-torn country.
Britain is urging the US to extend its evacuation effort in Kabul beyond the current August 31 deadline, saying without the Americans other countries would have no choice but to stop their own operations to help people fleeing the Taliban takeover.
Risks of Party Revolt Grow for Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga
Unpopular Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga looks increasingly vulnerable to a challenge from within his party for the nation's top job after an ally's defeat in a local election seen as a referendum on Suga's Covid-19 response.
If Suga loses, he would join a long list of short-term premiers. He took over in September 2020 after Abe quit, citing ill health and ending a rare lengthy term of nearly eight years.
Suga, whose term as ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader ends next month, has seen his support slide from highs of about 70% to below 30%.
Aug 23, 2021
Taliban Wants Ties with All Countries, Including US
Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said that the insurgent group intends to have economic and trade ties with all countries around the world, including the US.
Baradar denied media reports that the Taliban has not intended to have diplomatic and trade ties with Washington.
Lord Botham Appointed Trade Envoy to Australia
Ian Botham, the former England cricketer known for legendary clashes with Australia, has been appointed UK government trade envoy to the country.
Lord Botham, Baroness Hoey and several MPs, have been made trade envoys to boost British business interests around the world.
International trade secretary Liz Truss tweeted the former all-rounder would bat for UK business down under.
He is one of 10 new trade envoys.
Trade envoys are a network of parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum, who are appointed by the Prime Minister.
Lord Botham, who played 102 Test matches for England between 1977 and 1992, is an advocate of field sports and a prominent Brexit supporter who was knighted in 2007, in recognition of his services to charity and cricket.
Taliban Co-founder in Kabul to Hammer out New Afghan Govt.
Almost a week after the Islamist militants took over the capital without resistance, Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar arrived in Kabul for talks with other leaders to hammer out a new Afghan government.
The Taliban official said that the group planned to ready a new model for governing Afghanistan within the next few weeks, with separate teams to tackle internal security and financial issues.
Aug 22, 2021
Judges Reject President's Appeal to Change Kenya Constitution
Appeal Court judges in Kenya have upheld an earlier decision by a lower court blocking a government-backed plan to make fundamental changes to the country's constitution, calling the project unconstitutional and unlawful.
Dubbed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), and spearheaded by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his political nemesis-turned-ally, Raila Odinga, it had sought to make these and other changes:
Introducing the position of a prime minister as a way to dilute power
Giving Kenya's 47 counties bigger budgets to implement development schemes
Making the cabinet leaner and more representative of the nation
Giving corruption scam whistleblowers 5% of any funds recovered.
This judgement is seen as a win for Deputy President William Ruto, who had opposed BBI.
It also comes exactly year before the next presidential election, which is regarded as a two-horse race between Mr. Odinga and Mr. Ruto.
UK Will Work with Taliban if Necessary
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the United Kingdon would work with the Taliban if necessary after the militants' capture of Afghanistan, and defended his Foreign Minister who has come under fire for his handling of the situation.
Johnson said that the situation at Kabul airport, where thousands of desperate Afghans have thronged seeking exodus from the country, was getting slightly better.
Taliban Appeals for International Recognition
The Taliban have appealed to the international community to recognise it amid growing resentment against it at home and abroad, even as the Afghan militant group sought to placate China, saying that Beijing can play a big role under its rule in the strife-torn country.
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said that the international community should "respect the will of the Afghan people" and officially recognise his group which has taken over power in Kabul.
He also urged international monetary organisations to release funds to the new government.
Aug 21, 2021
Malaysia's King Appoints Ismail Sabri as Prime Minister
Malaysia's king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the Prime Minister, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down this week after losing his parliamentary majority.
Mr. Ismail Sabri, who was Muhyiddin's deputy, takes over as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections and an economic slump, amid growing public anger over the handling of the health crisis.
He secured majority support, with the backing of 114 of parliament's 222 members.
His appointment returns the role of Prime Minister to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia's 'grandold party', which was voted out in a 2018 general election amid widespread accusations of graft.
Pakistan Fences Off from Afghan Refugees
On the surface, it almost looks normal on this part of the Pakistani-Afghan border.
But a closer look shows how much things have changed.
The tricolour flag of the Republic of Afghanistan has been replaced with the white flag of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan, and in place of Afghan border security forces now stand gun-holding bearded Taliban militants.
They are now in control of Torkham - the busiest crossing with Pakistan.
A few days back, hundreds of panicked Afghan civilians gathered here for days, desperate for a way out.
Then what seemed inevitable happened: outnumbered Afghan police forces surrendered to the Taliban.
Pakistan, worried about a fighting spillover, had shut its side of the border prior to the Taliban's takeover. But after brief closure it was reopened for trade and restricted pedestrian movement.
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