Category: World

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban violently broke up a protest in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least one person as they quashed a rare public show of dissent. The militant group meanwhile met with former officials from the toppled Western-backed government. As officials work to shape a future government, the United Arab Emirates… Continue reading Taliban violently disperse rare protest, killing 1 person

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): A Taliban spokesman promised Tuesday that the insurgents who overran Afghanistan in recent days would respect women’s rights and would not exact revenge, seeking to calm a wary population and skeptical world powers. In his first news conference, Zabihullah Mujahid, who had been a shadowy figure for years, doubled down on the… Continue reading Taliban vow to honor women’s rights but within Islamic law

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): Thousands of Afghans rushed onto the tarmac of Kabul’s international airport Monday, some so desperate to escape the Taliban capture of their country that they held onto an American military jet as it took off and plunged to death in chaos that killed at least seven people, U.S. officials said. The crowds… Continue reading US officials say 7 killed in Kabul airport evacuation chaos

LES CAYES, Haiti (AP): The death toll from a powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Haiti climbed sharply on Sunday, with at least 724 dead and a minimum of 2,800 injured. The updated figures from Haiti’s Office of Civil Protection follow a previous count of 304 dead. The office’s director, Jerry Chandler, said rescuers are continuing… Continue reading Death toll from Haiti earthquake rises to more than 700

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): A Taliban official says the group will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul. That was the name of the country under the Taliban government ousted by U.S.-led forces after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he… Continue reading Taliban to declare Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday and said they were awaiting a “peaceful transfer” of the city after promising not to take it by force, but the uncertainty panicked residents who raced to the leave the capital, with workers fleeing government offices and helicopters landing at the… Continue reading Taliban enters Kabul, awaits ‘peaceful transfer’ of power

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP): The Taliban seized two more provinces on Saturday and approached the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital while also launching a multi-pronged assault on a major northern city defended by former warlords, Afghan officials said. The insurgents have captured much of northern, western and southern Afghanistan in a breakneck offensive less than three weeks… Continue reading Taliban approach Kabul’s outskirts, attack north Afghan city

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP): A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday, with the epicenter about 125 kilometers (78 miles) west of the capital of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey said. People in the capital felt the tremor and many rushed into the streets in fear, although there did not appear to be damage there. Naomi… Continue reading 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Haiti

ATHENS, Greece (AP): Firefighters and residents battled a massive forest fire on Greece’s second-largest island for a seventh day Monday, fighting to save what they can from flames that have ravaged pristine forests, destroyed homes and businesses and sent thousands fleeing. The smoke and ash from the fire on Evia, a rugged island of forests… Continue reading Massive island forest fire in Greece burns for 7th day

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP): Israel on Thursday escalated its response to rocket attacks this week by launching rare airstrikes on Lebanon, the army said. The army said in a statement that jets struck the launch sites from which rockets had been fired over the previous day, as well as an additional target used to attack… Continue reading Israel launches airstrikes on Lebanon in response to rockets