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US Afghanistan withdrawal

The US president says the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan marked the end of an era of major military operations to remake countries. In his first public remarks since the US pullout from the country, Joe Biden said the war in Afghanistan should have ended long ago. Biden rejected criticism of his decision to stick with the August 31st withdrawal deadline, adding that his choice was between leaving and escalating. The US president emphasized that the evacuation operation from Afghanistan was QUOTE an extraordinary success. He, however, acknowledged that up to 200 Americans were unable to get out when the airlift ended Monday.

Afghanistan humanitarian crisis

The UN secretary general warns of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan. Addressing an emergency session of the Security Council, Antonio Guterres said half of all Afghans depend on some form of humanitarian aid. He added that hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced in the recent fighting, and asked the international community to harbor Afghan refugees. He urged all parties to protect civilians and QUOTE exercise utmost restraint. Guterres also expressed concern over accounts of mounting human rights violations against women and girls. Elsewhere in his remarks, the UN chief called for unity to prevent the threat of terrorism in Afghanistan.

Pandemic fallout

A survey shows a drop in US consumer confidence to a six-month low amid concerns about soaring coronavirus infections and higher inflation. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index dropped to a reading of 113.8 in August, the lowest since February. The report shows more consumers planned to go on vacation, indicating a shift in spending from goods to services. It also indicates that consumers will be less inclined to buy a home, motor vehicles and major household appliances over the next six months. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan's survey of consumers showed a drop to near decade lows in August due to rising prices and resurgence in Covid-19 cases.


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