The Taliban’s rapid advance is chilling but a united response can still avert catastropheThe fall of Afghanistan to fundamentalist Taliban forces is a disaster foretold. Although the capital, Kabul, remains in government hands, the scale and speed of t…
Afghanistan: US begins Kabul embassy evacuation as Taliban close in – live updates
US officials say diplomats are leaving Kabul embassy now, as Afghan officials say Jalalabad governor has surrendered to Taliban Report: last major Afghan city in the north falls to the Taliban 6.31am BST New York Times reporter Fahim Abed in Kabul: Bei…
A new dark age in Afghanistan – cartoon
Chris Riddell on the resurgence of the Taliban• You can order your own copy of this cartoon Continue reading…
Afghan president in urgent talks as Taliban push closer to Kabul
Ashraf Ghani says focus is on preventing ‘further instability, violence and displacement’Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf Ghani, held urgent talks with local leaders and international partners on Saturday as Taliban rebels pushed closer to Kabul, captur…
Belarus repression and the Taliban advance: human rights this fortnight – in pictures
A round-up of the coverage of the struggle for human rights and freedoms, from Thailand to Mexico Continue reading…
Bollywood’s Kareena Kapoor subject to online abuse over baby’s name
Supporters say attacks over choice of name similar to 17th-century Muslim Mughal emperor rooted in prejudice against inter-faith marriageBollywood star Kareena Kapoor has received abuse online from extremists over her new baby’s name.Kapoor has been at…
Avni Doshi on summer in Mumbai
The Burnt Sugar author remembers summer 2007, when her grandmother arrived to help her set up home – and teach her some life lessons• Read other authors on their memorable urban summersShe arrives with a small suitcase and several jute bags filled with…
US troops start to arrive for Afghanistan evacuation as Taliban close in on Kabul
Thousands of western nationals and vulnerable Afghans to be airlifted out of country as insurgent forces draw ever closer to capitalUS troops have begun arriving in Afghanistan to help evacuate thousands of people, including embassy staff, and Afghans …
Kandahar’s fall to the Taliban is a moment of huge significance
Afghanistan’s second city was the capital of the jihadist group until 2001 and has vital strategic and symbolic importanceIn the sprawling compound of Mullah Omar, the Taliban’s first emir, outside the southern city of Kandahar, curious onlookers were …
The Guardian view on the Taliban’s advance: not an American debacle but Afghans’ tragedy
People are losing their homes, their freedom and their hope. That should be more of a priority than US credibility“There’s going to be no circumstance where you’ll see people being lifted off the roof of an embassy of the United States from Afghanistan…