Summary:

• After months of deliberation, the Biden Administration announced its plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September terrorist attacks.
• The U.S. has been in Afghanistan for 11 years after the 2001 coordinated terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
• A senior administration official declared that the decision to end the war was in the best interest of America to better focus on global situations, as al-Qaeda doesn’t pose as big of a threat to national security as before. 
• In his statement, President Joe Biden stated that America  “cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan,” and continued, stating “We were attacked. We went to war with clear goals. We achieved those objectives. Bin Laden is dead and al Qaeda is degraded in Iraq and Afghanistan. And it’s time to end the forever war.”
• The removal will start on May 1st with the goal of 3,500 troops, and continue until September 11th in coordination with NATO allies also situated there. 
• After backing out of a peace conference in Istanbul, the Taliban have threatened to target troops that stay past May 1st. A U.S. official reported that any interference during the withdrawal of these troops by the Taliban will “be met with a forceful response.”
• Abdullah Abdullah, and Afghani chief peace envoy, remains hopeful that the decision will achieve “a lasting and dignified peace.” Although the decision hasn’t fully been met with the same hopes, as the troops were the Kabul government’s main force against the Taliban, and the unconditional action seems like Biden has “given up hope” for what happens.  

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-biden-to-say-it-is-time-for-u-s-troops-to-leave-afghanistan-11618409428?mod=article_inline

https://www.npr.org/2021/04/13/986811256/biden-administration-says-it-will-withdraw-u-s-troops-from-afghanistan-by-sept-1

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-plan-to-withdraw-troops-from-afghanistan-hampers-peace-talks-with-taliban-11618417275

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-afghanistan-troops-withdrawal/

Twitter: 

Other Headlines:

Niger Pre-School Catches Fire Taking the Lives 20 Children

• A fire broke out in the improvised neighborhood of “Pays-Bas” near the outskirts of capital city Niamey, the fire caught onto the wood and straw buildings of the local school and quickly destroyed classrooms.
• Most children were able to run out of the school, however 20 children five and younger were unable to free themselves from the ablazed temporary hut rooms.
• A statement from the National Union of Teachers of Niger stated “It is important that from here the authorities stop the classes in straw huts.”
• Currently straw huts are in use all around Niger as an attempt to combat overcrowding in schools.
• Local resident, Amadou Seyni, said in response to the incident “This is the worst thing that has ever happened at a Nigerien school – 20 children burned alive in no time. It’s a huge loss for Niger.”
• Tweets:

Southeast  Asian Company ‘Grab’ Goes Public in Worlds Largest SPAC Merger

• Grab, a Singapore based ride-hailing and food delivery service, is set to go public in the U.S. after a SPAC merger with Altimeter Growth.
• The deal is valued at nearly $40 B and is said to be the largest SPAC merger ever seen.
• Grab will be listed on Nasdaq under the ticker GRAB and will be provided $4.5 billion in cash proceeds from the Grab IPO.
• Asad Hussain, a senior analyst of mobility technology at PitchBook, said “With this listing, Grab cements its formidable positioning as the leading mobility and financial services provider in Southeast Asia.”
• Tweets:

Far Right Group Banned in Pakistan Over Violence

• Pakistan’s Interior Minister announced a ban on Tehreek-e-Labbaik, a far right political party opposing blasphemy, specifically remarks of French President Emannuel Macron. They have repeatedly called for Pakistan’s government to remove the French ambassador, and ban French goods.
• The far right group has held many disruptive protests, most recently earlier this week when their leader, Saad Rizvi, was arrested. Two police officers were killed and many injured this week from the demonstrations.
• The group was formed in October 2020 after cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad were defended by President Macron, who said they were allowed under freedom of speech.

Tweets:

Ramadan Begins for Muslims All Over the World

• The holy month of Ramadan has begun, where Muslims will abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset, and focus on acts of worship.
• This is the second Ramadan affected by pandemic restrictions, with many Muslims not able to visit their mosque or open their fast with family and friends.
• Ramadan has been observed by Muslims dating back centuries and is considered a very holy month. 

Tweets: