The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Summary:

• President Joe Biden met his set deadline of August 31st as the last United States troops stationed in Afghanistan left this week through military C-17 planes, according to the Pentagon. 
• The departure of all troops signifies the end of America’s longest war that killed thousands of US troops and Afghani citizens, but leaves the country at a very vulnerable time as thousands of Afghani’s attempt to flee following the Taliban takeover. 
• President Biden backed his decision in an address delivered Tuesday, stating the decision wasn’t just about Afghanistan, but also about “ending an era of major military operations to remake other countries.”
• “We no longer had a clear purpose in an open ended mission in Afghanistan.” Biden also stated. “After 20 years of war in Afghanistan, I refuse to send another generation of America’s sons and daughters to fight a war that should’ve ended long ago.” 
• Biden announced that the U.S. wasn’t done fighting ISIS-K, as the Pentagon continues investigations on the extremist group after a recent drone strike which killed 13 American troops and 10 Afghani citizens. 
• The U.S. also works with evacuations and relocations of allies and remaining American citizens in Afghanistan. 
• The decision has been met with criticism on how the withdrawal of troops was handled and not waiting until all Americans were evacuated, called an “morally indefensible decision.”
• A Taliban spokesperson recently stated their happiness for “the liberation and independence of Afghanistan from the American occupation.” U.N. officials warn, however, that “a larger crisis is just beginning.” 

Sources:

• https://www.wsj.com/articles/last-u-s-troops-leave-afghanistan-after-nearly-20-years-11630355853
• https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-us-news-08-31-21/index.html
• https://www.npr.org/2021/08/30/1032367184/rockets-kabul-airport-deadline-us-troops-bomb
• https://www.npr.org/2021/08/31/1032454975/biden-afghanistan-exit-withdrawal-speech
• https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/31/politics/biden-afghanistan-withdrawal-speech/index.html

Tweets:

President Biden, summing up and closing out a speech defending his decision to end the 20-year war in Afghanistan, said: "I believe this is the right decision, a wise decision and the best decision for America." pic.twitter.com/Bd8CS0pTCX

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 31, 2021

Pres Biden faced fierce criticism over the last few weeks over his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan & the way in which he did it. He is pushing back hard on that criticism & pointedly defending his choice not to continue the two-decade war w/ another generation of troops.

— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) August 31, 2021

Biden is shifting the framing — he's saying the 100 to 200 Americans in Afghanistan have only "some intention to leave" and that "we will make arrangements to get them out if they so choose."

Blinken said yesterday the 100-200 "remain in Afghanistan and want to leave."

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) August 31, 2021

OTHER HEADLINES:

Caldor Fire Spreads to Lake Tahoe, Forcing Thousands of Evacuations

Photo courtesy of Peter Buschmann, United States Forest Service, USDA. Some additional editing by W.carter., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

• The Caldor Fire in California continues to spread, risking burning down thousands of homes in the Lake Tahoe area. 
• More than 400 fire engines and thousands of firefighters were dispersed to South Lake Tahoe to contain the fires growing rapidly. Tens of thousands have been evacuated after an evacuation notice went on Monday. 
• The Caldor Fires is the second largest in California history, as it has already burned over 190,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of properties and injured five. 
• The United States Forest Service stated closures of all California national forests while over 15,000 wildfires ravaged all over the state. Some scientists noted that the increased wind conditions due to global warming play a part in the ongoing crises. 

Tweets:

Happening now: California lawmakers are holding a wildfire forum outside the state capitol.

This was organized by Republicans in response to the postponement of an oversight hearing into Newsom’s administration and wildfire prevention issues. pic.twitter.com/dVVVzVBIdt

— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) August 31, 2021

smoke from the #CaldorFire blowing into the Carson Valley in Nevada, just across the Sierra from Lake Tahoe. photo taken earlier today near Topaz Lake, where I stayed for the night and got some rest pic.twitter.com/cTkTfIAXAq

— J.D. Morris (@thejdmorris) August 31, 2021

Today, more than 14,300 firefighters remain on the frontlines of 15 active large wildfires that have burned more than 1.83 million acres.
Get the latest on these incidents at: https://t.co/jBh7Rim5k6 pic.twitter.com/RMFm4VpayQ

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 31, 2021

Mississippi Highway 26 Washed Away, Killing Two People and Injuring 10 Others

Charlie Deets charliedeets, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

• Part of Highway 26 washed away Monday as a result of rain from Hurricane Ida near Lucedale, Mississippi.
• The heavy rain created a 50 feet long and 20 feet deep hole that swallowed seven cars, killing two people and injuring 10 others, three of whom were critically injured.  Highway 26 connects Mississippi and Louisiana.
• An estimated 10 to 13 inches of rain fell in the area since Hurricane Ida began.
• The storm leaves close to 60,000 residents without power.

Tweets:

Mississippi highway collapse leaves 2 dead, up to 10 injured, troopers say https://t.co/Bg9h3BHXkB

— Tiffany Kenney (@wpbf_tiffany) August 31, 2021

China Tightens Online Gaming Bans for Minors

• China’s National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) restricted minor video gamers to only one hour of gaming between 8PM and 9PM on Fridays, weekends, and holidays this week.
• This restriction is tighter than the 2019 limits for children, which allowed 90 minutes of weekday game time and three hours on weekends.
• An NPPA spokesperson stated the tighter controls were enacted in response to concerns from parents that children’s gaming habits affected their schoolwork.

Tweets:

It’s still a huge market. Could it be viewed (absent the politics, of course) in the no cigarette sales to kids category? Good for their health: China Video Game Ban: Kids' Gaming Hours Slashed to Just 3 Hours a Week – Bloomberg https://t.co/tgmOdEzKxK

— Kenneth L. Shropshire (@kenshropshire) August 30, 2021

I wonder what would be the long-term impact to American society if parents were to limit their children to three hours per week of playing video games, as China has now done. 🤔

— Darrell B. Harrison (@D_B_Harrison) August 30, 2021

The Trial of Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes to Begin this Week

• Jury selection began Tuesday for the trial of Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of health technology company Theranos. 
• Holmes is on trial for the misrepresentation of her company’s blood testing capabilities in light of an October 2015 Wall Street Journal investigation.
• Holmes has pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal fraud brought against her and her former COO and romantic partner, Ramesh Balwani.
• The pandemic and the birth of Holmes’s first child delayed the trial.

Tweets:

Elizabeth Holmes arriving at the courthouse for her trial. pic.twitter.com/kn2Nauv2Sb

— John Carreyrou (@JohnCarreyrou) August 31, 2021

Elizabeth Holmes’ fraud trial begins: A timeline of blood-testing startup Theranos’ downfall | #Education https://t.co/tvei8oLFC7

— Parent Security (@ParentSecurity) August 31, 2021

Turkish President and UAE Leader Hold Phone Call, Easing Tensions

• A phone call between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan took place on Monday in a sign of easing tensions between the two regions. Another round of talks is expected to take place next week.
• Turkey and the UAE have been hostile for many years because of conflicts in Libya, Turkey’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, eruption of the Arab uprisings, and other issues.
• The lira rose to its highest amount in about a month due to speculation of improving ties between the two countries and the possibilities of investment and economic opportunity in Turkey.

Tweets:

This builds on Sheikh Tahnoon's meeting with Erdogan and once again shows the UAE and Turkey are both serious about de-escalating tensions with its regional rivals. Afghanistan might be on the agenda too. I need more details to say more

— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) August 30, 2021

President @RTErdogan held a phone conversation with the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan.

During the conversation, bilateral relations and regional issues were addressed.https://t.co/TJyL5jgsd2

— Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Communications (@Communications) August 31, 2021

Drone Attack in Saudi Airport, Houthi Rebels Blamed

• The Abha airport in Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone attack, and the shrapnel injured eight people and damaged a civilian aircraft. Another drone was intercepted earlier in the day and shrapnel hit parts of the airport without causing casualties.
• The attacks were blamed on Iran-backed Houthi rebels, which are currently battling a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. A few days prior, a Saudi-back military base in Yemen was hit with missiles and drones, killing 30 people.
• No one has officially claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. More than 100,000 people have been killed in the war in Yemen since 2014.

Tweets:

1-Attacks of Iranian-backed Houthi militia on Abha International Airport by 2 Iran-made booby-trapped drones is war crime, reflect its military escalation at Iran behest, planning & arming &its efforts to undermine deescalation efforts, and its true stand re calls for peace.

— معمر الإرياني (@ERYANIM) August 31, 2021

We strongly condemn the recent attempt by Houthi militants to target Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately the incident caused several injuries and damage to a civilian plane. We wish speedy recovery to those injured in the incident. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/AfyCWA2wez

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) August 31, 2021

Indian Ambassador Meets with Taliban Leader

• India’s Foreign Ministry has announced that Deepak Mittal, India’s ambassador to Qatar, met with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, a Taliban leader, in Doha. The meeting was requested by the Taliban.
• The meeting discussed the safety of Indian nationals still remaining in Afghanistan, and the possibility for Afghans to travel to India. According to the foreign ministry, the Taliban stated that these issues would be positively addressed.
• The foreign ministry stated that Mittal conveyed the message that “Afghanistan’s soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner.” Prior to the meeting, Stanekzai expressed interest in the Taliban having economic ties with India.

Tweets:

Will these “talks” lead to recognition of #Taliban? India chairs UN Taliban sanctions committee, will this mean that they’ll be delisted? Or will you put them in UAPA terror list?

I suggest BJP’s jacks in boxes go to these talks, or they shut up & stop calling everyone Taliban pic.twitter.com/gDCKsuNdwt

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 31, 2021

Paris Restricts Speed Limit to 30 km/hour to Reduce Pollution and Accidents

• Paris has instituted an almost universal speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour (less than 19 miles per hour) in an effort to reduce pollution and increase safety. It is debated whether this will actually be effective in reducing emissions.
• In a further effort to disencourage driving in the city, authorities are taking away almost half of the parking spaces available on public roads. Walking, biking, and public transportation are alternatives that the government is trying to promote.
• A public consultation was held late last year with almost 6,000 people. Parisian City Hall conducted a poll that showed 59% of residents in favor of the new measure.

Tweets:

Paris has reduced the speed limit to 30km/h on the vast majority of its roads from today (although Champs-Elysées is still at 50 km/h). If you've ever driven in Paris, you'll know this may not make a huge difference as it's so congested most of the time.

— Jeremy Wilks (@WilksJeremy) August 30, 2021