Taliban marks Afghanistan's Independence Day as challenges rise

<p>Food shortages are already an acute <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/18/live-updates-afghanistan-news-us-evacuates-taliban-takeover/8176545002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">concern</a>. Plus, booster <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/08/18/covid-vaccine-booster-shots-coming-sept-20-biden-administration-says/8178505002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shots</a> are coming (for some), dozens are missing in North Carolina after Fred <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/08/18/tropical-storm-grace-become-hurricane-fred-tornadoes-henri-new-england/8176417002/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">flooding</a>, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer continues to face a civil hearing on alleged <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Fdodgers%2F2021%2F08%2F18%2Ftrevor-bauer-last-witness-hearing-restraining-order%2F8189163002%2F" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">abuse</a> and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/07/28/mark-zuckerberg-metaverse-facebook-earnings/5409929001/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Zuckerberg </a>has a big announcement.</p><p><br></p><p>(Audio: Associated Press)</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>