Tuesday, September 7, 2021

*) US officials look to Qatar for help with Taliban US Secretaries of State and defence are in Qatar to seek support for the ongoing efforts to evacuate Americans and at-risk allies left behind in Afghanistan. Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin have met with Qatar's leaders to discuss a number of issues, including how to enhance security within Afghanistan. Qatar has become the main mediator between Western countries and the Taliban since the group's takeover. *) Taliban in full control of Afghanistan Meanwhile, the Taliban says it has defeated the last pocket of resistance by taking control of Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley. This means they've taken over the entire country just three weeks after capturing the capital, Kabul. National Resistance Front leader Ahmad Massoud offered the Taliban a negotiated settlement to end the violence. *) Israel carries out airstrikes on Gaza Israel's Defence Force says it carried out several airstrikes in Gaza on Monday night. Fighter jets hit locations in Khan Yunus. The Palestinian health authority has not reported any immediate casualties or injuries. *) UN warns of severe hunger in northern Ethiopia The UN's World Food Programme is warning of severe hunger in northern Ethiopia. It says a blockade on aid is bringing millions to the brink of famine. The UN is unable to get aid into many areas because of checkpoints and the blowing up of crucial access bridges. And finally... *) Nasa's rover collects samples from Mars NASA's Perseverance Rover has successfully completed collecting its first samples from Mars. The samples are from the Martian Rock, a core from Jezero Crater. The rocks are the first to be scientifically identified and sent back to earth from another planet.