ANONYMOUS - OUR VOICE

Police Investigating "Active Bomb Threat" Near US Capitol

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Police Investigating 'Active Bomb Threat' Near US Capitol" src="https://i.ndtvimg.com/i/2015-11/us-capitol-police-bomb-squad-afp_650x400_41447904744.jpg" title="Police Investigating 'Active Bomb Threat' Near US Capitol" /></div>
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are currently on recess (File)
</div>
Washington:
Police said Thursday a suspicious vehicle near the US Capitol building and Library of Congress was being investigated for possible explosives and that people were told to leave the area.
"The USCP is responding to a suspicious vehicle near the Library of Congress," the US Capitol Police said on its Twitter feed. "This is an active bomb threat investigation."
Both the Senate and House of Representatives are currently on recess, but staffers are working in the Capitol complex.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/police-investigating-active-bomb-threat-near-us-capitol-2514339">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/police-investigating-active-bomb-threat-near-us-capitol-2514339</a>

news world Police Investigating "Active Bomb Threat" Near US Capitol

Both the Senate and House of Representatives are currently on recess (File) Washington: Police said Thursday a suspicious vehicle near ...

Afghan Woman News Anchor Barred From Work After Taliban Takeover

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Afghan Woman News Anchor Barred From Work After Taliban Takeover" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-08/tqldtdnk_afghan-news-anchor-twitter_625x300_19_August_21.jpeg" title="Afghan Woman News Anchor Barred From Work After Taliban Takeover" /></div>
Shabnam Dawran worked as a journalist for six years for state-owned RTA
</div>
Kabul:
An Afghan woman journalist has said she was barred from working at her TV station after the Taliban took control of the country, and pleaded for help in a video posted online.
Wearing a hijab and showing her office card, well-known news anchor Shabnam Dawran said "our lives are under threat" in the clip on social media.
Under the Taliban's regime from 1996 to 2001, women were excluded from public life, girls could not attend school, entertainment was banned and brutal punishments were imposed.
Female journalists have also been targeted by the militants in a wave of assassinations in recent months leading up to their takeover of the country.
However, since seizing power in a lightning offensive the Taliban have claimed women will have rights, including to education and work, and that the media will be independent and free.
One Taliban official even sat down for a one-on-one interview with a woman journalist on TV to press the point.
But Dawran, who has worked as a journalist for six years in Afghanistan for state-owned broadcaster RTA, said this week she was barred from entering her office while male colleagues were allowed in.
"I didn't give up after the change of system and went to attend my office, but unluckily I was not allowed despite showing my office card," she said in the video.
"The male employees, those with office cards were allowed to enter the office but I was told that I couldn't continue my duty because the system has been changed."
Dawran then pleads with viewers, saying: "Those who are listening to me, if the world hears me, then please help us as our lives are under threat."
Among those to share the footage was Miraqa Popal, an editor at Tolo News, a 24-hour channel in Afghanistan.
"Taliban didn't allow my ex-colleague here in @TOLOnews and famous anchor of the State-owned @rtapashto Shabnam Dawran to start her work today," Popal wrote in a tweet on Wednesday that was shared thousands of times.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Popal posted a picture of a woman news presenter on Tolo, with the caption: "We resumed our broadcast with female anchors today."
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/afghan-woman-news-anchor-barred-from-work-after-taliban-takeover-2514332">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/afghan-woman-news-anchor-barred-from-work-after-taliban-takeover-2514332</a>

news world Afghan Woman News Anchor Barred From Work After Taliban Takeover

Shabnam Dawran worked as a journalist for six years for state-owned RTA Kabul: An Afghan woman journalist has said she was barred from ...

Anti-Taliban Forces Massing North Of Kabul, Russia Says

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Anti-Taliban Forces Massing North Of Kabul, Russia Says" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-08/72e3rr2_taliban-terrorists-afp-650_625x300_17_August_21.jpg" title="Anti-Taliban Forces Massing North Of Kabul, Russia Says" /></div>
Afghanistan: The Kremlin has in recent years reached out to the Taliban. (File)
</div>
Moscow:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that armed resistance to the Taliban is forming in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley, led by deposed vice-president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, the son of anti-Taliban fighter.
"The Taliban doesn't control the whole territory of Afghanistan," Lavrov told reporters at a press conference in Moscow following a meeting with his Libyan counterpart.
"There are reports of the situation in the Panjshir Valley where the resistance of Afghanistan's vice president Mr Saleh and Ahmad Massoud is concentrated," he said.
Lavrov also reiterated his call for an inclusive dialogue involving all political players in Afghanistan for the formation of a "representative government".
The Panjshir Valley northeast of Kabul is Afghanistan's last remaining holdout, known for its natural defences.
According to images shared on social media, Saleh and Massoud, the son of Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, are pulling together a guerrilla movement to take on the Taliban.
Moscow has been cautiously optimistic about the new leadership in Kabul and is seeking contact with the terrorists in an effort to avoid instability spilling over to neighbouring ex-Soviet states.
While the United States and other countries rushed to evacuate their citizens from Kabul, Russia said its embassy will continue to function.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that the Taliban are "actively restoring order" and have demonstrated their "intent to dialogue".
She said at her weekly press briefing that the terrorist group -- known for its severe treatment of women -- is "ready to take into account the interest of citizens, including... women's rights".
Earlier this week, Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov met with the Taliban in Kabul, hailing on state television a "positive and constructive" meeting.
The Kremlin has in recent years reached out to the Taliban -- which is banned as an "extremist" group in Russia -- and hosted its representatives in Moscow several times, most recently last month.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/afghanistan-anti-taliban-forces-massing-north-of-kabul-russia-says-2514320">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/afghanistan-anti-taliban-forces-massing-north-of-kabul-russia-says-2514320</a>

news world Anti-Taliban Forces Massing North Of Kabul, Russia Says

Afghanistan: The Kremlin has in recent years reached out to the Taliban. (File) Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thu...

Heavy Wind, Rainfall In Mexico As Hurricane Grace Makes Landfall

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Heavy Wind, Rainfall In Mexico As Hurricane Grace Makes Landfall" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-08/14mli7k4_mexico-rain-reuters_625x300_19_August_21.jpg" title="Heavy Wind, Rainfall In Mexico As Hurricane Grace Makes Landfall" /></div>
Hurricane Grace landed in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula with heavy wind and rain. (File)
</div>
Mexico City:
Hurricane Grace lashed Mexico's Yucatan peninsula with heavy wind and rain early on Thursday as it barreled into the coast and moved inland near the popular beach resort of Tulum, threatening to spark flooding in the country's southeast.
Grace, a Category 1 Hurricane, is expected to weaken as it churns across the peninsula before strengthening again in the Gulf of Mexico and hitting the coast of Veracruz state late on Friday, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said.
The NHC said Grace would dump 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of rain over the Yucatan peninsula through Friday, and up to 12 inches in some areas. Grace's heavy rainfall will likely result in areas of flash and urban flooding, it added.
Mexican officials said steps had been taken to prepare for the hurricane's arrival, with dozens of military and rescue workers as well as staff from the national power utility, the Comision Federal Electricidad, gearing up to help.
"We're ready," Laura Velazquez, head of Mexico's civil protection authority, told a regular news conference standing alongside President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Velazquez said the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Yucatan and Tabasco were likely to receive heavy rainfall.
Grace, which unleashed downpours and flooding over Haiti and Jamaica earlier this week, was early on Thursday about 45 miles south-southeast of the town of Valladolid, blowing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (121 km/h) the NHC said. The storm was moving west at 17 mph (28 km/h).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hurricane-grace-makes-landfall-in-mexicos-caribbean-coast-with-heavy-rain-2514318">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hurricane-grace-makes-landfall-in-mexicos-caribbean-coast-with-heavy-rain-2514318</a>

news world Heavy Wind, Rainfall In Mexico As Hurricane Grace Makes Landfall

Hurricane Grace landed in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula with heavy wind and rain. (File) Mexico City: Hurricane Grace lashed Mexico...

Citing Destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas, UNESCO Urges Afghan Cultural Protection

<div class="ins_instory_dv">
<div class="ins_instory_dv_cont"><img alt="Citing Destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas, UNESCO Urges Afghan Cultural Protection" src="https://c.ndtvimg.com/2021-08/66059p14_bamiyan-buddhas-afghanistan-reuters_625x300_19_August_21.jpg" title="Citing Destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas, UNESCO Urges Afghan Cultural Protection" /></div>
Afghan boys play in front of gaping niche where a giant Buddha statue used to stand. (File)
</div>
Paris:
The U.N. cultural agency called for the protection of Afghanistan's cultural heritage and to ensure a safe environment for artists, days after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul.
Afghanistan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Bamiyan Valley, where the Taliban blew up two giant Buddha statues before the Islamist group was ousted from power in 2001.
"Amid the rapidly unfolding events, and 20 years after the deliberate destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, a World Heritage site, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay calls for the preservation of Afghanistan's cultural heritage," UNESCO said in a statement on Thursday.
UNESCO said Afghanistan's diverse heritage and cultural sites were an integral part of Afghan history and identity and of importance for humanity as a whole.
"It is crucial for the future of Afghanistan to safeguard and preserve these landmarks," UNESCO said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
 
 
source <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/citing-destroyed-bamiyan-buddhas-unesco-urges-afghan-cultural-protection-2514313">https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/citing-destroyed-bamiyan-buddhas-unesco-urges-afghan-cultural-protection-2514313</a>

news world Citing Destroyed Bamiyan Buddhas, UNESCO Urges Afghan Cultural Protection

Afghan boys play in front of gaping niche where a giant Buddha statue used to stand. (File) Paris: The U.N. cultural agency called for ...

Sources: British And US Troops At Odds In Afghanistan As UK Engages Rescue Missions

Reports have surfaced that British and American forces are unhappy with each other at Kabul airport, as UK Military commanders are overseeing rescue missions into the city itself, while US commanders are sitting tight, leaving US nationals to fend for themselves.
Thousands of Americans trapped in the city were again advised by the US embassy that it cannot protect them if they attempt to get to the airport, and even if they make it, they might not be able to get on a plane out of there:
<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter">
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" readability="8.2810650887574">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="10.121301775148">
"THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CANNOT ENSURE SAFE PASSAGE TO THE HAMID KARZAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,” the US Embassy in Kabul told American citizens in a security alert today, per <a href="https://twitter.com/kylieatwood?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kylieatwood</a>, adding space on evac flights will now be available on “first come, first serve basis.”
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) <a href="https://twitter.com/kaitlancollins/status/1428059430982230020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
</div>
</figure>
The British government, however has <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1477109/Afghanistan-withdrawal-Paras-ready-Kabul-rescue-mission">sent in 900 elite para troopers</a> to rescue some 4000 nationals in Kabul, and told the soldiers to expect face to face combat with the Taliban.
Sources have indicated that the U.S. command is unhappy with the British forces going into the heart of Kabul, claiming that it is putting the withdrawal agreement at risk (isn’t a bit late for that?).
The British troops are also said to be livid at the way America is treating Afghans who are desperate to flee the Taliban.
Yet American troops are also said to be pissed off with their higher ups not letting them run rescue missions alongside the Brits.
Former Congressional staffer turned reporter Matthew Russell detailed what is unfolding according to sources in Kabul:
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-102922" src="https://api-assets.infowars.com/2021/08/british-troops-patrols-kabul.jpg" /></figure>
Others noted that some British troops have been tasked with observing US forces in case they suddenly decide to leave, because without the 6000 US troops in place, the British forces could easily be overwhelmed:
<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"></figure>
Fresh video has also emerged showing the scene outside the airport, which looks like hell on earth:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="8.6">
This is what it looks like outside the north gate at the airport in Kabul. I won't mention why this location is important. I will say that the <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CENTCOM</a> commander, who agreed to allow this airport to be the primary/only evacuation point, should be dismissed/replaced immediately. <a href="https://t.co/yfvWRJaJ7n">pic.twitter.com/yfvWRJaJ7n</a>
— Bill Roggio (@billroggio) <a href="https://twitter.com/billroggio/status/1427810858256769031?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
How are American nationals supposed to get to the airport through this?
Laughably, the State Department has accused the Taliban of reneging on the deal to allow Americans to get to the airport.
Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Shermansaid “We have seen reports that the Taliban, contrary to their public statements and their commitments to our government, are blocking Afghans who wish to leave the country from reaching the airport.”
Ya think Wendy?
<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"></figure>
“Our military partners are engaging directly with the Taliban to make clear that we expect them to allow all American citizens, all 3rd country nationals and all Afghans who wish to leave to do so safely and without harassment,” she added.
Right, so while they are killing anyone they find who may have worked with the British or American governments, you’re asking the Taliban nicely to not block the way are you?
<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9906315/Rescue-mission-thousands-UK-citizens-Afghanistan-strain.html">The Daily Mail reports</a> on the scenes at the airport, describing “stampeding crowds and Islamist fanatics using rifle butts and sticks to beat protesters.”
<a href="https://news.sky.com/story/afghanistan-desperate-women-throw-babies-over-razor-wire-at-compound-asking-british-soldiers-to-take-them-12384646">Further horrific reports have emerged</a> of women tossing their own babies into razor wire fences toward British soldiers in an attempt to get them out of the country.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="3.8744394618834">
People are so desperate to escape the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> that they’re passing babies and kids forward to the gate at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> airport. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kabulairport?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kabulairport</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AfghanEvac?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AfghanEvac</a> <a href="https://t.co/6NSlIffrD1">pic.twitter.com/6NSlIffrD1</a>
— Matt Zeller (@mattczeller) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattczeller/status/1427996919423541263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
This chaos could have been avoided, but the Biden administration scrapped existing withdrawal plans and then seemingly failed to come up with any replacement contingencies but still went ahead with the withdrawal anyway:
<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter">
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" readability="6.1740331491713">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true" readability="6.585635359116">
Interesting. Embarrassing timing to say the least. "The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Biden?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Biden</a> State Department moved in June to cancel a program overseeing the protection and evacuation of American citizens stationed overseas in the case of an emergency, just as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> was taking over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>." <a href="https://t.co/FvV9TrPgVT">https://t.co/FvV9TrPgVT</a>
— Alberto Miguel Fernandez (@AlbertoMiguelF5) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertoMiguelF5/status/1428104905403817997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
</div>
</figure>
<a href="https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/biden-state-dept-moved-to-abolish-crisis-response-bureau-months-before-taliban-takeover-of-afghanistan/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Washington Free Beacon</a> reports “The Biden State Department moved to dissolve the Trump-era crisis response program, according to an internal State Department memo and sources familiar with the matter.”
The report adds “That memo, which was marked sensitive but unclassified and was signed by Deputy Secretary Brian McKeon, approved the “discontinuation of the establishment, and termination of, the Contingency and Crisis Response Bureau (CCR),” a new State Department entity created during the Trump administration to coordinate emergency response services overseas.”
SUBSCRIBE on YouTube:
Follow on Twitter:
——————————————————————————————————————— 
Brand new merch now available! Get it at <a href="https://www.pjwshop.com/">https://www.pjwshop.com/</a> <a href="https://www.pjwshop.com/"><img alt="PJW Shop" border="0" height="600" src="https://cdn.summit.news/2021/07/merch.jpg" width="348" /></a>
ALERT! In the age of mass Silicon Valley censorship It is crucial that we stay in touch.
We need you to sign up for our free newsletter <a href="https://summit.news/newsletter">here</a>.
Support our sponsor – <a href="https://bit.ly/TURBOFORCE">Turbo Force</a> – a supercharged boost of clean energy without the comedown.
Also, we urgently need your financial support <a href="https://www.subscribestar.com/paul-joseph-watson">here</a>. ———————————————————————————————————————
 
 
source <a href="https://summit.news/2021/08/19/sources-british-and-us-troops-at-odds-in-afghanistan-as-uk-engages-rescue-missions/">https://summit.news/2021/08/19/sources-british-and-us-troops-at-odds-in-afghanistan-as-uk-engages-rescue-missions/</a>

revolution summit Sources: British And US Troops At Odds In Afghanistan As UK Engages Rescue Missions

Reports have surfaced that British and American forces are unhappy with each other at Kabul airport, as UK Military commanders are overseein...