Aug 31, 2019

Taliban attacks Afghan city Kunduz amid U.S. peace talks

Photo: Bashir Khan Safi/AFP/Getty Images

The Taliban carried out an attack in the city of Kunduz, Afghanistan early Saturday morning, killing at least 10 civilians and wounding more than 75, as U.S. and Taliban leaders worked to negotiate a peace deal in Qatar, the AP reports.

Why it matters: Both sides have indicated they are nearing an agreement, though some members of the Taliban are resisting efforts to end the nearly 18-year war, says Al-Jazeera. The Taliban wants American troops sent home, while the U.S. wants a complete ceasefire.

Militants "now control or hold sway over roughly half of the country and are at their strongest since their 2001 defeat by a U.S.-led invasion," according to the AP.

What they're saying:

  • Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says government forces were able to push back on the attack, and the Taliban wants "to create an atmosphere of fear in the city," per Al-Jazeera.
  • Saturday's attack served as evidence that "the Taliban are not interested in a cease-fire," the AP notes per an Afghan analyst.

Go deeper: Afghanistan peace talks: U.S. pushes toward “face-saving way out"

Go deeper

Fadel Allassan
23 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Pelosi: "States don't have the money" for Trump's unemployment order

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi claimed on "Fox News Sunday" that states don't have the funds to comply with the executive order President Trump signed on Friday, which requires them to cover 25% of an additional $400 in weekly unemployment benefits.

Why it matters: Many state and local governments have had their budgets devastated by the economic impacts of the coronavirus, which have caused expenses to soar and revenues to plunge.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Fadel Allassan
1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Kudlow says he regrets claiming Trump couldn't use executive order for unemployment

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he regrets suggesting this week that unemployment benefits can only be extended by Congress.

Why it matters: President Trump's decision to bypass Congress to sign four executive actions, including one that provides $400 per week in extra unemployment benefits, has prompted outcry from Democrats and even some Republicans who believe he is overstepping his constitutional authority.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Fadel Allassan
2 hours ago - World

Lebanon information minister resigns days after deadly explosion

Anti-government protesters in Beirut. Photo: STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lebanon’s information minister resigned on Sunday in the wake of mass protests over the deadly blast in Beirut's port last week, which has killed at least 160 people and injured nearly 6,000, AP reports.

Why it matters: In her resignation letter, Manal Abdel-Samad called change "elusive" and apologized for not delivering more to the country, which had been devastated by a financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic even before the blast destroyed much of the capital city.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow