Asia

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Analyses The Taliban's Advancements

10:14am August 13, 2021

NPR's Noel King speaks with former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann about the Taliban's rapid territorial gains and the Biden administration's decision to evacuate the embassy in Kabul.

Alibaba's headquarters in Hangzhou, China. A female employee at the tech company is alleging that she was sexually assaulted by her manager.

Rape Accusations At Alibaba Bring China's #MeToo Movement Back Into The Spotlight

8:26am August 13, 2021

by Emily Feng

A woman's account of her alleged rape by her manager at the Chinese tech company has gone viral, spurring conversations across the country about sexual abuse in the workplace.

The Taliban Gain More Ground In Afghanistan Weeks From Planned U.S. Troops Withdrawal

6:44am August 13, 2021

by Debbie Elliott

The Taliban are edging closer to the Afghan capital of Kabul. NPR's Debbie Elliott speaks with Afghan reporter Bilal Sarwary about the situation on the ground.

National

Biden Deploys More Troops Following Taliban Advances In Afghanistan

5:34am August 13, 2021

by Greg Myre

The Afghan government is looking vulnerable. Opposition forces are on the offensive. That's Afghanistan today. It's also a scenario that's played out three times in the past three decades.

Morning News Brief

5:04am August 13, 2021

The U.S. is sending some troops back to Afghanistan. The FDA authorized additional COVID-19 shots to some. And, a record numbers of migrants came to the border in July.

Afghan security personnel guard Kabul's Green Zone, which houses embassies, in May. An additional 3,000 U.S. troops are heading to Afghanistan to assist with evacuation efforts, according to the Pentagon.

World News

U.S. Is Starting To Evacuate Some Embassy Staff From Afghanistan With Military Help

7:10pm August 12, 2021

by Vanessa Romo

The State Department is reducing the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to a "core diplomatic presence" amid the deteriorating security situation.

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan provinces due to battles between the Taliban and Afghan security forces, sit in front of temporary tents on Wednesday at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul.

World News

The Taliban Now Control Two-Thirds Of Afghanistan

6:58pm August 12, 2021

by Emily Alfin Johnson

As of Thursday morning, the Taliban now hold 10 provincial capital cities — effectively putting them in control of two-thirds of Afghanistan.

Former Secretary Of Defense On The Taliban's Resurgence In Afghanistan

5:30pm August 12, 2021

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta about the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as the the deadline approaches.

U.S. Troops Sent To Help Evacuate Americans As Taliban Makes Gains In Afghanistan

4:38pm August 12, 2021

by Greg Myre

As the Taliban makes rapid gains in Afghanistan, about 3,000 troops will be sent to Kabul to aid in the evacuation of Americans from the embassy, thousands more will be deployed as backup if needed.

North Korea Threatens Of 'Security Crisis' Over U.S.-South Korea Military Drills

4:28pm August 12, 2021

by Anthony Kuhn

North Korea has threatened a "security crisis" if Seoul and Washington proceed with planned military drills next week. If it chooses military provocation, Pyongyang has plenty of new weapons to test.