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Developments in Afghanistan

Taliban ends consultations on Afghanistan's new government — Al Jazeera

According to the movement's spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid, the results of the consultations would be annonced soon

© EPA-EFE/STRINGER

CAIRO, August 31. /TASS/. The radical Taliban movement (outlawed in Russia) which has seized power in Afghanistan, is through with consultations on the makeup of a new government, the TV broadcaster Al Jazeera said on Tuesday.

"The negotiations on forming a new government in Afghanistan have come to an end. The results will be announced soon," Al Jazeera quotes the movement's spokesman as saying.

On August 29, Taliban spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid said the Taliban was going to complete the formation of a new government within two weeks. In the meantime, the Taliban has appointed police chiefs in all of the country's 34 provinces. Also, they appointed some acting government ministers and nearly all provincial governors, as well as mayors of many cities. The spokesman for the movement's political wing in Qatar, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, said that all appointments were temporary and that most positions went to officials who had been in office before the Taliban took power.

The Taliban launched a large-scale operation for establishing control of Afghanistan after the United States last spring declared the intention to pull their forces out of the country. On August 15, President Ashraf Ghani stepped down and left Afghanistan. The Taliban entered Kabul without encountering resistance. The Taliban's Ahmad Massoud-led opponents in Panjshir Province said they would offer resistance. Former Vice-President Amrullah Saleh, who has declared himself as acting head of state, has called for supporting the resistance.

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Power transfer in Afghanistan

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Putin congratulates Serbian film director Kusturica with seventieth birthday

Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Serbia Natalia Klischenkova read the text of the telegram to Kusturica

Trump seeks to restore peace in entire world — transition team on Putin’s address

Trump’s inauguration will take place on January 20, 2025

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Eliminating best enemy units: Defense Minister visits special op area

Andrey Belousov stressed that Russian troops have accelerated their advance in the special military operation zone and have effectively disrupted Kiev's 2025 military campaign

Taiwan reports 25 Chinese aircraft, 7 ships approaching island

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Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

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Oreshnik missile to change course of Ukrainian conflict, Medvedev believes

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said it in an interview

Press review: Russia fires missile at Ukraine plant and Biden forgives Kiev $4.65 bln debt

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

Conflict in Ukraine no longer regional war — German defense minister

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Russia’s Oreshnik has no analogues worldwide — Putin

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US expects Russia-North Korea cooperation to be formidable challenge in coming years

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West’s trying to turn Seoul into accomplice of Zelensky regime — Russian Foreign Ministry

Andrey Rudenko stressed that bilateral cooperation between Russia and the DPRK "is built in accordance with the generally recognized norms of international law and is not directed against any third countries"

US admiral says Washington should be ready for talks with Russia, China

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Iconic Serbian film director celebrates 70th birthday

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Ukraine conflict entering decisive phase, Polish PM says

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Topol ICBMs to come out of service in Russia in 2024

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German politician slams Ukraine’s ‘irresponsible’ strike on Russia with UK-made missiles

"A diplomatic search for balance and mutual understanding should be the goal, instead of further escalation," Alice Weidel said

Trump to name investor Bessent as Treasury Secretary

Janet Yellen currently holds the position

US, Europe openly side with Kiev by supplying it with weapons — top Turkish diplomat

He stressed that today "it is vital prevent economic and political confrontation in certain regions of the world from growing into a real war."

Bulgarian politician sees Oreshnik missile strike as wake-up call for peace

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Weapons supplied to Ukraine cannot reach Russian territory, Spanish defense minister says

The New York Times reported on November 17 that US President Joe Biden had authorized the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles for strikes inside Russia

Russian servicemen control 30% of Chasov Yar in DPR — expert

According to military expert Andrey Marochko, 10% of the territory is the so-called grey zone

Biden’s decision to use ATACMS against Russia may 'blow up in America’s face' — US expert

According to Daniel Davis authorizing US long-range weapons to be used against Russia is "foolhardy to the highest order," "especially because there is no military upside for doing so"

Comprehensive partnership agreement between Russia, Iran to cover defense sphere

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Attempted infiltration of Syrian government army positions by saboteurs foiled in Idlib

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Enemy losses, mercenary intrigue, humanitarian aid: situation in Kursk Region

Over the day, the enemy lost 150 troops, four motor vehicles, an artillery piece and two mortars

Russia will not artificially impede process of terrorist status lifting from Taliban

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said that completion of legal procedures of removing the terrorist organization’s status from the Taliban Movement will attribute a positive impetus to Russian-Afghan interaction in various spheres

IDF verifying Hamas’ allegations about death of Israeli hostage in Gaza

Earlier in the day, Hamas reported the death of an Israeli woman who had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip

West irrational, fails to understand it cannot intercept Russia's new missiles — Kneissl

The former Austrian foreign minister stressed that she "counted on rational Western decision-makers, but irrationality is unfortunately on the rise among them"

Oreshnik missile to go into serial production, Putin says

The president stressed that given the weapon’s special power, it "will be provided precisely to the Strategic Missile Forces"

Russian forces eliminate Ukrainian MiG-29 on ground

Additionally, Russian units eliminated one munitions depot