US President Joe Biden “stands squarely behind” the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan as the US military secures the Afghan capital’s airport in Kabul
US President Joe Biden spoke publicly about the situation just hours ago, for the first time since the Taliban took control of Kabul.
Biden says his country’s military presence will be swift and the response will be forceful if the Taliban attacks troops as evacuations continue.
This comes as the President admits that although the collapse of Afghanistan to the Taliban was quicker than anticipated and he stands by his decision and will not repeat mistakes of past leaders.
The US has spent trillions of dollars over twenty years in Afghanistan and lost more than 2,000 military personnel, making the decision to withdraw largely popular among citizens
However, there has been growing criticism on the decision to leave as swiftly as has occurred, with many saying it has undone years of work by American forces to bring the territory back under control.
I know my decision on Afghanistan will be criticized. But I would rather take all that criticism than pass this responsibility on to yet another president.
It’s the right one for our people, for the brave servicemembers who risk their lives serving our nation, and for America.
He says that not a single further American soldier should lose their life in this battle.
American troops cannot — and should not — be fighting and dying in a war that Afghan forces are by and large not willing to fight and die in themselves.
The President says his position has always been one of preventing terrorism and not enforcing a particular way of life on a nation, and that is why the decision to withdraw was made.
United States military has now secured the Afghan capital’s airport in Kabul
As Biden addressed the world, the U.S Military secured Kabul airport.
This means the US can now resume all air operations at Kabul airport.
This image shows armed guards standing at a fence line protecting Americans who are leaving Kabul.
The airfield at the Kabul airport reopened for flight operations and the first C-17 loaded with Marines landed soon afterwards, according to Pentagon officials.
We’ve seen chaotic scenes at the airport over the past 24 hours as people tired to flee the country by any means possible.
Latest scenes from Kabul Airport as thousands attempt to flee the city taken over by the Taliban pic.twitter.com/giAdtXpPWX
Currently, 2,500 military personnel are based at Kabul’s airport, with an additional 500 troops being deployed to assist.
This deployment follows an announcement by British authorities that the nation will soon have 900 military personnel on the ground to aid evacuations.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s major television station has continued to broadcast, but there have been noticeable differences.
Female staff are no longer presenting bulletins and the programming is becoming increasingly supportive of the Taliban regime.
Image of Man Covering Up Women’s Pictures Painted on Walls in Kabul
This comes as the United Nations Secretary-General pleads with militants to respect and uphold humanitarian law.
On Monday, the UN Security Council called for the formation of a new government in Afghanistan and an end to the violence and chaos that is engulfing the country.
'Millions of Afghan girls and women are about to lose their freedom to go to school, to work, to participate in the political, and social life of the country'
Afghanistan's representative at the UN Security Council asks for help from the international community. pic.twitter.com/UfcAx3gUnN
Biden’s comments come as European leaders also react to the unfolding situation
Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has desribed the Taliban’s takeover as “bitter, dramatic and terrible”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a question session of the German Bundestag in Berlin, capital of Germany, on March 24, 2021. (Florian Gaertner/photothek/Handout via Xinhua)
Merkel is pushing for further international aid directed to Afghan citizens, so they can seek refuge in neighbouring countries instead of making their way to Europe.
The chancellor says “we should not repeat the mistakes of the past when we did not give enough funds to aid programs… and people left Jordan and Lebanon toward Europe”.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also made an address, saying Afghanistan must not become a “haven for terrorists again”.
Macron says: “it is a challenge for international stability and peace and we will do everything with Russia, the United States and Europe to cooperate efficiently as our interests are the same”.
William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment.
With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'.
A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.
Australia’s AI workforce revolution: automation paves the way for a four-day work week.
In Short
UiPath’s report highlights the rapid shift towards “agentic automation,” where AI makes autonomous decisions, encouraging businesses to reassess roles and harness automation for productivity. This evolution may enable a four-day work week and necessitates the retraining of staff while ensuring regulations are in place for trust and compliance with AI integration.
The trend towards work reallocation is rapidly advancing, with UiPath’s new report identifying significant shifts in AI and automation.
Key insights from the report suggest a move towards “agentic automation,” where AI begins to make autonomous decisions. Yelena Galstian, Head of Solutions and Customer Advisory at UiPath shares her key insights.
Organisations are encouraged to reassess existing roles and identify areas where automation can enhance productivity.
A critical aspect will be the orchestration of collaboration between human employees, AI agents, and software robots to ensure effective teamwork.
Looking ahead, the motto for businesses is to “redesign and reassign” processes while considering how AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human employees to focus on more complex responsibilities.
As organisations embrace these changes, we could see a potential transition to a four-day work week, made feasible through increased efficiency and productivity from AI.
For further insights into the research and methodologies for implementing AI in business, interested parties can connect with the UiPath team through their website.
As global tourism revenue surges, cutting-edge technology and automation are revolutionising the hospitality industry.
Global travel demand remains strong heading into 2025, with industry experts predicting record-breaking tourism revenue.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, global tourism revenue is set to hit $1.9 trillion this year.
With record-breaking growth projected for the travel industry, hospitality leaders are embracing AI, automation, and luxury innovations to enhance guest experiences.
As demand for international travel remains strong, hospitality businesses are adapting to evolving traveler expectations through technology and innovation.
One of the key trends shaping the industry is the rise of artificial intelligence and smart automation.
From AI-powered customer service to energy-efficient hotel management systems, technology is redefining guest experiences.
Luxury boutique hotels like London’s Eccleston Square Hotel are at the forefront of this transformation.
Known as one of the world’s most technologically advanced hotels, Eccleston Square has recently unveiled a major tech upgrade.
The hotel is now using Apple TVs from ROOMNET, an advanced automation system developed with Leading Edge Automation, and a cutting-edge building management system by HSYCO. These innovations enhance operational efficiency while maintaining a commitment to sustainability.
These enhancements work in sync with the hotel’s property management system, MEWS, to create a smarter, more sustainable hospitality experience.
As AI continues to reshape the hospitality landscape, Eccleston Square Hotel’s approach reflects the industry’s broader shift toward innovation, efficiency, and sustainability—paving the way for the future of luxury travel.
Olivia Byrne, Owner and Company Director Eccleston Square Hotel joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.
Reform UK surpasses Labour in polling for first time, with Brexit leader Nigel Farage gaining support amid Conservative decline.
In Short
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has overtaken Labour in a YouGov poll with 25% support, while Labour sits at 24% and the Conservatives at 21%. This shift indicates growing discontent with the government, particularly as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch struggles to regain support.
The poll, conducted among 2,223 adults at the beginning of February, shows Reform UK at 25 percent support, a rise of two points from the previous poll.
Labour has declined by three points to 24 percent, while the Conservative Party has dropped to 21 percent.
While these results are notable, the next general election is not required until August 2029, and Reform’s lead falls within the poll’s margin of error. POLITICO’s Poll of Polls shows Labour and Reform both at 25 percent, with Conservatives at 22 percent.
This polling data is troubling for the government, particularly after Labour’s dominance in the last election, where they achieved a majority with 33.7 percent of the vote. Reform UK was in third place with 14.3 percent.
The findings also reflect poorly on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who seeks to restore support following recent losses.
YouGov indicates that 24 percent of those who voted Conservative in July would now choose Reform, with 43 percent of Conservative voters in 2024 favouring a merger between the two parties.