August 25, Wednesday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he plans to meet his August 31 deadline for pulling American forces out of Afghanistan. He said every day of operations brings added risks to the troops. The Taliban have retaken control of the country. Biden fears American soldiers could be attacked. 2. Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide has stressed that Japan is willing to contribute to humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. Suga discussed the Afghan situation with other Group of Seven leaders in an online meeting that took place between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, Japan time.
3. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says G7 countries will urge the Taliban to guarantee safe passage of people wishing to leave Afghanistan. Johnson posted a video message on Twitter following an emergency virtual meeting of G7 leaders on Tuesday.