Pentagon says US pull-out from Afghanistan is ahead of schedule

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told Congress on Thursday that America’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is “slightly” ahead of schedule.

But Mr Austin did not say whether the Pentagon is on track to beat the September 11 deadline.

President Joe Biden has ordered a full US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by that date, which marks 20 years since the 9-11 attacks that prompted the American-led invasion of the country and the start of its longest war.

Mitch McConnell condemns Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal plan as 'dangerous wishful thinking'

Nato’s training of Afghan forces maintained beyond drawdown

Mr Austin told a House appropriations subcommittee hearing that the Defence Department’s proposed $715 billion budget would include money to help the military develop ways to prevent attacks against the US by terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

With the budget set to be released on Friday, he provided few specifics to committee members asking about spending priorities.

US commanders have said they will monitor and counter threats from Al Qaeda and ISIS from outside Afghanistan after US forces leave.

Militants are expected to try to regroup after US and coalition troops depart.

So far, officials have acknowledged that the US does not yet have any agreements for bases or to use airspace with any of the countries neighbouring Afghanistan.

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

On Women's Day

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.	United States
2.	China
3.	UAE
4.	Japan
5	Norway
6.	Canada
7.	Singapore
8.	Australia
9.	Saudi Arabia
10.	South Korea

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
Park in shaded or covered areas
Add tint to windows
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

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The specs

Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet

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Scoreline

Australia 2-1 Thailand

Australia: Juric 69', Leckie 86'
Thailand: Pokklaw 82'

'Brazen'

Director: Monika Mitchell

Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler

Rating: 3/5