End occupation of Afghanistan, new Taliban chierf tells US

New Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada yesteday called on the US to end its "occupation" of Afghanistan in his first message since being appointed the militant group's chief. "Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle... and put an end to the occupation," Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.