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1. The Taliban declares that no threat will be posed to any country from Afghanistan as the group took charge of the strife-torn country following a shockingly rapid collapse of its democratic government with the departure of most western troops. Holding their first official news briefing since their seizure of Kabul, the Taliban also says it would respect the rights of women and allow a free media within the framework of Islamic law, suggesting a softer line than during their rule 20 years ago. 2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on and instructs all concerned officials to undertake all necessary measures to ensure safe evacuation of Indian nationals from Afghanistan in the coming days. The meeting is attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and India's Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon. The External Affairs Minister is out of the country. 3. The Central Bureau of Investigation should be an autonomous body reporting only to parliament, says the Madras High Court. Batting for the autonomy and independence of the central agency, which according to the opposition has become a political tool in the hands of the BJP-led Central government, the court says: 'The CBI should have autonomy as that of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, who is only accountable to Parliament'. In its 12-point instructions overhauling the current system, the court says, 'This order is an attempt to release the Caged Parrot (CBI)'. 4. After a shortage of Covid vaccines, West Bengal is now reporting a shortage of 20 lakh syringes.