Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has apologised to the people of Afghanistan after fleeing to take refuge in the United Arab Emirates.
Anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan have asked the international community not to recognise the new government announced by the Islamists on Tuesday.
Germany must engage with the Taliban, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during a news conference with her party's election candidate Armin Laschet.
The Taliban have declared victory over the province of Panjshir northeast of the capital Kabul, the final pocket of territory which has remained outside their rule.
The UK is in talks with the Taliban to secure safe passage out of Afghanistan for a number of British nationals and Afghans who remain there.
US President Joe Biden has defended his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan - a move which led to Taliban militants returning to power.
China is imposing sanctions on several US individuals and organisations in response to recent US sanctions on Chinese officials in Hong Kong.
The United States, Japan and South Korea are sending a clear message with their coordination on policy towards North Korea, a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday, despite some recent friction between the two Asian allies.
China's President Xi Jinping has warned that foreign powers will "get their heads bashed" if they attempt to bully or influence the country.
Hong Kong's largest pro-democracy paper Apple Daily has announced its closure, in a blow to media freedom in the city.
Russia's unmanned Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the Moon after spinning out of control, officials say.
Donald Trump has confirmed that he will not take part in Republican presidential debates with his rivals in the race for the White House.