 The Taliban has captured Afghanistan's second largest city, Kandahar. The city was once the Taliban's stronghold and is strategically important as a leading trade hub. The development is a blow for the government and a major win for the militants. In the meantime, the United States has committed to sending nearly 3,000 troops back to Afghanistan to help evacuate staff from the American embassy. The United Kingdom has also deployed about 600 troops to provide support to British nationals leaving the country.