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As thousands of people sought a way out of Afghanistan to escape the Taliban, scores of them were killed in a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport on Thursday.

The devastating attack by Islamic State offshoot ISIS-K which killed between 79 and 169 Afghans and 13 US military personnel – most of them Marines.

None of the Afghans who were killed have been identified, however, names have started to emerge of the US troops who died as their families and loved ones pay tribute.

Rylee McCollum

U.S. Marine Rylee McCollum is seen in Camp Pendleton North, California, U.S. this undated selfie photograph obtained from social media. RYLEE MCCOLLUM VIA ROICE MCCOLLUM/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST CREDIT RYLEE MCCOLLUM.
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US Marine Rylee McCollum seen here in Camp Pendleton North, California

The 20-year-old was a Marine from Bondurant, Wyoming, whose wife is expecting a baby in three weeks, according to his sister Cheyenne McCollum.

“He was so excited to be a dad, and he was going to be a great dad,” she said, adding that he had wanted to be a history teacher and a wrestling coach after his service.

“We want to make sure that people know that these are the kids that are sacrificing themselves, and he’s got a family who loves him and a wife who loves him and a baby that he’ll never get to meet.”

Another sister, Roice McCollum, told the Casper Star Tribune that her brother was on his first deployment.

Kareem Mae’Lee Grant Nikoui

The Lance Corporal, 20, is survived by his parents and three siblings, who were described by family friend Paul Arreola as “heartbroken”.

Mr Arreola said Mr Nikoui was an “amazing young man” who had always wanted to be a Marine, adding: “He loved this country and everything we stand for. It’s just so hard to know that we’ve lost him.”

Mr Nikoui was in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and the Norco High School Air Force JROTC said on Facebook that he had been “one of our best Air Force JROTC cadets”.

He had sent videos to his family hours before his death of his interactions with Afghan children, telling one of them: “All right, we’re heroes now, man.”

Jared Schmitz

The 20-year-old Marine Lance Corporal grew up in St Louis and his father was told of his death when Marines came to his home in Wentzville, Missouri, in the early hours of Friday.

Mr Schmitz said: “(Being a Marine) was something he always wanted to do, and I’ve never seen a young man train as hard as he did to be the best soldier he could be.

“His life meant so much more. I’m incredibly devastated that I won’t be able to see the man that he was very quickly growing into becoming.”

Max Soviak

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Max Soviak had planned to have a career in the navy

The navy medic was described by his sister Marilyn as “my beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother”.

Mr Soviak, from Ohio, was remembered by his family in a statement as “a wonderful son who loved his family, his community, and was proud to serve in the US Navy”.

“He was excited about the opportunities the navy would offer him and planned to make the navy a career.

“We are incredibly proud of his service to our country.”

Taylor Hoover

The Staff Sergeant, 31, was an 11-year veteran of the Marines from Utah, with two sisters and a girlfriend in California.

His father, Darin Hoover, was told of his death when Marines came to his house in Salt Lake City on Thursday night.

Mr Hoover said of his son: “He is a hero. He gave his life protecting those that can’t protect themselves, doing what he loved – serving his country.”

He said he had heard from Marines throughout the day on Friday who had served with his son and said they were grateful to have had him as their sergeant.

“They look back on him and say that they’ve learned so much from him. One heck of a leader.

“He was the most loving, giving, understanding person you could ever meet.”

Deagan William-Tyeler Page

The Corporal, 23, was based at Camp Pendleton in California and had hoped to go to trade school and possibly become a lineman after his service ended.

Page was raised in Red Oak, Iowa, and joined the Marines after finishing high school.

He leaves behind a girlfriend, parents, step-mother and step-father, four siblings, and grandparents.

In a statement, his family said: “Daegan will always be remembered for his tough outer shell and giant heart.

“Our hearts are broken, but we are thankful for the friends and family who are surrounding us during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the other Marine and Navy families whose loved ones died alongside Daegan.”

Ryan Knauss

The 23-year-old Army Staff Sergeant was a motivated man who loved his country and was looking forward to moving to Washington DC on his return from Afghanistan, his family said.

His grandfather Wayne Knauss told WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee: “He was a believer, so we will see him again in God’s heaven.”

His step-mother Linnae Knauss described him as “a super-smart, hilarious young man”.

Mr Knauss had only been in the country for a week before his death, and had previously spent nine months in Afghanistan, his grandmother told WVLT.

Hunter Lopez

U.S. Marine Hunter Lopez is seen in this undated picture posted by the Riverside County Sheriff?s Department. RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT /via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MUST CREDIT RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
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US Marine Hunter Lopez seen in this undated picture posted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

The 22-year-old worked with the sheriff’s department for three years before joining the Marines in 2017, according to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Mr Bianco said Mr Lopez planned to follow in this parents’ footsteps and become a sheriff’s deputy after his deployment.

On Facebook, he said: “I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American hero.

“Our entire department is mourning this tragic loss. The Lopez family exemplifies the meaning of service above self.”

David Lee Espinoza

The Lance Corporal, 20, was from Laredo, Texas, and his death was confirmed by Congressman Henry Cuellar.

In a statement, Mr Cuellar said Mr Espinoza “embodied the values of America: grit, dedication, service, and valour”.

“When he joined the military after high school, he did so with the intention of protecting our nation and demonstrating his selfless acts of service.”

Mr Cuellar concluded: “The brave never die. Mr Espinoza is a hero.”

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Trump pick Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be US attorney general

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Trump pick Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be US attorney general

Donald Trump ally Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next US attorney general.

Mr Gaetz, a controversial pick to be the country’s top legal official, said his selection was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the transition of Mr Trump’s administration into the White House.

The Florida Republican had faced significant scrutiny over a federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl.

He said in a post on the X social media platform: “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as attorney general. Trump’s DOJ (Department of Justice) must be in place and ready on Day 1.

“I remain fully committed to seeing that Donald Trump is the most successful president in history. I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

Mr Trump said in a post on his own social media site, Truth Social, that Mr Gaetz had a “wonderful future”.

“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” he wrote.

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“He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the administration, for which he has much respect.”

Mr Gaetz previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl, which ended in February 2023 without him facing any criminal charges.

He has always denied the allegations.

He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The inquiry was dropped on Wednesday 13 November when Mr Gaetz left Congress – the only forum where the committee has jurisdiction.

The Senate ethics committee is deadlocked on whether their report can be released.

Mr Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Mr Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that he could face resistance from members of his own party.

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Dad who called 911 for help during break-in killed by Las Vegas police officer

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Dad who called 911 for help during break-in killed by Las Vegas police officer

A 43-year-old man was shot dead by police after calling 911 to report intruders had entered his home in Las Vegas.

Brandon Durham was at home with his 15-year-old daughter when he called the emergency line to report armed intruders were trying to break into his property on 12 November.

Bodycam footage shows Mr Durham struggling with a person over a knife in the moments before he was shot and killed at the scene.

“The loss of life in any type of incident like this is always tragic, and it’s something we take very seriously,” Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said on Thursday.

The force is investigating the incident.

Mr Durham called 911 to report multiple people were outside shooting at his residence in Las Vegas’ Sunset Park neighbourhood, where he had been staying with his 15-year-old daughter, Sky News’ US partner network NBC reports.

It was one of multiple emergency calls reporting a shooting in the area.

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Mr Durham then said someone had managed to get into his home through the front and back doors of the property and he was locking himself in the bathroom, according to a police statement from 14 November, two days after the incident.

Officers reported to the scene at approximately 12:40am and could hear screaming from inside the residence.

One of the officers, Alexander Bookman, kicked open the front door and once inside, saw Mr Durham and another individual, later identified as 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux, struggling over a knife in a doorway.

Mr Bookman ordered them to drop the knife and about two seconds later, the officer fired the gun and Mr Durham appeared to be struck, the bodycam footage shows.

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Both Mr Durham and Mr Boudreaux fell to the ground and the officer fired another five shots. Roughly three seconds are believed to have gone by between the first and last shot, NBC reports.

Attempts were made to save the 43-year-old but he died at the scene.

Ms Boudreaux was taken into custody and is facing charges of home invasion with a deadly weapon; assault with a deadly weapon domestic violence; willful or wanton disregard of safety of persons resulting in death; and child abuse, neglect or endangerment.

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Homeless man charged in plot to bomb New York Stock Exchange

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Homeless man charged in plot to bomb New York Stock Exchange

A homeless man has been arrested and charged over a plot to bomb the New York Stock Exchange.

The 30-year-old man from Florida, Harun Abdul-Malik Yener, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with attempting to use an explosive device to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce, having unveiled some of his plans to undercover agents, according to the FBI.

They began investigating Yener in February based on a tip that he was holding “bomb-making schematics” in a storage unit.

Bomb-making sketches, many watches with timers, electronic circuit boards and other electronics that could be used for building explosive devices were found, the FBI said.

It also said he told undercover FBI agents that he wanted to detonate the bomb the week before Thanksgiving and that the stock exchange in lower Manhattan would be a popular site to target, and that doing so “will wake people up”.

An agent also allegedly recorded him saying: “I feel like Bin Laden.”

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He described how he hoped the bomb would “reboot” the US government, explaining that it would be “like a small nuke went off,” killing everyone inside the building, according to court documents.

The documents also claim he had rewired two-way radios so that they could work as remote triggers for an explosive device and planned to wear a disguise when planting the explosives.

Yener, who had also searched online for things related to bomb-making since 2017, was sacked from his job at a restaurant in Florida last year after his former supervisor said he threatened to “go Parkland shooter in this place”, the FBI added.

He had his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon and will be detained while he awaits a trial.

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