What the papers say – August 25

Joe Biden’s refusal to extend his August 31 deadline for the US to oversee evacuations from Kabul dominates the front pages, along with tributes after the death of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.

Metro and The Independent say Boris Johnson has failed to persuade Mr Biden to extend his deadline for leaving Afghanistan beyond August 31.

The Guardian leads with an exclusive saying that as a consequence of the president’s stance, British troops will leave Kabul within “24 to 36 hours”.

“Biden refuses to extend Afghan airlift as Taliban tightens grip”, says the Financial Times, while also reporting on the banning of pornography from OnlyFans.

The Daily Mail says both the Taliban and Mr Biden have rejected deadline extensions, leaving Britain just 48 hours to fly thousands of Afghans out of Kabul. It also pays tribute to Watts, who it calls “the reluctant Stone loyal to one woman”.

The Daily Express leads on Mr Johnson saying airlifts out of Kabul will go down to the “last moment”, while the i has a headline of “Last chance to escape the Taliban”.

The Times runs a happy photo of the senior Rolling Stones, while leading on the situation in Kabul under a headline of “UK races to rescue thousands”.

And The Daily Telegraph leads on Mr Biden’s refusal to extend the deadline, while noting the US has warned of threats of reprisals from the Taliban.

Meanwhile, The Sun fills its front page with a tribute to Watts, who it calls “The rock behind the Stones”.

So too do the Daily Mirror and Daily Star, their headlines riffing on the Rolling Stones classic Miss You.

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