Taliban wrestles with Afghan economy in chaos, humanitarian crisis

Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers struggled to keep the country functioning on Wednesday after the final withdrawal of US forces, with foreign donors alarmed about an impending humanitarian crisis.

Two weeks since the Taliban's sweep into Kabul brought a chaotic end to 20 years of warfare, the Islamist militants have yet to name a new government or reveal how they intend to rule.

In an administrative vacuum, prices have soared and crowds have gathered at banks to withdraw cash.

Heavily armed fighters have imposed control on the capital, but Taliban officials were grappling with keeping hospitals and government machinery running following the end of a huge airlift of foreigners and Afghans who had helped Western forces.

The new, Taliban-appointed central bank head has...