Some 150 Afghan dual nationals left Afghanistan for the US on a Qatar Airways flight on Thursday.

The plane departed from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport and will first head to Qatar’s capital Doha, according to Abdul Hadi Hamdarda, a Taliban official at the airport.
Only passengers with foreign passports and valid travel documents were allowed to board the flight, he told Anadolu Agency.
This was the first such flight to leave Kabul since foreign countries, including the US, concluded the evacuation missions launched after the Taliban completed their takeover on Aug. 15.
Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, Kabul has been swarmed by people seeking a way out of the country, many of them civilians who worked with foreign forces or groups and now fear retribution.
Arriving at the airport early on Thursday morning, three young men – two from the central Uruzgan province and one from Kunduz in the north – told Anadolu Agency that they were due to board a flight heading to the US.
Ezzda, who hailed from Kunduz, said he worked with an American company and showed his official credentials, which he said made him eligible for relocation to the US.
Nasrullah and Samiullah, two brothers, also had documents proving they worked as interpreters for the US.

Qatar Airways plane departs from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport

Only passengers with foreign passports and valid travel documents were allowed to board the flight

Some 150 Afghan dual nationals leave Kabul on US-bound flight

Russia claimed on Wednesday it has evidence that the US’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was involved in the arrest of 33 Russians in Belarus last year.

Russians allegedly linked to private military contractor Wagner were arrested in July 2020 on charges of attempted interference in the presidential election held in Belarus last August.
They were released a month later after several rounds of talks between Moscow and Minsk.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a statement that there were clear traces of the CIA’s involvement in the incident.
It said the CIA worked out the operation with the goal to divide Russia and Belarus and supported it financially, while the Ukrainian intelligence was “a direct executor.”
-The task of the Americans was known, they acted exclusively within the framework of this geopolitical task – the rupture of Russian-Belarusian relations- the FSB said.
If successful, the operation would have dealt a very heavy blow to relations between Russia and Belarus, and it would have taken a long time to address the situation, the statement added.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was aware of US involvement from the “very beginning.”
-From the very beginning, from the moment of the arrest, Moscow spoke about the involvement of the US intelligence- he said at a news conference.
-In this case, this is an additional, indirect confirmation that the traces [of CIA involvement] are not so deeply hidden.-The August 2020 presidential election in Belarus was won by Alexander Lukashenko, a staunch Moscow ally who has ruled the former Soviet republic for more than 26 years.
His victory sparked months of mass protests in the country, with the opposition accusing Lukashenko of rigging the polls and demanding he step down.
Thousands were arrested as the government cracked down on the demonstrations, which were eventually quelled by the end of 2020.​​​​​​​

CIA planned, financially supported operation to damage relations between Moscow, Minsk, says Russian intelligence

Russians allegedly linked to private military contractor Wagner were arrested in July 2020 on charges of attempted interference in the presidential election held in Belarus last August

US intelligence involved in 2020 arrest of Russians in Belarus, claims Moscow

The Taliban have painted a white flag on the abandoned US Embassy building in Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

Soon after the Taliban took control on Aug. 15, the US diplomatic staff was evacuated to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
Although no one was inside the building, two Taliban security guards were seen on Wednesday at the gate and another in front of the building at the Ahmad Shah Massoud crossroads.
One of the Taliban security guards said: -We have been instructed to remain at the building's security.-A person was also spotted selling the Taliban flag at the embassy's front entrance.
Taliban security guards can be noticed safeguarding important government and private buildings all around the city.
Over a hundred thieves and robbers have been caught since the Taliban took control of Kabul, while the Taliban have been posting video footage on social media.
Asmatullah Wazir, a roadside money-changer, told Anadolu Agency: "I am an ordinary man, and security is the most important to me. ... I used to return home with companions in the nighttime because of the worry of robbers. Now, the security situation has improved.”
On Tuesday evening, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, now the acting culture and information minister, announced the Taliban administration's interim setup, admitting in a news conference that security and the economy are the two major challenges the government will initially address.

Person found selling white flag at gate of mission's building in Kabul

A photo shows the US Embassy walls after being painted with Taliban flag in Kabul, Afghanistan on September 8, 2021.

US Embassy in Afghanistan painted with Taliban flag

Tension is rising in most Israeli jails following punitive measures announced by the Israeli authorities against Palestinian detainees, a Palestinian prisoners' NGO said on Wednesday.

Israel's new measures were announced in response to the escape of six Palestinians from the heavily-guarded Gilboa prison, northern Israel.
In a statement, the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said Palestinian detainees in Section 6 of the Negev prison, southern Israel, set fire in the prison cells, protesting Israel's abuses and threats against them.
Israeli special forces also stormed several prisons where they assaulted detainees and transferred some to other prisons.
The PPS added that tension would escalate between Palestinian detainees and the Israeli prison service staff over the targeting of some detainees from the Islamic Jihad group, as most of the six escapees are believed to be affiliated with the group.
The statement said all Palestinian detainees announced they would confront any punitive measures imposed on them.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army continues its manhunt operation in an attempt to find the six Palestinians who fled from their prison.

Detainees set fire in their prison cells, protesting new measures

Israel's new measures were announced in response to the escape of six Palestinians from the heavily-guarded Gilboa prison, northern Israel

Tension rises in Israeli jails after punitive measures on Palestinian detainees

Moroccans headed to the ballot box on Wednesday to vote in the country’s parliamentary and municipal elections.

According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent, voting centers opened at 8:00 am local time (0700 GMT).
There are 17,983,490 eligible voters, out of the country’s 36 million population, who will cast their votes in 92 electoral districts distributed across the kingdom's 12 provinces.
The Justice and Development party, which leads the current government, and the National Rally of Independents, a coalition led by Minister of Agriculture Aziz Akhannouch, are the two main parties vying for seats in the 395-member House of Representatives, the country’s first chamber of parliament.
The Authenticity and Modernity Party, the largest opposition party, and the opposition Istiqlal Party, also emerged as an electoral force in the kingdom.

Around 18 million people eligible to vote

There are 17,983,490 eligible voters, out of the country’s 36 million population, who will cast their votes in 92 electoral districts distributed across the kingdom's 12 provinces

Moroccans vote in parliamentary, municipal elections

Special naval forces of Turkey and Azerbaijan are continuing with joint training exercises, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The exercises have "participation of underwater offence and underwater defense groups," a statement by the ministry read.
It said that the personnel carried out "combat live fire exercises to plan operations, neutralize the imaginary enemy and sabotage group, and destroy their temporary base."
-During the exercises with the involvement of boats, the targets of the imaginary enemy were destroyed and the tasks were successfully fulfilled- the readout said.
While the Underwater Offence (Su Altı Taarruz, or SAT) and Underwater Defense (Su Altı Savunma, or SAS) are special naval warfare units of the Turkish Armed Forces; Azerbaijan’s special naval warfare unit was established in 2001 with the cooperation of Turkish Navy.
​​​​​​​

Combat live fire exercises to plan operations, neutralize imaginary enemy conducted: Azerbaijani Defense Ministry

The exercises have "participation of underwater offence and underwater defense groups," a statement by the ministry read

Special naval forces of Turkey, Azerbaijan continue joint training exercises

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday thanked Qatar for its role in the evacuation of thousands of Americans and Afghans from Afghanistan following the Taliban control of the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Blinken expressed gratitude for Qatar's role in saving thousands of lives in Afghanistan, adding that the evacuations wouldn't be successful without Qatar's support.
Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Doha on Monday where they met with top Qatari officials, including Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
-I expressed our gratitude for Qatar’s remarkable support of the safe transit of hundreds of US citizens and tens of thousands of Afghans and other evacuees from Afghanistan- Blinken wrote on Twitter.
The chief US diplomat also said Washington managed to evacuate 6,000 Americans from Kabul airport, noting that 100 Americans have not decided yet to leave Afghanistan.
Blinken said the Taliban told the United States that "they will let people with travel documents freely depart" Afghanistan.
He also stressed that the US is closely working with Qatar and Turkey on the issue of resuming civilian flights to Kabul airport.
For his part, Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said Doha evacuated 58,000 people from Afghanistan.
He said if Qatar agrees with the Taliban on the security measures at Kabul airport, it will be operational soon.
-We have fixed a lot of the elements which are over there, and we are about to get everything operational very soon- he added.
The Qatari minister also urged the UN and other international organizations to keep providing assistance to Afghanistan.

Qatar says talks ongoing with Taliban on Kabul airport

Blinken thanks Qatar for Afghanistan evacuations

Bakeries in northern Lebanon will stop working as of Wednesday amid a fuel crisis in the Arab country, the bakeries union said.

-There is a crisis caused by shortages of flour and fuel- Tarek al-Mir, head of the bakeries union in northern Lebanon, told reporters in Tripoli on Tuesday. -People are in danger of not being able to get bread.-There was no comment from Lebanese authorities on the announcement.
The Economy Ministry usually provides bakeries with flour and fuel, known as mazout, via weekly vouchers at a subsidized price. Bakery owners, however, complain that amounts provided fall short.
While the official price announced by the Energy Ministry for 20 liters of mazout is 98,000 Lebanese liras ($65), black market vendors sell the same amount for some 350,000 Lebanese pounds ($232).
Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all of its value against the dollar.
The Arab country has been unable to form a new government since the resignation of Hassan Diab's cabinet on Aug. 10, 2020, six days after the massive Beirut port blast.

Lebanon is facing severe economic downturn, aggravated by country’s political crisis

There was no comment from Lebanese authorities on the announcement

Lebanese bakeries threaten work stoppage amid fuel crisis

Food is running out as winter approaches and essential services in Afghanistan face collapse, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned on Tuesday.

-Basic services in Afghanistan are collapsing, and food and other life-saving aid is about to run out- said OCHA Geneva spokesperson Jens Laerke at a UN press conference.
-As we heard, the UN secretary-general has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe.-Laerke said so far this year 8 million people in Afghanistan have received assistance, but many more are in need since the Taliban took over.
He said the UN hopes to raise more than $600 million in appeals for the country when Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opens a high-level ministerial humanitarian meeting in Geneva on Monday.
It is “fully funded, the appeal will deliver critical food and livelihood assistance to nearly 11 million people and essential health services to 3.4 million people," he said.
It will provide treatment for acute malnutrition for more than a million children and women and water sanitation and hygiene interventions for 2.5 million people, he added.

UN Refugee Agency spokesperson Babar Baloch said Afghanistan has a massive internal displacement problem.

-We are saying that around 600,000 or more have been displaced since the beginning of 2021- said Baloch, and total internal displacement in the landlocked country is 3.5 million, he said.
-In the words of the secretary-general and everyone else, it should not be allowed to become a humanitarian catastrophe in that sense. That's why the world has to act, and it has to act now- said Baloch, who is based in Pakistan near the Afghan border.
Rein Paulsen, Food and Agricultural Organization director of emergencies, explained that 70% of all Afghans live in rural areas, and agriculture generates 25.5% of GDP.
It directly employs 45% of the workforce and provides livelihood benefits to 80% of the population.
-The window of opportunity to assist farmers for the fast-approaching winter wheat season is narrow and time-bound. Seeds can't wait. Farmers can't wait. We must scale up support now before it closes- said Paulsen, speaking from Islamabad, Pakistan's capital.
-Failure to do so will drive up hunger and displacement in the short term and inflict devastating long-term effects on the livelihoods of rural families.-He said that in addition to winter wheat, Afghanistan's entire agricultural sector is reeling from a severe and ongoing drought, and 7.3 million people who rely on agriculture and livestock have been badly affected.
-Drought now affects 25 out of 34 provinces- said the FAO official.

Basic Afghanistan services collapsing, says Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ahead of humanitarian appeal

Laerke said so far this year 8 million people in Afghanistan have received assistance, but many more are in need since the Taliban took over

As winter approaches, food running out in Afghanistan, says UN

Civil war may break out in Afghanistan after the US pullout from the war-torn country, a senior US general has said.

-My military estimate is ... that the conditions are likely to develop of a civil war- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told Fox News in an interview in Ramstein, Germany aired on Saturday. He also cast doubt on Taliban's future governance.
-I don't know if the Taliban is going to (be) able to consolidate power and establish governance- said the US general.
-I think there's at least a very good probability of a broader civil war and that will then, in turn, lead to conditions that could, in fact, lead to a reconstitution of al-Qaeda or a growth of ISIS or other myriad of terrorist groups- he added.
He said a resurgence of terrorism might come out of the region "within 12, 24, 36 months."
On Aug. 31, the US announced the completion of its efforts to withdraw all of its forces from Afghanistan, bringing to an end the longest war in American history.
Two weeks before the pullout, the Taliban took over the capital Kabul, sending panic among the public as thousands flocked to the city's airport in a move to escape the country.
Some 130,000 people, including Americans and Afghans, have been flown out of the country as part of a massive evacuation operation.

Civil war may lead to reconstitution of al-Qaeda or growth of ISIS, other terrorist groups, warns Gen. Mark Milley

On Aug. 31, the US announced the completion of its efforts to withdraw all of its forces from Afghanistan, bringing to an end the longest war in American history

US general says civil war 'likely' in Afghanistan after pullout

Libya’s Presidential Council on Monday said that the recent releases of political prisoners in the country were part of the national reconciliation efforts.

A number of political prisoners who have completed their sentences or who were not convicted were released as part of the reconciliation efforts, a council statement said.
The statement said the council will continue its work to achieve national reconciliation and to coordinate the release of others who were not convicted by judicial authorities.
On Sunday, Al-Saadi Qaddafi, son of Libya's ousted leader Muammar al-Qaddafi, was released after being acquitted by a court.
-We cannot move forward without achieving reconciliation- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah wrote on Twitter while announcing Al-Saadi's release.
On March 16, an elected transitional authority, made up of a unity government and a presidential council, assumed duties to lead the country through a transitional phase to parliamentary and presidential elections slated for Dec. 24.

On Sunday, Al-Saadi Gaddafi was released after being acquitted by court

A number of political prisoners who have completed their sentences or who were not convicted were released as part of the reconciliation efforts, a council statement said

Libya’s Presidential Council: Release of political prisoners part of reconciliation efforts

Lawmakers in Zambia on Friday elected a woman as parliament speaker for the first time since the country’s independence from British rule in 1964.

Nelly Mutti, a lawyer based in the capital Lusaka, won unopposed to replace Patrick Matibini, a retired high court judge who served as speaker for 10 years.
His tenure ended after last month’s general elections ushered in a new government in the Southern African country.
Mutti was sworn in along with her two deputies – Attractor Chisangano, a member of President Hakainde Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND), and Moses Moyo, who was elected to parliament as an independent candidate.
In his address at the ceremony, Hichilema said Mutti’s election championed the cause of women in leadership roles in Zambia.
He vowed to let parliament operate independently and without any influence, urging legislators to give top priority to people’s welfare.
Hichilema will open the first session of Zambia’s unicameral parliament, known as the National Assembly, under Mutti’s leadership on Sept. 10, where he is expected to outline his vision for his government’s five-year term.
Zambia’s parliament may move ahead with plans for constitutional reforms in the coming years, with growing concerns over existing lacunae in procedural rules for important matters, including the country’s presidential elections.
There have also been calls for review of the Public Order Act, which successive governments have been accused of abusing to restrict the rights and freedoms of opposition figures.

Lawyer Nelly Mutti, deputies Attractor Chisangano, Moses Moyo elected unopposed

Zambia elects 1st woman as parliament speaker

At least 10 people have died and one more remains missing after torrential monsoon rains triggered landslides in a mountainous district in Nepal on Friday.

Several houses were destroyed in three villages in the Parbat district, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the capital Kathmandu.
​​​​​​​The victims were members of three families, according to Omkala Pandey, a spokeswoman for Nepal’s Home Ministry.
-Five family members were killed when a landslide hit their house on Friday morning- she said.
The fatalities include a 38-year-old woman and her six-year-old son, a 40-year-old woman and her three-year-old son, and another 50-year-old woman.
A 70-year-old woman is still missing, Pandey said, adding that rescue teams have started operations in the affected villages.
Nepal, a landlocked country in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, is vulnerable to natural disasters.
Landslides and flooding sparked by heavy rainfall claim hundreds of lives in the country every monsoon season, which runs from June to September.
More than 100 people have been killed, 119 injured, and 47 are still missing since the onset of this year’s monsoon season in June, according to data from the country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Over 800 houses have also been damaged in the past three months, the agency said.

Victims include women, children from 3 families living in Parbat district, says official

Several houses were destroyed in three villages in the Parbat district, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) from the capital Kathmandu

Nepal landslides kill at least 10 people, monsoon death toll over 100

A child was killed and two civilians were injured following airstrikes by Russian warplanes in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province, according to Syria Civil Defense on Friday.

Firas Khalifa, the media officer of Syria Civil Defense, or White Helmets, told Anadolu Agency that the air bombardment killed a child and injured two civilians in the village of Kansafra.
He added that many small cattle also perished in the attack as the area was an animal shelter.
In a statement on its social media account, the opposition’s plane observatory group said the Russian warplane “took off at 10.02 a.m. (0702GMT) from the Khmeimim Base in Latakia province, (and) carried out an airstrike on Idlib’s southern village of Kansafra at 10.24 a.m. (0724GMT).”
In a separate incident, Bashar al-Assad regime forces shelled artillery on the villages of Fattire, Binin, and Shinan in the Jabal Zawiya region.
There have been no reports of casualties so far.
The latest attacks are in breach of a truce reached in May 2017 between Turkey, Russia, and Iran when the trio agreed to establish a de-escalation zone in Idlib, as part of the Astana meetings on the Syrian crisis.
The Syrian regime forces and their supporters, however, continue sporadic attacks, in violation of a cease-fire agreement signed in March 2020.
Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

White Helmets say 2 civilians also injured in attack that violated cease-fire deal signed in March 2020 between Turkey, Russia

Firas Khalifa, the media officer of Syria Civil Defense, or White Helmets, told Anadolu Agency that the air bombardment killed a child and injured two civilians in the village of Kansafra

Syria Civil Defense: 'Russian warplanes attack Idlib, kill 1 child'

Bangladesh’s education minister Friday announced that academic activities across the country will resume with the physical attendance of students at education institutions from Sept. 12.

-All primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels of educational institutes will be simultaneously reopened from Sept. 12- Dipu Moni said, addressing a public function at her constituency in the southern district of Chandpur.
The Bangladeshi government closed all educational institutions across the country on March 17 last year due to the pandemic.
Since then, authorities announced several deadlines for resumption of normal academic functions but backtracked, citing a surge in infections and safety of students.
Referring to the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Moni added that they were always careful about not disrupting students’ education. “But at the same time, we must take care of the health of our students with utmost priority.”
She said the infection rate during the pandemic was gradually declining and a massive vaccination drive was underway.
Earlier, on Thursday, the National Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19 in Bangladesh recommended reopening countrywide educational institutions after improvement in the pandemic situation and steps taken to ensure vaccines for all.
Later the same day, Hasina told the country's National Parliament that the government had already taken steps to reopen schools and colleges soon.
Universities across the country are also set to reopen and resume in-person classes from Oct. 15 on condition of completing vaccination to all students and teachers, University Grants Commission Secretary Ferdous Zaman told Anadolu Agency.
The South Asian delta nation has so far recorded over 1.5 million COVID-19 infections, including 26,432 deaths and more than 1.3 million recoveries.
Bangladesh has also administered more than 27 million vaccine shots to date.

South Asian delta nation suspended in-person education across country on March 17, 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Bangladeshi government closed all educational institutions across the country on March 17 last year due to the pandemic

Bangladesh to resume in-person education on Sept. 12

At least four Indonesian soldiers were killed and two others wounded in an ambush by guerillas in the breakaway region of Papua, authorities said Friday.

More than 30 rebels ambushed a military outpost in Maybrat, attacking the soldiers with machetes before escaping into the jungle.
-It was still dark when the attack happened and the perpetrators escaped right away- West Papua military chief I Nyoman Cantiasa said in a video statement made available to AFP on Friday.
Security forces arrested two members of the rebel group responsible for the ambush after hours of searching the jungle, the army said.
The military has ordered a manhunt and vowed to "destroy" the rebels in response to Thursday's killings.
The bodies of the dead soldiers have been flown home for burial, according to the Papua army, while the two wounded security forces are currently being treated at a hospital.
Papua rebels have claimed responsibility for the killing, which took place just a week after the group killed two construction workers in Yahukimo district in the region's highlands.
Tensions in the conflict-wracked region have soared this year, punctuated by deadly clashes after rebels killed Indonesia's top intelligence chief in Papua in April.
Jakarta responded by formally designating the Papuan separatists "terrorists" -- a move that sparked fears of more violence and rights abuses.
Indonesia's counter-terrorism laws give authorities enhanced powers, including holding suspects for several weeks without formal charges.
A former Dutch colony, mineral-rich Papua declared itself independent in 1961, but neighbouring Indonesia took control two years later promising an independence referendum.
The subsequent vote in favour of staying part of Indonesia was widely considered a sham.
Papua's Melanesian population shares few cultural connections with the rest of Indonesia.

More than 30 rebels ambushed a military outpost in Maybrat, attacking the soldiers with machetes before escaping into the jungle

Four Indonesian soldiers were killed and two other wounded in an ambush by guerillas in the breakaway Papau region

Some 150 Afghan dual nationals leave Kabul on US-bound flight

US intelligence involved in 2020 arrest of Russians in Belarus, claims Moscow

US Embassy in Afghanistan painted with Taliban flag

Tension rises in Israeli jails after punitive measures on Palestinian detainees

Moroccans vote in parliamentary, municipal elections

Special naval forces of Turkey, Azerbaijan continue joint training exercises

Blinken thanks Qatar for Afghanistan evacuations

Lebanese bakeries threaten work stoppage amid fuel crisis

As winter approaches, food running out in Afghanistan, says UN

US general says civil war 'likely' in Afghanistan after pullout

Libya’s Presidential Council: Release of political prisoners part of reconciliation efforts

Zambia elects 1st woman as parliament speaker

Nepal landslides kill at least 10 people, monsoon death toll over 100

Syria Civil Defense: 'Russian warplanes attack Idlib, kill 1 child'

Bangladesh to resume in-person education on Sept. 12

Four Indonesian soldiers killed in Papua guerilla attack

World

Some 150 Afghan dual nationals leave Kabul on US-bound flight

US intelligence involved in 2020 arrest of Russians in Belarus, claims Moscow

US Embassy in Afghanistan painted with Taliban flag

Tension rises in Israeli jails after punitive measures on Palestinian detainees

Moroccans vote in parliamentary, municipal elections

Special naval forces of Turkey, Azerbaijan continue joint training exercises

Blinken thanks Qatar for Afghanistan evacuations

Lebanese bakeries threaten work stoppage amid fuel crisis

As winter approaches, food running out in Afghanistan, says UN

US general says civil war 'likely' in Afghanistan after pullout

Libya’s Presidential Council: Release of political prisoners part of reconciliation efforts

Zambia elects 1st woman as parliament speaker

Nepal landslides kill at least 10 people, monsoon death toll over 100

Syria Civil Defense: 'Russian warplanes attack Idlib, kill 1 child'

Bangladesh to resume in-person education on Sept. 12

Four Indonesian soldiers killed in Papua guerilla attack