WORLD
Over 250 Afghan Sikhs, Hindus want safe passage to West, not India
For them India is not the preferred destination as a refugee. The reason: they believe it took years and years to procure the Indian citizenship. Also, there is too much red tapism while procuring government documents like a passport and an Aadhaar card. They are praying to enter a Western nation as a refugee where they are hoping to live a dignified life. They comprise dozens of women and children.
Massoud resistance denies Taliban claim of entering Panjshir
"No fighting occurred, but the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan advanced from various directions without facing any resistance. The Islamic Emirate forces have entered Panjshir from different directions," said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban's Cultural Commission, Tolo News reported. Samangani, however, said the door is still open for negotiations.
Journalists among Kabul airport explosion victims
"Ali Reza Ahmadi, a reporter for Raha News Agency and Najma Sadeqi, former presenter at Jahan-e-Sihat TV channel were killed in the airport attack," Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) said in a Twitter post. Nearly 200 people, including 13 US soldiers, were killed and hundreds others wounded in the suicide blast that hit an eastern airport gate, when huge crowds were waiting for evacuation flights.
US intel agencies split on Covid origins
Biden had, in May, ordered the country's intelligence community "redouble their efforts" and report the origins of the pandemic within 90 days. Their report was delivered to the White House on Tuesday. While most of the new information gathered remains classified, some was released this week as an unclassified summary of assessment on Covid-19 origins.
Taliban restricts bank withdrawals to $200 per week
In an official directive, the central bank of Afghanistan, De Afghanistan Bank, has ordered all private and international banks to limit withdrawal to their individual customers to $200 which equals AFS2,000 per week, said the Khaama News report. The directive reads that the decision is made after financial difficulties arose in Afghanistan and will be temporary.
Taliban asks Kabul residents to hand over govt vehicles, weapons
All those living in Kabul are informed "to return all government assets including vehicles, arms and ammunition or any other things", Xinhua news agency quoted Mujahid as saying in a Twitter post. To back the Taliban's call for returning the government assets, prayer leaders in their sermons have also urged people to hand over government assets if they have kept the assets with them.
500,000 Afghans may leave in next 4 months: UNHCR
In a statement issued on Saturday, UNHCR said that the political uncertainty following the collapse of the former government to the Taliban in mid-August will force people to start a mass migration, TOLO News reported. "While we have not seen large outflows of Afghans at this point, the situation inside Afghanistan has evolved more rapidly than anyone expected," said Kelly T. Clements, deputy high commissioner.
Maldives demands $6.5 mn for reef damaged by cargo ship
Panama-flagged cargo ship Navios Amaryllis ran aground on a protected reef in the west of K. Rasfari island of the Maldives on August 19. EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem said that the vessel may only leave the Maldivian waters after a damage assessment is made and if the ship's owners deposit 100 million MVR, which is the highest fine applicable for environmental damages under the Maldivian laws.
2 men die in Japan after being administered dose of suspended vaccines
According to the ministry, the two men aged 30 and 38 died within days of receiving the second injection on August 22 and 15, respectively, and no foreign matter was found in either of the vials of vaccine used on the two men, the Xinhua news agency reported. It remains unknown whether there is a causal relationship between the vaccination and their deaths.
Terror attack against Kabul airport highly likely in 36 hrs: Joe Biden
"The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high. Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," Biden said in a statement on Saturday after meeting with his national security team.
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