Middle East Experience

The Taliban condemned the attack on Kabul airport which resulted in at least six deaths and dozens of wounded, saying it occurred in an area controlled by US forces.Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group “strongly condemns the attack on civilians at Kabul airport, which took place in an area where US forces are responsible for security.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.He added that the Taliban are “paying close attention to the security and protection of its people.”Two suicide bombers and gunmen targeted crowds massing near the Kabul airport Thursday, in the waning days of a massive airlift that has drawn thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.An AFP photographer reported at least five deaths and dozens of wounded being transported to the Afghan capital's hospital.US Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said: “We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US and civilian casualties,” Kirby wrote on Twitter.“We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate,” he added.The Baron Hotel, about 200 meters from the Abbey Gate, had been used by some western nations as a staging point for evacuations since the airlift began on August 14.The US State Department said there were also reports of gunfire: “US citizens should avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates. Those at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately.”A US official said the complex attack was “definitely believed” to have been carried out by the ISIS group, whose affiliate in Afghanistan grew out of disaffected Taliban members who hold an even more extreme view of Islam.With The Associated PressRead more:Warning: Graphic footage of Kabul airport blast aftermath, five dead, dozens woundedUS official: ISIS believed to be behind Afghanistan’s Kabul attack‘Total panic’ and fear as deadly blasts rock Kabul airport
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Taliban say attack on Kabul airport occurred in area controlled by US forces

Judge Stein noted three cumulative conditions for house arrest, including an electronic bracelet and a ban on receiving visitors at the place of his detention.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Roman Zadorov released to house arrest after 15 years

Bennett is in Washington on his first visit since becoming prime minister in June and was expected to meet Biden this afternoon at 6 p.m.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Bennett-Biden meeting delayed due to Kabul attack

Some 8,800 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Israel on Wednesday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus: Number of serious patients stable since Sunday

Two explosions near Kabul airport, one of which was a suicide bombing, have killed at least 13 and injured over 60.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Suicide bombing kills, injures several at Kabul airport

US President Joe Biden vowed early Friday to “hunt down” the attackers responsible for the twin suicide bombings at Kabul airport in Afghanistan, saying he instructed the Pentagon to develop plans to strike back at ISIS which claimed responsibility.“We will not forgive; we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command,” he said at the White House.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The two blasts, which targeted the crowds massing near the Kabul airport, was blamed on ISIS-K, the extremist group's affiliate in Afghanistan. The group claimed responsibility for one of the bombings.At least 72 people died and another 158 were wounded, according to US and Afghan officials. Out of the estimated casualties, 12 US service members were killed and 15 others were wounded, according to US Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie.Biden said: “There is no evidence thus far that I've been given as a consequence by any of the commanders in the field that there has been collusion between the Taliban and ISIS in carrying out what happened today.”“We will not be deterred by terrorists. We will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation.”He added: “I have also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities. We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose and at the moment of our choosing... These ISIS terrorists will not win.”The President reaffirmed that the August 31 deadline remained for US troops to leave Afghanistan, adding that there is an “opportunity for the next several days, between now and the 31st, to be able to get them out.”“Knowing the threat, knowing that we may very well have another attack, the military has concluded that that's what we should do. I think they are right.”Read more:‘Biden has blood on his hands’: Republicans blame US President for Kabul attacksAt least 72 killed in airport attack, 158 wounded: US, Afghan officialsTaliban say attack on Kabul airport occurred in area controlled by US forcesWarning: Graphic footage of Kabul airport blast aftermath
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US President Biden vows to ‘hunt down’ Kabul airport attackers

Sunflower growing in the central Egyptian province of Fayoum brings economic hope to farmers and contributes to reducing an exorbitant vegetable oil import bill.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Sunflowers change farmers' fortunes in central Egypt city

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines, will be banning all unvaccinated passengers from domestic flights starting from September 1.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.Only passengers who have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to fly on the airline, according to an official statement.The rule does not apply to children under 12 years old or people who are exempt from taking the vaccine for health reasons, the airline said in a statement.Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced that it would be lifting the travel ban on expatriate residents from 20 countries. The Kingdom had prohibited the entry of residents from 20 countries in February as part of efforts to curb the COVID-19 outbreak.Residents who received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine before they left the country will be allowed to return, the General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on Tuesday.The 20 countries are: The United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt, India, Argentina, Germany, the US, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Brazil, Portugal, the UK, Turkey, the Republic of South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, France, and Japan.Read more:Saudi Arabia lifts travel ban for expatriate residents from 20 countriesSaudi Arabia sends over 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to TunisiaSaudi citizens throng restaurants, cafes as staycations boost economy
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudia Airline to ban unvaccinated travelers on domestic flights starting from Sept 1

An official says at least 95 Afghans were killed in Thursday’s suicide bombings outside Kabul’s international airport.The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The official said the actual death toll is even higher because others were involved in evacuating bodies.Afghan and US officials earlier said the bombings killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 US troops, in the deadliest day for US forces in Afghanistan since August 2011.Evacuation flights from Afghanistan resumed with new urgency on Friday, a day after two suicide bombings targeted the thousands of desperate people fleeing the Taliban takeover.The US says further attempted attacks are expected ahead of the Tuesday deadline for foreign troops to leave, ending America’s longest war.Kabul residents said several flights took off Friday morning, while the anxious crowd outside the airport was as large as ever. In one location, dozens of Taliban members with heavy weapons about 500 meters from the airport were preventing anyone from venturing forward.In an emotional speech, President Joe Biden blamed ISIS’s Afghanistan affiliate, far more radical than the Taliban militants who seized power less than two weeks ago.“We will rescue the Americans; we will get our Afghan allies out, and our mission will go on,” Biden said. But despite intense pressure to extend Tuesday’s deadline, he has cited the threat of terrorist attacks as a reason to keep to his plan.The Taliban, back in control of Afghanistan two decades after they were ousted in a US-led invasion following the 9/11 attacks, insist on the deadline. The Trump administration in February 2020 struck an agreement with the Taliban that called for it to halt attacks on Americans in exchange for the removal of all US troops and contractors by May; Biden announced in April he would have them out by SeptemberRead more:No decision yet on Taliban request for Turkish support at Kabul airport: ErdoganBritain plans to complete Afghanistan evacuations ‘in a matter of hours’Pakistan asks hotels in Islamabad to prepare for evacuees from Afghanistan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: At least 95 Afghans killed in Kabul airport bombings, toll may be higher: Official

The second unit of United Arab Emirates’ only nuclear power plant has started operations, UAE leaders announced on Twitter on Friday.“Operations started at Unit 2 at the Barakah nuclear energy plant,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler’s representative in the western region of Abu Dhabi. “This is a new achievement in the energy sector that reflects UAE’s ability to develop strategic mega projects and its commitment to sustainability and economic growth.”For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The Barakah nuclear power plant in the Abu Dhabi emirate is the first nuclear power station in the Arab world and part of the oil producing state's efforts to diversify its energy mix.The first unit of the plant started commercial operations in April. Unit 2 was issued an operating license in March this year.When completed Barakah, which is being built by Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO), will have four reactors with 5,600 megawatts (MW) of total capacity -- equivalent to around 25 percent of the UAE’s peak demand.Read more: UAE's Barakah nuclear power plant begins commercial operations
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant begins operations at second unit