At least 19 civilians were killed by suspected Ugandan rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the Beni region of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), an official said Saturday.

-Five bodies of civilians were found on Friday while 14 were discovered on Saturday morning, bringing the total number of victims to 19 after a rebel attack on the village of Kasanzi, in North Kivu's Beni territory- local official Kakule Kalunga told reporters.
He said that the victims were killed by machetes and firearms and “13 houses were set ablaze.”
Kalunga said the bodies were discovered after a search for missing people in a nearby forest.
The ADF, said to be linked to the Daesh/ISIS terror group, have stepped up attacks in the DR Congo’s North Kivu and Ituri provinces since the start of 2021, particularly targeting civilians.

Some victims hacked to death, others shot, says official

The bodies were discovered after a search for missing people in a nearby forest

19 civilians killed in suspected rebel attack in Dem. Rep. of Congo

Israeli airstrikes on Gaza were reported early Sunday.

Strikes hit a location used by Hamas’ armed wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and a farm, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter, citing witnesses.
Palestinian authorities did not comment about if the strikes caused any casualties.
Israeli said it targeted a training field and arms production facility belong to Hamas in response to fire balloons sent to its territory from Gaza.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported earlier Saturday that an Israeli attack on Gazans demonstrating a blockade against Gaza injured 11 protestors.

Palestinian authorities have not commented about casualties

Strikes hit a location used by Hamas’ armed wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and a farm, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter, citing witnesses

New Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza

Republican party officials urged the administration of Joe Biden to recognize the opposition forces as "the legitimate government representatives of Afghanistan" on Friday.

-After speaking with Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh and representatives of Ahmad Massoud, we are calling on the Biden Administration to recognize these leaders as the legitimate government representatives of Afghanistan- said congressman Mike Waltz and Senator Lindsey Graham in a joint statement.
The two Republican lawmakers urged the administration "to recognize that the Afghan Constitution is still intact" and the Afghan Taliban takeover is illegal."
The statement came after the Taliban seized control of most of Afghanistan in recent lightning advances that captured Kabul on Aug. 15, forcing President Ashraf Ghani and other top officials to leave the country.

Senator Lindsey Graham, congressman Mike Waltz say 'Afghan Taliban takeover is illegal'

Republican lawmakers urge Biden to recognize opposition forces in Afghanistan

Banks and other financial institutions remained closed in Afghanistan on Saturday, nearly two weeks since the Taliban takeover of the capital, as the UN warned of a worsening drought.

The head at the country’s bankers’ union in the capital Kabul told Anadolu Agency the banks have not resumed operations due to technical problems. Najib Amiri denied rumors that the banks are out of cash, adding that the banks are expected to begin providing normal services in the next few days.
On Tuesday Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said banks were about to reopen, leading to a rush, but the doors remained closed.
When the Taliban took control of the country, the activities of commercial banks ceased, but later the Finance Ministry said customs and banks would soon become operational.
Hundreds of cash-strapped and anxious Afghans protested outside banks in Kabul on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority announced that civilian and commercial flights will resume “as soon as problems at the country's airports are resolved.” It said in a statement that a technical meeting on the resumption of civilian and commercial flights was held today.
Continued troubles in the capital follow an ISIS/Daesh terrorist attack outside the airport on Thursday that killed some 170 Afghans, foreign nationals, and international troops.
The UN also warned that a worsening drought could leave millions in need of humanitarian aid in the war-torn country.
The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization said that the farmers worst affected by a drought in the country are among some 14 million people, or one in three Afghans, who are "acutely food insecure and need urgent humanitarian assistance."
-Urgent agricultural support now is key to counter the impact of the drought and a worsening situation in Afghanistan's vast rural areas in the weeks and months ahead- FAO director Qu Dongyu said in a statement.
The organization said it is facing a funding shortfall of $18 million to support its drought response plan in Afghanistan. It is hoping to help 250,000 families, or around 1.5 million people, for the upcoming winter wheat season.

Nearly 2 weeks since Taliban takeover, banks remain closed as cash-strapped Afghans protest

Hundreds of cash-strapped and anxious Afghans protested outside banks in Kabul on Saturday

Anxiety grows as banks in Afghanistan remain closed

A top Iranian official on Saturday accused US President Joe Biden of illegally threatening his country, adding that if the US resorts to “other options,” Iran is ready to respond in kind.

-The first meeting between (Israeli Prime Minister Naftali) Bennett and Biden and the emphasis on using ‘Other Options’ against Iran, while being an illegal threat to another country, establishes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s right to reciprocal response to ‘Available Options’- Ali Shamkhani, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Twitter.
Shamkhani’s statement came after Friday’s meeting in Washington between Biden and Bennett, their first since Bennett came to office this June.
Biden and Bennett discussed “the threat from Iran” and reiterated their commitment to ensure that Iran never develops nuclear weapons.
-We’re putting diplomacy first and seeing where that takes us, but if diplomacy fails, we’re ready to turn to other options- Biden added.
In 2018 then-US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew Washington from the Iran nuclear agreement and went on to reimpose sanctions on Tehran in a failed push to bring Iran back to the negotiating table for a tougher deal.
Biden has since sought to pursue negotiations that would enable Washington and Tehran to resume full compliance with the pact.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the agreement is formally known, placed sweeping constraints on Iran's nuclear program and created a robust inspections regime in exchange for the lifting of biting international and US sanctions.

US president’s statement on Iran was illegal threat, says head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, as the agreement is formally known, placed sweeping constraints on Iran's nuclear program and created a robust inspections regime in exchange for the lifting of biting international and US sanctions

Iran says it has reciprocal response ready for America's ‘other options’

Nearly two weeks after taking power in the capital Kabul, the Taliban in Afghanistan have asked all women public healthcare workers to resume their duties.

Suhail Shaheen, the group’s spokesman, said in a statement that the Taliban has no issue with women healthcare workers resuming their jobs.
This is the first official stance from the Taliban on public healthcare workers since the Aug. 15 fall of the government, when the Taliban took Kabul.
The move was welcomed by some.
-I am the only and first Afghan neurosurgeon holding the topmost medical degree in neurosurgery from CPSP (College of Physicians and Surgeons) Pakistan. If you assure my security I’m ready to come to Kabul- one person replied to Shaheen on social media.
Separately, the Taliban also issued a stern warning to hand over all arms and resources looted during the early days of their entry into Kabul.
-All those who have the resources, weapons, ammunition, and other government goods are informed to hand over the mentioned objects to the relevant organs of the Islamic Emirate within a week- it said, adding that violators would face legal sanctions.
Sources told Anadolu Agency that the Taliban are busy in consultations as talks continue to ensure their control over the last remaining province of Panjshir, which has not fallen to the group despite their sweeping advances nationwide.
The Taliban last announced that they had declared an amnesty for everyone in Afghanistan and called on people to return to work.

Group also demands handover of all resources looted during early days of their entry to capital Kabul

This is the first official stance from the Taliban on public healthcare workers since the Aug. 15 fall of the government, when the Taliban took Kabul

Taliban asks women healthcare workers to resume duties

Three missiles targeted a US military base near the Jerishan crossing on the Iraqi-Kuwaiti border, a police officer told Anadolu Agency.

-Unidentified persons fired three missiles from inside Iraqi territory at the US military base near the Jerishan crossing on the border with Kuwait- said the officer, who requested not to be named since he was not authorized to brief the media.
He said two missiles fell in the vicinity of the base, while the third landed on the Kuwaiti side of the border.
No casualties were reported.
Iraqi authorities and the US forces in the country have yet to comment on the incident.
Over the past months, military bases housing US forces in Iraq have been targeted with missile attacks and Washington has often accused armed factions loyal to Iran of being responsible.
Currently, there are around 3,000 troops, including 2,500 US forces, fighting in the anti-Daesh/ISIS coalition.
Iraqi political forces have called for the withdrawal of the US troops from the country under a parliamentary decision issued on Jan. 5, 2020.
The latest attack came despite Baghdad and Washington agreeing on July 26 to the withdrawal of US combat forces from Iraq by the end of this year.

No casualties reported

Iraqi authorities and the US forces in the country have yet to comment on the incident.

Missile attack targets US base on Iraqi-Kuwaiti border

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will pay a working visit to Turkey on Sunday, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

-During the meetings, bilateral relations and Turkey-EU relations, as well as regional issues, particularly the developments in Afghanistan will be discussed- said a ministry statement.
Turkey and Germany have both been busy evacuating their citizens from Afghanistan, as well as Afghans who worked with them, ahead of next Tuesday’s deadline, while also planning for a new era with the Taliban leading a government in Kabul.

Bilateral ties, Turkey-EU relations, plus regional issues, especially developments in Afghanistan, will be discussed, says Turkish Foreign Ministry

German foreign minister to visit Turkey on Sunday

The Turkish Red Crescent on Saturday distributed food packages to 100 families in the Afghan capital Kabul.

The distribution ceremony, held at the local Afghan Red Crescent Society, was attended by the group’s head Mevlevi Sifatullah Qureshi and staffers of the Turkish Red Crescent Afghanistan delegation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Qureshi thanked the Turkish Red Crescent for its timely aid delivery.
Stressing that they urgently need help from the Turkish Red Crescent and other groups, Qureshi said that poverty and unemployment are at the highest level ever in the country and that they want aid groups to boost assistance to Afghanistan.
Mahfuz Yoldas, the head of the Turkish delegation, said they will distribute food packages to 100 families who migrated to the capital Kabul due to the recent conflict.
The packages contain rice, oil, kidney beans, tea, sugar, salt, and pasta, he said, adding they will continue to stand by the Afghan people even under difficult conditions.
He stressed that they will continue to deliver aid from the Turkish people to the people of Afghanistan.
Taliban territorial gains earlier this month led to a population influx in Kabul, with many thousands of Afghans still waiting in the capital, seeking a way out of the country.

Turkey to continue to stand by Afghan people even under difficult conditions, says head of Turkish Red Crescent delegation

The distribution ceremony, held at the local Afghan Red Crescent Society, was attended by the group’s head Mevlevi Sifatullah Qureshi and staffers of the Turkish Red Crescent Afghanistan delegation

Turkish aid group distributes food to 100 families in Afghanistan

There are no reports of casualties of Turkish troops from two explosions outside of the airport serving the Afghan capital Kabul, Turkey's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

-There were two explosions outside of Kabul Airport. There is no damage or casualties in our units- the ministry said on Twitter.
The announcement came following reports that sounds of blasts were heard in the Kabul airport area.
No causalities of any of the many nationalities at the airport have been confirmed yet.
Turkish troops are at the airport working to evacuate Turkish nationals, personnel, and soldiers from the country.​​​​​​​

2 explosions occurred outside Kabul airport, says Turkish Defense Ministry

Turkish troops are at the airport working to evacuate Turkish nationals, personnel, and soldiers from the country

Turkey reports no casualties in explosions outside Kabul airport

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema made his first Cabinet appointment Friday, with Situmbeko Musokotwane becoming the country's new finance minister.

Musokotwane had served as the finance minister also in 2008-2011 under former President Rupiah Banda's administration.
Speaking in a swearing in ceremony at the State House in the capital Lusaka, Hichilema said the country expected nothing less than Musokotwane delivering financial prudence, channeling resources to key areas, and most importantly fixing the debt situation.
-We are alive to the fact that our victory was youth-centered and as such the Ministry of Finance is key in ensuring that our economic vision is given life as that will lead to many other developmental programs such as jobs and business opportunities for our youths- Hichilema noted.
Hichilema, also an economist, stressed that Musokotwane should seal off all financial loopholes and ensure that the resources are channeled to right beneficiaries across the country.
-Our people need food, water, quality education, and quality healthcare services- he added.
Musokotwane, 65, later addressed reporters at his office and said he would soon engage creditors to realign the payment terms for the country’s external debt which currently stands at more than $11.9 billion.
He also plans to engage the IMF on a possible bailout for the southern African country -- the continent's second-largest copper producer.
Musokotwane said he hoped that the copper production could rise to 2-3 million tons annually from the current 800,000 metric tons.
He added that corruption and financial misappropriation will be strictly dealt with to promote reforms aimed at enhancing macroeconomic stability and fiscal health.
Since Hichilema’s election a fortnight ago, the country’s Kwacha has improved in trade against other world currencies in a development viewed as the international market’s confidence in the president’s leadership.
Hichilema called for the public calm while he is making appointments.
-We appeal to you to bear with us as we want to appoint people on merit and by the time we are done, you will not be disappointed with our team- the 59-year-old president stressed.
According to the Hichilema, the first qualification for one to be appointed in the government is that they must be Zambian, qualified, and capable of delivering to the expectations of the country’s 18 million citizens.

Hichilema tasks new Finance Minister Musokotwane to revive debt burdened economy

Musokotwane had served as the finance minister also in 2008-2011 under former President Rupiah Banda's administration

Zambian president appoints first Cabinet minister

Mexico announced on Friday that it had welcomed a total of 124 journalists of Afghan nationality amid ongoing evacuations from the war-torn country.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and an accompanying delegation were present at the airport to receive the journalists, with the media covering the event.
Ebrard said on Twitter that human lives carry great value and that his country opted to support the journalists’ requests for asylum, adding that their arrival symbolizes the freedom of press and right of communication.
Mexico will reportedly host both the journalists and their families.
This Wednesday, Mexico announced that it had welcomed five Afghan women who won international rewards for their efforts in the field of robotics.
The Taliban’s Aug. 15 takeover of the Afghan capital Kabul triggered an exodus from the country, with many citing uncertainty over Taliban rule as their reason for fleeing.

Foreign minister says arrival of Afghan press members represent freedom of press, right of communication

Mexico will reportedly host both the journalists and their families

Mexico welcomes 124 asylum-seeker Afghan journalists

Russia has condemned Thursday's terrorist attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport that killed at least 90 people including 13 US soldiers, saying it is “a cause of serious concern."

Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Friday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russian intelligence services are monitoring the situation in the country around the clock.
-We condemn these terrorist acts in the strongest possible terms. Unfortunately, this confirms pessimistic forecasts that the terrorist groups and organizations that have settled there, primarily ISIL (Daesh), will try to take advantage of the chaos that has arisen in Afghanistan. This adds to the tension in Afghanistan itself. The danger for everyone is great. Of course, this continues to be a cause of serious concern- he said.
Asked if the US has sought Russian help in Afghanistan, Peskov said he was unaware of any such request.
As for the evacuation of the Russian citizens from the war-torn country, all those who wanted to leave the country have already been pulled out, he added.
Besides foreign diplomats and citizens leaving, thousands of Afghans are seeking to flee Afghanistan since the Taliban took power earlier this month.
The US-led evacuations from Kabul airport – to be completed by Aug. 31 – entered final stage following the devastating twin bomb attacks.

Kremlin says terrorist groups taking advantage of 'chaos'

Besides foreign diplomats and citizens leaving, thousands of Afghans are seeking to flee Afghanistan since the Taliban took power earlier this month

Russia condemns terror attack at Kabul airport

A second batch of Turkish troops evacuated from the Afghan capital Kabul landed home in the Turkish capital on Friday.

The plane carrying Turkish Armed Forces personnel from Afghanistan landed in Ankara at 13.10 p.m. local time (1010GMT).
The group first traveled from Kabul to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, via a Turkish Air Force transport plane, then proceeded to Ankara on a flight run by flag carrier Turkish Airlines.
Friday’s flight follows Thursday’s first evacuation plane to arrive in Ankara from Kabul, carrying 345 armed forces personnel.
It also comes in the wake of Thursday’s terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport, which killed 110 people, Al Jazeera reported.
According to the Defense Ministry, there were no Turkish casualties from the attacks.
The attack targeted areas just outside the airport, where crowds have been gathering, seeking a way to find flights out of the country.
The Taliban, which took over the Afghan capital on Aug. 15, have set a deadline of next Tuesday, Aug. 31 for foreign forces to leave the country.
As the US is pulling out its troops controlling Kabul airport – the only place in Afghanistan still under US control – most other countries are working to finish evacuations before Tuesday.

Plane carrying Turkish armed forces personnel lands in country's capital at 13.10 p.m. local time

The group first traveled from Kabul to Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, via a Turkish Air Force transport plane, then proceeded to Ankara on a flight run by flag carrier Turkish Airlines

2nd batch of Turkish soldiers from Afghanistan lands in Ankara

Israel will allow more goods and equipment to enter Gaza as of Thursday for civilian and international projects.

In a statement, the Israeli army said after evaluating the security situation, Israel took economic measures in the Gaza strip to improve the humanitarian conditions.
The announcement came after hundreds of Palestinians rallied near the Israeli border on Wednesday, demanding that Israel lift its crushing blockade.
The statement said the easing of restrictions includes importing goods and materials for international organizations' projects in Gaza, allowing entry of new vehicles into Gaza, and allowing the gold trade between Gaza and the West Bank. The Gaza businessmen will also get additional 1,000 exit permits.
The Israeli army said the easing of restrictions is conditional on security and stability.
During the Israeli offensive on Gaza in May, Israel imposed severe restrictions on importing goods to Gaza, especially the construction materials, causing an additional economic crisis in the blockaded Gaza.
While Israel insists on the release of its missing soldiers in return for the reconstruction of Gaza, the Hamas group, which rules Gaza since 2007, says the issue of the soldiers is linked to a prisoners' swap.

Israeli army says easing of restrictions conditional on security, stability in area

The announcement came after hundreds of Palestinians rallied near the Israeli border on Wednesday, demanding that Israel lift its crushing blockade

Israel softens Gaza blockade, allows more goods, equipment to enter

Two explosions took place outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital Kabul on Thursday, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry, with an unspecified number of casualties reported by the US Pentagon.

-There were two explosions outside of Kabul Airport. There is no damage or casualties in our units- the ministry said on Twitter.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said on Twitter: “We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US &amp; civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.”
At least 10 people were killed and 50 injured, said news channel Al-Jazeera, citing the Taliban, which earlier this month gained control of Kabul and most of Afghanistan but not the airport.
US forces are in control of the airport as evacuations continue ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline – the only area of the country still under US control.
Thousands of people are waiting at the airport for evacuation, and large crowds have gathered outside the airport grounds, seeking a way inside to get a flight out.

Citing Taliban, news channel Al-Jazeera says at least 10 people killed, dozens injured

At least 10 people were killed and 50 injured, said news channel Al-Jazeera, citing the Taliban, which earlier this month gained control of Kabul and most of Afghanistan but not the airport

19 civilians killed in suspected rebel attack in Dem. Rep. of Congo

New Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza

Republican lawmakers urge Biden to recognize opposition forces in Afghanistan

Anxiety grows as banks in Afghanistan remain closed

Iran says it has reciprocal response ready for America's ‘other options’

Taliban asks women healthcare workers to resume duties

Missile attack targets US base on Iraqi-Kuwaiti border

German foreign minister to visit Turkey on Sunday

Turkish aid group distributes food to 100 families in Afghanistan

Turkey reports no casualties in explosions outside Kabul airport

Zambian president appoints first Cabinet minister

Mexico welcomes 124 asylum-seeker Afghan journalists

Russia condemns terror attack at Kabul airport

2nd batch of Turkish soldiers from Afghanistan lands in Ankara

Israel softens Gaza blockade, allows more goods, equipment to enter

Explosions outside Kabul airport claim casualties

World

19 civilians killed in suspected rebel attack in Dem. Rep. of Congo

New Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza

Republican lawmakers urge Biden to recognize opposition forces in Afghanistan

Anxiety grows as banks in Afghanistan remain closed

Iran says it has reciprocal response ready for America's ‘other options’

Taliban asks women healthcare workers to resume duties

Missile attack targets US base on Iraqi-Kuwaiti border

German foreign minister to visit Turkey on Sunday

Turkish aid group distributes food to 100 families in Afghanistan

Turkey reports no casualties in explosions outside Kabul airport

Zambian president appoints first Cabinet minister

Mexico welcomes 124 asylum-seeker Afghan journalists

Russia condemns terror attack at Kabul airport

2nd batch of Turkish soldiers from Afghanistan lands in Ankara

Israel softens Gaza blockade, allows more goods, equipment to enter

Explosions outside Kabul airport claim casualties