Blasts mar Afghanistan's independence centenary


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Afghanistan’s centenary Independence Day celebrations on Monday were marred by explosions in the eastern city of Jalalabad, which wounded scores.

The attacks came as Afghans were still reeling from the brutal ISIS attack on a wedding celebration in Kabul two days earlier, which killed 63 civilians and injured 185.

The Afghan Health Ministry said 66 people were injured when six bombs detonated across the central market in Jalalabad, capital of the eastern province of Nangarhar where ISIS and Taliban insurgents are active.

Several children who were out taking part in the independence celebrations were among the wounded, the ministry said.

In another attack, rockets were fired at independence day celebrations in the neighbouring province of Laghman, injuring six people.

The heightened security threat, especially against civilian gatherings, has angered Afghans.

"Those who attacked today's celebration are actually afraid of democracy and don't have any respect for the people's emotions," Mohammad Ilyas, an activist who lives in Jalalabad, told The National.

Despite the deadly bombing on Saturday night, citizens poured on to the streets of Kabul in a display of national pride.

Young men were dressed in red, black and green, cars were painted in similar colours, and others took to the streets carrying large flags.

Thousands gathered at the top of Kabul's many hills, planting flags, chanting slogans and cheering for their war-torn country.

People ride in a convoy waving Afghan national flags to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country's Independence Day in Kabul on August 19, 2019. AFP
People ride in a convoy waving Afghan national flags to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country's Independence Day in Kabul on August 19, 2019. AFP

The holiday meant an increase in trade for shops and restaurants that have otherwise had a drop in business as people avoid going out because of increasing violence.

“We definitely do a lot more businesses on such happy holidays,” said Mansoor Arifi, 25, manager at shop that sells sheer yakh, the Afghan ice cream.

"But on days when then are attacks, no matter how far from our shop, we notice drop in customers. People are scared and don’t want to step out of the house when there are many attacks.”

On Monday his shop was brightly lit and festooned with green, red and black balloons.

All the employees, including Mr Arifi, wore cowboy hats with the same colours as they waited for custom from families out for the independence day celebrations.

Children who usually sell trinkets on the street had switched to large flags and other patriotic goods. But even amid the celebrations, the fear and dread were palpable.

“Today we celebrate Amanullah Khan’s victory over the British,” said Rashid, 12, who works on the streets of central Kabul to support his family of 12.

"We had a day off from school and I sold my flags, so it is a good thing."

He saw, however, a contradiction in the day's celebrations.

“King Amanullah Khan won independence for us so we could be more happy and have security," Rashid said.

"But my question is, if we have independence, why are there still so many attacks on us? What kind of independence is this?

“I am scared every minute I have to spend on these streets. An explosion or an attack could happen. But what option do I have? I am helpless and I have to support my family.”

He was not alone in questioning the meaning of independence.

Jawad, 25, who has a degree in anthropology, sells fruit from a cart in Kabul because of the lack of job opportunities.

“There are 34 provinces in this country and each one is at war. People are dying," Jawad said. "Are we really independent then?”

He said attacks like the one on the Kabul wedding hall made him less hopeful about the future.

“What is independence when 100 people can die in a hotel while celebrating marriage?” Jawad asked.

Attacks on civilians have mounted over the past year, causing massive casualties, despite the ongoing peace talks between the Taliban and the US administration.

There were more than 3,800 civilian casualties in the first six months of this year, the UN said.

RESULTS
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Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

The biog

Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Favourite holiday destination: Spain

Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody

Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa

Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19

Where to buy

Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com

The results of the first round are as follows:

Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent

Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent

Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent

Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent

Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

Director: Mahdi Fleifel

Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

● No of employees: Nine

If you go…

Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.

Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
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SPECS
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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
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What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
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  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
RESULTS

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.

Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.

Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.

Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Cofe

Year started: 2018

Based: UAE

Employees: 80-100

Amount raised: $13m

Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group 

<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%20Little%20Mermaid%20
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Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Gulf Under 19s final

Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B

Third Test

Result: India won by 203 runs

Series: England lead five-match series 2-1