KABUL // Afghanistan's spy chief will be evacuated abroad for specialist treatment after being wounded by a Taliban suicide bomber, the government said today as further details emerged of the attack.
President Hamid Karzai told his national security team that Asadullah Khalid's condition was improving at a US-run military hospital near Kabul, but that he will be flown abroad for better treatment.
A statement from the presidential palace didn't specify which country Mr. Khalid would be sent to. As some of Khalid's family live in the US it is seen as likely that he will be flown there, an official said.
Mr. Khalid was wounded on Thursday by a man posing as a Taliban peace envoy, who detonated a bomb hidden in his underpants at a guest house run by the intelligence agency in Kabul.
A senior government official said Mr. Khalid, who suffered injuries to his abdomen, was unable to speak, but none of his major organs were damaged.
Citing US military doctors, the official said the head of the National Directorate of Security, or NDS, was expected to remain in the hospital for up to three months.
Based on the witness account of a man who survived the attack, the official said the attacker was about a meter from the spy chief when he detonated the bomb.
"When Khalid arrived, the bomber was eating with another guy from the NDS," he said.
"Khalid arrived with another colleague named Massoud. At the beginning the attacker seemed like he was not sure which one was Khalid.
"At this stage, Khalid's phone rang. From his talking on the phone, the bomber appeared to recognise him, and approached him and detonated himself."
The president has ordered a committee investigating the attack to report back to him in two days.
Karzai told a news conference on Sunday that the bombing had been planned in neighbouring Pakistan, a charge rejected by Islamabad.
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m; Winner: Faiza, Sandro Paiva (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m; Winner: Greeley, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi.
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Marzaga, Jim Crowley, Ana Mendez.
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 1,600m; Winner: Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m; Winner: AF Ashras, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
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
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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Power: 254hp
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Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
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Price, base: From Dh325,000 (estimate)
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Transmission: Single-speed auto
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Range: 400 kilometres
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Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
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Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
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Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
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Tuesday fixtures:
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The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
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Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
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Transgender report
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
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Hunting park to luxury living
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Badla
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
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Torque: 1,000Nm
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