Asia

ICC fears violations of humanitarian law in Afghanistan

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The International Criminal Court expressed concern Tuesday about reports of crimes in Afghanistan that may amount to violations of “international humanitarian law”. “I have been closely following the current developments in Afghanistan and am most concerned by recent reports of escalating violence in the country,” said chief prosecutor Karim Khan. “These reports include allegations of extrajudicial executions in the form of revenge killings of detainees and individuals who surrendered, persecution […]

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Jerusalem wildfires brought under control

JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Wildfires that have ravaged woodland in the hills west of Jerusalem since noon on Sunday have finally been brought under control, the Israeli fire service said on Tuesday. “After 52 hours battling the flames, all of the fires around Jerusalem have been brought under control,” a statement said. Hundreds of families had been evacuated from 10 villages west of the city over the three days. The firefighters said there were no […]

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US steps up evacuation from Kabul; says Taliban pledge ‘safe passage’

  by Paul HANDLEY Agence France Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House said Tuesday that the Taliban had promised that civilians could travel safely to the Kabul airport as the US military stepped up its airlift for Americans and Afghans fleeing the Islamist group. Some 11,000 people with US nationality remain inside the country, including diplomats, contractors and others, according to the White House, most waiting to be evacuated after the Taliban […]

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Taliban announce ‘general amnesty’ for govt officials: statement

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — The Taliban Tuesday declared a general amnesty for all government officials and urged them to return to work, two days after taking power following a lightning sweep through the country. “A general amnesty has been declared for all… so you should start your routine life with full confidence,” said a statement from the Taliban. © Agence France-Presse

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Japan’s ‘father of Sudoku’ dead at 69

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — The man dubbed the “father of Sudoku” for his role in popularizing the numerical brainteaser loved by millions, has died of cancer at 69, his Japanese publisher has announced. In a notice posted Monday, Nikoli said Maki Kaji died at home on August 10 after battling cancer, and a memorial service would be held at a later date. “Mr Kaji was known as the father of Sudoku and was loved by […]

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Japan to expand virus emergency to battle surge

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s government said Tuesday it will expand a coronavirus state of emergency to seven new regions as it battles a record wave of infections a week before the Paralympic Games. Virus emergency measures that ban restaurants and bars from selling alcohol and require them to close by 8 pm are already in place in Tokyo and five other regions, and had been due to end by August 31. But the government […]

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Israel asks for international help to fight forest fires

JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Israeli firefighters battled flames for a second day Monday in the hills west of Jerusalem, forcing the evacuation of five communities and prompting the government to ask for international help. “The Greek foreign minister already said he will help as much as possible,” Foreign Minister Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat told AFP Greece and Cyprus had agreed to send firefighting planes to Israel. Italy, France and […]

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Biden defends US pullout from Afghanistan despite panic in Kabul

by David FOX KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — US President Joe Biden on Monday defended the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, even in the face of the Taliban’s stunning victory, which prompted panic in Kabul with thousands mobbing the airport in a desperate attempt to flee. In his address at the White House — his first public appearance since the Islamist insurgents took control of the country in astonishing fashion at the weekend — he […]

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Taliban in control of Afghanistan, panic in Kabul

by David FOX KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Victorious Taliban fighters patrolled Kabul on Monday after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan’s 20-year war, as thousands of people mobbed the city’s airport trying to flee the group’s feared hardline brand of Islamist rule. President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday night as the insurgents encircled the capital, capping a military victory that saw them capture all cities in just 10 days. “The Taliban have won […]

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Commercial flights out of Kabul cancelled due to chaos at airport: official

KABUL, Afghanistan (AFP) — Commercial flights from Kabul were cancelled Monday after chaotic scenes at the airport with thousands looking for a way out after the Taliban re-took power in Afghanistan. “There will be no commercial flights from Hamid Karzai Airport to prevent looting and plundering. Please do not rush to the airport,” the Kabul airport authority said in a message sent to reporters. © Agence France-Presse

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Fire near Jerusalem forces village evacuations

JERUSALEM, Undefined (AFP) — Residents of several villages on the outskirts of Jerusalem were evacuated on Sunday because of a large forest fire nearby, Israeli police said. Firemen supported by firefighting aircraft were working to extinguish the blaze as the smoke blotted out the sky across much of the city. A spokesman for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s office said he had held a special meeting with security officials. The fire threatened the villages of Beit […]

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