The Taliban on Thursday freed an American citizen who had been detained in Afghanistan for more than two years, following talks in Kabul, the State Department said.
George Glezmann was taken into Taliban custody in 2022 while visiting Kabul as a tourist. The State Department credited Qatar with being “instrumental” in his release.
“George’s release is a positive and constructive step,” the State Department said in a statement. “It is also a reminder that other Americans are still detained in Afghanistan. President [Donald] Trump will continue his tireless work to free all Americans unjustly detained around the world.”
Mr Glezmann follows Americans Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, who were released from Afghanistan in January.
A Taliban spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X a series of photos showing Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group's Foreign Minister, meeting Washington's special envoy for hostages Adam Boehler and former US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad in Kabul.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country welcomed the delegation and described their arrival in Kabul as a good development in bilateral relations,” the post stated, adding that prisoner release was discussed during the meetings.
“The Foreign Minister added that it is important that Afghanistan and the United States are able to resolve issues through dialogue … that both countries need to overcome the effects of the 20-year war and engage in political dialogue with each other.”
The US and the Taliban do not have diplomatic relations, and direct meetings between delegations from the two countries have been rare – and typically held in Qatar.
But Mr Boehler is no stranger to breaking with diplomatic tradition when it comes to hostage release. Mr Trump has previously praised him as having “negotiated with some of the toughest people in the world, including the Taliban”. He also met directly with officials from Hamas in recent weeks in an attempt to secure the release of American hostages, causing outcry in the Israeli government.
Mr Khalilzad was part of Mr Trump's first administration and was responsible for dealing directly with the Taliban. He was instrumental in forging the Doha Agreement between the US and the Taliban in 2020, which kick-started what ultimately became a chaotic withdrawal of American forces. Mr Khalilzad became the focus of congressional anger early last year, with politicians accusing him of giving up US leverage in the 2020 deal.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
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How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler
Price, base / as tested Dh57,000
Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm
Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Scores in brief:
- New Medical Centre 129-5 in 17 overs bt Zayed Cricket Academy 125-6 in 20 overs.
- William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 188-8 in 20 overs bt One Stop Tourism 184-8 in 20 overs
- Alubond Tigers 138-7 in 20 overs bt United Bank Limited 132-7 in 20 overs
- Multiplex 142-6 in 17 overs bt Xconcepts Automobili 140 all out in 20 overs
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Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
