Taliban accuses Pakistan of letting US drones use airspace

The Taliban has accused Pakistan of letting US drones use its airspace to enter Afghanistan.

The Taliban's acting defence minister told a news conference in Kabul on Sunday that US drones had been going into Afghanistan via Pakistan.

“According to our information the drones are entering through Pakistan to Afghanistan, they use Pakistan's airspace, we ask Pakistan, don't use your airspace against us,” Afghanistan's acting minister of defence Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob said on Sunday.

Pakistan's foreign minister has denied the accusations.

Pakistani authorities have previously denied involvement in or advanced knowledge of a drone strike the US said it carried out in Kabul in July that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri.

Pakistan's foreign ministry called the allegations “conjectural” and “highly regrettable” in a statement late on Sunday.

He added that Afghanistan must abide by its commitments “not to allow the use of its territory for terrorism against any country”.

The Pakistani military has denied allowing the country's airspace to be used, most recently over the Zawahiri case.

A representative of the CIA declined to comment when approached by Reuters.

Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told Reuters he had made checks after the air strike and had been told that Pakistani airspace was not used. He said he would check again after Sunday's allegations but expected the position to be the same.

“I really don't believe that this is a time that I wish to get into a debate with anyone or to have accusations … frankly, I'm focused on the flood relief efforts,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari said in an interview. Floods in Pakistan have killed more than 1,000 and left millions of people homeless.

“The Afghan regime has promised not only to its own people, but to the international community, that they will not allow their soil to be used for terrorists,” he said.

The US led an invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 that toppled the first Taliban government after the hardline group refused to hand over Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden following the 9/11 attacks.

The drone attack in July that killed Zawahiri, bin Laden's successor, was the first known strike by the US on a target in Afghanistan since Washington withdrew its forces from the country on August 31 last year.

Mr Yaqoob said the authorities were investigating US President Joe Biden's claim about the killing of Zawahiri.

“We will share the details when it is complete,” he said.

Tensions rising since Taliban takeover

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen since the Taliban seized power on August 15 last year, with Islamabad saying militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from the neighbouring country.

The Taliban government deny harbouring Pakistani militants, but are also infuriated by a fence Islamabad is erecting along their 2,700-kilometre border, known as the Durand line, which was drawn up in colonial times.

Ties between the two countries were further strained when Pakistani military air strikes in eastern Afghanistan killed and wounded dozens in April.

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Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)

Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)

Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

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What is Genes in Space?

Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.

It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.

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Amith's predicted winners:
6.30pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.05pm: Etisalat
7.40pm: Mulfit
8.15pm: Pennsylvania Dutch
8.50pm: Mudallel
9.25pm: Midnight Sands

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

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5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

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6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

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COMPANY PROFILE

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Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

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The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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Started: Soft launch in November, 2020

Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani

Based: Dubai

Industry: E-grocery

Initial investment: $150,000

Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year