Follow the latest updates on Afghanistan here.
At least four people were killed in Afghanistan's eastern city of Asadabad, on the border with Pakistan, at an Independence Day rally after the Taliban shot at civilians there and a stampede ensued.
It was unclear whether the deaths resulted from the panic or the gunfire.
August 19 marks the day in 1919 when Afghanistan became a sovereign nation and took full control over its foreign affairs from British rule.
Three people were killed on Wednesday at a similar event in Jalalabad and in several other places across the country, as Afghans waved the national flag, local media reported.
Protests against Taliban rule after their takeover of the country and the capital, Kabul, continued across Afghanistan.
Droves of people filled the tarmac at Kabul's airport on Sunday in an attempt to leave the country. At least 12 people were killed.
First Vice President Amrullah Saleh supported the protesters.
"Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation," he wrote on Twitter.
President Ashraf Ghani left the country on Sunday after the Taliban takeover of Kabul, landing in the UAE on Wednesday with his family.
Mr Ghani said he departed to "prevent bloodshed".
On Thursday, Mr Saleh called himself the country's "legitimate caretaker president".
The Taliban were removed from power by a US-led coalition in 2001 for harbouring Osama bin Laden, the terrorist wanted in connection with the September 11, 2001 attacks on US soil.
The group took over Afghanistan in 1996 and enforced a hardline interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, preventing women from completing their education, staging public executions and banning music and television.
They have since attempted to re-brand as a more progressive group and vowed to give women more rights, within the framework of their understanding of Sharia.
The future of Afghanistan is in the balance as a new leader has yet to be named and a power struggle between Mr Ghani's internationally backed government and the Taliban continues.
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
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She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
