A general view of green zone in Kabul, Afghanistan March 13, 2019. Picture taken March 13, 2019. Reuters
A general view of green zone in Kabul, Afghanistan March 13, 2019. Picture taken March 13, 2019. Reuters
A general view of green zone in Kabul, Afghanistan March 13, 2019. Picture taken March 13, 2019. Reuters
A general view of green zone in Kabul, Afghanistan March 13, 2019. Picture taken March 13, 2019. Reuters

Asia

Six killed in attack on Nowruz celebration in Kabul

People were gathering for the Persian new year festival

The National

March 21, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

Explosions rocked Nowruz new year’s celebrations in Kabul on Thursday leaving six dead and 23 wounded.

The attacks came as people gathered for the ancient Persian festival to mark the start of spring that is widely celebrated across Afghanistan. While popular, it has faced opposition from hardliners who say it is un-Islamic.

The cause of the blasts near the Kart-e Sakhi shrine in the largely Shiite Muslim area of west Kabul are not yet clear.

An interior ministry spokesman said mortar bombs had been fired. The defence ministry said in a post on Twitter that three rockets were fired at civilian homes and Nowruz gatherings.

The defence ministry said police had arrested the attacker and secured the area.

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While you're here
While you're here
Killing of Qassem Suleimani

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi 

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs 

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Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

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6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $49,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.05pm Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner El Patriota, Vagner Leal, Antonio Cintra

7.40pm Zabeel Turf – Listed (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,000m

Winner Ya Hayati, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm Cape Verdi – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Althiqa, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

8.50pm UAE 1000 Guineas – Listed (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Soft Whisper, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

9.25pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Bedouin’s Story, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

Central AsiaNew Year's Day 2025Afghanistan