A “political delegation” led by the Taliban’s founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar arrived in Tehran on Tuesday at the invitation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
The Taliban will hold meetings with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Iran's special envoy for Afghanistan, to "discuss the peace trend in Afghanistan as well as relevant issues and topics", the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said.
While the Afghan-based Taliban is not officially designated a terrorist organisation, the international community does not recognise it as a legitimate part of the Afghan government.
It is closely tied to the Pakistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan group, which the US has designated a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
Afghanistan's leading English-language news outlet TOLO News said the issue of Afghan refugees in Iran would be among the topics discussed during the meeting, citing Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Naeem.
An agreement between the US administration under former president Donald Trump and the Taliban stipulated that US troops would leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for the start of Afghan-Taliban peace talks.
But the Biden administration said it would review the US agreement – a move that was welcomed by the internationally recognised Afghan government.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said the reassessment would evaluate "whether the Taliban was living up to its commitments to cut ties with terrorist groups, reduce violence in Afghanistan and engage in meaningful negotiations with the Afghan government and other stakeholders.
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Schedule
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The six points:
1. Ministers should be in the field, instead of always at conferences
2. Foreign diplomacy must be left to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation
3. Emiratisation is a top priority that will have a renewed push behind it
4. The UAE's economy must continue to thrive and grow
5. Complaints from the public must be addressed, not avoided
6. Have hope for the future, what is yet to come is bigger and better than before
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
