A former BBC journalist and his team have been arrested in Kabul while working for the United Nations.
Andrew North, who worked for the BBC across the Middle East and Asia for 20 years, was working for the UN’s refugee agency “trying to help the people of Afghanistan” when he was held, former colleagues said.
It is understood that he and another foreign journalist along with a number of local staff were arrested at the start of the week as they were gathering material for the UN's humanitarian work. The UN knows where they are being held and officials are working with a number of groups to try to secure their release.
A member of a Taliban intelligence unit in Kabul told the Washington Post that "several" foreign citizens were arrested in Kabul on charges of working for western intelligence agencies.
“Andrew North is working for the UN in Kabul. He is a former colleague and a respected journalist,” said Paul Danahar, the foreign editor of BBC News, in a tweet. “All inquiries about his situation, which his friends and colleagues are obviously concerned about, should be directed to the UN.”
His detention was first revealed by Amrullah Saleh, a former vice president and leader of the exiled Afghan resistance. He claimed nine people from western countries have been kidnapped, including Mr North.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees confirmed two journalists on assignment with the agency and Afghans working with them had been detained in Kabul, but did not name those held.
“We are doing our utmost to resolve the situation, in co-ordination with others,” the UNHCR said on Twitter. “We will make no further comment given the nature of the situation.”
Mr North's partner, Natalia Antelava, who is also an ex-BBC journalist, thanked people for their messages of support and said she hoped his release could be secured.
Mr North, an experienced journalist who has worked in 60 countries, was working as an independent reporter based in Tbilisi, Georgia, after leaving the corporation, his LinkedIn page says.
His recent work reported on the Afghan conflict and how farmers who have returned to Helmand province are now sowing opium poppies using solar-powered irrigation pumps.
The Taliban administration's security and intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, said it had no information on the matter.
"We have no information about them, when and where they have disappeared, we haven't reached any information yet; we are trying to find information," said NDS spokesman Khalil Hamraz. The directorate was in touch with the interior ministry about the issue, he said.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, concerns have grown over a purge on dissent. The UN has repeatedly raised alarms over missing women's rights activists in recent weeks.
Foreign nations have refused to recognise the Taliban-led administration but have stepped up engagement as they try to avert a humanitarian crisis stemming from an economy stalled by sanctions and a halt in development funding since the group took over.
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Dolittle
Director: Stephen Gaghan
Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen
One-and-a-half out of five stars
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
GROUP RESULTS
Group A
Results
Ireland beat UAE by 226 runs
West Indies beat Netherlands by 54 runs
Group B
Results
Zimbabwe tied with Scotland
Nepal beat Hong Kong by five wickets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Croatia: Rebic (53'), Modric (80'), Rakitic (90' 1)
