Russia and China tell US to return $7bn in frozen Afghan funds

China and Russia called on the US on Tuesday to release $7 billion of Afghanistan's foreign reserves that were frozen when the Taliban seized control of the country a year ago.

Washington does not want the money to be used to bankroll the Taliban, which vanquished western-backed forces in August 2021 following a 20-year conflict.

US President Joe Biden has ordered that half of the funds be used to create a trust to compensate victims still seeking relief for the 9/11 attacks, which were planned by Al Qaeda operatives working in Afghanistan under the Taliban's protection.

At the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Geng Fhung, China's deputy ambassador to the UN, called for the “full” and “swift” return of the frozen assets to help “alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and the humanitarian suffering of the Afghan people”.

And Anna Evstigneeva, Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN, said the US should give the money back “immediately”.

The US government this month established a $3.5bn foundation to help address the unfolding economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan while keeping the funds out of the Taliban's hands.

Taliban celebrate anniversary of withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan — in pictures

Senior US diplomat Jeffrey DeLaurentis stressed to the council that no country that is “serious about containing terrorism in Afghanistan would advocate giving Taliban ready access to $3.5bn in Afghan central bank assets”.

More than a year since the Taliban's return to power, western nations are growing increasingly alarmed over the group's enforcement of hardline religious laws.

Before the Security Council meeting, Norway circulated a draft press statement condemning the Taliban’s decision to ban girls from attending high school.

But diplomatic sources say that negotiations over the draft statement were strained because China and Russia insisted on a product that included text referring to Afghanistan’s frozen bank assets.

The differences between China and Russia and other members could not be resolved, and the press statement was not issued.

Markus Potzel, the UN's deputy special representative for Afghanistan, told the council that while there have been some positive developments since the Taliban took power last year, “they have been too few and too slow and are outweighed by the negatives”.

“I am afraid that patience is running out by many in the international community regarding a strategy of engagement with Afghanistan's Taliban,” he said, according to AFP.

Afghan women protest against Taliban's decision to shut girls' schools — video

Muguruza's singles career in stats

WTA titles 3

Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)

Wins / losses 293 / 149

Whiile you're here

Damien McElroy: Anti-science attitudes in America are proving lethal

Editorial: What makes the UAE such a good place to test vaccines?

Editorial: The fight against Covid-19 should be guided by science

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo

Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm

Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km

On sale: December

Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)

Essentials

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.

List of alleged parties

May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members

May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party

Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff

Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
Gavin Williamson

Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party

Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
Party headquarters

Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz

Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party

Sugary teas and iced coffees

The tax authority is yet to release a list of the taxed products, but it appears likely that sugary iced teas and cold coffees will be hit.

For instance, the non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Cold coffee brands are likely to be hit too. Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

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