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Libya's Mitiga Airport Closed as Rival Factions Clash

Mitiga airport, pictured on July 22, 2014, is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year (AFP Photo/Mahmud Turkia)
Mitiga airport, pictured on July 22, 2014, is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year (AFP Photo/Mahmud Turkia)
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Libya's Mitiga Airport Closed as Rival Factions Clash

Mitiga airport, pictured on July 22, 2014, is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year (AFP Photo/Mahmud Turkia)
Mitiga airport, pictured on July 22, 2014, is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year (AFP Photo/Mahmud Turkia)

As clashes intensified between Libyan rival factions, the country's Mitiga airport, located in the capital, was evacuated.

According to officials flights were suspended repeatedly, leading up to a full shutdown.

Reuters wrote that flights had restarted around midday on Tuesday after being suspended for several hours during the morning and the previous evening, Mitiga spokesman Khaled Abukhrais said. But by late afternoon heavy gunfire resumed and the airport was shut.

“Unfortunately the air space has closed again and the airport has been evacuated for the safety and security of passengers and workers, due to renewed clashes,” an airport statement said.

Mitiga is a military air base near the centre of Tripoli that has also hosted civilian flights since the international airport was largely destroyed by fighting in 2014.

The clashes began when the Special Deterrence Force (Rada), a group that controls Mitiga and operates as an anti-crime unit aligned with the UN-backed government, conducted raids in the nearby neighborhood of Ghrarat.

Rada spokesman Ahmed Bin Salem said the group targeted in the raids had tried to attack the airport area after a wanted drug dealer had been killed when he fired on a Rada patrol.

“The area of Ghrarat is now under the control of our forces and it’s being treated as military zone so we can clear any resistance,” Bin Salem said.

One member of Rada had been killed and two wounded, and there were several casualties among their opponents, he said.

Tripoli is split among various armed groups that have built local power bases since Libya’s 2011 revolution.

There have been fewer heavy confrontations in the capital since groups linked to a previous, self-declared government were pushed out of the city earlier this year, but armed skirmishes, kidnapping and other criminal activity are still common.

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Varieties

Indonesia Volcano Erupts, More Than 12,000 People Evacuated

An eruption from Mount Ruang volcano is seen from Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on April 30, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
An eruption from Mount Ruang volcano is seen from Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on April 30, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
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Indonesia Volcano Erupts, More Than 12,000 People Evacuated

An eruption from Mount Ruang volcano is seen from Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on April 30, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
An eruption from Mount Ruang volcano is seen from Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on April 30, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Indonesia's Ruang volcano erupted on Tuesday, spewing lava as lightning flashes lit up its crater, prompting authorities to raise the alert status and evacuate more than 12,000 people living on a nearby island, Reuters reported.
The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) had warned the residents of Tagulandang island that a tsunami could be triggered by volcanic material collapsing into the ocean.
The warning, issued on Tuesday morning, remained in placed as of the afternoon.
The agency raised the alert status of Ruang to the highest level following the early morning eruption, urging residents not to go near the volcano.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said that all 843 residents living in Ruang island, where the volcano is located, have been moved to Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province. Residents of Tagulandang island are being relocated to Siau island to the north.
The eruption follows a series of eruptions earlier this month that forced hundreds to evacuate, and the airport in the provincial capital of Manado to close. That eruption also caused damage to some homes. At the time, the volcanology also issued a warning about the potential for a tsunami.
Footage shared by Indonesia's disaster agency showed strikes of lightning flashing above Ruang's crater, as fiery red clouds of lava and rocks were projected into the air and rained down around the island.
The volcanology agency said the eruption column reached 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) high, and urged any remaining residents within a 7-km, previously 6-km, radius to immediately evacuate, warning of possible further "explosive eruptions".
Ruang island is about 100 km from Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province in the north-central region of the sprawling Indonesian archipelago.
The eruption corresponded with a spike in seismic activity and deep volcanic earthquakes, the disaster agency said.
Authorities closed Manado's Sam Ratulangi airport again on Tuesday, citing the possible spread of volcanic ash, the airport operator said in an Instagram post. The airport will remain closed until noon on Wednesday, the transport ministry said.
Authorities downgraded the status level to level 3 last week before bumping it up again to level 4 on Tuesday.

Varieties

Plastic Pollution Talks Move Closer to World-first Pact

A sculpture titled "Giant Plastic Tap" by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is displayed outside the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution that has wrapped up in Ottawa, Canada. Dave Chan / AFP
A sculpture titled "Giant Plastic Tap" by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is displayed outside the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution that has wrapped up in Ottawa, Canada. Dave Chan / AFP
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Plastic Pollution Talks Move Closer to World-first Pact

A sculpture titled "Giant Plastic Tap" by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is displayed outside the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution that has wrapped up in Ottawa, Canada. Dave Chan / AFP
A sculpture titled "Giant Plastic Tap" by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is displayed outside the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution that has wrapped up in Ottawa, Canada. Dave Chan / AFP

A fourth and penultimate round of UN-led negotiations to solve global plastic pollution wrapped up in Ottawa early on Tuesday with a world-first pact said to be within reach by year's end but without a cap on the production of polymers.
For the first time in the negotiations, delegates from 175 countries and observers discussed a draft of what is to become a global treaty on ending the scourge of plastics that are found everywhere from mountain tops to ocean depths, as well as within human blood and breast milk, AFP said.
The current session picked up where talks in Kenya left off five months ago.
They also agreed to a series of consultations between now and November, when the final round of talks is to be held in South Korea.
The Ottawa talks saw "a massive, monumental change in the tone and in the energy" compared with the previous round, Canadian parliamentary secretary Julie Dabrusin said.
"I'm really optimistic that we can get to an agreement by the end of the year... to end plastic pollution by 2040," she said.
Dabrusin and others welcomed a shift in the negotiations from vague objectives to treaty language, as well as streamlining options presented in Kenya.
However, a proposed cap on plastic production did not make it into the draft text and remains a major sticking point.
Although there is a broad consensus on the need for a treaty, environmental activists pleading for a cut in plastic production remain at odds with oil-producing nations and the plastics industry, which favors recycling.
Recycling versus production cut
Ana Rocha, speaking on behalf of Global South nations, said there had been "a growing willingness to address primary plastic polymers under the treaty."
This is crucial, according to environmental groups. "You cannot end plastic pollution if you do not reduce the amount of plastic we produce," Greenpeace's Graham Forbes told AFP.
Annual plastics production has more than doubled in 20 years to 460 million tons and is on track to triple within four decades if left unchecked.
"This treaty will succeed or fail based on the extent to which it addresses and reduces plastic production. Nothing else will work if we don't get that right," Forbes said.
G7 environment ministers meeting in Italy had been expected on Tuesday to commit to reducing plastic production, recognizing "that the level of plastic pollution is unsustainable and that its increase is alarming," according to the French delegation.
Peru and Rwanda proposed in a motion in Ottawa cutting plastic production by 40 percent in the next 15 years, in line with Paris agreement climate goals. Plastic production is a significant driver of global warming because most plastic is made from fossil fuels.
The motion was defeated.
Chris Jahn, council secretary of the International Council of Chemical Associations, said the industry is "fully committed to a legally binding agreement" on plastic waste, but one that does not "eliminate the massive societal benefits plastics provide for a healthier and more sustainable world."
Alejandra Parra, from Latin America, called recycling a "false option."
A lot of plastic is not or cannot be recycled, she said. The process of melting plastics into new forms also has drawbacks because it releases toxins and carbon emissions.
Collecting and sorting recyclable plastics is also relatively expensive.

Business

Riyadh WEF Special Meeting Calls for Tech Use in Global Economic Growth

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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Riyadh WEF Special Meeting Calls for Tech Use in Global Economic Growth

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Leaders from around the world are stressing the importance of boosting global growth and tackling economic challenges, calling for urgent action to chart a sustainable future.

Riyadh had hosted global leaders for a two-day World Economic Forum (WEF) special meeting in Riyadh.

The Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development 2024 - held under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - brought together key leaders to exchange perspectives, consider new data, and advance high-impact partnerships.

Attendees at the meeting stressed the importance of working together to boost sustainable economic growth and tackle obstacles.

They highlighted the need to use technology wisely amid global changes, aiming not just for economic growth but also to fix systemic issues.

They urged unified efforts to address economic slowdowns and build resilience by pooling expertise and resources to create new strategies for growth, job creation, and fair opportunities in building stronger economies.

Wide-ranging discussions at the WEF meeting delved into geopolitical and technological developments, with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, logistics sectors, and other economic issues confronting the world.

Saudi Economy Minister Faisal Alibrahim stated that the global economy is still facing slow growth. He stressed the need for fair technology distribution, saying it could boost growth in less developed countries.

During the final plenary session, Alibrahim announced that the Kingdom joined the AI Governance Alliance, and will co-launch the ‘Inclusive AI Initiative for Growth and Development’, to develop solutions for AI access and adoption.

Alibrahim also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing non-oil sectors since Vision 2030, aiming for a diverse economy led by productivity. He mentioned Saudi Arabia’s adaptability to AI technologies.

Additionally, Alibrahim discussed the recent conflicts in the Middle East, suggesting that peace in the region would help economic progress.

“We may end up with this decade being remembered as the Turbulent Twenties or the Tepid Twenties, and what we actually want is Transformational Twenties,” said Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

“Over the next 100 years leaders must aim for the same degree of wealth as that created over the past 100 years, but with a much better distribution of the benefits of growth,” she added.

World

Kenya Searches for More Than 90 Missing after Floods

A woman and a man take mud and water out of their house in an area heavily affected by torrential rains and flash floods in Mai Mahiu, on April 29, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)
A woman and a man take mud and water out of their house in an area heavily affected by torrential rains and flash floods in Mai Mahiu, on April 29, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)
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Kenya Searches for More Than 90 Missing after Floods

A woman and a man take mud and water out of their house in an area heavily affected by torrential rains and flash floods in Mai Mahiu, on April 29, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)
A woman and a man take mud and water out of their house in an area heavily affected by torrential rains and flash floods in Mai Mahiu, on April 29, 2024. (Photo by LUIS TATO / AFP)

Rescuers were searching on Tuesday for at least 91 people missing in heavy flooding across Kenya, the interior ministry said.
At least 46 people were killed on Monday morning in a mudslide and flash floods in Mai Mahiu town in central Kenya, the ministry said in a situation report, an increase of one on the previous death toll.
Survivors in Mai Mahiu described an onslaught of water that carried away houses, cars and railway tracks, Reuters reported.
"When I opened the door, the water gushed in and made its way through the kitchen," said resident Anne Gachie.
"My husband managed to quickly maneuver and get out. My daughters who were in the next room were swept out of the house by the force of the water."
Fifty-three more people in Mai Mahiu were reported missing, the interior ministry said, while the Kenya Red Cross said its tracing desk had reports of 76 missing.
In all, at least 169 people have died across Kenya from heavy rains and flooding since last month. More than 185,000 have been forced from their homes, according to government data.
Dozens more have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced by intense downpours in Tanzania and Burundi, with scientists saying climate change is causing more intense and frequent extreme weather events.
The eastern county of Garissa, where four people were killed when their boat capsized over the weekend and 23 others were rescued from the floodwaters, has reported 16 people missing, the interior ministry said.
At least 120 people were killed in Kenya late last year by flooding caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Those rains followed the worst drought large parts of East Africa had experienced in decades.

World

Mali Forces Kill Senior Figure in ISIS Affiliate

Malian soldiers are pictured during a patrol with soldiers from the new Takuba force near Niger border in Dansongo Circle, Mali August 23, 2021. REUTERS/ Paul Lorgerie
Malian soldiers are pictured during a patrol with soldiers from the new Takuba force near Niger border in Dansongo Circle, Mali August 23, 2021. REUTERS/ Paul Lorgerie
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Mali Forces Kill Senior Figure in ISIS Affiliate

Malian soldiers are pictured during a patrol with soldiers from the new Takuba force near Niger border in Dansongo Circle, Mali August 23, 2021. REUTERS/ Paul Lorgerie
Malian soldiers are pictured during a patrol with soldiers from the new Takuba force near Niger border in Dansongo Circle, Mali August 23, 2021. REUTERS/ Paul Lorgerie

Malian forces killed Abu Huzeifa, a commander for a West African affiliate of the ISIS group, during a large-scale operation in the northern region of Menaka, the Malian authorities said in a statement read on state television on Monday.
Huzeifa's death on Sunday had been confirmed after the operation in the region's Indelimane sector, they said, but did not give further details.
The US State Department's Rewards for Justice program offers a bounty of up to $5 million for information on Huzeifa for his alleged participation in a 2017 attack in neighboring Niger that killed four US and four Nigerien soldiers, Reuters reported.
Over the past decade, attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda and ISIS have killed thousands of people in Mali, Niger, and neighboring Burkina Faso, destabilizing West Africa's central Sahel region.
As of March, the protracted security and humanitarian crisis had displaced over 3 million people in the region, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Business

Al-Ghais: It's about Reducing Emissions, Not the Demand for Crude

Workers in an oil field in Hubei Province, China (Reuters)
Workers in an oil field in Hubei Province, China (Reuters)
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Al-Ghais: It's about Reducing Emissions, Not the Demand for Crude

Workers in an oil field in Hubei Province, China (Reuters)
Workers in an oil field in Hubei Province, China (Reuters)

The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al-Ghais, stressed that the pace at which global demand for energy is increasing means that alternatives cannot replace oil in the same proportion.
Al-Ghais wrote an opinion piece for the media platform Middle East Economic Survey (MEES) entitled, “It’s about reducing emissions, not oil demand”, in which he talked about the spread of terms such as “the end of oil,” which reduce or ignore key details related to current and future demand for oil.
“Such assertions, despite all evidence to the contrary, are all the more dangerous given their potential to foster energy policies that stoke energy chaos,” Al-Ghais said, adding: “What if investments in supply fall as a result, but demand for oil keeps increasing, as we are seeing today?”
He continued: “Although the main goal of the Paris Agreement on climate change is to reduce emissions – not to choose energy sources – it feels like this has been forgotten, replaced by rigid narratives to reduce demand for hydrocarbons without thinking through the effects on energy security, socio-economic development, or reducing energy poverty.”
He stressed that such narratives “forget that oil continues to be irreplaceable in fostering global prosperity and maintaining energy security.”
Touching on the centrality of oil, the OPEC secretary general wrote: “It is sometimes easy to forget just how critical oil is to our everyday lives, but without it we would not have gasoline, heating oil, jet fuel, syringes, soap, computers, car tires, contact lenses, artificial limbs, many types of medicine and much more. The fiberglass, resin and plastic needed to construct most wind turbines and the ethylene for solar panels would not exist either.”
He added: “The reality is that the end of oil is not in sight. Oil continues to make up almost a third of the global energy mix today and global oil demand continues to rise.”
In another article published on the OPEC website, Al-Ghais called on all job seekers, of all generations, to consider working in the oil industry, stressing that it is “an opportunity... to provide energy to the world.”
“The oil and gas industry has a significant role to play in employment globally. In terms of direct employment, the industry recruits highly skilled and specialized workers, but its impact extends far beyond this. For local and national economies, it has significant multiplier benefits, generating opportunities for a wide range of businesses. This includes various other parts of the manufacturing supply chain, transportation companies, hotels, restaurants and shops. All told, the oil industry alone supports around 70 million jobs worldwide,” he stated.
In this context, Al-Ghais voiced concern over reports of a “‘hiring crisis’ facing the industry, an impending labor shortage, that the younger generation is being ‘put off’ from pursuing a career in the industry, and that fewer petroleum related subjects are being offered at universities.”
He noted that a number of factors could be behind these trends, “including the perception that the industry is not a viable long-term employment option, driven by the misguided view that oil is not part of a sustainable energy future.”
He stressed that the oil industry is spread all over the world, and is found in regions, towns, villages and communities, where it has the main say.
“At OPEC, we have a clear and consistent message on oil industry jobs – the world will need more of them! We foresee oil demand growing to 116 mb/d by 2045 and to meet this, and further evolve technologies to reduce emissions, we will need more workers,” Al-Ghais underlined.
He concluded by saying: “And finally, to all jobseekers – of all generations ̶ I encourage you to consider a career in the oil industry. It is one of boundless opportunities for professional fulfillment, and a vital cog in providing energy to the world.”

 

 

Culture

Saudi Arabia Launches Global AI Center for Arabic Language

“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Global AI Center for Arabic Language

“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)
“The Arabic Intelligence Center” is the first specialized artificial intelligence center for automated Arabic language processing (the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language)

Saudi Arabia has launched the world's first international center dedicated to enhancing the Arabic language using artificial intelligence (AI).

The center, known as the “Arabic Intelligence Center,” provides automated services and technical support for Arabic language processing.

It aims to strengthen Arabic in the digital realm, making it more competitive globally.

Operated by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language from Riyadh, the center encourages research and innovation in language computing while offering specialized expertise and data infrastructure for AI-driven Arabic language applications.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the Academy, highlighted that the newly established center is the world’s first specialized hub for automated Arabic language processing.

It aims to enrich Arabic content using AI and support research, applications, and capabilities in AI and Arabic language fields.

The center also contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” aiming for global leadership in this area.

Its vision is to advance the Arabic language using AI, while its mission focuses on providing comprehensive services to empower users to enhance Arabic language leadership locally and globally.

Moreover, the center is made up of five main labs, each with its own role.

The center provides various services like technical and linguistic advice on AI-driven Arabic language processing. It also hosts meetings, courses, and offers licenses for researchers.

It supports studies aligned with its goals and aids in data tagging for joint research. The center aims to connect modern tech with Arabic, preserve the language, establish global linguistic standards, and enhance AI in Arabic language processing, both locally and globally.

The center aims to set and implement standards and rules for automating Arabic language processing.

It wants to foster impactful research and innovations in this field using AI and develop useful applications.

Also, it aims to train people to global standards and localize knowledge in Arabic language processing. By doing so, it hopes to compete with other languages.

Arab World

Blinken Heads to Jordan to Push Gaza Aid

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-US Strategic Partnership discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Riyadh on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-US Strategic Partnership discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Riyadh on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
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Blinken Heads to Jordan to Push Gaza Aid

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-US Strategic Partnership discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Riyadh on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-US Strategic Partnership discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretariat in Riyadh on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed Tuesday to Jordan where he will discuss ways to boost aid deliveries into Gaza and quietly thank the kingdom for its help during recent Iran-Israel clashes.
Blinken flew to Amman after talks with Gulf Arab leaders in Riyadh, part of his seventh tour of the region since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, AFP said.
The US top diplomat will meet Jordan's King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi as well as the UN humanitarian aid and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag.
Later in the day, Blinken will head to Israel where he will discuss the latest negotiations aimed at securing a temporary ceasefire and a release of hostages.
President Joe Biden's administration, despite criticism abroad and rising fury on US university campuses, has supported Israel in its relentless campaign against Hamas but also urged its ally to do more to protect civilians.
"President Biden has insisted that Israel take specific, concrete, measurable steps to better address humanitarian suffering, civilian harm and the safety of aid workers in Gaza," Blinken told Gulf Arab foreign ministers in Riyadh on Monday.
"We have seen measurable progress in the last few weeks, including the opening of new crossings, an increased volume of aid delivery to Gaza and within Gaza, and the building of the US maritime corridor, which will open in the coming weeks," Blinken said.
"But it is not enough. We still need to get more aid in and around Gaza," he said.
Biden warned Israel that future support was at stake after an April 1 Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity Spanish-American chef Jose Andres.
The United States said that Israel has since taken steps to avoid such deaths in the future, including coordinating more directly with aid groups working in Gaza.
But the situation remains dire in Gaza, where the vast majority of residents have fled their homes and the United Nations has warned of looming famine.
The Biden administration is addressing the crisis by building a temporary pier to bring in aid, an extraordinary step to deal with concerns about a friendly country and major recipient of US assistance.
Jordan, which has diplomatic relations with Israel and a large Palestinian population, is especially sensitive to tensions in the Palestinian territories.
Jordan has insisted that it does not want to be caught in the middle of the conflict.

World

Gunman Kills 6 Worshippers Inside Mosque in Western Afghanistan

A general view of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
A general view of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
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Gunman Kills 6 Worshippers Inside Mosque in Western Afghanistan

A general view of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)
A general view of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

A gunman stormed a mosque in western Afghanistan, opening fire and killing six people as they were praying, a Taliban official said Tuesday.

According to Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for the Taliban Interior Ministry, the attack happened on Monday night in the district of Guzara in Herat province. He said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that an investigation was underway.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which also wounded another worshipper, and the attacker fled the scene. Local media reported that the mosque's imam was among those killed.

“I strongly condemn the attack on the Imam Zaman Mosque,” former Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on X. “I consider this terrorist act against all religious and human standards.”

ISIS’ affiliate in Afghanistan is a major Taliban rival and frequently targets schools, hospitals, mosques and Shiite areas throughout the country.

Gulf

Saudi-US Confirmation: Security Agreement Imminent

Saudi-US Confirmation: Security Agreement Imminent
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Saudi-US Confirmation: Security Agreement Imminent

Saudi-US Confirmation: Security Agreement Imminent

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared news of progress towards a security deal between their countries at a World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Riyadh on Monday.

Prince Faisal emphasized Saudi Arabia’s call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and urged for a comprehensive solution to create a Palestinian state.

On his part, Blinken urged Hamas to swiftly consider an “extraordinarily generous” offer from Israel, highlighting the need to end the Gaza crisis.

According to Blinken, in order to proceed with normalization of ties between Israel and regional states, the crisis in Gaza must end and a path should be charted for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the WEF’s special meeting in Riyadh, Prince Faisal emphasized the international community’s need to establish a “credible and irreversible” path towards the creation of a Palestinian state.

He noted that the United Nations estimates Gaza’s reconstruction will take 30 years, and underscored that the Palestinians’ plight in the West Bank cannot be ignored.

Prince Faisal revealed that Saudi Arabia and the US are close to finalizing bilateral agreements, expecting them to be sealed in “the near future.”

“Most of the work has already been completed. We have outlined what we believe needs to happen on the Palestinian front,” he said.

On Iran’s regional role, Prince Faisal emphasized the need to prioritize Palestinian rights and self-determination. He suggested that resolving the conflict could bolster regional independence, presenting an opportunity for Iran to promote peace and cooperation.

Blinken echoed Prince Faisal’s statement on the US being close to finalizing a security deal with Saudi Arabia.

The top US diplomat mentioned that the work Saudi Arabia and the US are doing together on agreements is on track and may be very close to be finished.

Blinken urged Hamas to quickly decide on Israel’s offer, stating it would change the situation. He assured that the US wouldn’t support any significant Israeli military action harming civilians.

Blinken mentioned intense efforts for Israel-Saudi Arabia normalization of ties, aligning with Gaza crisis resolution and Palestinian state creation.

He highlighted geopolitical changes and global challenges, emphasizing the need for collective responses.

Responding to a question about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Blinken defended by saying that the US is doing everything it can to prevent the humanitarian suffering seen every day in Gaza since October.

He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage release.

Moreover, Blinken thanked Qatar and Egypt for their role in ceasefire efforts.

Addressing concerns of a potential Israeli military strike on Rafah, the US Secretary of State reiterated the stance that without a solid plan to protect civilians, Washington cannot support a major military operation there.

When asked about broader efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish a Palestinian state, Blinken emphasized the need for both humanitarian assistance in Gaza and a political plan for Palestinians.

He outlined two paths for the region: one focused on integration and cooperation, leading to security and stability.

Regarding talks on a US-Saudi bilateral agreement for normalization with Israel, Blinken indicated progress but stressed the importance of resolving the Gaza crisis and establishing a Palestinian state first.

He believed that forging relations between Israel and all regional countries, alongside creating a Palestinian state, would effectively challenge Iran and Hamas.