Suicide blast at military academy in Afghanistan


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A suicide attack on a military academy killed at least five people in the Afghan capital Kabul yesterday –the first major assault in the city in months.

About 7am local time, the bomber detonated his explosive vest close to the main entrance gate of the Marshal Fahim National Defence Academy.

The attack killed employees and cadets entering the military school – four members of the military and a civilian, the country's Ministry of Defence confirmed to The National.

The blast wounded 25 people, 12 army personnel and 13 civilians.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called the attack a crime against humanity.

“The great nation of Afghanistan demands an immediate end to the violence, stopping the war, an overarching ceasefire, a dignified and sustainable peace, which are the priorities of the Afghan government as well,” he said.

Chief Executive of the Unity Government, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, said: “I strongly condemn today’s terrorist attack in Kabul. Terrorists and terrorism have no place among our people. We are united in our resolve to defeat these evil forces. Our thoughts and prayers are with victims and their families at this critical time.”

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Bombings in Kabul are common despite talks between the US and the Taliban insurgent group to end America’s longest war.

The Taliban controls almost half the country nearly 20 years after they were forced from power by the US-led invasion. But numerous other extremist and militant groups in the country carry out attacks, including ISIS.

On January 31, two militants were killed when the explosives they were transporting in a hand cart accidentally detonated.

The civilian casualty rate in Afghanistan is high, in part due to suicide bombings and attacks involving a combination of bombing and mass shootouts. Last year, 327 of the 1,366 civilian deaths in Afghanistan from January to June were children.

But the Taliban is not alone in killing civilians. Pro-government forces – including the Afghan army and the US military – in the first half of 2019 accounted for more deaths than the Taliban, ISIS and other militant groups, killing 717 civilians – a 31 per cent increase on the previous year.

Most of these civilian casualties were the result of air strikes.

Opposition and insurgent groups killed 306 people.

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Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

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Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

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Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.

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Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

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Business Insights
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Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier

UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs

Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)

1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0

Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am

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  • Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

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In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.