European and Afghan nationals disembark from a French military plane at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport from Kabul via Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. EPA
European and Afghan nationals disembark from a French military plane at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport from Kabul via Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. EPA
European and Afghan nationals disembark from a French military plane at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport from Kabul via Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. EPA
European and Afghan nationals disembark from a French military plane at Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport from Kabul via Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. EPA

UK media outlets write to PM Johnson urging protection for Afghan journalists


Soraya Ebrahimi
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Follow the latest updates on Afghanistan here

British media outlets have written an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to protect journalists and those who worked with them in Afghanistan by getting them out of the country after the Taliban takeover.

"Now the Taliban has arrived in Kabul and our colleagues are trapped there," the outlets wrote in the letter.

"With evacuation flights resuming, we need you to act on your promise to protect those who worked with journalists and get them to safety outside Afghanistan.

"Given the threats to the safety of Afghan journalists, we ask the British government to urgently take these steps to protect our colleagues."

The letter was written on behalf of outlets including the Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph, The Economist, The Guardian, The Sun and Sky News.

Britain is working with the Taliban in Kabul on a "tactical, practical level" to fly out citizens and eligible Afghans, Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan said on Wednesday.

Sir Laurie Bristow said that the evacuation programme would last days, not weeks.

The US-backed Afghan government collapsed over the weekend in an upheaval that sent thousands of civilians and Afghan military allies fleeing for their safety.

Many fear a return to the severe interpretation of Islamic law imposed during the previous Taliban rule, which ended 20 years ago.

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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
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Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
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Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

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Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
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Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

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Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)

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Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
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Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017

Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free

Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa

Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia

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Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Updated: August 18, 2021, 11:54 PM