Friday, August 27, 2021

*) US, allies ask people to leave Kabul airport area over Daesh threat More than 80 people have been killed in the twin explosions outside Kabul airport, officials at Afghanistan's Emergency Hospital have said. The death toll can rise as many of the wounded were taken to other hospitals in the city. Over 40 of the victims were Afghan civilians and at least 13 were US troops. Daesh's Khorasan affiliate has claimed responsibility for the attacks. US-led coalition forces in Kabul are bracing for more such attacks while winding up their evacuation mission. *) US flag flies at half-mast to honour Kabul attacks victims The American flag has been lowered at half-mast in the US Capitol to honour the victims of the Kabul airport attacks. Flags on all state buildings will be flown at half-mast Friday in memory of the service members and civilians killed. US President Joe Biden vowed to carry on evacuating people fleeing Afghanistan. He also vowed to hunt down those responsible for the attack and make them pay. *) Turkey's president Kabul blasts highlight Daesh danger Speaking ahead of a trip to Bosnia, Turkey's President Erdogan has said that Daesh’s attack on Kabul airport shows how dangerous the terror group is in the region and world. The Kabul airport blasts and Daesh involvement shows how crucial the security of Afghanistan is to the world, Erdogan said at a press conference. Erdogan said Turkey's priority remains to evacuate our citizens willing to return after Thursday’s bombings killed at least 72 Afghans and 13 US troops. *) Protests erupt amidst vote on new cabinet Tensions flared in Lima ahead of Peru’s vote of confidence for the new Cabinet of leftist President Pedro Castillo. Although confirmed a winner by 44-thousand votes, this week's Congress vote is a huge test for his presidency. Before the vote, Prime Minister Guido Bellido reinforced the government's plans to lift Peru from the nation's most grave, political, social, environmental and health crises in decades. * ) Tom Cruise sh