News from Afghanistan

1.Pakistan, other stakeholders to meet in Qatar on Afghan peace
https://dailytimes.com.pk/803188/pakistan-other-stakeholders-to-meet-in-qatar-on-afghan-peace/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
2.‘Troika Plus’ to discuss Afghan crisis on Aug 11
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2313177/troika-plus-to-discuss-afghan-crisis-on-aug-11
3.India criticised for denying Pakistan opportunity to address UNSC meeting on Afghanistan
https://www.dawn.com/news/1639318
4.Central Asia’s leaders meet as Taliban makes gains in Afghanistan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/6/central-asia-taliban-afghanistan
5.Germany rejects calls to send military back to Afghanistan
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/9/germany-rejects-calls-to-send-military-back-to-afghanistan
6.US envoy for Afghanistan to try to end Taliban offensive – BBC News
https://theglobalherald.com/news/us-envoy-for-afghanistan-to-try-to-end-taliban-offensive-bbc-news/
7.U.N. says Afghan war has entered ‘deadlier, more destructive phase’
https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210806-u-n-says-afghan-war-has-entered-deadlier-more-destructive-phase
8.Taliban seizes Afghan borders with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan: Russia
https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2021/8/11/taliban-take-control-of-northern-afghan-borders-russia-says?__twitter_impression=true
9.The Taliban take a sixth provincial capital as government forces reel
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/world/asia/afghanistan-taliban-capitals.html?smid=tw-share
10.Huge rise in Afghanistan IDPs as thousands flee Taliban advance
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/9/afghanistan-internlly-displaced-idp-taliban
11.Afghan govt wants IAF support to crush Taliban as fighting worsens across the country
https://theprint.in/diplomacy/afghan-govt-wants-iaf-support-to-crush-taliban-as-fighting-worsens-across-the-country/712182/
12.Chaman border: Afghans don’t need visas to enter Pakistan now
https://www.samaa.tv/news/2021/08/chaman-border-afghans-dont-need-visas-to-enter-pakistan-now/

News from the Middle East

13.Turkey backs Pakistan’s stance on regional, international issues
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2314935/turkey-backs-pakistans-stance-on-international-issues  
14.Global wildfires: Hundreds evacuated in Greece, rains bring relief to Turkey
https://www.dw.com/en/global-wildfires-hundreds-evacuated-in-greece-rains-bring-relief-to-turkey/a-58794967  
15.Iraq foreign minister arrives on two-day visit
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/08/11/iraq-foreign-minister-arrives-on-two-day-visit/  
16.‘Worried about Afghan situation,’ says Iraqi FM alongside Qureshi
https://www.dawn.com/news/1640075  
17. Iraq to host ‘regional summit’
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/875851-iraq-to-host-regional-summit  
18.Iraq eyes up to $4bn loan from IMF: Minister
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1906881/business-economy  
19.Saudi and Iraqi foreign ministers discuss boosting regional stability
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1907791/saudi-arabia  
20.Saudi Arabia lifts a ban on foreign pilgrims heading to Mecca
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/10/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-mecca-umrah.html  
21.Saudi Arabia sentences dozens of Palestinians, Jordanians
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/9/saudi-arabia-prison-terms-to-dozens-of-palestinians-jordanians  
22.Iran’s FM, UN Envoy Discuss Afghanistan
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/08/09/2551407/iran-s-fm-un-envoy-discuss-afghanistan  
23.Macron phones Raisi, calls for deeper relationship
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/463901/Macron-phones-Raisi-calls-for-deeper-relationship  
24.PM Imran offers to facilitate Taliban, Ankara talks
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2315094/pmimran-offers-to-facilitate-taliban-ankara-talks  
25.Iran Not Accepting Any Limitation to Its Oil Exports: Envoy
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/08/06/2549882/iran-not-accepting-any-limitation-to-its-oil-exports-envoy  
26.Kuwait’s 2020-21 budget deficit increases 175% to record 10.8 bln dinars
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kuwaits-2020-21-budget-deficit-increases-175-108-bln-dinars-2021-08-07/  
27.Kuwait sends fire fighters to Turkey against forest fires
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/kuwait-sends-firefighters-to-turkey-against-forest-fires/2328134  
28.Contractors used by US companies in Afghanistan stuck in Dubai
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/9/contractors-used-by-us-companies-in-afghanistan-stuck-in-dubai  
29.UAE eases travel rules for Pakistan, 5 other nations
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2314943/uae-eases-travel-rules-for-pakistan-5-other-nations  
30.Qatar election exclusions spark controversy, arrests: BBC
https://www.arabnews.com/node/1908556/middle-east  
31.USA lauds Oman’s efforts towards Yemen crisis resolution
https://timesofoman.com/article/105222-usa-lauds-omans-efforts-towards-yemen-crisis-resolution  
32.US announces $165M in humanitarian aid to Yemen
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/9/us-announces-165-million-humanitarian-aid-to-yemen  
33.Displaced Syrian children hold ‘Tent Olympics’
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/8/8/displaced-syrian-children-hold-tent-olympics  
34.Lebanon’s worsening fuel crisis spurs violence, leaves three dead
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/8/9/lebanons-worsening-fuel-crisis-sparks-violence-leaving-3-dead  
35.A coup or not? Tunisian activists grapple with president’s power grab
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/05/a-coup-or-not-tunisian-activists-grapple-with-presidents-powergrab  
36.Wildfires in Algeria leave 42 dead, including 25 soldiers
https://apnews.com/article/africa-fires-forests-algeria-e77be95a389bb6744d51f3ddf9279b7d  

News from Africa

37.Sudan recalls ambassador from Ethiopia as tensions rise
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/875332-sudan-recalls-ambassador-from-ethiopia-as-tensions-rise
38. After 10 Years of Independence, South Sudan Working To Resolve Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/after-10-years-of-independence-south-sudan-working-to-resolve-conflict-and-humanitarian-crisis/
39.South Africa: Zuma’s corruption case to resume in open court
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/4/former-s-africa-leader-zumas-graft-case-to-resume-in-open-court
40.Nigeria/Rwanda/Senegal: The Rockefeller Foundation to invest $150m in renewable energy
https://www.theafricareport.com/113498/nigeria-rwanda-senegal-the-rockefeller-foundation-to-invest-150m-in-renewable-energy/
41.Kenya outrage over debt collectors’ shaming tactics
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57985667
42.Why Kenya barred its Deputy President from travelling to Uganda
https://www.africanews.com/2021/08/03/why-kenya-barred-its-deputy-president-from-travelling-to-uganda/
43. Djibouti enters wind power age with installation of first Siemens Gamesa turbine
https://www.rechargenews.com/wind/djibouti-enters-wind-power-age-with-installation-of-first-siemens-gamesa-turbine/2-1-1047205
44.Former Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo plans to set up new political party
https://www.africanews.com/2021/08/10/former-ivorian-leader-laurent-gbagbo-proposes-plans-to-set-up-new-political-party/