News from Afghanistan

1.Afghan rivals agree to meet again after inconclusive Doha talks
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/18/afghan-govt-taliban-agree-to-meet-again-expedite-talks
2.Taliban offer 3-month ceasefire in return for prisoner release, removal from blacklist
https://1tvnews.af/15/07/2021/8961/
3.US urges tangible steps for supporting Afghan peace process
https://www.dawn.com/news/1636099
4.British general’s ‘discreet’ effort to revive Afghan peace negotiations
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/18/british-generals-discreet-effort-to-revive-afghan-peace-negotiations?__twitter_impression=true
5.U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan Uzbekistan create platform for regional cooperation
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-afghanistan-pakistan-uzbekistan-create-platform-regional-cooperation-2021-07-16/
6.Pakistan, other neighbours concerned at Afghanistan situation, PM Imran says in Tashkent
https://www.dawn.com/news/1635217
7.Afghan peace conference postponed: Foreign Office
https://www.dawn.com/news/1635492
8.Pakistan says Afghan envoy’s daughter not abducted
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/life/pakistan-says-afghan-envoys-daughter-not-abducted/2308489
9.Illegal crossing points along Pak-Afghan border sealed: DG ISPR
http://www.radio.gov.pk/17-07-2021/illegal-crossing-points-along-pak-afghan-border-sealed-dg-ispr
10.Rocket attack on Afghan capital as president performs Eid prayers
https://www.france24.com/en/video/20210720-rocket-attack-on-afghan-capital-as-president-performs-eid-prayers
11.Hosting 700k Afghans will cost $2.2 b for 3 years
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2311234/hosting-700k-afghans-will-cost-22-b-for-3-years

News from the Middle East

12.Turkey’s Erdogan says Taliban should end “occupation” in Afghanistan
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-taliban-should-end-occupation-afghanistan-2021-07-19/
13.Turkey’s Erdogan visits Northern Cyprus amid tensions with EU
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/18/turkeys-erdogan-visits-northern-cyprus-amid-tensions-with-eu
14.Iran insists prisoner swap deal agreed with US
https://www.dawn.com/news/1635955/iran-insists-prisoner-swap-deal-agreed-with-us
15.US considering new sanctions on Iranian oil sales to China: WSJ
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/19/us-considering-new-sanctions-on-iranian-oil-sales-to-china-wsj
16.Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr says will not take part in October vote
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/15/iraqi-shia-leader-sadr-says-he-wont-take-part-in-october-election
17.Bahrain: Iran stands out as main source of narcotics
https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-iran-stands-out-as-main-source-of-narcotics-1.80301933
18.Oman becomes net exporter of steel
https://www.omanobserver.om/article/1104150/business/economy/oman-becomes-net-exporter-of-steel
19.Syria has become a narco-state
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/07/19/syria-has-become-a-narco-state
20.Hariri’s stepping aside sets stage for more chaos in Lebanon
https://www.ft.com/content/d4fec0d8-e270-4c48-b33f-3f285b28d71c
21.Saudi Arabia stages second scaled-down Haj of coronavirus era
https://www.dawn.com/news/1635822
22.Saudi UAE despite turmoil geopolitical goals remain steadfast
https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2021/7/16/saudi-uae-despite-turmoil-geopolitical-goals-remain-steadfast?__twitter_impression=true
23.Israel-Palestine conflict looms large as Biden meets Jordan King
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/19/israel-palestine-conflict-looms-large-biden-meets-jordan-king
24.Time to Cut Egypt Off
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2021-07-16/time-cut-egypt
25.Only chicken for Eid in rebel-besieged Yemen town
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210720-only-chicken-for-eid-in-rebel-besieged-yemen-town

News from Africa

26.Africa COVID deaths surge 43 percent in a week: WHO
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/15/who-covid-deaths-surge-43-percent-in-one-week
27.Unrest in Africa
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/866892-unrest-in-africa
28.Is Ethiopia’s Lalibela known as the “Second Jerusalem” in danger?
https://www.africanews.com/2021/07/21/is-ethiopia-s-lalibela-known-as-the-second-jerusalem-in-danger/
29.Ethiopia, Djibouti to launch second electricity link
https://pumps-africa.com/ethiopia-djibouti-to-launch-second-electricity-link/
30.Ethiopia’s Tigray forces enter neighbouring Afar region
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/19/ethiopias-tigray-forces-enter-neighbouring-afar-region
31.Ethiopia says second filling of Renaissance Dam complete
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/19/ethiopia-says-second-filling-of-renaissance-dam-complete
32.As France’s Army Shifts Gears in the Sahel, Niger Takes a More Central Role
https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/as-france-s-army-shifts-gears-in-the-sahel-niger-takes-a-more-central-role-48441
33.HRW: Kenya Mishandled COVID Cash Program for the Poor
https://www.voanews.com/africa/hrw-kenya-mishandled-covid-cash-program-poor
34.Mali’s interim president Assimi Goita survives stabbing attempt
https://www.trtworld.com/africa/mali-s-interim-president-assimi-goita-survives-stabbing-attempt-48524
35.Senegal’s daily COVID-19 cases double overnight, new restrictions likely
https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/senegals-daily-covid-19-cases-double-overnight-new-restrictions-likely-2021-07-17/
36.South Africa Zuma riots: What’s behind the violence and looting?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57860998
37.West African regional bloc adopts new plan to launch Eco single currency in 2027
https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20210619-west-african-regional-bloc-adopts-new-plan-to-launch-eco-single-currency-in-2027
38.Zimbabwe’s economy projected to grow by 5.4 pct next year
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/africa/2021-07/21/c_1310074032.htm
39.US launches air strike targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia
https://www.africanews.com/2021/07/21/us-launches-air-strike-targeting-al-shabaab-in-somalia/
40.Tanzania’s Chadema party says leader Freeman Mbowe arrested
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/21/leader-of-tanzanias-main-opposition-party-arrested