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August 19, 2021 – 20:58

The Taliban have left the security of the Afghan capital, Kabul, to senior members of the Haqqani Network, which has close ties to foreign jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda.

Western intelligence officials say the fact is alarming and runs counter to the Taliban’s commitment to pursue a more moderate path than when they ruled the country from 1996-2001.

The situation also leaves open the possibility of al-Qaeda being welcomed in Afghanistan, which runs counter to promises made by Taliban leaders during diplomatic talks in Qatar with US officials last year not to allow the country to return to Afghanistan. a safe haven for foreign jihadists.

On Thursday, Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the National Reconciliation Council of Afghanistan, a group of prominent figures and tribal elders involved in the Qatari talks, met with Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani and his entourage in Kabul. Mr Abdullah later said publicly that Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani would oversee security in the Afghan capital and that he had given assurances that he “would work hard to ensure proper security for the people of Kabul”.

The US Treasury Department identified Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani as a global terrorist in February 2011, offering a $ 5 million reward for information leading to his capture. His name is also on the United Nations terrorist list.

The meeting between Mr. Abdullah and Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani took place hours before the Taliban announced the formation of an Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

“The fact that Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani is in charge of security in Kabul is shocking,” a British intelligence official told VOA on condition of anonymity. “The Hakan network and al-Qaeda have a long history together; it can be argued that they are intertwined and are unlikely to sever ties.”

Retired British diplomat Ivor Roberts told VOA that putting members of the Hakan network to oversee Kabul security is like putting “the fox to guard the chicken coop”.

Mr Roberts, a senior adviser on the Anti-Extremism Project, a nonprofit network that studies extremist groups, said he was surprised by the move. “I thought, from an image point of view, the Taliban would be a little smarter. But they are being presented with the worst elements of their coalition, which sends a terrible signal to women, girls and civil society. I think it increases “the possibility of Afghanistan becoming an incubator for international terrorism again.”

He added: “I do not think they will ever sever ties with al-Qaeda. They are closely linked and have always been so.”

In an agreement that the administration of US President Donald Trump reached with the Taliban in February 2020, the leaders of this group agreed to “not allow any of its members, or other individuals or groups, including al-Qaeda, to use the land of Afghanistan.” to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. “

Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda, led from his base in Afghanistan the September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington that sparked a 20-year-old US-led military intervention in the Central Asian country. .

In a speech to the country on Monday, President Biden said the United States had met the goal of intervening in Afghanistan: responding to those who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001, and guaranteeing that al-Qaeda would no longer use Afghanistan as a base for other attacks on the US.

The Hakan network is considered a branch of the Taliban, but operates with greater autonomy than other factions. Since its inception in the 1980s as an anti-Soviet force, the network has become more integrated with the Taliban, anti-terrorism experts say.

The network’s leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is also one of the top Taliban leaders and is the nephew of Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani, who is currently in charge of security in the Afghan capital.

The Hakani Network has been accused, or has claimed responsibility in the past for some of the bloodiest attacks in Afghanistan, including the 2008 attack on the Serena luxury hotel, the 2012 attack by a group of militants who blew themselves up at the US base in Khost, as and the 2017 explosion near the German embassy in Kabul that left 96 dead.

During the uprising against the Soviets in the 1980s, the Hakan group was among the first to welcome the arrival of foreign Muslim fighters, including Osama bin Laden, the founder of al-Qaeda. The two groups formed links between them, according to analysts Don Rassler and Vahid Brown.

According to expert Peter Bergen, the Hakani network and al-Qaeda ran training camps together in Pakistan’s North Waziristan province, following the US intervention in Afghanistan. The Hakan network also helped bin Laden flee to Pakistan as US forces approached in 2001.

Taliban officials insist there are no longer links to al-Qaeda, although they claim some old sympathies exist.

Asked on Sunday about the risk of al-Qaeda returning to Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was in Afghanistan’s self-interest not to harbor terrorist groups harming the West.

“They know what happened the last time they sheltered terrorists who attacked America,” Mr Blinken said in an interview with NBC. / VOA

Bekim Jashari, has formalized today his re-election for Mayor of Skënderaj, thus aspiring for another term in the municipal leadership.

Jashari for Klan Kosova expressed his conviction that there will be winners from the October 17 race in the local elections, as he says this was proved by the participants in the opening ceremony, lining up in government with clean hands.

“Today we have just formalized my candidacy and our independent list, which will run in the October elections. And that today, this presence, this support and support of the citizens of the municipality gives me more obligations and more determination and a special attention that I am very careful that these citizens do not despair but enjoy the work and the projects we are waiting for ”.

“I will respect all the opponents, without distinction, and this mass of citizens today, best shows the result of the elections. We will work on the jobs that await us until the day of the elections, on the ongoing projects “.

“And our oath is that the legacy of the martyrs, of all the fallen of our country, is that we be more united with each other, to work night and day without stopping at all, never to build and develop this country, to we have better welfare for all citizens of our country, in this case my municipality. Because those martyrs did not fall for this country to be only free, but fell for us to be more united and more loving among ourselves. “If we manage to do this, then we can say with full mouth that their legacy has gone to the country.”

“The presence of all these citizens from all the villages of our municipality, citizens with the right to vote in Skënderaj, best shows the fact that the result of October 17, 2021 will end. I congratulate and respect all the opponents, but that “The citizens of this municipality are not used to runoffs. They either vote for one or the other, so today they are showing that the citizens of this municipality are lined up in clean, transparent governance with clean hands.”

An anti-drug operation at noon today in the area of ​​”Tomb of Bami” in Tirana ended with the detention of a journalist for a moment, after the target, who was suspected to be a trafficker distributing narcotics, escaped, even endangering the life of one of the agents of police.

“Open the door, open the door more, o by * hq * r, open the door” are heard the agents who address the driver of the car type “Benz” to get out, but he gives the gas leaving quickly.

A citizen managed to film the whole scene from the moment when the police stopped the driver of the car, who did not obey to open the door, fleeing to the lying on the ground of NEWS24 journalist Ergys Gjençaj who was filming the operation.

Afterwards, the officers passed to the citizens, while a resident of the area was heard saying “do not touch me with your hand”. No arrests have been reported since the operation./abcnews

It was a good opportunity to introduce the guests to the tourist assets of the city in the north of Banat and to exchange experiences in the economic activity that was most affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

After a break from 2013, the tourist organization of Kikinda was re-established this year and gained momentum in its work, in order to raise the tourist offer to a higher level. One of the ways for people to get better acquainted with the charms of the plain and famous destinations for sightseeing was the first “Tourist Encounters”.

VN Natasa Pavlovic

– TO Vojvodina initiated the “Tourist Meetings” three years ago, and within the promo tour “Summer Pannonian Adventure”, Kikinda was also presented. By organizing Tourist Meetings, we will succeed in further improving the tourist offer of Vojvodina. The meetings will be held in eight more places in the province – said Natasa Pavlovic, director of the Tourist Organization of Vojvodina.

Although one of the economic activities most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, tourism in Vojvodina has successfully overcome the crisis of the previous year and a half. According to official statistics, in the first five months of this year, there was an increase in tourist arrivals in Vojvodina of almost 44 percent, and the number of overnight stays was 48 percent.

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– That is an extremely important result. Vojvodina has a lot to offer, as official statistics show. I am proud that the results are encouraging, especially when it comes to domestic tourists.

VN

Last year and this year, tourism managed to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. Vrdnik Spa recorded the largest increase in tourists of 88 percent, followed by Subotica and Lake Palić, Sombor and Novi Sad in May – 74 percent – Pavlović pointed out.

The internal statistics of the Info Center of TO Vojvodina show that tourists are interested in visiting other parts, and during the summer months, the most current are the beaches and spas.

– Spa tourism is on the rise and is in the lead in terms of visits by domestic and foreign tourists who have started coming. Tourists are also interested in some programs that offer places in Vojvodina. For example, “Mokrin house” recorded a large increase in tourists, and last year it was included in the regular program within the cross-border cooperation project implemented by TO Vojvodina with partners from Hungary – says Pavlović.

Better days for Serbian tourism

What factors will be crucial in the time that awaits us, how to set ourselves in further development, how to reach better solutions in tourism management, in which areas rapid changes will be needed – are just some of the questions that will occupy tourism workers for a long time. The answers to some questions are already self-evident, and investments have largely begun.

VN Dr Nenad Ivanišević

– The province has invested over 100 million dinars in raising the infrastructure in tourism on the territory of AP Vojvodina. It is obvious that it gives results, because we cannot talk about serious results in tourism, if we do not have serious capacities. The plan is that in the future, during each distribution of funds, we will invest significant funds in the development of tourist potentials.

In that way, we can compete with countries that have the sea. The idea is for the TO of Vojvodina to put an emphasis on weekends in the province. Also, the development of gastro, cyclo and hunting tourism will be our priority – said Dr. Nenad Ivanišević, Provincial Secretary for Economy and Tourism.

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Opposition political parties, the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, have stated that they support the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process, but according to them, the unification of the political spectrum in Kosovo regarding dialogue depends on the Government of Kosovo and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. .

The largest opposition entity, the Democratic Party of Kosovo, last week did not respond positively to Prime Minister Kurti ‘s invitation to the opposition parties, for separate meetings, to speak, as he said, in the “service of informing and coordinating political spectrum on issues in the interest of Kosovo ”.

Kurti did not mention what will be discussed, but the opposition had assessed Kurti as an initiative to talk about the talks between Kosovo and Serbia, to find a final solution between the two countries.

You can read the full article HERE.

Three very important points have been collected by Liverpool in the fight for a place in the Premier League table that sends them to the Champions League next season.

Jurgen Klopp’s team triumphed with a result of 3-0 in the 37th round of the English championship with goals scored by Firmino in the 43rd minute, Phillips in the 52nd minute and Chamberlain 89 ‘, KosovaPress reports.

With this victory, Liverpool ranks fourth with 66 points, as much as Leicester City has a position below.

This means that “The Reds” have their destiny in their hands as with a victory in the last round against Crystal Palace they would qualify for the Champions League next season.

Extremely heavy, hard, strenuous, strange and important match played Serbia in Baku against Azerbaijan.

In the first round against Portugal, the opponent proved that he is a tough nut to crack on a tooth and be left without a point.

It was known that Serbia was waiting for a new “mining”, a chess fight and countless duels with an opponent who would primarily defend himself as he knew how, to wait for 90 long minutes to prove on the field that he was better and scored three important points.

Azerbaijan has traditionally tormented, annoyed us and made us wonder if we are worthy of the top of European and world football at all.

And it went well in that challenge. In the early phase of the match, Tadić found Mitrović in his own way, and he so routinely and simply tightened the ball and sent it behind the goalkeeper of the home team.

It seemed as if Dragan Stojković’s chosen ones were fully aware of the opponent’s limit and the formula by which such an opponent is defeated.

Until the goal, and then shortly after that, Serbia played as it should and had the end of the game in its legs.

Certainly in handing over the ball, building from the back line, simple but meaningful passes to send the ball to the creators, and they then with one or two quality moves, threw the opponent’s defense out of the comfort zone, gained an advantage and then used that advantage at the end of the action.

However, for who knows how many times and for who knows what reason, Serbia started with mistakes and huge oscillations in the game.

Azerbaijan based its game on defending their goal, and when they received it, they had to get out of the pattern and start experimenting and doing things from the backup plan, far from being capable of such a thing.

Instead of using that to make an advantage, create more chances, score at least one more goal and be a tailor of its destiny, Serbia allowed the opposite scenario.

Although she had the ball more in her legs and was more dangerous for the rival’s goal, our selection started to make mistakes in basic things, losing the ball, but also self-confidence.

As time passed, and especially after the goal, a huge dose of pressure and nervousness was noticed, which was reflected in insecurity in the legs and head, so bad things could be suggested.

And when it comes to the goal conceded, it is amazing that the “eagles” directly helped the opponent with every goal conceded in this qualifying cycle.

It is known that the teams led by Dragan Stojković have always been at least a little fussy in defense, but that should not be the case in the national team, which is rich in very capable and talented players in those positions, so the “eagles” will have to work on defensive and concentration in the same.

However, national football is very specific and differs greatly from club football, so even the best and highest quality national teams often do not play masterful, fluid and wonderful football to watch, and they always justify the roles of favorites.

Far from Serbia looking and playing badly, or achieving a bad result, but unlike the best and highest quality ones, Serbia has no room for mistakes, since it has made them in the past many years.

The best scorer in the history of this country has grown old to the point that he would start an avalanche and a burden that our national team members would bring out in pure doubt.

Mitrovic has shown for the umpteenth time that football can look like the most beautiful and simplest game in the world. He scored the first goal with his right foot with two contacts, the second with his left with one and thus sealed three points against Azerbaijan.

The huge contribution of Sergej Milinković Savić, who was most likely the best player on the field after “Mitrogol”, must also be emphasized.

During the entire match, SMS proved in the best way how important the “processing” of the ball is for modern football, along with the timing and correctness of decision-making, and largely justified the millions who stand next to his name on the football market.

And Mitrovic does what he knows and knows best. He shakes the nets in the national team jersey and does not intend to stop.

The fifth goal in three qualifying matches and the 31st in the last 32 matches in the national team are really unreal statistics and it is modest to say that Mitrović carries the entire national team on his back and that he deserves the most for the big seven points in three matches.

Considering that this is done by the player who found himself under the biggest blow of criticism after the game and the missed penalty against Ireland in the Euro qualifiers, as well as the extremely bad minutes and club form, that gives a special charm and magnitude to Mitrovic’s success.

Serbia came to the second victory, and in three games in the qualifications for the World Cup, it does not know about the defeat.

Dragan Stojković Pixie does not have a magic wand, so we still do not need to google how much the ticket and accommodation for Qatar cost and who will be our opponent in the group stage at the WC.

However, what is inevitable – changes are noticeable in Serbia, a couple of games with a favorable result are tied, and all that is enough for self-confidence to grow, the atmosphere to boil and to build a team that finally acts as a team, not a group of individuals.