WASHINGTON: The top two US generals who oversaw the evacuation of Afghanistan as it fell to the Taliban in August 2021 blamed the Biden administration for the chaotic departure, telling lawmakers Tuesday that it inadequately planned for the evacuation and did not order it in time.
Ambassadors urge Lebanon to elect president who can articulate national interests BEIRUT: The ambassadors of the Arab-International Quintet Committee on Lebanon have stressed the need to “accelerate the process of electing a new president.” They also indicated that “there does not necessarily have to be a direct link between what’s happening in Gaza and Lebanon.” … Read more
KINSHASA/GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo: Democratic Republic of Congo has extended elections into Thursday for those whose polling stations did not open on Wednesday, prompting a group of opposition presidential candidates to call for a rerun of the chaotic vote. At stake is not just the legitimacy of the next administration. Congolese election disputes often … Read more
Egyptian-British actor Khalid Abdalla on his portrayal of Dodi Al-Fayed and smashing stereotypes DUBAI: Like many around the world, Egyptian-British actor and activist Khalid Abdalla can remember exactly where he was on the morning of Aug. 31, 1997. “I was in Edinburgh, where I did my first play at 16. I woke up and there were … Read more