Afghan President’s cousin killed in suicide bomber attackJuly 29, 2014 - 13:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A suicide bomber has killed a cousin of President Hamid Karzai in the southern city of Kandahar, officials said, according to BBC News. Hashmat Karzai was greeting a well-wisher to his house when the man blew himself up. One report said explosives were hidden in the bomber's turban. Karzai had been receiving guests on the festival of Eid marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He was a campaign manager for Ashraf Ghani, one of two presidential hopefuls vying to replace Hamid Karzai. There was no immediate claim for the assassination, which follows a series of attacks carried out by the Taliban and their allies as votes are rechecked in the bitterly disputed election. Hashmat Karzai was influential and a key backer of Ashraf Ghani. The BBC says he had emerged as a significant power-broker in the politics of Kandahar, the most important city in the south of Afghanistan. The Karzai family had been split by a long running feud. Hashmat, who had a pet lion, was the head of a security company with major U.S. contracts, and had been implicated by some family members in the killing of a cousin - a charge he denied. His own father was murdered by another family member 25 years ago. In 2011 Hamid Karzai's brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, was murdered in his home in Kandahar in an attack claimed by the Taliban. Photo: BBC Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |