Suicide bomber blows himself up in Kabul, leaves 40 deadDecember 28, 2017 - 12:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An apparent terrorist attack on the Afghan capital of Kabul has left at least 40 people dead and dozens more wounded early on Thursday, December 28, Al-Masdar News reports. An explosion rocked an area of Kabul that housed both the Afghan Voice news agency and the Tebyan cultural center, according to local sources. 1TV News, quoting an interior ministry spokesman, said a suicide bomber was likely to have been behind the attack. Images surfacing from the scene of the attack show the Afghan Voice office is likely to have been heavily damaged. According to some witnesses, the attack specifically targeted the Tebyan cultural center, in which a meeting of activists was just taking place. Attacks against activists and journalists in Afghanistan have surged recently, with the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) stating that at least 73 journalists have been murdered in 2017 alone. Earlier, in May 2017, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group attacked an Afghan state television building in Jalalabad and killed six people. And in November, at least one security guard was killed as IS fighters stormed private television station Shamshad TV. So far, Thursday’s attack on Kabul has not been claimed by any terrorist organisation. Related links: 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |