Regional
Parliament approved draft budget on coercion
The draft national budget with more than 800 million budget deficits was approved on coercion by Parliament, members of finance and budget commission of Senate said.
A number of members of finance and budget commission of Parliament emphasized that no new projects have been included in the budget.
The national budget for the next fiscal year is 436.17 billion AFN, which includes 283.48 billion AFN for the ordinary budget and 152.68 billion AFN for development budget.
According to Afghan economic analysts, more than 65 percent of the budget is dependent on external aids and if Afghanistan government does not fight corruption more seriously, donor countries would not be ready to cooperate with the government.
Earlier, Wolesi Jirga has rejected the draft budget for the next fiscal year and were said to consider by majority of representatives in Parliament unbalanced where the allocation funds were unfair and unjustified.
Reported by Fawad Naseri
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday that it shot down a US F-35 fighter jet in central parts of the country, Iranian media reported.
Due to the destruction of the aircraft, the fate of the pilot remains unknown, the semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported, citing a statement by the IRGC.
This marks the second time Iran claimed it shot down a US F-35 amid the ongoing escalation since Feb. 28.
The US has not responded to the report as yet.
Iran had previously announced on March 19 that it had shot down a US F-35, a claim rejected by Washington.
Tehran also claimed on Thursday to have downed an Israeli F-16 jet.
Tensions in the region have remained high following a wave of US and Israeli airstrikes launched on February 28. Iranian sources say the strikes have resulted in more than 1,300 deaths, including senior leadership figures.
In response, Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military facilities. The ongoing exchanges have led to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to regional air traffic and global markets.
Regional
Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery hit by drones, fires break out
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said its Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drones early on Friday, setting off fires at operating units, according to the state news agency, but no injuries were reported.
The Kuwaiti army earlier said air defenses were currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation in a statement said they are monitoring and tracking air quality in the areas surrounding the refinery, and no negative environmental impacts have been recorded so far as a result of the attack.
Emergency and firefighting teams are working to contain the fires and prevent their spread, the company said. No injuries were reported in the attack.
Dubai-based airline Emirates’ website said on Wednesday that Iranian nationals were not allowed to enter or transit the United Arab Emirates.
The website of another carrier, Flydubai, said Iranian nationals holding a UAE “Golden Visa” were exempt and permitted to enter and transit the country, Reuters reported.
The restrictions come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Gulf states.
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Tahawol: Continuation of Middle East crisis discussed
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Saar: Ongoing US and Israeli attacks on Iran discussed
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