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At least 15 wounded in Kabul blast

Taliban Afghanistan

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the blast and no one immediately claimed responsibility.

Wais Ahmad, a money changer, said the explosion happened inside a market where money changers operate. The market was closed immediately after the explosion and Taliban security surrounded the area.

The blast was the first in the Afghan capital in months. Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have stepped up security throughout most of the country since sweeping to power in August.

The greatest threat facing the Taliban comes from the Islamic State group affiliate known as Islamic State in Khorasan Province, or IS-K. The Taliban have cracked down on the affiliate in its stronghold in eastern Afghanistan.

In a statement, IS-K claimed late Saturday they targeted a Taliban vehicle in Kabul, killing everyone inside the vehicle. However, there was no confirmation from the Taliban rulers or signs of an explosion on Saturday.

The IS statement also claimed an explosion in western Herat province targeting the country’s minority Shiite Muslims. There was no confirmation of any explosion in Herat and the IS often makes exaggerated claims.

Traditional wrestling competitions held in northeastern Iran

Traditional wrestling competitions in Iran

The contests were held during the Nowruz holidays, which ended on Saturday, with the presence of 250 traditional wrestlers from 10 Iranian provinces.

The competitions were staged at God-e Cheshmeh Zeinal Khan in Esfarayen, Northern Khorasan Province.

Ba Chukhe wrestling, otherwise known as Kurdish wrestling, is one of the most famous local sports in Iran.

The traditional sport is nowadays known as Chukhe and is practiced by Turks and Kormanj Kurds as well as other ethnicities in Khorasan.

Ba Chukhe wrestling is an ancient practice and was traditionally practiced by locals during wedding and other ceremonies in the past.

In Kurdish language, Chukhe means a coat and, accordingly, Ba Chukhe – with Chukhe – means while wearing a coat. The coast is light brown in color and made of undyed sheep wool.

Symbolic polo game played in Isfahan’s iconic field

polo game in Isfahan

Polo is one of old and historical Iranian sports and was initially played by Persian kings.

However, it has turned into a global sport today. Sports such as hockey and golf have also been inspired by polo.

When polo was being played, kings of Ancient Persia as well royal families and ordinary people enthusiastically watched the games.

The Naqshe-Jahan is the oldest and largest polo field in the world.

Along Karoun

Karoun River Iran

During Nowruz, tourists ride boat on the river as locals fish. Pole Sefid – white bridge – which is built on Karoun River is a symbol of the provincial capital Ahvaz.

The bridge is one of main sites where tourists visit and people take boats.

Schools reopen in Iran following 2 years of closure

Schools in Iran COVID

The reopening follows a decision by the National Coronavirus Task Force and the announcement by the Ministry of Education.

As of Sunday, students of all grades will be required to attend classes like in the time before the Covid-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Yousef Nouri touched upon an earlier announcement suggesting students would have to go to school an extra month.

He reiterated if classes are held regularly without any interruption or cancelation, that extra month will not be required. The minister further added the transportation service for students will begin to operate as usual in a week’s time.

“There is flexibility with regards to the times of the classes being held, but schools open at 7:30 am, and naturally there will be minor disruptions in the initial days,” he explained.

He also said there is no Covid-vaccine requirement for class attendance. Iran has managed to bring the Covid Pandemic under control through nationwide vaccination. More than 147 million people have got the jab so far.

Report: Saudi-led attacks kills 3 Yemeni civilians despite ceasefire

Yemen War Saudi Air Stike

According to media reports, the attacks hit an area near the border with Saudi Arabia.

The reports also said separate Saudi artillery fire hit the positions of the Yemeni army and popular committees in Najran border area.

The attacks, if confirmed, are a violation of the ceasefire agreed by both sides.

The two-month truce was announced by the United Nations Special Envoy on Yemen Hans Grundberg on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Yemen’s al-Masirah news network said mines planted by forces of the Saudi-led coalition went off in an eastern area of al-Jawf province, killing three Yemeni civilians and injuring three others.

The news network added that the coalition has violated the ceasefire in Hudaydah 81 times over the past hours.

One such incident, al-Masirah said, was the flight of a spy plane over Hudaydah’s al-Jabalieh area.

Official: Iran in talks with Turkey to repatriate prisoners

Turkey Prison

“There is no problem concerning the exchange and memoranda of understanding for the transfer of Iranian prisoners from Turkey,” Kazem Gharibabadi said.

“But the requirements for the transfer of convicts should be fulfilled. Among these are negotiations, consent of the host country and consent of the prisoners.”

Gharibabadi, who is also the secretary of the Judiciary’s Human Rights Bureau in Iran, added that transfer and extradition of Iranian nationals held in other countries are now “more seriously pursued”.

The official had earlier said that 2,000 out of the almost 3,800 Iranian inmates in other countries are in Turkish jails.

Kazakhstan thwarts ‘assassination attempt’ on president

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

“On March 25, 2022, in the city of Nur-Sultan, the counterintelligence has detained a foreign intelligence agent, Kazakhstan’s citizen “А” who was plotting an attack against Kazakhstan’s president and a number of high-ranking state officials. Simultaneously, he was plotting terror acts against the staff of special services and law enforcement,” the statement said.

The search revealed a foreign-made sniper rifle with a silencer, narcotic substances and a large amount of money. The weapon was brought to Kazakhstan in separate parts and was professionally disguised.

“Additionally, the agent “А” was working on assignments on promoting anti-Russian propaganda in Kazakhstan and fostering public Russophobic attitudes by publishing corresponding materials on social networks. During the preliminary investigation, the Kazakh citizen admitted committing the aforementioned acts on the assignment and in the interests of a foreign state,” the press service explained.

Currently, the National Security Committee is investigating the case under the articles on preparing and attempting a crime and on committing an act of terror under the republic’s Criminal Code.

Islamic Jihad says to fulfill pledge to liberate al-Quds

Ziyad al-Nakhalah

In a speech broadcast on the paltoday.ps website, Ziyad al-Nakhalah touched upon three Palestinian youths being gunned down by Israeli forces in north of the occupied West Bank, saying Palestinian fighters are best role models of sacrifice and heroism in the West Bank.

He added Palestinian fighters depict a future without being affected by meetings held by some countries to normalize their relations with the Israeli regime.

He said “We should follow in the footsteps of martyrs.” The top official underlined Palestinian fighters turn “our sad days” to those of glory and victory with their willpower and blood.

His comments came after Israeli troops struck a vehicle carrying three Palestinians in the West Bank city of Jenin, killing all three.

The situation remains tense in the occupied Palestinian territory. Recently a Palestinian youngster committed a suicide operation in Tel Aviv, killing 5 people.