CURRENT NEWS ARTICLES

Survivors grapple with aid cuts and the Taliban a year after massive Afghan earthquake

BY  RIAZAT BUTT AND OMID HAQJOO Associated Press October 6, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — People had just seconds to flee their homes when the terrifying sound of earth cracking open reverberated across western Afghanistan’s Herat province. Nobody knows for sure how many people died in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023, or in the strong

WFP faces funding shortfall, can only aid 1 million of 12 million hungry in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 8, 2024 The World Food Program (WFP) has announced that, due to a lack of funding, it can only provide emergency food aid to 1 million of Afghanistan’s 12 million hungry people. The organization stated that it needs $617 million to maintain all its food programs through the end

SIGAR: Cash Transfers Stabilize Afghanistan’s Economy

Habib Rahman Qooyash Tolo News 6 Oct 2024 The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate has responded to the report, calling SIGAR’s assessment unrealistic. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), in its latest report, has described the transfer of cash to Afghanistan as a lifeline for the country’s economy. In the report,

Moscow Format meeting raises global concerns over terrorists presence in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 5, 2024 Participants in the sixth Moscow Format meeting issued a joint statement on Friday, October 4th, expressing concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, calling it a threat to global security. The participating delegations assessed the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan as a regional and

Afghanistan ranked sixth most vulnerable to global climate crisis: WFP Report

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 5, 2024 The World Food Programme (WFP) has highlighted that Afghanistan is the sixth most vulnerable country to climate crises and emphasized its investment in flood prediction and food preparation for high-risk areas. On Saturday, October 5th, the WFP said that its early warning system can predict where floods

Envoy: ‘Russian leadership’ decides to delist Taliban as terrorist group

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America October 05, 2024 ISLAMABAD — Russia reported Friday that a “principal decision” had already been made to remove Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban from Moscow’s list of terrorist organizations. Zamir Kabulov, the Russian presidential envoy for the South Asian nation, was quoted by state-run TASS news agency as saying that the

240,000 Afghan Migrants Return from Iran in One Month

By TOLOnews TV Network 5 Oct 2024 The report notes that this is the highest number of returnees from Iran to Afghanistan in a single month this year. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 240,000 Afghan migrants returned to their country from Iran in the past month. According to the report, around

Russia to Remove Islamic Emirate from Terrorist List: Kabulov

By TOLOnews TV Network 5 Oct 2024 The sixth meeting of the Moscow Format was held yesterday (Friday) in Russia, with the participation of representatives from over ten countries. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, stated in a press conference that Russia will soon remove the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from its list of

Gender, nationality ‘sufficient’ to grant Afghan women asylum: Top EU court

Al Jazeera Published On 4 Oct 2024 The ruling follows Austria’s refusal to recognise the refugee status of two Afghan women. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that gender and nationality alone are “sufficient” for a country to grant asylum to Afghan women. The ECJ ruled on Friday that discriminatory measures adopted by the

UN Donor’s Conference on Afghanistan kicks off in Dubai

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 4, 2024 The donors’ conference for Afghanistan began on Thursday, October 3rd, hosted by the United Nations in Dubai. At this conference, both domestic and international organizations, along with political representatives from various countries, are discussing aid to Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban control and facing a severe

No Consensus yet on Taliban’s participation in BRICS Summit: Russia

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 4, 2024 MOSCOW, RUSSIA – MARCH 25, 2022: Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Rudenko is seen during a meeting between Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov and Abkhazia’s President Bzhania at the Reception House of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir: Islamic Emirate Will Not Bow to Foreign Demands

By Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 4 Oct 2024 Hanafi said that some foreign countries, by deceiving the youth abroad, are trying to stir up regional and ethnic divisions. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, emphasized national unity in a meeting with local officials and elders of Panjshir. Kabir also said that

Top US General Milley calls Afghanistan withdrawal a ‘Strategic Failure’

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 3, 2024 The former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army acknowledged the mistakes made during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, admitting that political and strategic failures marked it. Mark Milley stated that the 20 years spent by the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan were a valuable opportunity, but

Sixth Moscow Format Consultative Meeting to Begin Friday

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 3 Oct 2024 The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the main part of the meeting will be held behind closed doors. The sixth Moscow Format consultative meeting will take place tomorrow (Friday, October 3) in Moscow with the participation of representatives from ten neighboring and regional countries, including

Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 2, 2024 Thomas West, announcing his resignation as Washington’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. West mentioned that the “resilience and courage” of Afghans have given him hope for the country’s future. A few hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of

Washington states Afghanistan remains US Foreign Policy priority

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 2, 2024 The U.S. State Department spokesperson has stated that Afghanistan remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Matthew Miller mentioned that Afghanistan-related matters are being handled by the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, the U.S. Special Envoy for Women in Afghanistan, and the U.S. State Department. On Tuesday,

Taliban asserts new gains against Afghan-based IS offshoot amid skepticism

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America September 30, 2024 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban said Monday that their security forces had killed and captured several “key members” of a regional Islamic State affiliate for plotting recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, alleging that the suspects had crossed over from Pakistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, listed the claims

A child bride won the right to divorce – now the Taliban say it doesn’t count

Mamoon Durrani BBC Afghan Service Kawoon Khamoosh BBC World Service 28 Sept 2024 BBC Nazdana fled from Afghanistan with her divorce documents There is a young woman sheltering under a tree between two busy roads clutching a pile of documents to her chest. These pieces of paper are more important to Bibi Nazdana than anything

Iran Can No Longer Accept Afghan Refugees

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 2 Oct 2024 Meanwhile, some Afghan refugees in Iran have criticized what they describe as increasing restrictions imposed by the Iranian government on Afghan citizens. Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s Minister of Interior, told reporters that his country can no longer accept Afghan citizens and that the deportation of illegal migrants is

Quadrilateral Meeting Stresses Cooperation with Islamic Emirate

TOLOnews TV Network 28 Sept 2024 The Islamic Emirate welcomed the stance of these four countries regarding dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim government. A quadrilateral meeting of Russia, Iran, China, and Pakistan was held on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly session to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced in

Kabul’s Response to Sharif: Terrorist Groups Not in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 29 September 2024 Sharif also emphasized the need for an inclusive government and respect for women’s rights in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate has rejected the statements made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the UN General Assembly, who claimed the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate once again

Foreign, Domestic Companies Considering Investments Totaling $5 Billion

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 27 Sept 2024 USAID supported major projects in Afghanistan, including CASA-1000, but halted its operations after the Islamic Emirate’s return to power. The Economic Affairs Office of the Prime Minister has announced that dozens of domestic and foreign companies are interested in investing over $5 billion in Afghanistan. According to

New GOP-backed bill would ban aid to Afghanistan to avoid giving US dollars to the Taliban

By Morgan Phillips  Fox News Published September 23, 2024  Taliban flaunting US failures in Afghanistan three years after botched withdrawal: ‘Slapping us in the face’ A group of Republican lawmakers is introducing a new bill that would cease all aid dollars to Afghanistan over concerns of interception by the Taliban. “The Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous withdrawal has plunged

Taliban to be taken to international court over gender discrimination

Patrick Wintour in New York The Guardian Wed 25 Sep 2024 The Taliban are to be taken to the international court of justice for gender discrimination by Canada, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands in a groundbreaking move. The move announced at the UN general assembly is the first time the ICJ, based in The Hague, has been

House Condemns Biden and Harris Over Afghanistan Withdrawal

By Karoun Demirjian Reporting from Capitol Hill The New York Times Sept. 25, 2024 Ten Democrats joined the G.O.P.-led effort to rebuke 15 senior members of the Biden administration for the failures of the Afghanistan withdrawal in a symbolic vote. A bipartisan House majority passed a resolution on Wednesday condemning President Biden, Vice President Kamala

House Panel Recommends Holding Blinken in Contempt

By Karoun Demirjian Reporting from Washington The New York Times Sept. 24, 2024 Democrats accused Republicans of trying to damage the Biden administration at the height of a campaign season. Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday recommended holding Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in contempt of Congress for failing to testify

Allied Countries Accuse Taliban of ‘Gross’ Violations of Women’s Rights

By Marlise Simons The New York Times Sept. 25, 2024 Four countries on Wednesday accused the Taliban of “gross and systematic” violations of the U.N. treaty on women’s rights in Afghanistan, saying they would take the group to the world’s highest court because of its harsh, widely criticized restrictions on women. The plan was described

Russia: Removing Taliban from banned groups list will be a slow process

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 26, 2024 Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, announced that removing the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist groups “will not be a quick process.” He explained that it requires changes in Russian law. In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Rudenko emphasized that this

McCaul names 15 senior US officials responsible for ‘Disastrous’ Afghanistan withdrawal

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 26, 2024 The chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, has named 15 senior U.S. officials responsible for the country’s “disastrous” withdrawal from Afghanistan. McCaul’s list includes President Biden, Vice President Harris, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Deputy Advisor Jonathan Finer, and other top officials, holding

Islamic Emirate Responds to European Accusations on Human Rights Violations

By Hadia Ziae Tolo News 26 Sept 2024 According to Fitrat, human rights are ensured in the country, and there is no gender discrimination. The Islamic Emirate, in response to the joint statement of four European countries regarding human rights violations in Afghanistan, said that the rights of all citizens of the country are ensured. Hamdullah

Islamic Emirate Denies U.S. Aid Interference, Urges Continued Assistance

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 25 SEPTEMBER 2024 The Deputy Minister emphasized that global aid is reaching those in need within Afghanistan and asserted that such aid should continue. Abdul Latif Nazari, the Professional Deputy Minister of Economy, has once again denied any interference or misuse of U.S. aid to Afghanistan, stating that the Islamic

As Taliban starts restricting men, too, some regret not speaking up sooner

By Rick Noack The Washington Post September 22, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. EDT As the Taliban starts enforcing draconian new rules on women in Afghanistan, it has also begun to target a group that didn’t see tight restrictions on them coming: Afghan men. Women have faced an onslaught of increasingly severe limits on their personal

War, deforestation, flooding: in Afghanistan they are all linked

By Mariam Amini The Guardian Sat 14 Sep 2024 Always prone to natural disasters, the country’s plight has worsened, and not only because of the climate crisis On 10 May 2024, Haroon Nafas was in his family’s guesthouse in Baghlan, north Afghanistan, spending time with friends who had come to stay. It had been raining lightly

The Taliban’s Misogyny Finally Needs a U.S. Response

By Anchal Vohra, a columnist at Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy September 18, 2024 In its latest assault on basic freedoms, Afghanistan has banned women and girls from speaking in public. It marks a new low in the Taliban-led government’s enforced gender apartheid. Promises that girls and women would be allowed to study and work were broken

Ruling Uncharted Territory: Islamic Emirate governance in northeastern Afghanistan

Fabrizio Foschini Afghanistan Analysts Network 22 Sep 2024 The relationship between central government and political actors at the periphery has long been studied in Afghanistan in order to understand representation, legitimacy, patronage and conflict. In the years of the insurgency and since the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the Taleban movement has

Human Rights Watch: Ban on girls’s educaiton in Afghanistan enters 4th year

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 20, 2024 Human Rights Watch reports that the ban on education for Afghan girls has entered its fourth year, yet the international community has not taken meaningful action to lift this restriction. On Thursday, September 19, Human Rights Watch noted in a post on X/Twitter that the ban has

US Envoy to UN: Normalization of Taliban relations depends on its actions

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 21, 2024 US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated on Friday that any steps toward normalizing relations with the Taliban government will depend on its actions, especially regarding the treatment of women and girls. She expressed on social media platform X that the Taliban’s restrictions on women

UNAMA Chief: Only 30% of Afghanistan Aid Budget Secured

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 21 Sept 2024 Otunbayeva also said that the freezing of Afghanistan’s central bank assets has limited the country’s private sector. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said in a UN Security Council meeting that out of the three billion dollars requested for Afghanistan

Baghlan Sees Surge in Tourist Visits Amid Improved Security

By Naweed Samadi Tolo News 21 Sept 2024 Haqqani told TOLOnews that among these visitors, over one hundred were foreign tourists, and the rest were domestic. Izzat Mir Haqqani, the acting head of Baghlan’s Department of Information and Culture, reported that in the first four months of this solar year, more than 40,000 domestic and foreign

Afghanistan risks polio outbreak as Taliban restricts women from delivering vaccines

Ruchi Kumar The Guardian Tue 17 Sep 2024  Afghanistan is at risk of a polio outbreak, health officials have warned, after the Taliban suspended the vaccination campaign over security fears and restrictions on women. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 18 new cases of polio infection in the country so far this year, a significant increase

Uzbekistan opens free economic zone on Afghan border

By Navbahor Imamova Voice of America September 18, 2024 9:41 PM The entrance to the Airitom Free Zone from Termez, Uzbekistan, Sept 5, 2024. TERMEZ, UZBEKISTAN — Afghans longing for closer connections with the outside world are finding an outlet in the border city of Termez, where neighboring Uzbekistan invites them to visit a new international

State Department accuses House GOP of calling Blinken to testify about Afghanistan when he’s away

BY  MATTHEW LEE AND FARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press September 19, 2024 WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department lashed out Thursday at House Republicans over a subpoena for testimony about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, accusing them of repeatedly calling for hearings on days they knew Secretary of State Antony Blinken was unavailable to appear. Rep. Michael McCaul, the

US Congress summons Blinken over Afghanistan withdrawal

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 19, 2024 The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee has once again summoned Secretary of State Antony Blinken to explain the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan next week. The committee issued a statement requesting Blinken to explain by September 24 about the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Previously, Michael McCaul, Chairman

Haqqani: World Should Participate in Development of Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 19 Sept 2024 Haqqani also mentioned that the conditions are now in place for the international community to participate in the reconstruction and progress of Afghanistan. Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, said during a meeting in Said Karam district of Paktia that the international community has now accepted that

Muttaqi: High-Level Delegation Will Attend Moscow Format Consultations

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 19 Sept 2024 Muttaqi said during the program that the Islamic Emirate has been officially invited to the Moscow Format Consultations. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister, announced today (Thursday) during a program outlining the ministry’s annual achievements that the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan will be held within

Withdrawal symptoms: Afghan farmers struggle after poppy ban

Agence France-Presse/AFP Issued on: 18/09/2024 Sangin (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Asadullah was a prosperous poppy farmer in southern Afghanistan for 20 years until Taliban authorities abruptly began enforcing a long-standing ban on the crop. ADVERTISING From four acres (1.6 hectares) in Helmand — long the heartland of poppy production — the 65-year-old earned between 250,000 to 500,000 Afghani

Taliban begins enforcing new draconian laws, and Afghan women despair

By Rick Noack The Washington Post September 16, 2024  Afghan religious police wield new power to enforce a ban on women raising their voices in public and looking at men other than their husbands or relatives. As the Taliban begins enforcing new draconian laws, Afghan women say that whatever hopes they once harbored for an

Taliban’s curbs on women add to risk of polio outbreak, health officials warn

Ruchi Kumar The Guardian 17 Sep 2024 Regime suspends polio campaign across Afghanistan over security concerns and women’s role in vaccination drive Afghanistan is at risk of a polio outbreak, health officials have warned, after the Taliban suspended the vaccination campaign over security fears and restrictions on women. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed 18

The Taliban have suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, the UN says

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press September 16, 2024 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Taliban have suspended polio vaccination campaigns in Afghanistan, the U.N. said Monday. It’s a devastating setback for polio eradication, since the virus is one of the world’s most infectious and any unvaccinated groups of children where the virus is spreading

45,000 Afghans applied for Asylum in Europe in 2024: EUAA

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 17, 2024 The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported on Monday that 45,000 Afghans sought asylum in European countries during the first half of 2024. The report, published on Monday, September 16, stated that by the end of July, a total of 513,000 people had applied for asylum

Operations Resume at Afghan Embassy in Oman Now Under Islamic Emirate

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 17 Sept 2024 Some analysts believe that establishing relations with Islamic countries could positively impact the engagement between the Islamic Emirate and other nations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that diplomats representing the Islamic Emirate began their work at the Afghan Embassy in Oman this past Sunday. Hafiz Zia

WFP reports many children in Afghanistan attend school hungry

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 16, 2024 The World Food Programme (WFP), which addresses hunger and food security, reported that many children in Afghanistan attend school hungry. In a report released on Monday, September 16, the WFP emphasized that school meals are crucial for learning. WFP stated, “In #Afghanistan, many children go to school hungry.”

Pakistan Media: Durrani Removed Over Afghan Policy Differences

TOLOnews TV Network 16 Sept 2024 Asif Ali Durrani was appointed as Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan by the Pakistani government in May 2023. Pakistani media outlets have cited differences in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan as the reason for the removal of Asif Ali Durrani from his position as the country’s special representative for Afghanistan.

China and the Taliban Team Up on Copper

By Christina Lu Foreign Policy SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 After 16 years of delays, a joint project to mine copper sees new momentum. But significant challenges remain. Afghan workers use shovels to clear a mountain slope at Mes Aynak. Three years after seizing power in Afghanistan, the cash-strapped Taliban are desperate to finally unlock the country’s

War, deforestation, flooding: in Afghanistan they are all linked

By Mariam Amini The Guardian Sat 14 Sep 2024 Always prone to natural disasters, the country’s plight has worsened, and not only because of the climate crisis On 10 May 2024, Haroon Nafas was in his family’s guesthouse in Baghlan, north Afghanistan, spending time with friends who had come to stay. It had been raining lightly

IS militants kill 14 in a Shiite area of Afghanistan in one of the deadliest attacks this year

Associated Press September 13, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Islamic State militants killed 14 people in a Shiite-majority area in central Afghanistan in one of the deadliest attacks in the country this year. The militant group claimed responsibility for the shooting, which took place on Thursday and targeted a group of minority Hazaras traveling between the

UN Chief denouces horrific attack on Hazaras in Daykundi, Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 14, 2024 Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, condemned the shooting of Hazaras in Daykundi, calling it “atrocious.” Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated in a press briefing that Antonio Guterres emphasized the protection of civilians in Afghanistan. During the press conference on Friday,

Hamza, son of Osama bin Laden, alive and preparing attacks on the West

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 14, 2024 According to new intelligence reports, Osama bin Laden’s son, who was reported to have been killed in 2019, is alive and is allegedly taking control of al-Qaeda while planning attacks against Western targets. The Daily Mail, citing defense experts, reported that Hamza bin Laden is alive and secretly

Human Rights Watch urges protection for Hazara community in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 14, 2024 Human Rights Watch emphasized the need to protect at-risk communities in Afghanistan, including the Hazaras. The organization noted that since the Taliban took power in August 2021, ISIS has claimed responsibility for at least 17 attacks against Hazaras, resulting in over 700 deaths and injuries. Human Rights

Stanekzai: Education Key to Afghanistan’s Progress

Liluma Qadiry Tolo News 14 Sept 2024 Stanekzai also called on all Afghans, both inside and outside the country, to unite under one flag and work for the prosperity of Afghanistan. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Deputy Foreign Minister, stated today (Saturday) at an event in Kabul that the wars of the past four decades,

Poppy Ban: Economic Impact and Calls for Alternatives

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 12 Sept 2024 According to this organization, this issue has affected the livelihoods of 7 million people, including women and low-income workers. The International Crisis Group has reported that following the decree of the Islamic Emirate’s leader, poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has decreased by 95%.  According to this organization, this issue

UN appeals for $603 million in winter aid for Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 11, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for $603 million to support critical winter preparations in Afghanistan. The funds are needed to address urgent needs as winter approaches. OCHA has highlighted 171 districts as high-priority and 277 as medium-priority areas for

WHO: 2.9 million children in Afghanistan suffering from malnurition

AdvertisementBy Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 12, 2024 The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that food insecurity has turned into an escalating crisis in Afghanistan, with 2.9 million children under the age of five facing severe malnutrition. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, stated in a message posted on X/Twitter on Thursday, September 12,

OIC urges action on education restrictions for girls in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 12, 2024 The Advisory Council on Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly criticized the current government’s severe restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, labeling the denial of education for Afghan girls as a serious challenge for Islamic countries. Amina Al-Hajri, Director General of the

Australian military officers to be stripped of honours after alleged war crimes under their command

Daniel Hurst  Foreign affairs and defence correspondent The Guardian Thu 12 Sep 2024 00.50 EDT The Australian government has decided to cancel the awards and honours of a small group of former military officers who held command positions at the time that others under their command were accused of war crimes. The defence minister, Richard Marles,

TAPI: A Step Towards Afghanistan’s Self-Sufficiency in Gas

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 12 Sept 2024 Meanwhile, some citizens of the country have praised the launch of the TAPI project and other initiatives in Afghanistan. After the commencement of the TAPI project in Afghanistan, it is expected that upon its completion, the country’s gas needs will be met, and Afghanistan’s revenues will increase

‘Do not laugh. Do not wear this. Do not speak aloud’: life under the Taliban

Anonymous The Guardian Wed 11 Sep 2024 06.00 EDT Society is controlled by constant surveillance with police and cameras enforcing strict rules through fear and punishment Islamic fascism, a harsh form of tyranny, is marked by oppressive rule, intolerance and violence. Its most extreme form today is seen here in Afghanistan, where freedom is crushed

Afghanistan, Turkmenistan begin work on long-delayed gas pipeline

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America September 11, 2024 ISLAMABAD — Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and neighboring Turkmenistan on Wednesday marked the resumption of work on a long-delayed gas pipeline designed to run through the two countries, Pakistan and India. The estimated $10 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India, or TAPI, project is designed to annually transport up to 33 billion cubic

US State Dept Reaffirms Decision to Withdraw from Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 11 September 2024 Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, defended President Biden’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan during a press briefing. The US Department of State, in response to a report by the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stated that although ending America’s longest war

Afghanistan After 9/11: Two Decades of Intervention and Aftermath

TOLOnews TV Network 11 Sept 2024 The twenty-year presence of the United States in Afghanistan was also costly for Washington. September 11 was a significant global event that had extensive economic, political, and security repercussions for Afghanistan.  After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States and NATO member countries sent their military and

Afghan women meet in Albania in ‘act of defiance’ against Taliban crackdown

Annie Kelly in Tirana The Guardian Wed 11 Sep 2024 08.28 EDT More than 130 Afghan women have gathered in Albania at an All Afghan Women summit, in an attempt to develop a united voice representing the women and girls of Afghanistan in the fight against the ongoing assault on human rights by the Taliban.

Republicans work to put Afghanistan at center of election cycle

By ROBBIE GRAMER POLITICO 09/09/2024 05:35 PM EDT Meanwhile, the Harris campaign releases a new ad questioning Trump’s national security chops. Three years after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Democrats and Republicans are launching a fresh wave of attacks and counterattacks on who is to blame for the debacle, all with an eye toward

GOP probe of Afghanistan exit rips Biden, labors to implicate Harris

By Abigail Hauslohner and Dan Lamothe The Washington Post September 8, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. EDT The report, following two years of investigation, was criticized as “nakedly partisan” by Democrats who were unmoved by its lack of new insights. The Republican leadership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Sunday released a sprawling report on the

Taliban Leader Meets Key Commanders in First Northern Visit Since 2021

ARSHAD MEHMOOD MIDAST DAILY NEWS 09/10/2024 Akhundzada’s meetings with top jihadist figures, including Abdul Haq Turkistani, signal potential shifts in Taliban power dynamics (Islamabad) The Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, has spent the last week visiting several northern Afghan cities on his first trip to the region in three years since the group regained

Work on TAPI Project in Afghanistan to Begin on Wednesday

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 10 Sept 2024 ACCI also views the implementation of the TAPI project as crucial for enhancing Afghanistan’s political and economic relations with regional countries. The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced that work on the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) project is set to begin in Afghanistan tomorrow (Wednesday), with senior officials

White House Says G.O.P.’s Afghanistan Report Offers ‘Little or Nothing New’

By Peter Baker Reporting from the White House The New York Times Sept. 9, 2024 President Biden’s spokesman denounced the House Republican investigation of the chaotic 2021 withdrawal as partisan and one-sided. The White House dismissed on Monday a new House Republican investigative report castigating President Biden’s administration for the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying that

G.O.P. Report to Denounce Biden Administration Over Afghanistan Withdrawal

By Karoun Demirjian Reporting from Washington The New York Times Sept. 9, 2024 In an election-season document, Republicans are set to offer few new revelations but instead heap blame on the “Biden-Harris administration” while absolving former President Donald J. Trump. House Republicans are preparing to release an investigative report blaming the Biden administration for what

Islamic Emirate Calls UN Human Rights Session ‘One-Sided’

TOLOnews TV Network 10 Sept 2024 Volker Turk, expressed concern at the session about the human rights situation, particularly women’s rights in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate, responding to criticism of Afghanistan’s human rights situation during the 57th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council, claimed that the meeting and its discussions were one-sided. Hamdullah Fitrat,

Afghan Embassy in Norway to Close at Host Country’s Request

TOLOnews TV Network 10 Sept 2024 This comes as the Afghan Embassy in the United Kingdom also announced it would cease its activities on September 27. The Embassy of Afghanistan in Norway has announced that it will close on September 12th at the request of the host country. According to the statement, the embassy’s assets

  Fierce border clashes erupt between Pakistan and Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America September 07, 2024, 6:56 PM ISLAMABAD — Border security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan were engaged in intense clashes Saturday, reportedly resulting in several casualties on both sides. The war zone is located between the southeastern Afghan border province of Khost and the adjoining Pakistani district of Kurram, as

Afghanistan Embassy in London set to close

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 8, 2024 According to the report, the Afghanistan embassy in London will close. The British Foreign Office officially informed Zalmay Rasul, the former ambassador to London, of this decision. Reports indicate that Mr. Rasul was summoned to the British Foreign Office on Friday, September 6, and was asked to

Global Cooperation Emphasized in First Meeting of Anti-Narcotics Commission

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 8 Sept 2024 Sirajuddin Haqqani emphasized that the international community should also assist in the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets. The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs stated today (Saturday) at the first meeting of the High Commission for Combating Narcotics that the international community must fulfill its commitments to combat

Clashes Between Islamic Emirate-Pakistani Forces Leave 2 Dead, 11 Injured

By TOLOnews TV Network 8 Sept 2024 According to them, a large number of families along the Durand Line have migrated to nearby areas. As a result of clashes between the forces of the Islamic Emirate and the Pakistani military, two people, including a woman, have been killed, and eleven others injured. Local residents reported

UNSC Expresses Concern Over Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan

By TOLOnews TV Network 7 Sept 2024 Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Acting Minister of Virtue and Vice, emphasized the implementation of this new law during his provincial visits. Twelve members of the United Nations Security Council have expressed concern in a statement regarding the human rights situation and the newly enacted law of the Ministry

UN to Host Talks on Afghan Drug Alternatives

TOLOnews TV Network 6 Sept 20024 Meanwhile, a number of farmers say that to boost the country’s economic growth, support for farmers is essential. The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, said that UNAMA is working to organize a meeting

US voices impatience with Taliban over morality law targeting Afghan women  

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America September 4, 2024 Rina Amiri (left) with U.N. Undersecretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo. (Courtesy Amiri’s X). ISLAMABAD — An American diplomat has condemned the Taliban’s new morality law in Afghanistan, warning that it “aims to complete the erasure of women from public life.” Rina Amiri, the

US: 80% of girls in Afghanistan are deprived of education

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama News September 5, 2024   The U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan has implicitly criticized the ban on girls’ education in the country, stating that 2.5 million Afghan girls have been deprived of education. On social media platform X, the embassy supported the “Let Girls Learn” campaign and emphasized that no one should

Kabir: Our Diplomats Will Soon Be Accepted in Several Countries

TOLOnews TV Network 5 Sept 2024 Noor Jalal Jalali, the acting Minister of Public Health, also highlighted the improvement of healthcare services in the country. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, said today (Thursday) during the graduation ceremony of 300 specialists from the Ministry of Public Health’s Specialization Enhancement Department that

With New Taliban Manifesto, Afghan Women Fear the Worst

By Christina Goldbaum and Najim Rahim The New York Times Sept. 4, 2024Updated 12:37 p.m. ET Three years into its rule, the movement has codified its harsh Islamic decrees into law that now includes a ban on women’s voices in public. No education beyond the sixth grade. No employment in most workplaces and no access to public spaces

UN Security Council divided on approach to Afghanistan issue

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 3, 2024 The recent report of the United Nations Security Council highlights internal divisions among its members regarding the approach to the situation in Afghanistan. The September 2024 Monthly Forecast revealed a lack of consensus on how best to support the country and address its complex issues. While there

US House of Representatives summons Blinken to testify on Afghanistan withdrawal

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press September 4, 2024 The House Foreign Affairs Committee has summoned Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, to testify regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Michael McCaul, the committee chairman, has warned Blinken that if he does not appear before the committee on September 19, he could face charges of

Georgette Gagnon Appointed Political Deputy of UNAMA

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 4 Sept 2024 Georgette Gagnon also has prior experience working in Afghanistan. From 2010 to 2015, she was the Director of Human Rights at UNAMA in Kabul. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Canadian Georgette Gagnon as the Deputy Special Representative (Political) for Afghanistan in the United Nations Assistance

Afghanistan Among Top Ten Countries Most Vulnerable to Climate Change

Ebadullah Ebadi Journalist Tolo News 4 September 2024 IOM added that since 2022, climate change has been recognized as the main driver of internal displacement in Afghanistan. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in its latest report, has named Afghanistan as one of the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. According to this organization,

Exclusive: Airlines fly over Afghanistan as Middle East becomes the greater risk

By Joanna Plucinska and Lisa Barrington Reuters August 23, 2024 LONDON/SEOUL, Aug 23 (Reuters) – Singapore Airlines, British Airways (ICAG.L), opens new tab and Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), opens new tab have increased their flights over Afghanistan after years of largely avoiding it now the Middle East conflict has made it seem a relatively safe option. The carriers mostly stopped transiting Afghanistan, which lies on

Afghanistan Slides Into ‘Ever More Hellish Conditions’ After New Morality Law Enacted

By Abubakar Siddique RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi August 29, 2024 05:03 GMT The Taliban has attempted to police the public appearances and behavior of millions of Afghans, especially women, since seizing power in 2021. But the enforcement of the extremist group’s rules governing morality, including its strict Islamic dress code and gender segregation in society, was sporadic

They fled Afghanistan. In the US, they have freedom – but fear a return

Justo Robles in Sacramento The Guardian Sat 31 Aug 2024 08.00 EDT After the fall of the Taliban, more than 21,000 Afghan evacuees submitted asylum applications; 3,100 were able to extend their temporary protected status through May 2025 Almost three years after Esmatullah Sultani rushed to Kabul’s international airport, at the time besieged by Taliban forces who

Afghanistan 3 years later: Many remain in limbo, feeling let down

BY REBECCA BEITSCH  Politico 09/01/24 06:00 AM ET Three years after the deadly and chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, many evacuees and allies remain in limbo. Thousands airlifted out of the country are stuck in an immigration backlog that leaves them without a permanent way to remain in the U.S. Those who worked with the U.S.

ISIL claims responsibility for deadly Kabul attack

Al Jazeera Published On 3 Sep 2024 The group said the blast targeted the Taliban’s prosecution service to ‘avenge Muslims’ held in its prisons. The ISIS (ISIL) group has claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing in Kabul that killed at least six people. In a Telegram post on Tuesday, ISIL said one of its

Afghan women sing in defiance of Taliban laws silencing their voices

Ashifa Kassam and agencies The Guardian Sun 1 Sep 2024 10.52 EDT Women push back at law stating they must not sing or read aloud in public by posting videos of themselves singing Afghan women, both inside and outside the country, have posted videos of themselves singing in protest against the Taliban’s laws banning women’s voices

Taliban: Suicide bomb blast in Kabul kills 6 Afghan civilians

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America September 02, 2024  ISLAMABAD — Taliban authorities in Afghanistan reported Monday that a suicide bomb blast in Kabul killed at least six people, including a woman, and wounded 13 others. Police confirmed the deadly attack in the Afghan capital, saying it occurred in the city’s southwestern Qala Bakhtiar area when

As a young Afghan interpreter, he helped a US officer. Then he needed help getting out

Chris Kenning USA TODAY August 30, 2024 One day in April, Ahmadullah Karimi nervously packed his family’s meager belongings into a handful of suitcases, knowing the next few hours would decide his fate. Karimi, 31, was in Pakistan. He’d been holed up there with his wife and two kids for more than 2½ years, waiting.

‘I feel peace’: 3 Afghan refugees reflect on their escape to America

By Claudia Kolker The Washington Post August 30, 2024  Claudia Kolker, a former member of the Houston Chronicle editorial board, is the author of “The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn From Newcomers to America About Health, Happiness, and Hope.” Three years after the collapse of their government, more than 76,000 Afghans live in the United States

Afghan girls, women suffer three years after US withdrawal 

By Anita Powell Voice of America August 29, 2024 WASHINGTON — The hardships and heartbreak of three years of Taliban rule are reflected in the shining brown eyes of schoolgirl Parwana Malik. And on the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, advocates say Washington should take a harder look at the plight of countless

Afghanistan is a US election issue. Will its refugees’ voices be heard?

By Joseph Stepansky Al Jazeera Published On 30 Aug 2024 On the third anniversary of the US troop withdrawal, advocates push US political candidates for legal pathways for Afghan refugees. Washington, DC – Nasrin will not be able to vote in the United States elections in November. Still, the 27-year-old has a message for the presidential candidates, on

When the US left Kabul, these Americans tried to help Afghans left behind. It still haunts them

Associated Press August 30, 2024 The United States’ longest war is over. But not for everyone. Outside of San Francisco, surgeon Doug Chin has helped provide medical assistance to people in Afghanistan via video calls. He has helped Afghan families with their day-to-day living expenses. Yet he remains haunted by the people he could not

Vice and Virtue Ministry Responds to UNAMA Concerns

TOLOnews TV Network 30 Aug 2024 The Ministry announced that it will no longer cooperate with UNAMA due to what it describes as misleading propaganda by the organization. The Ministry of Vice and Virtue has issued a statement dismissing the concerns of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) regarding the ministry’s new law,

OIC Envoy Urges Islamic Emirate to Reconsider Policies on Women

TOLOnews TV Network 30 Aug 2024 The acting Foreign Minister arrived late Tuesday in the capital of Cameroon to participate in the 50th meeting of the OIC. Tarig Ali Bakhit, the Special Envoy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Afghanistan withdrawal politics miss the point of everything

ADAM WEINSTEIN Responsible Statecraft The Quincy Institute AUG 30, 2024 Fixating on final moments is preferable to facing the absolute failure of the war On the three-year anniversary of the last U.S. soldier leaving Afghanistan, and with a presidential election looming, Afghanistan has briefly resurfaced in American discourse. With a narrow focus on one month

Pakistan to Begin Second Phase of Afghan Refugee Expulsion Soon

TOLOnews TV Network 29 August 2024 He also stated that no one would be allowed to remain in Pakistan without a visa or legal documents. Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, told the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan that the second phase of expelling Afghan refugees from Pakistan will begin soon. He also stated that no

‘Gender apartheid’ takes hold in Afghanistan 3 years after US withdrawal

BY SARAKSHI RAI  The Hill 08/28/24 A new Taliban edict banning women in Afghanistan from baring their faces and speaking in public places is spotlighting the betrayal felt by Afghan women and their allies three years after America’s withdrawal from the country. After seeing major progress in women’s rights during the U.S. war in Afghanistan, Afghan

The Taliban publish vice laws that ban women’s voices and bare faces in public

Associated Press  August 23, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have issued a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public under new laws approved by the supreme leader in efforts to combat vice and promote virtue. The laws were issued Wednesday after they were approved by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, a government spokesman said.

Why Afghans are being slowly poisoned by their evening meal

Arthur Scott-Geddes DEPUTY EDITOR OF GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY and Akhtar Makoii The Telegraph (UK) 24 August 2024 Afghanistan has one of the world’s highest rates of lead exposure and a mounting body of evidence suggests cookware could be to blame The process starts with lumps of scrap metal – mostly car parts like gearbox casings, radiators, wheels and

Taliban vice and virtue laws provide ‘distressing vision’ for Afghanistan, UN envoy warns

By ASSOCIATED PRESS 08/25/2024  The laws include a requirement for a woman to conceal her face, body and voice outside the home. ISLAMABAD — The Taliban’s new vice and virtue laws that include a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public provide a “distressing vision” for Afghanistan’s future, a top U.N. official warned

Nadim: Conditions for Reopening Schools for Girls ‘Not Yet Met’

TOLOnews TV Network 25 AUGUST 2024 Ziaullah Hashimi also mentioned the recruitment of eleven foreign instructors for the Afghanistan International Islamic University. Neda Mohammad Nadim, the acting Minister of Higher Education, said that the conditions for reopening schools and universities for girls in the country have not yet been met. During a program outlining the

Taliban reject UN concerns over laws banning women’s voices and bare faces in public

By Associated Press August 26, 2024  The Taliban is rejecting concerns and criticism raised by the United Nations over new vice and virtue laws that include a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public. ISLAMABAD — The Taliban on Monday rejected concerns and criticism raised by the United Nations over new vice and virtue

‘Frightening’ Taliban law bans women from speaking in public

Annie Kelly and Zahra Joya for Rukhshana Media The Guardian Mon 26 Aug 2024 New vice and virtue restrictions offer ‘a distressing vision of Afghanistan’s future’, says UN New Taliban laws that prohibit women from speaking or showing their faces outside their homes have been condemned by the UN and met with horror by human rights groups. The Taliban

As Trump attacks, Harris says Biden was right to withdraw from Afghanistan

Francesca Chambers USA TODAY August 26, 2024 WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris said that she stands behind President Joe Biden’s decision to leave Afghanistan, as the Democratic nominee came under attack from Donald Trump on the third anniversary of the botched U.S. withdrawal. In a statement on Monday, Harris referred to “our Administration” and

‘Afghanistan will cease to exist if nothing changes’: Mahbouba Seraj shares plight of women under Taliban

Bhagyasree Sengupta  Firstpost August 27, 2024 In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Nobel Peace Prize nominee Afghan women’s right activist Mahbouba Seraj paints a grim image of Afghanistan under Taliban. While sharing the plight of women in the country, Seraj echoed the need to ‘sit-down’ and hold talks with the draconian regime In an insightful

How handmade rugs are providing a future for Afghans

CBS News AUG 25, 2024 After the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, education for girls and boys has been a rare commodity in a country where families must make devastating choices in order to guarantee their survival. Correspondent Tracy Smith talks with Nargis Habib, a California entrepreneur who pays artisans in Afghanistan to produce beautiful

UN denounces Taliban morality law as ‘distressing vision’ for Afghanistan

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America August 25, 2024 Officials of the so-called Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice hold a news conference in Kabul, Aug. 20, 2024. (Taliban government’s media and information center) ISLAMABAD — The United Nations expressed concern Sunday over the enactment of a morality law by Afghanistan’s

Pakistan PM: TTP attacks orchestrated from Afghanistan, calls for firm action

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 28, 2024 Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, stated that the Pakistani Taliban’s attacks against his country are being organized from Afghanistan’s soil. He expressed Pakistan’s concerns over this issue and highlighted that Pakistani security forces have taken operational measures in response. Speaking in a cabinet meeting on

WHO report reveals 40% surge in respiratory illnesses, measles, and diarrhea in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 28, 2024 The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern in its latest report on the health situation in Afghanistan, stating that cases of respiratory diseases, measles, and acute diarrheal diseases increased in July of this year compared to previous months. According to the report, respiratory diseases, measles, and

Pentagon: ‘Many Terrorist Groups’ in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 28, 2024 The Pentagon confirmed this week that while the Taliban government claims ISIS has been eliminated in Afghanistan, various other terrorist groups remain active in the country. Major General Pat Ryder stated in a press briefing on Tuesday that “there are currently numerous terrorist groups in Afghanistan.” “We

Defense Ministry Rejects Claims of ISIS, TTP Presence as Baseless

TOLOnews TV Network 28 Aug 2024 The Chief of Staff also added that TTP does not have any bases in Afghanistan, and countries should not fear Afghanistan’s territory. Fasihuddin Fitrat, the Chief of Army Staff of the Islamic Emirate, today (Wednesday) during a program at the Media Center, rejected the Pentagon’s claim regarding the presence

Over 150,000 Tourists Visit Bamyan in Five Months

Sayed Amin Hamta Tolo News 28 Aug 2024 Residents of Band-e Amir said that they earn most of their family’s living expenses by providing services to tourists in this park. Safiullah Raed, the head of Information and Culture in Bamyan, said that more than 150,000 tourists have traveled to Bamyan since the beginning of the

Six killed, five injured in explosion in Eastern Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 22, 2024 In an explosion targeting a police ranger vehicle in the Dara Noor district of Nangarhar, at least six students from a religious school were killed, while another student and four Taliban members were injured. A spokesperson for the Taliban police command in Nangarhar stated that these students

UN urges immediate need for 18,000 midwives in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 22, 2024 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a warning regarding the high maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan, stating that the country urgently needs 18,000 midwives. The organization has warned that failing to address this urgent need in Afghanistan endangers many lives. Globally, UNFPA estimates that 900,000

UN: Deportation of Afghan Migrants from Pakistan Has Decreased

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 22 Aug 2024 In a newly released report, this organization said that the number of returnees from Pakistan in July has decreased compared to May and June. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a decrease in the deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan. In a newly released

Afghan women arrive in Edinburgh to finish medical degrees denied under Taliban

Severin Carrell  Scotland editor The Guardian Tue 20 Aug 2024 A group of trainee female doctors from Afghanistan have travelled to Edinburgh to complete their medical degrees after the Taliban forced them to quit studying. The 19 women arrived in the UK on Tuesday after a three-year campaign by the parents of Linda Norgrove, the kidnapped Scottish charity

The UAE accepts credentials of Taliban ambassador in a major diplomatic win for Afghanistan’s rulers

Associated Press August 21, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s ambassador to the oil-rich Gulf Arab state, the biggest diplomatic coup for Afghanistan’s rulers who are not officially recognized as the country’s legitimate government. The development, the first Taliban ambassador since one was appointed to

Iran and Afghanistan join forces to combat drug trafficking

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 21, 2024 Iran’s Deputy Director of the Anti-Narcotics Department, Mohammad Zarei, announced on Wednesday that Tehran and  Kabul have agreed to collaborate on combating drug trafficking and narcotics. Zarei informed Iranian media that this decision was reached during a meeting between representatives from both parties. The discussion covered various aspects, including

UNICEF: 23.7 million in Afghanistan need humanitarian aid

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 21, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported in its latest update that in 2024, 23.7 million people in Afghanistan, including 12.3 million children, have requested humanitarian aid. The report highlighted that in the first six months of this year, UNICEF provided mental health and psychosocial support services

Preliminary Work on Wakhan Road to China Completed

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 21 Aug 2024 Officials at the Ministry said that the construction of the Wakhan Road is significant for expanding Afghanistan’s economic relations with China. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said that the preliminary work on the Wakhan Road, including road construction, excavation, and graveling of 50 kilometers, has

Fitrat: Islamic Emirate Army Capable of Defending Country Against Invaders

Aziz Rahman Abram Tolo News 21 Aug 2024 More than 800 soldiers from the 209th Al-Fath Corps graduated after completing a three-month training course. Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Army of the Islamic Emirate, stated that the Islamic Emirate’s army has the capability to respond to any invading country. Speaking at a graduation

Challenges and Progress in Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

Sabria Abdal Tolo News 21 Aug 2024 Sediqa Tofan, a political science and international relations student in Kabul, is now working as a vendor in one of Kabul’s markets. The Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industries told TOLOnews that over 2,500 female entrepreneurs have received business licenses in the past three years, and more than

U.S., Philippines reach deal to assist Afghan allies

By Dan Lamothe, Ellen Nakashima and Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post August 20, 2024 Hundreds of Afghan refugees will be temporarily relocated to the Philippines as part of a new pathway to U.S. resettlement. The U.S. and Philippine governments have reached a deal to create a new pathway to the United States for Afghan allies

UK: Over 2 million people in Afghanistan received aid in 2023

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 20, 2024   On World Humanitarian Day, the British Embassy for Afghanistan announced that in 2023, it provided aid to over 2.7 million people in Afghanistan. In a message published on Monday, August 19, on their X page, the embassy stated that this humanitarian aid has reached 1.3 million

116 ancient artifacts from Aynak Copper Mine moved to Afghanistan Museum

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 20, 2024 The Ministry of Information and Culture has announced that dozens of artifacts from the Mes Aynak archaeological site in Logar have been transferred to the National Museum of Afghanistan. Zebihullah Sadat, the head of archaeology at the Ministry of Information and Culture, stated on August 19, that

Foreign Ministry Denounces Claims of Afghanistan-Origin Terrorism

TOLOnews TV Network 20 August 2024 The statement also mentioned the suppression of Daesh in the country and added that the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is Pakistan’s internal issue. In response to recent statements made by Asif Ali Durrani regarding the potential for a 9/11-style attack originating from Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs firmly asserted

952 Ex-Officials Return to Afghanistan Via Contact Commission

TOLOnews TV Network 20 August 2024 Analysts believe that if the interim government can provide work opportunities and security for those who left the country, more prominent figures will return. The Commission for Contact with Personalities has announced that since its inception, over 950 individuals, including former ministers, governors, and members of the previous government’s

Travel Ban Imposed on UN’s Richard Bennett by Islamic Emirate

TOLOnews TV Network 20 August 2024 Richard Bennett has consistently criticized what he described as human rights violations in Afghanistan in his reports. In a recent development, the Islamic Emirate has officially prohibited Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, from entering the country. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the

A shootout on Pakistan’s frontier with Afghanistan kills 5 militants and 3 Pakistani soldiers

Washington Post By Associated Press August 19, 2024 at 12:13 p.m. EDT Pakistan’s military says security forces have killed five militants in a remote northwestern area on Monday when they tried to sneak in from neighboring Afghanistan PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani security forces killed five militants in a remote northwestern area on Monday when they

‘I used to hide that I am a son of refugees – now I’m proud of it’

Shivani Chaudhari BBC News, Essex 19 August 2024 Family photo Rustam Wahab, 22, grew up in Essex and is the son of refugees from Afghanistan Rustam Wahab is the proud son of refugees – but only a few people knew until recently. His parents and older brother, who was two at the time, risked their

Afghanistan’s Taliban sign $2.5B in trade, investment deals with Uzbekistan

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America August 17, 2024 Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, back row, left, and Taliban Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, back row, right, oversee the signing of Memorandums of Understanding in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2024. ISLAMABAD — The Taliban government in Afghanistan announced Saturday that it

Pakistan deports over 32,000 Afghan refugees in past month

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 19, 2024 Pakistan has deported over 32,000 Afghan migrants in the past month, bringing the total number of Afghans expelled since October of last year to 691,000. According to Pakistani media, between Sunday, July 21, and Saturday, August 16, a total of 11,054 children, 9,320 women, and 11,826 men

Islamic Emirate Again Denies Presence of Terrorist Groups

TOLOnews TV Network 19 August 2024 Hamdullah Fitrat pledged that Afghanistan’s territory is secure and will not be used against any country. The Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate has once again maintained the absence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil, stating that other countries should not be concerned about this matter. Hamdullah Fitrat pledged

Mawlawi Yaqoob Mujahid: Return To Country and Engage In Lawful Activities

Sabria Abdal Tolo News 18 August 2024 Mujahid added in a statement that the spirit of victory and the desire to end occupation still persists among Afghans, just like their ancestors. Today (Sunday, Asad 28 of solar calendar) marks the 105th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence. One hundred and five years ago, on this day, King

‘An island of freedom’: Inside the secret beauty salons of Afghanistan

By Al Jazeera Staff 17 Aug 2024 In Kabul, an army of clandestine beauticians is keeping morale alive among women living in fear of the Taliban-led government. Kabul, Afghanistan – In an apartment near a Taliban headquarters, a young woman is discreetly moving about. Breshna* is 24 years old. Today, as on every day for

Key Achievements of the Caretaker Government Over Three Years

TOLOnews TV Network 17 August 2024 This comes as, despite three years passing, no country has yet recognized Afghanistan’s caretaker government. The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate has released a statement highlighting the significant achievements of the Islamic Emirate over the past three years, stating that the Islamic Emirate has made important strides in political,

‘I saw the Taliban shoot women and girls’

Jessica Ure BBC London 16 August 2024 A woman who fled Afghanistan when the Taliban took control three years ago says she fears for those she left behind. Sosan and her husband came to London in 2021 and have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK through the government’s resettlement scheme, along with thousands of

CPJ: Remaining Media Outlets in Afghanistan driven to the brink

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 16, 2024 On the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the group to halt the “unprecedented destruction of Afghanistan’s media and the brutal repression of journalists.” The CPJ expressed concern that the Taliban has driven the few remaining

Bolton: Foreign terrorists back in Afghanistan, US aid to Taliban must stop

By Fidel Rahmati Tolo News August 16, 2024 John Bolton, the former US national security adviser, recently claimed that foreign terrorists have returned to Afghanistan. He argued that the United States should stop providing assistance, warning of the potential threats this situation poses. In an interview with Newsmax TV, Bolton criticized the agreement made by

Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan Hold Trilateral Meeting in Kabul

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 16 August 2024 Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Investment said such meetings are crucial for the growth and development of trade. A trilateral meeting of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan was held in Kabul, hosted by the acting Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate, with the participation

The Taliban have ruled Afghanistan for 3 years. Here are 5 things to know

By Riazat Butt  Associated Press / Washington Post August 14, 2024  KABUL, Afghanistan — It’s been three years since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. They have transitioned from insurgency to authority, imposed their interpretation of Islamic law and sought to reinforce their claim to legitimacy. Despite no international recognition as the country’s official rulers, the Taliban enjoy high-level

Taliban celebrates three years of return to power in Afghanistan

Al Jazeera Published On 14 Aug 2024 Afghanistan’s Taliban has celebrated three years in power with a military parade, paying homage to its homemade bombs, fighter aircraft and goose-stepping security forces. The Taliban’s armed forces towed Soviet-era tanks and artillery pieces through Bagram, the former United States airbase, where Chinese and Iranian diplomats were among

On Anniversary of Taliban Takeover, Glee, Mourning and an Embrace of Jihad

By Christina Goldbaum and Yaqoob Akbary Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan The New York Times Aug. 15, 2024, 10:55 a.m. ET Celebrations marking the third year since the U.S. withdrawal are amplifying a divide in Afghanistan over what principles it should be governed by. The parade of cars rolled through Kabul from morning until night, clogging the streets in end-to-end

Afghan journalist: ‘We work in fear’

By Roshan Noorzai Voice of America August 14, 2024 1:55 PM WASHINGTON — At a radio station in Afghanistan’s eastern Logar province, the managing editor says he double checks everything before broadcasting, making sure that “nothing is against the Taliban and their policies.” His intense checking of content is just one of many ways journalists like

Taliban have deliberately deprived 1.4 million Afghan girls of schooling through bans, says UNESCO

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press August 15, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have deliberately deprived 1.4 million Afghan girls of schooling through bans, a United Nations agency said Thursday. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans female secondary and higher education. The Taliban, who took power in 2021, barred education for girls

Afghanistan at risk of becoming a ‘Forgotten Crisis,’ warn aid agencies

By Fidel Rahmati Tolo News August 15, 2024 Heavily dependent on humanitarian aid, Afghans are trapped in cycles of poverty, displacement, and despair. Without international support, Afghanistan risks becoming a forgotten crisis, according to a statement from 10 aid organizations released on Tuesday. The aid organizations emphasized the urgent need for long-term development assistance to

23.7 million Afghans dependent on humanitarian aid, OCHA reports

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 15, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported this week that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan are reliant on humanitarian aid. OCHA stated in a post on X on Tuesday that 48 percent of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, and 12.4

UN: Women and Girls in Afghanistan need urgent support

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 15, 2024 The United Nations has reported that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, largely out of the media spotlight. The organization stated that the Taliban’s restrictions have made Afghan women and girls increasingly vulnerable and in need of more support. The UN’s Asia-Pacific division called for global

Amnesty International: Women activists in Afghanistan express deed frustration with current conditions

Fidai Rahmati Khaama Press 15 August 2024 Amnesty International, marking three years of the Taliban’s rule, has stated that the international community has left Afghanistan with little hope during this period. On Thursday, August 15, the organization released a report based on interviews with 150 Afghan citizens, including women’s rights advocates, academics, youth, civil society

Islamic Emirate Leader Urges Justice, Unity to Strengthen Islamic System

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 15 August 2024 According to the leader of the Islamic Emirate, the Sharia system is in place in the country, and the rights of all Muslims are preserved. In his speech in Kandahar, the leader of the Islamic Emirate urged all officials in the interim government to avoid discrimination and ethnic

3 Years On, Islamic Emirate’s Internal, Foreign Policy Reviewed

Metra Majeedi Tolo News 15 August 2024 The foreign and domestic policies of the Islamic Emirate during its third year of governance in Afghanistan have witnessed numerous ups and downs.  Expanding relations with some countries, activating 39 Islamic Emirate representations in various countries, and sending ambassadors and representatives to several nations are considered important aspects

Muttaqi: US Nationals May Return, But ‘Without Uniforms’

TOLOnews TV Network 15 August 2024 In this interview, Muttaqi also said that the interim government seeks good relations with all countries, including the United States. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with BBC Persian that US citizens can come to Afghanistan for business and diplomatic relations, but

The Taliban are celebrating 3 years in power, but they’re not talking about Afghans

By Riazat Butt  Associated Press August 14, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of its return to power Wednesday at a former U.S. air base in Afghanistan, but there was no mention of the country’s hardships or promises to help the struggling population. Under blue skies and blazing sunshine at the Bagram base

Efforts Resumed With Environmental Projects Worth $58.7M

Nazir Shenwari Tolo News 14 August 2024 Zainul Abideen Abid called on the international community not to politicize the issue of climate change and to engage with the Islamic Emirate on this matter. The National Environmental Protection Agency, during its annual report presentation, said that significant progress has been made to resume ten projects in

Acting Def. Min. Highlights Strengthened Military, Vows to Protect Airspace

TOLOnews TV Network 14 August 2024 The high-ranking official also stressed the need for the country’s citizens to set aside regional, ethnic, and linguistic differences and embrace unity. As the Islamic Emirate marks the third anniversary of its return to power, Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the acting Minister of Defense, has announced that significant efforts

haman Protesters Vow to Continue Until Demands Are Met

Ataullah Omar Tolo News 14 August 2024 The protesters are calling on international human rights organizations to listen to their voices and assist them in overcoming these challenges. Residents of Chaman have resumed their protests after a 23-day pause in response to the continued closure of the Spin Boldak-Chaman crossing. The protesters state that this

A timeline of events in Afghanistan in the 3 years since the Taliban’s takeover

BY RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press August 14, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Here is a look at key dates since the Taliban returned to power three years ago, as United States and NATO forces withdrew from the country: Aug. 15, 2021 — The Taliban march into Kabul as internationally backed President Ashraf Ghani flees the country. Aug. 26,

Afghanistan withdrawal investigator resigns in protest from GOP probe

BY LAURA KELLY The Hill 08/12/24 6:02 PM ET A senior investigator has resigned from the Republican House Foreign Affairs Committee probe into the Biden administration’s deadly and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, accusing the panel of holding back its full power in examining the failures of the U.S. pullout. Jerry Dunleavy, a former

Trump criticizes Biden’s Afghanistan policy as ‘Greatest Folly’

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 13, 2024 On Monday evening, August 12th, former US President Donald Trump criticized the policies of current President Joe Biden regarding the Taliban during a public discussion on X. He described the transfer of Afghan funds to the Taliban as “the greatest folly in U.S. history.” Meanwhile, Trump labeled

Border Conflict at Torkham Claims Three Lives

Sadaqat Ghorzang Tolo News 13 August 2024 Local residents reported that Pakistani forces occasionally fire on their homes, forcing them to abandon their properties. Three people were killed and three others injured during a clash on Monday afternoon between Islamic Emirate forces and Pakistani border guards at the Torkham crossing. The Ministry of Interior reported

West: Efforts Ongoing for Release of Americans in Afghanistan

By TOLOnews TV Network 11 August 2024 West added that Ryan Corbett and Mahmood Habibi were arrested in Afghanistan on this day two years ago. US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said there are continued efforts to secure the release of three American citizens held by the Afghan interim government.  The US special envoy

Afghanistan begins new Polio Vaccination campaign

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Presss August 10, 2024 The Afghanistan Polio-Free Organization has announced that a polio vaccination campaign has commenced today, August 10, in several regions of the country. In a public note, the organization urged citizens to do their part in achieving a “Polio-Free Afghanistan.” The organization did not provide details on the

Acting Interior Minister Reaffirms Commitment to General Amnesty Decree

TOLOnews TV Network 10 August 2024 Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani traveled to Paktia and Paktika provinces to resolve ethnic disputes among residents of several districts. Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, stated during visits to the provinces of Paktia and Paktika that the general amnesty decree in the country has not been violated and

Zabihullah Mujahid: Daesh in Afghanistan No Longer a Threat

TOLOnews TV Network 10 Aug 2024 Mujahid said that the geography of Afghanistan is under the complete control of the Islamic Emirate. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, has dismissed Western countries’ concerns about the activities of Daesh and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan as baseless and mere propaganda. Mujahid said that the

Militants stage deadly raid on Pakistani army posts near Afghan border

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America August 09, 2024 A raid in the volatile district of Khyber, Pakistan, on Aug. 9, 2024, killed five security personnel and injured at least 12 more. ISLAMABAD — A group of heavily armed militants launched coordinated attacks on two Pakistani military posts near the border with Afghanistan Friday, reportedly

Arg: UK Seeks to Enhance Diplomatic Relations with Islamic Emirate

TOLOnews TV Network 9 August 2024 He added that the restrictions imposed on the Islamic Emirate are not a solution to the current challenges. Robert Chatterton Dickson, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the UK Mission to Afghanistan, said that he is striving to improve political relations and positive interactions between Kabul and London. The Presidential

Washington Reiterates Concern Over Americans Held in Afghanistan

By Naweed Samadi Tolo News 9 August 2024 Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson, said that returning US citizens imprisoned in Afghanistan to Washington is a priority for them. The United States has once again called for the release of three American citizens from the custody of the interim government. Speaking at a press briefing, Miller said:

Harris was ‘last person in the room’ on Afghan exit, but her influence is unclear

By Michael Kranish and Dan Lamothe The Washington Post August 8, 2024  The vice president’s role in the Afghanistan withdrawal suggests her limits in meaningfully altering President Biden’s course on historic choices. When Joe Biden’s presidency began in 2021, Afghan official Nader Nadery knew that the new commander in chief was determined to pull U.S.

Afghanistan 100m runner Kimia Yousofi sends Olympic message to the Taliban

Jack Snape at the Stade de France The Guardian Fri 2 Aug 2024 10.53 EDT The world’s fastest women flew down the Olympic straight in the 100m heats on the first morning of athletics at the Stade de France, but one carried a heavier burden. Kimia Yousofi, part of the six-person Afghan team competing in Paris,

‘I fled Afghanistan to achieve my Olympic dream’

Kawoon Khamoosh BBC World Service 6 August 2024 Manizha Talash knew the moment she first saw a video of a man spinning on his head that she would dedicate her life to breaking – a style of street dance. But it is a dream for which she has risked her life, and the lives of

Taliban says millions of Afghans returning home; IOM says millions leaving — who is right?

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America August 06, 2024 ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban said Tuesday that about 3.7 million former refugees have returned to the country since the Islamist group took power three years ago. The statement was a response to the International Organization for Migration, or IOM, which reported last week that more than

Antony Blinken urged to halt US aid to Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 8, 2024 Fox News reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been urged to halt U.S. aid to Afghanistan. According to the media outlet, this request comes after the revelation that nearly $300 million in U.S. aid might have ended up in the hands of the Taliban.

Afghanistan’s population census estimates 35.7 million amid controversy

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 8, 2024 The Statistics and Information Authority of the Taliban has recently estimated Afghanistan’s population to be 35.7 million in the current solar year 1403. The authority released the results of its census on Wednesday, August 7, showing that out of the total 35.7 million population of Afghanistan, 18.2

Iran issues ultimatum for illegal migrants to leave by year-end

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 8, 2024 In response to increasing reactions regarding the mistreatment of Afghan migrants in Iran, a senior security official has emphasized that “illegal” migrants must leave the country by the end of the current year. On Wednesday, August 7, IRNA news agency, quoting Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief Commander

Anas Haqqani: Violation of Human Rights of Afghan Migrants is Unacceptable

TOLOnews TV Network 8 August 2024 Meanwhile, some social media users have launched a campaign to support Afghan migrants in Iran in response to the mistreatment by Iranian police. The release of a video on social media showing the mistreatment of an Afghan teenager by Iranian police has sparked reactions.  Anas Haqqani, a prominent member

The Taliban says people in Afghanistan on previous government’s visas can stay for now

Associated Press  August 5, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Monday it would allow people in the country on visas issued by the former Western-backed government to stay for now, but that they wouldn’t be allowed back in without documents from a Taliban-approved diplomatic mission. The announcement by the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry on

Children displacement soars in Afghanistan due to climate change

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 6, 2024 The Save the Children organization has announced that during the first six months of the current calendar year, at least 38,000 people, predominantly children, have been displaced in Afghanistan due to climate change. The organization reported an increase in internal displacement in Afghanistan compared to 2023, highlighting

Taliban suspends licenses of 17 local media outlets in Nangarhar province

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 6, 2024 The Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that the Taliban Ministry of  Communications and Information Technology has suspended the licenses of 17 local media outlets in Nangarhar province. The ministry stated that the licenses of these media outlets were suspended due to non-payment of taxes. According to the Afghanistan Journalists Center,

Over 28,000 Afghan children suffer from malnutrition in recent months

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 7, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently announced that over 28,000 children in Afghanistan are suffering from malnutrition. This organization stated on Wednesday, August 7th, that 28,000 children have been affected by malnutrition in just the past seven months. It is worth noting that UNICEF published these

Canada provides over $2 million in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 7, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that Canada has contributed approximately $2.2 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. This agency expressed gratitude for the Canadian government’s aid to Afghanistan in a message posted on its X page on Wednesday, August

Gandapur Criticizes Pakistan’s Facilitating US Operations in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 7 August 2024 Ali Amin Gandapur criticized Pakistan’s recent policies towards Afghanistan, saying that Islamabad should not expect good relations from Kabul. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, said that Pakistan provided military bases to the United States, facilitating military operations against Afghanistan.  Ali

Nazari: SIGAR Report is ‘Exaggerated’

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 7 August 2024 The SIGAR report also said that the United States has provided nearly $232 million in aid to Afghanistan in the current year. The Ministry of Economy has rejected the report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) regarding $21 billion in aid to Afghanistan, stating

SIGAR Reports $7 Billion in Aid to Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 4 August 2024 SIGAR added that Afghanistan’s assets in the Swiss-based Fund for the Afghan People had reached $3.84 billion dollars by June this year. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said in its latest report that the international community has provided $7 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan over

Rising Heat in Kabul Exacerbates Air Pollution and Health Issues

By TOLOnews TV Network 4 Aug 2024 Residents of the capital told TOLOnews that air pollution in recent days has posed challenges for them. With the increase in heat, some residents of the capital have reported an increase in air pollution and respiratory diseases. Residents of the capital told TOLOnews that air pollution in recent

UNDP Dep. Representative: Efforts Being Made Despite Limited Budget

By Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 3 Aug 2024 Some residents of Kabul said that the implementation of these projects has created job opportunities for dozens of women. The deputy resident representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Afghanistan said that although their budget is limited, they strive to help in the areas

How a refugee Olympian found a new life in Canada

Nadine Yousif BBC News, Toronto 1 August 2024 UNHCR/Cole Burston Judoka Nigara Shaheen is competing in women’s judo at the 2024 Paris Olympics Nigara Shaheen’s journey to becoming an Olympic judoka did not begin with judo. Instead, it began with a 30-minute karate lesson on her family’s balcony in Peshawar, Pakistan. She was 11 years

Women in Afghanistan set up Secret Salons to overcome economic hardship and Taliban restrictions

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press August 2, 2024 Several female beauticians have told The Guardian that they have been forced to establish secret beauty salons due to economic hardships. The Guardian reported on Thursday that female beauticians under Taliban rule are living in fear and anxiety. One woman told the newspaper, “They stone and whip

Kabir: Political Office Plays a Crucial Role in Expanding Relations

TOLOnews TV Network 2 August 2024 Meanwhile, some political analysts have shared their views on the significance of the Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in Qatar. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, emphasized the important role of the Islamic Emirate’s Political Office in broadening the interim government’s political relations with the international

World Bank Appoints New Country Director for Afghanistan

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 2 August 2024 The Ministry of Economy urged the World Bank to resume its activities in Afghanistan and complete its unfinished projects with the appointment of the new head. Faris Hadad-Zervos has been appointed the World Bank’s new Country Director for Afghanistan. Faris Hadad-Zervos, a US citizen, began his career

Afghanistan sprinter uses Olympic trip to shine light on how women are treated in her country

PAT GRAHAM and EDDIE PELLS Associated Press Fri, August 2, 2024 SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — To get a sense of the real race Afghanistan’s lone woman at the Olympic track meet is running, one only needed to look at the back of her bib. On it, in handwritten script, were the words, spelled like this:

Afghan man’s fresh hope of being reunited with family

Galya Dimitrova BBC News 1 August 2024 An Afghan man living in the UK is hoping to be reunited with his family for the first time in three years after a government resettlement scheme was opened. Muhammad said he helped British forces and was given indefinite leave to remain after escaping the Taliban-run country in

How Will Rising Middle East Tensions Impact Afghanistan and Pakistan?

By Abubakar Siddique Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty August 01, 2024 13:05 GMT Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh (center) attends the inauguration of the newly elected Iranian president in Tehran on July 30, the day before his death. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the EU- and U.S.-designated Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, has thrown

Retirees Demand Pension Payments from Islamic Emirate

By Shabnam Amini Tolo News 1 Aug 2024 Some of those who have gathered outside the Pension Fund office say they are facing various economic challenges in the current situation. A number of retirees are once again demanding the payment of their pensions by the Islamic Emirate. Some of those who have gathered outside the Pension

Afghanistan Embassies in London and Brussels continue consular services

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 31, 2024 Zalmai Rasoul, the Afghanistan Ambassador to London, has responded to the suspension of consular activities by some Afghan consulates in European countries, stating that the Afghan consulate in the United Kingdom will continue its operations without interruption. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 30th, he affirmed

Afghanistan’s trade imbalance: $1.8 billion in exports, $8 billion in imports

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 31, 2024 The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan has announced that the country has conducted $10 billion in trade over the past year. In a statement released on Wednesday, July 31st, the ministry highlighted the achievements of the past year, detailing that this total includes $1.8 billion

Women’s Rights Activists urge US Congress to recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 31, 2024 Three women’s rights activists from the United States have called for the Taliban’s gender apartheid in Afghanistan to be recognized as a crime against humanity. The activists, Heather Barr, Wahida Amiri, and Mitra Mehran, emphasized the severe lack of justice for Afghan women and girls. During a

Japan Invites Islamic Emirate Delegation for Bilateral Talks

TOLOnews TV Network 31 July 2024 According to the Deputy Spokesperson, Amir Khan Muttaqi regarded the third Doha meeting positively in his discussion with the Japanese delegation. Atsushi Sunami, the president of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan, and the former head of UNAMA have requested that the Islamic Emirate send a delegation to

Decision to Invalidate Consular Services Abroad Draws Criticism

TOLOnews TV Network 31 July 2024 In separate statements, these representatives have said that halting this process will increase the challenges faced by Afghan migrants. The political representatives of Afghanistan in Australia, the United Kingdom, Geneva, Tajikistan, Brazil, and some other countries have reacted to the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the

Scheme to reunite separated Afghan families opens

Adina Campbell, UK correspondent Becky Morton, Political reporter BBC News 30 July 2024 The UK evacuated more than 15,000 people from Kabul over two weeks in August 2021, as the capital fell to the Taliban Partners and children separated from their families during the evacuation of Afghanistan can now apply to join them in the UK,

UNICEF: Over 40% of women in Afghanistan affected by Anemia

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 30, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that over forty percent of women in Afghanistan suffer from anemia. On Monday, July 29th, UNICEF shared a video on X stating that forty percent of women in Afghanistan are affected by anemia. The organization distributes minerals and vitamin

Senior Congress member warns US withdrawal from Afghanistan boosts ISIS operation

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press-  July 30, 2024 The Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has stated that following the U.S. withdrawal and the fall of the Afghanistan government, “thousands of terrorists” escaped from prisons and are now aiding ISIS in attacks on other countries. Michael McCaul criticized the Biden administration’s border policies, viewing

Haqqani, Chinese Envoy Discuss Security Cooperation, Regional Stability

TOLOnews TV Network 30 July 2024 The Chinese ambassador in Kabul expressed appreciation for the security provided for Chinese citizens and diplomats in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Interior in a statement said that Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, had discussions with Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador, on security issues, including regional stability.

Certain Consulates Abroad Not Recognized By Islamic Emirate: MoFA

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 30 July 2024 According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry, this decision stems from the failure of these consulates to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate announced today (Tuesday) that consular services provided by Afghanistan in several Western countries

The Taliban say they no longer recognize Afghan diplomatic missions set up by the former government

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press July 30, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban said Tuesday they no longer recognize Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions set up by the former, Western-backed government and that they will not honor passports, visas and other documents issued by diplomats associated with the previous administration. It’s the latest attempt by the Taliban to take

Afghanistan War Commission opens inquiry of America’s longest conflict

By Abigail Hauslohner The Washington Post July 19, 2024  The bipartisan panel will study the conflict’s myriad failures with a mandate to recommend how the United States can avoid a repeat performance. Against the backdrop of America’s roiling political landscape and two raging foreign wars, a coterie of former U.S. government officials and academics on

Switzerland to return to Afghanistan

BY LE NEWS 27/07/2024 Switzerland will reopen its humanitarian office in Afghanistan in autumn 2024 instead of summer as initially announced, reported SRF. Four employees will be sent from Switzerland to oversee humanitarian projects financed by the Swiss federal government in the Afghan capital Kabul. According to the newspaper NZZ am Sonntag, a spokesperson for

‘Never Been Done Before’: A True Investigation of a Failed American War

By NAHAL TOOSI Politico 05/26/2024 07:00 AM EDT The Afghanistan War Commission’s probe is getting very real. If you played a role in Afghanistan policy over the past few decades, be prepared for a call. In their first joint interview since the launch of the Afghanistan War Commission, co-chairs and veteran Afghan policy thinkers Shamila Chaudhary

Traders end monthslong protest at Pakistan-Afghan border crossing

By VOA Deewa Voice of America July 25, 2024 The Chaman border crossing on the Pakistan-Afghan border reopened Monday after small traders ended a nine-month sit-in protest. The border had been closed due to a Pakistani government decision to implement a visa and passport program for travelers on both sides. Initial reports indicate that small

EU sounds alarm on worsening water crisis in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama News July 28, 2024 The European Union Delegation to Afghanistan has expressed concern over the worsening water crisis in the country, emphasizing the need to protect lakes and groundwater for future generations. In a statement posted on X on Saturday, July 27, the organization highlighted that drought, pollution, and excessive water

Chinese Firm to construct three Hydroelectric Dams in Kunar, Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 29, 2024 The Ministry of Water and Energy of Afghanistan has announced that a Chinese company is ready to invest in large-scale hydroelectric dams (Shal, Sagi, and Sartaq) in Kunar province. On Sunday, July 28th, the Ministry released a statement about the meeting between Abdul Latif Mansoor, the acting

Afghan female professors condemn salary reduction as humiliating and unjust

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 29, 2024 Female professors at Afghanistan universities have declared that the reduction of their salaries to 5,000 Afghanis is “humiliating.” These professors assert that while students need to benefit from their expertise and experience, the Taliban has decided to confine female staff to their homes. A group of female

Citizens Call for Clarity on National Flag’s Future

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 28 July 2024 On this day, several citizens of the country are calling for clarity on the fate of the national tricolor flag. The seventh of Asad (solar calendar) was designated as National Flag Day during the previous government, celebrated annually until its end. On this day, several citizens of the

Ministry Urges Shift from Humanitarian Aid to Development Assistance

TOLOnews TV Network 28 July 2024 The document attributed the delay in signing some agreements to high administrative costs and asked all NGO workers to obtain work permits. The Ministry of Economy, in a recently released document, has requested that UN agencies, the European Union, and other non-governmental donor organizations in Afghanistan shift their focus

Human Rights Watch demands end to violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan ahead of 2024 Olympics

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 27, 2024 Human Rights Watch has reported that women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of their rights to education, work, and sports. In a statement made on Friday, July 26th, the organization called on the Taliban regime to end the “abuse” of women’s rights. The Paris 2024

US Congress to Hold Hearing on Rights of Afghan Women, Girls

TOLOnews TV Network 27 July 2024 Meanwhile, several women’s rights activists and political analysts consider such sessions effective in improving the situation of women in Afghanistan. The US Congress Human Rights Commission will hold a session in three days to discuss the situation of Afghan women.  The commission stated in an announcement that the session

Traders end monthslong protest at Pakistan-Afghan border crossing

By VOA Deewa July 25, 2024 The Chaman border crossing on the Pakistan-Afghan border reopened Monday after small traders ended a nine-month sit-in protest. The border had been closed due to a Pakistani government decision to implement a visa and passport program for travelers on both sides. Initial reports indicate that small traders can now

Pakistan and UNHCR collaborate on sustainable solutions for Afghan refugees

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 26, 2024 Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, on Friday. During the call, they discussed matters related to the cooperation between Pakistan and UNHCR. The conversation also covered the recent attacks

Acting Minister of Interior Announces Increase in Police Force to 230,000

 TOLOnews  TV Network 26 July 2024 According to Haqqani, legal action will be taken against those who carry weapons without a permit. Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Acting Minister of Interior, who was speaking to a ceremony praising the security forces said that the number of police personnel in the ministry has increased to 230,000. Haqqani

Abdul Haq Wasiq: Intelligence Networks Still Operating in Afghanistan

Naweed Samadi Tolo News 26 July 2024 Wasiq, speaking at a “Program for Praising Security Forces,” added that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest these networks. Abdul Haq Wasiq, the General Director of Islamic Emirate Intelligence, said that no groups other than intelligence networks are active in Afghanistan. Wasiq, speaking at a “Program for

Pakistan’s Envoy Urges Afghanistan to Act Against TTP

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 25 July 2024 According to Durrani, Islamabad seeks peace and stability in Afghanistan. Asif Ali Durrani, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, has called on the Islamic Emirate to take effective measures against the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) at a meeting at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Pakistan.  Durrani claimed at

Senior Security Officials Pledge Afghanistan ‘Not a Threat’

TOLOnews TV Network 25 July 2024 Haqqani added that currently no group can threaten the existing Sharia system in the country. Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister, said today (Thursday, July 25) at the “Program for Praising Security Forces,” that no military or terrorist group, including ISIS, exists in Afghanistan. Haqqani added that currently

Islamic Emirate: Citizens’ Security Ensured, Afghanistan’s Territory Secure

TOLOnews TV Network 24 July 2024 Acting Minister of Interior, mentioned that they have destroyed ISIS in Afghanistan and have ensured the country’s security with limited resources. Some officials of the Islamic Emirate, on the final day of the National Labor Conference, reiterated that Afghanistan’s territory will not be used against any country. The acting

When Pakistan Tightened a Border, Thousands of Lives Were Upended

By Zia ur-Rehman and Christina Goldbaum Zia ur-Rehman reported from Chaman, Pakistan, and Christina Goldbaum from London. The New York Times July 23, 2024 Traders in Chaman have done business in Afghanistan for generations, but that stopped when officials made it much harder to cross. Want to stay updated on what’s happening in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Sign up for Your

‘The Taliban tried to silence us’: the musicians who escaped to Portugal

Ashifa Kassam in Braga The Guardian Mon 22 Jul 2024 02.00 EDT Astone’s throw from Portugal’s oldest cathedral and buzzing bakeries serving up pastéis de nata, the complex notes of a sitar fill the ground floor of an unassuming building in the northern city of Braga. The soft strumming belies the radical nature of the mission that

US diplomat urges people of Afghanistan to decide on the Taliban system

By Fidel Rahmati Khama Press July 23, 2024 The U.S. chargé d’affaires stated that during the Doha meeting, the Taliban told global representatives that the current situation in Afghanistan reflects what the people want. Karen Decker mentioned that it is now up to the people of Afghanistan to clarify whether the Taliban’s system is what

Extraction work begins at Aynak copper mine in Logar, Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 24, 2024 The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced the commencement of the extraction work at the Aynak copper mine in Logar province during a special inauguration ceremony. Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum stated that the contract was signed today, Wednesday, July 24th, in Mohammad

US State Dept Reiterates No Aid Funds Going to ‘Taliban’

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 23 July 2024 The Ministry of Economy has also stated that all humanitarian aid to Afghanistan is provided to citizens without interference from the Islamic Emirate. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, once again rejected claims of Washington’s direct financial support for the Islamic Emirate. In response to a

UNAMA Chief Stresses Importance of High-Level Talks with Islamic Emirate

Mursaleen Muwahed Web Journalist Online content writer Tolo News 24 July 2024 The statement mentioned that Otunbayeva said that UNAMA is striving to facilitate access to microloans in all provinces of Afghanistan. In a meeting with the head of UNAMA, the Deputy Political Chief of the Prime Minister’s Office discussed the achievements of the third

Muttaqi Criticizes Global Inaction at National Labor Conference

TOLOnews TV Network 23 July 2024 Mawlavi Abdul Kabir also called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the officials of the Islamic Emirate and the people of Afghanistan. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, criticized the lack of international cooperation with the Islamic Emirate in various sectors at the National Labor

Survey: Afghans Want Women’s Inclusion in Intl Decision-Making Forums

Najibullah Lalzoy Manager, Online Tolo News 24 July 2024 The survey, which covered 888 people across 33 provinces (not Uruzgan) of Afghanistan took place in the first quarter of 2024. The latest quarterly survey conducted between 17 and 29 April by UN Afghanistan indicated that the consulted Afghan women and men feel that the international

When the Taliban Took Kabul, She Fled, and Made a New Life in New York

By Karen Zraick The New York Times July 21, 2024 Nargis Baran was a rising legal star in Afghanistan. She became a target once the government fell. The night Kabul fell to the Taliban, a young lawyer named Nargis Baran was holed up in her apartment there, scrolling through news reports in disbelief. Then her

Mujahid Rejects Trump Remarks on Selling Military Equipment in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 19 July 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid, told TOLOnews that all the military equipment left by the US in Afghanistan belongs to Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate rejects Donald Trump’s statements about selling American military equipment in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that all the military equipment left by

Families of service members killed during Afghanistan withdrawal criticize Biden at GOP convention

BY  JONATHAN J. COOPER, FARNOUSH AMIRI, MATTHEW LEE AND STEVE PEOPLES Associated Press July 18, 2024   MILWAUKEE (AP) — Relatives of some of the 13 American service members killed during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan appeared on stage at the Republican National Convention Wednesday in an emotional moment that revived one of the low points of President Joe Biden’s

Cycling sisters defy the Taliban to achieve Olympic dream

By Firuz Rahimi and Peter Ball BBC World Service in Aigle, Switzerland 17 July 2024 BBC Yulduz (left) and Fariba Hashimi both came late to cycling Speeding along a road in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, Fariba Hashimi rises out of the saddle of her £15,000 bike and works the pedals even harder to

Afghanistan Journalists Center: Taliban shut down 7 media outlets in first half of 2024

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 18, 2024 The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported that seven media outlets have been shut down in the first half of 2024 under Taliban orders. The center also documented 89 violations against journalists and media, including 60 threats and 29 detentions. On Thursday, July 18th, the Afghanistan Journalists Center

Kabir: Despite US Opposition, Islamic Emirate’s Relations Expanding

Naweed Samadi Tolo News 18 July 2024 Kabir also mentioned that some countries that have come to Afghanistan have understood the reality and engaged with the Islamic Emirate. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy Prime Minister, in a meeting with several political and military experts and some media officials said that despite US misconduct, the

Pakistan summons Afghan diplomat to protest a suicide attack that killed 8 soldiers in the northwest

Associated Press July 17, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan summoned a senior Afghan diplomat Wednesday to strongly protest a deadly militant attack that left eight soldiers dead in the northwest bordering Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said. A bomber rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the ouster wall of an army housing complex on Monday in the city of

Save the children: Climate change affects thousands of children in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 17, 2024 Save the Children Organization reports that devastating floods and storms have affected 858,000 children in the provinces of Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar. According to the organization, about 1,500 children were displaced following recent heavy rains in several provinces nationwide. Climate change has affected approximately 1.36 million people,

Afghan Girls Demand Reopening of Schools and Universities

TOLOnews TV Network Ayesha, who was a fourth-year journalism student, talks about her dashed hopes as she flips through the pages of her book. A number of schoolgirls and female students once again demanded the reopening of schools and universities. They say they have been in a state of uncertainty for nearly three years. Ayesha,

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir: Islamic Emirate has Complete Authority in 34 Provinces

TOLOnews TV Network 17 July 2024 According to the political deputy PM, currently no village in the country is outside the government’s control. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy Prime Minister, said in a meeting with the heads of public universities and the Ministry of Higher Education that the Islamic Emirate has authority over all

Taliban shuts down Kabul telecom network during Ashura

By Fidel Rahmati Tolo News July 16, 2024 Simultaneous with the observance of Ashura ceremonies, reports indicate that the Taliban have completely shut down all telecommunications networks in Kabul, the capital city. According to the reports, Taliban forces have also blocked all roads in western Kabul, claiming to ensure security. The telecommunications networks have been

Nangarhar Hit Hard by Storms: Increase in Casualties Reported

TOLOnews TV Network 16 July 2024 Local officials told TOLOnews that the death toll from this incident may increase further. The number of victims from storms and heavy rainfall in Nangarhar has risen to 40 dead and 350 injured. The injured, affected by severe rainfall and storms in Jalalabad city and the districts of Surkh

UN: Nearly 60% of Afghan migrants from Pakistan repatriated ‘forcibly’

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 15, 2024 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that over the past six months, 20,802 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, including 15,563 who returned voluntarily and 5,239 who were compelled to do so. According to a report released by the UNHCR on Sunday,

State Dept: Three US Citizens Detained in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 14 July 2024 However, the Islamic Emirate states that two American citizens are detained due to legal violations. The US State Department has reported that three of its citizens are currently imprisoned in Afghanistan. According to the Washington Examiner, a spokesperson for the department identified the American citizens as George Glezmann, Mahmood

Taliban tries reconciling science and religion in facing climate change

By Rick Noack The Washington Post July 15, 2024 Afghanistan’s rulers, cut off from foreign assistance, are tackling climate change on their own while debating whether it is God’s doing or a foreign plot. KABUL — When Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers headed to the country’s first “international climate change conference” earlier this year in the eastern

TTP Leader Denies Operating from Afghan Soil, Rejects Al-Qaeda Support

TOLOnews TV Network 14 July 2024 Mehsud thanked Pakistan’s religious, political, and national leaders for opposing the country’s new military operations called Azm-e-Istehkam. The Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has denied receiving fund and training from Al-Qaeda and being operative from the Afghan soil or any Afghan citizen involved in their attacks. In a written message to the

Where Germany’s Immigration Debate Hits Home

By Sarah Maslin Nir and Christopher F. Schuetze The New York Times July 13, 2024 Sarah Maslin Nir reported from the city of Mannheim, Germany, and from the market square where a police officer was killed. Christopher F. Schuetze reported on the political reaction from Berlin. Since the recent killing of a police officer, Mannheim has become

German and Pakistani officials discuss Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 13, 2024 Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, discussed Afghanistan with a German parliament delegation on Friday, July 12th. According to reports, the meeting focused on terrorism, the current socio-economic conditions in Afghanistan, and global engagement with the country. The meeting comes at a time when reports have emerged

Muttaqi Calls for Taking Necessary Steps After Doha 3

TOLOnews TV Network 13 July 2024 Some experts consider these visits to be effective in the process of removing financial and banking sanctions from the countries of the world in Afghanistan. On Thursday, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi emphasized the need to take the necessary steps following the third Doha meeting in

Mujahid Rejects Claims of Foreign Groups’ Presence in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 14 July 2024 Mujahid told TOLOnews that no foreign groups are present in the country and the threat posed by the Daesh group is minimal.  Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, has rejected the United Nations Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team’s report concerning the presence of Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan

As Taliban limits options for Afghan women, many lead secret lives online

By Rick Noack The Washington Post Updated July 11, 2024  Afghan women and girls are taking online courses, learning foreign languages with the help of AI, working out with fitness videos and trading cryptocurrencies. KABUL — Three years into Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls are finding ways online to take back some of what was

No music, no Western-style haircuts: UN report details life in Afghanistan under Taliban’s moral enforcers

By Lex Harvey CNN Wed July 10, 2024 CNN —  Listening to music, smoking hookah, and getting a Western-style haircut are all punishable acts under the suffocating rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to a new UN report. The Taliban’s so-called morality police have curtailed human rights – disproportionately targeting women and girls – creating

UK should restore diplomatic presence to help Afghan women, says aid chief

Patrick Wintour  Diplomatic editor The Guardian Wed 10 Jul 2024 The UK should consider restoring its diplomatic presence in Afghanistan to support Afghan women and to help monitor the impact of British aid, a commissioner for the official UK aid watchdog has suggested. Hugh Bayley, who visited Kabul in May, said he believed Afghan women and

Pakistan will consider expelling hundreds of thousands more Afghans in a continued clampdown

BY  MUNIR AHMED Associated Press July 11, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan will consider a plan to expel hundreds of thousands more Afghans who have been living in the country for years, the foreign ministry said Thursday, the latest in a monthslong government clampdown on undocumented migrants. The plan is still in the works, Foreign Ministry spokesperson

OCHA appeals for urgent funding to address Afghanistan’s worsening economic crisis

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 12, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned about Afghanistan’s worsening economic crisis. According to OCHA, critical services like healthcare, shelter, food, and education are threatened due to severe funding shortages. In a statement released on Wednesday, OCHA highlighted that six million

Shia protesters in Herat march in response to Taliban restrictions

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 12, 2024 Groups of Shia protesters in Herat marched through the city’s 12th, 9th, and 13th districts, waving Ashura flags and chanting “Labbaik Ya Hussain” as they expressed their religious devotion and voiced dissent against recent statements made by the Taliban. Caravans of Shia protesters in Herat marched through

US President Biden: No one can unite Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 12, 2024 In his recent speech, President Joe Biden of the United States unequivocally opposed America’s “occupation” of Afghanistan. He stressed that after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the U.S. should have withdrawn from Afghanistan, arguing that no entity could effectively unify the country. Biden added, “I’ve traveled

Amnesty Intl Comments on UNAMA Report Criticizing Vice and Virtue Ministry

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 12 July 2024 Political analysts and women’s rights activists have various views on the publication of the UNAMA report and Amnesty International’s statement. Amnesty International said that the report from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlights the role of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue of the Islamic

haheen: Sanctions on Islamic Emirate Officials Should Be Lifted

TOLOnews TV Network 12 July 2024 Head of the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar told TOLOnews that the sanctions have not been effective and should be lifted as soon as possible. Suhail Shaheen, head of the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar, has called for the lifting of UN Security

Pakistan Emphasizes Implementation of IFRP

By Ebadullah Ebadi Tolo News 12July 2024   Baloch also said that the fundamental basis of the UNHCR’s statement should be asked. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, speaking at a press briefing said that Pakistan has not given any indication to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that the

Pakistan Government to convene session on extending Afghan migrant’s PoR cards

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 10, 2024 Pakistani media have reported that the government is convening a session regarding the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ request to extend Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan migrants. In a report released on Wednesday, July 10th, Dawn newspaper cites a government official stating that Afghan migrants’

UN warns of budget shortfall for humanitarian activities in Afghanistan

Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 10, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states that the agency faces a shortage of funds to carry out humanitarian activities. In its latest report released on Wednesday, July 10th, OCHA notes that sectors at high risk of disruption due to severe budget shortages

Kabulov: Removal Process of ‘Taliban’ Names From Terrorist List Ongoing

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 10 July 2024 Russia has consistently emphasized global engagement with the Islamic Emirate. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, told Russia’s TASS news outlet that the process of removing “Taliban” officials’ names from the terrorist list is ongoing. In a report, TASS quoted Kabulov saying that this process is “going

Blinken Advocates for Afghan Women’s Rights

TOLOnews TV Network 10 July 2024 Blinken also said at the NATO anniversary ceremony on Tuesday (July 9) in Washington that efforts to secure Afghan girls’ rights are ongoing. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said that he supports women’s rights to access education and work in Afghanistan and that Washington is pressuring the

Afghanistan: Taliban ‘morality police’ crack down on women

Shristi Mangal Pal DW  Deutsche Welle July 10, 2024 According to a new report released by the UN, Taliban “morality police” squads in Afghanistan enforce bans on western haircuts, music and prohibit women from traveling without a male escort. Taliban walk past a sign calling for women to wear veils Taliban vice squads have put

How The Emirate Wants to be Perceived: A closer look at the Accountability Programme

Martine van Bijlert  Afghanistan Analysts Network 9 Jul 2024  As the third anniversary of its return to power approaches, the Islamic Emirate is presumably readying itself for another round of its Accountability Programme, as it has done in the past two summers. These televised sessions, held by ministers and other senior officials in front of

Australia-based sprinter ‘honoured’ to represent oppressed women after making Afghan Olympic team

Jack Snape The Guardian Mon 8 Jul 2024 Kimia Yousofi, one of three women selected, to race in 100m event Taliban refuses to recognise female element of Afghanistan team Afghanistan’s Olympic flag bearer at the Tokyo Olympics has said she represents “the stolen dreams and aspirations” of women who have suffered under Taliban rule after

UNICEF concerned over increase in mental health disorders among children in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 9, 2024   The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concerns over increasing mental health issues among children in Afghanistan, stating that nearly 40% of these children currently face psychological disorders. The agency revealed in a report on Monday, July 8th, 8th, that 24% of children aged five

Malala Yousafzai urges new UK PM to prioritize girls’s education in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 9, 2024 Malala Yousafzai, an advocate for girls’ education, urges Britain’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to prioritize the issue of girls’ education deprivation in Afghanistan and other countries in his foreign policy. Yousafzai tweeted on Monday, July 8th, “As you shape Britain’s foreign policy and development plans in

Over 200 Arrested in Kabul in Counter-Narcotics Operations: Official

TOLOnews TV Network 9 July 2024   Some experts believe that to prevent poppy cultivation and drug trafficking in Afghanistan, other countries should also cooperate with the Islamic Emirate. Khalid Zadran, the Kabul security command’s spokesperson, told TOLOnews: “The Counter-Narcotics Directorate of the Kabul Security Command has conducted 181 operations in various parts of Kabul,

UNICEF Reports High Rates of Anxiety, Depression Among Afghan Children

By Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 9 July 2024 Currently, the lack of access to education and fear of an uncertain future are other significant concerns for girls in Afghanistan. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that more than 24% of children aged 5 to 17 in Afghanistan are experiencing anxiety, and nearly 15%

Shahabuddin Delawar Affirms Leadership’s Latest Appointments

TOLOnews TV Network 9 July 2024 Hidayatullah Badri said that this appointment is not a privilege but a responsibility. Shahabuddin Delawar, speaking at a ceremony introducing Hidayatullah Badri as the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, emphasized that obedience within an Islamic system is a fundamental principle. During today’s (Tuesday) ceremony, Delawar expressed his support

Restrictions on Women and Girls by Afghan Ministry Draw UNAMA Criticism

TOLOnews TV Network 9 July 2024 The report also mentions Afghanistan’s membership and commitments to several UN human rights documents and emphasizes the need to fulfill these commitments. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has issued a recent report criticizing the practices of the Ministry of Virtue and Vice in Afghanistan, particularly those

Veteran writes book about Afghan rescue operation

By Shivani Chaudhari BBC News, Essex 8 July 2024 Pen Farthing’s new book recounts his experience of evacuating his charity from Afghanistan in 2021 A former British Royal Marines commando said it was therapeutic to write a book about his experience of evacuating animals and people from Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover in 2021. In

Shaheen: Islamic Emirate Acts Independently in Fight Against Terrorism

TOLOnews TV Network 8 July 2024 This comes as the president of Russia, a few days ago, referred to the Islamic Emirate as an ally of his country in the fight against terrorism. Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Doha, in an interview with a Pakistani journalist said that the

Five-Year Alternative Cultivation Plan Implemented for Afghan Farmers

TOLOnews TV Network 8 July 2024 Some farmers are seeking cooperation from the Islamic Emirate officials in the field of alternative cultivation. According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, a five-year alternative cultivation plan has been developed based on the decree of the leader of the Islamic Emirate, aimed at

GIZ restructures Afghanistan operations, shifts projects to NGOs by 2025

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 6, 2024 The German development organization (GIZ) has announced a restructuring of its operations in Afghanistan. Moving forward, GIZ will conduct projects exclusively through non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While current projects will continue as planned, GIZ has indicated that from 2025 onward, it will no longer employ its own national

UN Chief urges countries to unite to prevent Afghanistan from “becoming a hotbed of terrorism”

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 6, 2024 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the 24th meeting of the heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), urging countries to work together to prevent Afghanistan from “becoming a hotbed of terrorism.” Guterres emphasized the importance of achieving peace in Afghanistan and forming a government that includes

China and Tajikistan Advocate for Inclusive Govt in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 6 July 2024 This statement was issued following the Chinese president’s visit to Tajikistan and his meeting with Emomali Rahmon. Chinese media, citing a joint statement, said that Xi Jinping and Emomali Rahmon, the presidents of China and Tajikistan, support the creation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that includes representatives from

Afghanistan has been through everything. Now it wants to dust off its postal service and modernize

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press July 5, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — In parts of Afghanistan where there are no street names or house numbers, utility companies and their customers have adopted a creative approach for connecting. They use mosques as drop points for bills and cash, a “pay and pray” system. Now the national

Germany rejects Afghan refugees, plans to deport them back to Afghanistan within 7 days: Amnesty International

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 5, 2024 Amnesty International Germany reports that a large number of Afghan refugees in Pakistan who were awaiting transfer to Germany will be deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan within seven days. Recently, Germany has retracted its positive responses to some Afghan refugees waiting in Pakistan. The news network “ARD” reported

Islamic Emirate Dismisses SCO’s Call for Inclusive Govt as Internal Matter

TOLOnews TV Network 5 July 2024 Putin said that the “Taliban” are in power in Afghanistan and are therefore allies of Moscow in the fight against terrorism. The Islamic Emirate called the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s request regarding the establishment of an inclusive government in Afghanistan an internal matter of the country. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson

US Envoy West Emphasizes Reintegration of Afghanistan at Doha Meeting

TOLOnews TV Network 5 July 2024 West told TOLOnews that his country’s policy towards Afghanistan is based on two principles. US special envoy for Afghanistan Thomas West said that the reintegration of Afghanistan into the global community was one of the key objectives of the countries participating in the Doha meeting. West told TOLOnews that

Nothing compensates for the stolen years’: the Afghan women rebuilding shattered dreams in Iran

Stefanie Glinski in Tehran The Guardian 4 Jul 2024   More than 1,000 days after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, women and girls are reluctantly seeking education elsewhere Relief set in the moment Hasina crossed the border into Iran. For two years, the Taliban barred the 24-year-old medical student from continuing her studies. Now, as part of

Deportation of nearly two thousand Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 4, 2024 The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reported that nearly two thousand Afghan migrants have entered the country after being expelled by Iran and Pakistan. According to a newsletter released by the ministry on Thursday, June 4th, 1,897 Afghan migrants returned following their expulsion from Iran and Pakistan.

The Take: How a notorious US prison still haunts Afghanistan

Al Jazeera Podcast Published On 3 Jul 2024 Bagram Prison was a site of torture during the US war in Afghanistan that continues to haunt former detainee Thousands of people were imprisoned for years without charge or trial by the United States during its so-called “war on terror”. Moazzam Begg was one of them. For

Talks with the Taliban – no women allowed

By Caroline Davies BBC News 2 July 2024 Girls above primary school age are barred from education and most jobs by the Taliban Two days of talks between the international community and the Afghan Taliban have been productive, diplomats say. The meetings in Doha were the first to include the Taliban – whose government no

UNICEF plans to reconstruct 190 schools in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 3, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says it plans to reconstruct 190 schools in Afghanistan this year. On Tuesday, July 2nd, the organisation announced that rebuilding these schools will provide education opportunities for 200,000 children. UNICEF emphasized that these schools will be constructed with the cooperation and

US Calls for Prisoner Release, Islamic Emirate Seeks Mutual Action

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 3 July 2024 Mujahid said that he had 24 meetings with representatives of different countries, which were as productive as the Doha meeting. Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, said that Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, pressed the Islamic Emirate during the third

Coordinated, Integrated Strategies for Afghanistan’s Challenges

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 3 July 2024 According to Fitrat, currently, the Islamic Emirate has good relations and positive interactions with most countries. Tariq Ali Bakhit, the Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Afghanistan, has called creating a strategic and coherent solution to solve Afghanistan’s challenges. Bakhit said at the third

An Afghan woman wanted to be a doctor. Now she makes pickles as the Taliban restricts women’s roles

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press July 3, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Frozan Ahmadzai is one of 200,000 Afghan women who have the Taliban’s permission to work. She should have graduated from university this year in pursuit of her dream of becoming a doctor, but the Taliban have barred women from higher education and excluded them from many

Nebenzia: ‘Taliban’ Should Not Be Ignored as Afghanistan’s Current Rulers

Nazir Shinwari Tolo, News 3 July 2024 Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, welcomed the remarks of Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN about Afghanistan. Vasily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that the ‘Taliban’ are the current rulers of Afghanistan, and no one can ignore this fact. Vasily Nebenzia

UN Official, Civil Society Activists Discuss Human Rights, Girls’ Education

TOLOnews TV Network 3 July 2024 Following this meeting, Rosemary DiCarlo said in a press conference that building trust among all parties is necessary; therefore, all voices must be heard. Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and representatives from 15 countries held discussions with Afghan civil society activists on human rights issues and girls’ education

The Taliban tell the West to look past harsh edicts on Afghan women and girls and build ties

Associated Press June 30, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban on Sunday told the West to look past the measures they have imposed on Afghan women and girls for the sake of improving foreign relations. Their chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Taliban uphold certain religious and cultural values and public aspirations that “must be

UN denies Taliban claim of Banking restrictions removal

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama News July 2, 2024   In the third session of the Doha talks, the United Nations Secretary-General rebutted claims by a Taliban spokesperson regarding the lifting of certain banking restrictions imposed on the group. Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, informed Afghan media that the issue had been

Former Afghan interior minister calls for UN to remove Otunbayeva and cleanse UNAMA

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 2, 2024 The former Afghan Interior Minister described the Doha summit as “another example of the UN’s failure in managing the Taliban and Afghanistan.” Mohammad Omar Daudzai called on the UN Secretary-General to replace Roze Otunbayeva and cleanse UNAMA, stating that the Doha meeting was a waste of time

Pakistan to start second phase of Afghan deportations

Al Jazeera 30 June 2024 More than 800,000 Afghans are likely to be expelled in the second phase of the controversial plan. Pakistan is set to start the second phase of a controversial plan to send undocumented Afghan refugees back to their country. Beginning Sunday, authorities are likely to expel more than 800,000 Afghans from

A year ago, she drank battery acid to escape life under the Taliban. Today, she has a message for other Afghan girls

By Hilary Whiteman, Anna Coren, Abdul Basir Bina and Javed Iqbal CNN Sun June 30, 2024 . Karachi, PakistanCNN —  Holding a mirror steady in one hand, Arzo carefully applies pencil to her brows as she gets ready for an English lesson a short walk from her home on the outskirts of Pakistani megacity Karachi. Every step toward the classroom takes

UN-led meeting in Qatar with Afghan Taliban is not a recognition of their government, official says

BY  RAHIM FAIEZ Associates Press July 1, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — A United Nations-led meeting held in Qatar with the Taliban on increasing engagement with Afghanistan does not translate into a recognition of their government, a U.N. official said Monday. The gathering on Sunday and Monday in Qatar’s capital of Doha with envoys from some two dozen

Taliban Talks With U.N. Go On Despite Alarm Over Exclusion of Women

By Christina Goldbaum Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan The New York Times July 1, 2024 The meeting is the first between the Taliban and a United Nations-led conference of global envoys who are seeking to engage the Afghan government on critical issues. Taliban officials attended a rare, United Nations-led conference of global envoys to Afghanistan on

US and Qatar officials meet at Doha summit to support women in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press July 1, 2024 Rina Amiri, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Women, met with Lulwa Al-Khater, Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, on the sidelines of the third Doha summit to discuss support for women and girls in Afghanistan. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday, July 1st, that

Canada’s Intl Affairs Agency Concerned With Absence of Women at Doha 3

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 1 July 2024 Some women’s rights activists in Afghanistan also believe that the presence of women representatives at the third Doha meeting was crucial. Canada’s International Affairs Agency stated in a press release that it is disappointed with the absence of Afghan civil society and women’s representatives at the third Doha

Around 115,000 Afghan Migrants Return from Pakistan, Iran

TOLOnews TV Network 1 July 2024 Haqqani added that cash and food supplies have been distributed to the returnees. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation reported the return of approximately 115,000 migrants from Pakistan and Iran in the past month. Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, told TOLOnews that 98,000

Mujahid at Doha 3 Urges Enhanced International Engagement

Ebadullah Ebadi Tolo News 1 July 2024 Mujahid wrote on X that in a meeting with the Indonesian foreign minister, he emphasized strengthening relations between the two countries. On the sidelines of the Doha 3 meeting, Zabihullah Mujahid, who leads the Islamic Emirate delegation, met with representatives from several countries to discuss Afghanistan issues. Mujahid

Overview of the First and Second Doha Meetings on Afghanistan

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 1 July 2024 Before this meeting, France24 reported, citing its sources, that the Doha meeting would review the UN’s humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. The first Doha meeting was held in May 2023, and the second in February 2024. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, attempted to address the challenges and concerns of

Mujahid: Islamic Emirate Attending Doha Meeting to Foster Engagement

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 29, 2024 Reports from the venue of the third Doha meeting in Qatar indicate that Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN body for Afghanistan, Thomas Nicholson, and Asif Durrani, special representatives of the European Union and Pakistan, arrived in Doha today, Saturday, June 29th. The third Doha meeting will

Mujahid: Islamic Emirate Attending Doha Meeting to Foster Engagement

Sabria Abdal Tolo News 28 June 2024 Mujahid stated that the Islamic Emirate’s participation in this meeting does not signify hostility towards any party. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, announced in a press conference that the Islamic Emirate will participate in the third Doha meeting with the aim of “engaging with all

‘No dialogue’: Pakistan says open to attacks on Afghan-based armed groups

By Abid Hussain Al Jazeera Published On 28 Jun 2024 Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country would not hesitate to launch attacks on the territory of Afghanistan, its neighbour, amid rising tensions between the two over security concerns. When asked whether Pakistan would consider cross-border attacks to control perpetrators,

Women’s rights will be raised at the UN meeting being attended by Taliban, UN official says

EDITH M. LEDERERAssociated Press June 27, 2024 UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. political chief who will chair the first meeting between Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and envoys from about 25 countries answered sharp criticism that Afghan women have been excluded, saying Wednesday that women’s rights will be raised at every session. Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo stressed to a

Chinese President vows continued role in resolving Afghanistan issues

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 28, 2024 Xi Jinping, the President of China, announced that China will continue its role in connecting to resolve Afghanistan’s issues. He said on Friday, June 28th, in a ceremony in Beijing, that China will not change its determination for peace development. According to Chinese media reports, he said

Ministry, Bank Delegates to Travel to Doha 3, US Special Envoys to Attend

TOLOnews TV Network 27 June 2024 Amir Khan Muttaqi confirmed this during a meeting with Roza Otunbayeva, and also both sides discussed the agenda of the third meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Industry and Commerce, Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank of Afghanistan, and

China Urges Islamic Emirate to Fulfill Promises on Girls’ Education

TOLOnews TV Network 27 June 2024 Beijing hopes peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan will occur in a way that witnesses the formation of an inclusive government. China’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, said in an interview with an Iranian media outlet that he hopes the caretaker government of Afghanistan will fulfill its promises regarding

WFP to assists only one million in Afghanistan due to financial crisis

By Fidel Rahmat Khaama Pressi June 26, 2024 The World Food Programme in Afghanistan has announced that due to budget constraints and financial crises, it may only be able to distribute food to one million people until October 2024. The organization stressed that currently, 12 million people in Afghanistan require assistance to survive. On Wednesday,

Vienna Conference calls for responsible UN action on Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 26, 2024 Participants of the fourth Vienna conference criticized the announcement made today, June 26th, regarding the upcoming Doha conference and urged the United Nations to handle this matter responsibly. They criticized the upcoming third Doha conference, scheduled for June 30th to July 1st, labeling it as a unilateral

Doha Talks ‘In No Way’ Recognize Afghan Interim Govt: Dujarric

TOLOnews TV Network 26 Jine 2024   The third Doha meeting is hosted by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.   A delegation of the Islamic Emirate, led by Zabihullah Mujahid, will participate in the third Doha meeting, and the United Nations has described this meeting as a process to compel

Nearly 100,000 Tourists Visit Bamyan in One Week

TOLOnews 25 June 2024 Safiullah Raed, the head of Bamyan’s Information and Culture Department, states that they have plans in place to promote the tourism industry. Safiullah Raed, the head of Bamyan’s Information and Culture Department, states that they have plans in place to promote the tourism industry. Raed said: “This year, during the week

Shutting Afghan women out of key UN conference to appease Taliban ‘a betrayal’

Tom Levitt , Annie Kelly and Zahra Joya The Guardian Fri 21 Jun 2024 Excluding Afghan women from an upcoming UN conference on Afghanistan would be a “betrayal” of women and girls in the country, say human rights groups and former politicians. The Taliban are reportedly demanding that no Afghan women be allowed to participate in the UN meeting in Doha starting

Over 500 at-risk Afghans transferred to Germany in nearly two years

Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 23, 2024 German media reports that since the start of the program to accept at-risk Afghans into Germany, 530 individuals have been transferred to the country. According to reports, the number of Afghan admissions through this program has been limited due to security checks, which began in August 2022. German

UN spokesperson says women’s rights will be highlighted at Doha meeting

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 24, 2024 A UN spokesperson said on Sunday that the aim of the Doha meetings is to “encourage the Taliban to engage with the world in a coordinated and orderly manner for the benefit of the Afghan people.” Stéphane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, said on Sunday, June 23, that

G7 countries oppose composition and agenda of third Doha meeting on Afghanistan: Report

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 24, 2024 According to reports, G7 countries, including the US and UK, oppose the composition and agenda of the third Doha meeting. Special representatives from some countries, including the US, might not attend the meeting, reports said. On Monday, June 24, reports indicate that G7 members are dissatisfied with

Muttaqi: Afghanistan’s Interaction with the World Has Progressed

TOLOnews TV Network 24 June 2024 He also added that there is no concern inside or outside the country that opponents of the Islamic Emirate can rely on. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, said in a meeting with the ministry’s employees that the interim government’s interaction with countries and

Qaeda Commander at Guantánamo Bay Is Sentenced for War Crimes

By Carol Rosenberg Reporting from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba The New York Times June 20, 2024 A former Qaeda battlefield commander who admitted that his insurgents killed 17 U.S. and allied forces in wartime Afghanistan in the early 2000s will spend eight more years in prison under a plea agreement disclosed on Thursday. The prisoner, Abd al-Hadi

Afghan refugees’ problems in Pakistan compounded by fear of deportation

By Roshan Noorzai and Muska Safi Voice of America June 19, 2024 6:50 PM WASHINGTON/PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — Every morning, Zakira prepares Afghan dumplings known as mantu and waits for her sons Arsalan, 12, and Alyan, 10, to return from school when they take the mantu to the nearby streets to sell. “As refugees in Pakistan, this is

As climate change imperils Taliban’s shift from opium, impact could be felt worldwide

By Rick Noack and Carolyn Van Houten The Washington Post June 21, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. EDT Prolonged droughts attributed to climate change are making it hard for Afghans to grow other field crops and fruits, but hardy opium poppies can still thrive. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Two years after the Taliban banned opium, Afghan farmers

UN envoy defends failure to include Afghan women in upcoming meeting with the Taliban in Qatar

BY  EDITH M. LEDERER Updated 12:42 AM EDT, June 22, 202 UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations’ top official in Afghanistan defended the failure to include Afghan women in the upcoming first meeting between the Taliban and envoys from 22 countries, insisting that demands for women’s rights are certain to be raised. U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva

Taliban to relocate TTP fighters from border to other provinces of Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 22, 2024 Reports say that the Taliban are planning to relocate members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from border areas to other provinces in Afghanistan. This decision comes after months of discussions between the Taliban, Pakistan, and China. According to sources, the Taliban in Afghanistan are working to move TTP

Over 13,000 Afghan migrants deported from Pakistan in past ten days

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 23, 2024 Pakistani media have reported that over the past ten days, 13,815 Afghan migrants have been deported from the country and returned to Afghanistan. Radio Pakistan stated on Saturday, June 22, that since the start of the deportation initiative, a total of 620,981 Afghan citizens, including women and

UNAMA Head: Engagement with Kabul ‘Not Legitimation or Normalization’

By Mitra Majeedi Tolo News According to the head of UNAMA, the Doha meeting has generated high expectations, which realistically cannot be met in a single session. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, stated at the Security Council meeting on Friday night that engaging with the “Taliban” does not equate to legitimizing them. During this meeting,

Lavrov: CSTO Members Seek Dialogue With Afghan Interim Afghan Govt

By TOLOnews TV Network 22 June 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that Afghanistan has become much safer and more stable than before. Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, told reporters after the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Kazakhstan that the

Kabul Urges UN to Hand Over Seat to Interim Govt

TOLOnews TV Network 23 June 2024 Some political analysts say that for the Islamic Emirate’s request to be accepted, they also need to meet some of the world’s legitimate conditions. The Islamic Emirate said that by assigning Afghanistan’s seat to the representative of the interim government, issues such as imposed sanctions, frozen funds, and negative

UNICEF: Nearly 900,000 children in Afghanistan suffer from fatal malnutrition

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 21, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned about the impact of climate change on children’s food security in Afghanistan. UNICEF estimates that currently, over 875,000 children under five in Afghanistan suffer from severe acute malnutrition, which can be fatal. The UN-affiliated relief agency reported that flood-inducing

Human Rights Watch calls exclusion of Afghan women from Doha talks “Shocking”

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 21, 2024 A general view ahead of an aid conference for Afghanistan at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, September 13, 2021. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse The executive director of Human Rights Watch described the exclusion of women’s rights and the absence of women from the Doha talks as “shocking.” Tirana

UNAMA to Present Quarterly Report on Afghanistan to UN Security Council

By TOLOnews TV Network 20 June 2024 Earlier, the Islamic Emirate had requested that UNAMA reflect the realities of Afghanistan in their reports. UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva will present a quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan at the United Nations Security Council meeting tomorrow (Friday, June 21). In addition to Otunbayeva, representatives from the

UN expert condemns Taliban ‘crimes’ against Afghan women, girls

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America June 18, 2024 he United Nations human rights expert for Afghanistan warned Tuesday against sidelining the rights and voices of women at an upcoming international meeting with the country’s fundamentalist Taliban leaders. The special rapporteur, Richard Bennett, issued the warning while presenting his latest report on the Taliban’s allegedly

War Crimes Hearing Gives Public Virtual Look Inside a Secret C.I.A. Prison

By Carol Rosenberg The New York Times June 17, 2024 Years after the agency’s “black site” program was shut down, details are slowly emerging during trials at Guantánamo Bay. The public on Monday got its first view of a C.I.A. “black site,” including a windowless, closet-size cell where a former Qaeda commander was held during

Kabul Emphasizes Afghanistan’s Regional Significance

TOLOnews TV Network 18 June 2024 Mujahid said Afghanistan’s interactions and shared economy with regional countries are significant reasons for its presence in such organizations. The Islamic Emirate emphasizes Afghanistan’s presence in regional affairs. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that any organization established for discussions on regional issues should include Afghanistan.

Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland Has Generated $300M in Interest

 Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 18 June 2024 The Afghan Trust Fund was created in September 2022 to safeguard $3.5 billion of the country’s assets in Switzerland. Shah Mohammad Mehrabi, board member of the Afghan Trust Fund in Switzerland, told TOLOnews that the fund has so far generated about $300 million in profit. Shah Mohammad

Republicans fume over report part of $2.8B Afghan humanitarian funding went to Taliban

By Charles Creitz  Fox News Published June 17, 2024 Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., joins ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ to discuss his efforts to gain State Department records of any communication with ‘pro-Hamas’ groups. House Republicans are fuming at the Biden administration over reports that tens of millions of dollars of U.S. humanitarian aid to Afghanistan may have

Reclusive Taliban leader warns Afghans against earning money

By The Associated Press June 17, 2024, 9:04 AM The Taliban leader has warned Afghans against earning money or gaining worldly honor, at a time when the country is in the grip of humanitarian crises and is isolated on the global stage ISLAMABAD — The Taliban’s reclusive supreme leader on Monday warned Afghans against earning money

War Veterans and Family Testify at Al Qaeda Commander’s War Crimes Tribunal

By Carol Rosenberg Reporting from Guantánamo Bay The New York Times June 14, 2024 Victims of insurgent attacks in wartime Afghanistan described their loss to a jury at Guantánamo Bay to give a human face to a written guilty plea. A U.S. Army veteran spoke about being left blind by a sniper’s bullet in wartime

Afghans Celebrate Eid Without Security Incidents

 Shabnam Amini Tolo News 17 June 2024 Eid is a festival that citizens of the country celebrate every year by setting up festive tables with dried and fresh fruits and visiting each other’s homes. Residents of the capital and other provinces of the country celebrated the first day of Eid al-Adha by performing the Eid

Afghan Interim Govt to Attend Third Doha Meeting

By TOLOnews TV Network 16 June 2024 Mujahid told TOLOnews that the composition of the delegation representing the Islamic Emirate in Doha will be announced soon. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, announced the participation of a delegation from the interim government in the third Doha meeting. Mujahid told TOLOnews that the composition

A Thousand Days Without Education: UN Condemns Afghan Girls’ Plight

TOLOnews TV Network 16 June 2024 Bahous emphasized that the struggle for women’s rights in Afghanistan is a shared responsibility and urged global solidarity. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), has raised concerns over the ongoing restrictions faced by women and girls in

Wheat production in Afghanistan increased by 13% compared to last year

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 14, 2024 The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of the Taliban has announced that wheat production in Afghanistan has increased by 13% compared to last year, with around 4.9 million metric tons of wheat expected to be harvested nationwide. On Thursday, June 13, the ministry published statistics showing

WFP: 12 million Afghans face hunger before Eid al-Adha

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 14, 2024   On the eve of Eid al-Adha, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that 12 million Afghans do not know where their next meal will come from. The organization added that Eid is a time for joy and celebration with friends and family, but for many Afghans,

Malala Fund announces $1.5 million to support girls’ education in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 14, 2024 The Malala Fund announced on Friday, June 14, a donation of $1.5 million to support girls’ education in Afghanistan. This donation is allocated to 13 organizations working on Afghan girls’ education. This financial aid is provided as Afghan girls have been barred from education under Taliban rule

‘Nobody is coming to help us’: Afghan teenage girls on life without school

Rukhshana reporters, Annie Kelly, Tom Levitt and Hikmat Noori Guardian Friday, 14 June 2024 Barred from school for 1,000 days, girls in Afghanistan face forced marriage, violence and isolation with no end in sight Just over three years ago, Asma’s* future contained many possibilities. Aged 15, she was at secondary school. After that lay the prospect of

WFPline in: Dec Real GDP of Afghanistan Has Slowed

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 14 June 2024 The Ministry of Economy says the reason for the decline in Afghanistan’s GDP is the global economic restrictions imposed on Afghanistan. According to a World Food Programme report, the decline of Afghanistan’s GDP was 20.7% in 2022, whereas this figure has dropped to 6.2% in 2023. WFP

In Eid Message, Islamic Emirate Leader Stresses Sharia, Security, Unity

 Ebadullah Ebadi Journalist Tolo News 14 June 2024 The leader of the Islamic Emirate urged all citizens to “protect and serve” the Islamic system. On the eve of Eid al-Adha, Sheikh Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, said in an Eid message that the interim government seeks to establish political and economic relations

US Targeting ISIS-K in Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Area

TOLOnews TV Network 13 June 2024 The US Department of Defense said that Washington is pursuing militants and senior commanders of ISIS-Khorasan in the border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, said: “Ongoing efforts to go after ISIS militants or ISIS senior leaders, of course that is something that we

Afghanistan among top five refugee-origin countries; 6.4 million displaced: UNHCR

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 13, 2024 At least 117.3 million people, or one in 69 individuals worldwide, remain forcibly displaced, including a significant number from Afghanistan, according to a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today. Wars in Afghanistan during the 1980s doubled refugee numbers to 20 million

Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America June 12, 8:46 PM ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — The Taliban’s ban on educating girls over the age of 12 in Afghanistan reached 1,000 days Thursday amid global outrage and demands for the immediate resumption of children’s learning. The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, denounced it as a “sad and sobering milestone”

OCHA Reports 19% of Afghan Children in Child Labor, Urges Action

Ebadullah Ebadi Journalist Tolo News 12 June 2024   According to OCHA, worldwide, 160 million children are engaged in child labor, which is almost one in ten children. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labor said that 19% of children are engaged in

Countries Pledge $842M in Aid for Afghanistan at Brussels Meeting

TOLOnews TV Network 12 June 2024 It has been said that this meeting also discussed progress in Afghanistan’s social and economic sectors. Senior officials from various countries have pledged nearly $842 million to address the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan during a meeting in Brussels. At this meeting, hosted by the European Union to discuss engagement

Ex-US official demands Taliban accountability for women’s rights at Doha meeting

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 11, 2024 A former senior White House official stated that the Taliban should be held accountable for human rights violations, especially women’s rights, at the upcoming Doha meeting. Lisa Curtis wrote on the “Just Security” website that the United Nations should expedite its efforts to criminalize “gender apartheid.” Curtis

BRICS Ministers Advocate Peaceful Resolution in Afghanistan

Mitra Majeedy Tolo Nws 11 June 2024 The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on this matter but has consistently assured that Afghan soil will not be used against any country. The BRICS foreign ministers emphasized the peaceful resolution of Afghanistan’s challenges in a joint statement. The statement also stressed ensuring that terrorists do not

Moscow: Establishing Relations with Current Afghan Authorities Necessary

Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 10 June 2024 According to TASS, Maria Zakharova said this is beneficial for Russia and added that the removal of “Taliban” officials from the blacklist is also in progress. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, in response to criticism from some journalists about Russia’s contacts with the Islamic Emirate, stated

Regional Contact Group Meeting on Afghanistan Held

TOLOnews TV Network 8 June 2024 Hassan Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that the recommendations given to the interim government do not imply interference in Afghanistan’s affairs. The second round of the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held today (Saturday) in Tehran with the participation of special representatives from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and China.

China, Pakistan Call for Inclusive Govt in Afghanista

Ebadullah Ebadi Journalist Tolo News 9 June 2024 Meanwhile, analysts have accused the two countries of not having a clear definition of an inclusive government. China and Pakistan in a joint statement called on the Islamic Emirate to establish an inclusive government and to not allow others to use Afghanistan’s soil against other countries. The

For this student, helping Afghan peers succeed fulfills another dream

By Karina Elwood The Washington Post June 9, 2024  Zahra Rahimi has lived out many dreams in the past five years. The first time she rode her bicycle outside in Virginia — something she couldn’t do in her home country of Afghanistan, which her family fled five years ago. The day last fall when she

Russia Ready to Expand Cooperation With Kabul: Zakharova

TOLOnews TV Network 8 June 2024 Meanwhile, some political analysts believe that the Islamic Emirate should pay attention to mutual demands to enhance interactions with other countries. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the ministry plans to expand multilateral cooperation with the interim government in Afghanistan. The Russian

Regional Contact Group Meeting on Afghanist

TOLOnews TV Network 8 June 2024 Hassan Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that the recommendations given to the interim government do not imply interference in Afghanistan’s affairs. The second round of the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held today (Saturday) in Tehran with the participation of special representatives from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and China.

Public Flogging in Afghanistan Sparks Intl Outcry

By Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 7 June 2024 UNAMA condemned this act and called for respect for international human rights commitments in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that the implementation of Sharia punishments is based on court decisions and that international organizations should not speak against Islamic laws. Mujahid said:

Travel Ban Temporarily Lifted for 4 Islamic Emirate Officials by UNSC

TOLOnews TV Network 7 June 2024 The UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee said that the exemption for these interim government officials is for travel to Saudi Arabia. The United Nations Security Council has temporarily lifted the travel ban on four officials of the Islamic Emirate. The UN Security Council’s Sanctions Committee said that the exemption

Rights group urges UN to demand Taliban include women in talks about future

By Abdur Razzaq Voice of America June 04, 2024 PAKISTAN —  As the United Nations and the Taliban prepare to discuss Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, on June 30, a New York-based global women’s rights advocacy nongovernmental organization has urged the U.N. to demand the Taliban ensure full and equal participation of Afghan women, peacebuilders and

Islamic Emirate Seeks Global Cooperation to Combat Environmental Crisis

TOLOnews TV Network 6 June 2024 The agency said that by the year 2031 (1410 solar year), 25 million saplings will be planted annually across the country. World Environment Day was commemorated in a program attended by high-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate and several international organizations in Kabul. A number of officials from the

US Reacts to Acting Minister of Interior’s Visit to UAE

TOLOnews TV Network 6 June 2024   Without commenting on Matthew Miller’s remarks, the Islamic Emirate has described the acting Minister of Interior’s trip to the UAE as productive. The spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, said countries that host members of the “Taliban” who are under sanctions must do so through a

Putin Emphasizes Need for Inclusive Afghan Government

TOLOnews TV Network 6 June 2024 According to Putin, security and stability in Afghanistan are significantly more important than economic opportunities for Russia and Uzbekistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his latest remarks, has emphasized the importance of engaging with the Islamic Emirate, while also stressing the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Putin

CNN: Secret girls’ schools and a Taliban commander’s family: Inside Afghanistan today

Amanpour CNN 5 June 2024 Secret girls’ schools and a Taliban commander’s family: Inside Afghanistan today Åsne Seierstad, author of “The Bookseller of Kabul,” discusses her new book “The Afghans,” returning to the country after the chaotic US withdrawal and the erosion of women’s rights. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/03/tv/video/amanpour-afghanistan-women-rights-taliban-asne-seierstad    

UN condemns Taliban after it publicly flogs at least 60 people

Associated Press in Islamabad Wednesday, June 5, 2024 A group including 14 women were lashed at a sports stadium in northern Sari Pul over accusations of sodomy and theft The UN has condemned the public flogging of more than 60 people, including more than a dozen women, by the Taliban in northern Sari Pul province. At least

Emirati leader meets with Taliban official facing $10 million US bounty over attacks

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press June 5, 2024 DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The leader of the United Arab Emirates met Tuesday with an official in the Taliban government still wanted by the United States on an up-to $10 million bounty over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other

Afghanistan faces serious climate change threats; least prepared to combat them

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 5, 2024   Afghanistan faces serious threats from climate change, and studies indicate that it is among the least prepared to combat these threats. As the world commemorates World Environment Day, Afghanistan is grappling with the severe consequences of climate change-induced events. Most recently, deadly floods in several provinces

Herat Saffron once again ranked best in the world

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 5, 2024 The International Taste Institute of Belgium has announced that  Herat saffron has once again secured the top position globally for the ninth time, being recognized as the “most delicious” saffron. On Tuesday, June 4th, the institute published a report stating that  Herat saffron was identified as the best saffron following laboratory

Afghanistan faces serious climate change threats; least prepared to combat them

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 5, 2024 Afghanistan faces serious threats from climate change, and studies indicate that it is among the least prepared to combat these threats. As the world commemorates World Environment Day, Afghanistan is grappling with the severe consequences of climate change-induced events. Most recently, deadly floods in several provinces have

Islamic Emirate Attends 27th St. Petersburg Intl Economic Forum

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 5 June 2024 The 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is being held June 5-8. A delegation from the Islamic Emirate today (Wednesday) participated in the 27th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Samiullah Ebrahimi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, said that the acting minister of

Griffiths Hopeful Doha Meeting Will Clarify Agenda for Intl Engagement

TOLOnews TV Network 5 June 2024 Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said at a press conference he is hopeful the agenda for the international community’s engagement with the “Taliban” will be clarified at the third Doha meeting. This UN official praised the improvement in security conditions in Afghanistan

Acting Interior Min. Visits UAE, Agrees on Prisoner, Visa Policies

Nazeer Shinwari TOLOnews’ Reporter 5 June 2024 This is the first foreign trip of Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani since the Islamic Emirate took over the country. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that the authorities of the United Arab Emirates and Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Acting Minister of Interior, have reached an agreement on

UN Security Council to Meet on Afghanistan in June

TOLOnews TV Network 4 June 2024 The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate said that this meeting should address the progress on Afghanistan’s economic issues. The United Nations Security Council is set to meet on the situation in Afghanistan later this month. Although the exact date of this meeting has not been specified, the statement indicates

Taliban evicted 6,000 displaced Afghans form informal settlements, says aid group

Associated Press June 4, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have evicted thousands of displaced people in the capital Kabul and demolished their informal settlements, making more than 800 vulnerable families homeless, an aid group said Tuesday. The Norwegian Refugee Council urged Taliban authorities to immediately halt ongoing evictions until appropriate longer-term solutions

UN Security Council to review UNAMA’s performance in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 4, 2024 The United Nations Security Council has announced that it will hold a session regarding the performance of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). On Monday, June 3, this council stated in a declaration that the session is expected to occur this month, but it did

UNICEF urges increased investment to combat climate change threats in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 3, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), referring to the recent floods in Afghanistan, has called for increased investment to counter the threats arising from climate change, which primarily affect children. In a report released on Monday, June 3, UNICEF stated that the humanitarian community and the United

General Mckenzie: Doha agreement was Washington’s biggest mistake

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 3, 2024 General Frank McKenzie, the former commander of the United States Central Command, criticized the consequences of the Doha Agreement, stating that Washington made its most egregious mistakes during these negotiations. In a new interview with CBS, the former commander of the United States Central Command stated that

Hamid Karzai travels to US for brother Qayum’s funeral

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press June 3, 2024 Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has traveled to the United States to attend his brother’s funeral, Qayum Karzai. According to the report, Karzai will attend his elder brother’s funeral and memorial service in Maryland on Monday, June 3. He arrived in Virginia on the evening of Sunday,

Fazl-ur-Rehman Denies Claims of Attacks From Afghan Soil on Pakistan

TOLOnews TV Network 3 June 2024 The leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party also said that Pakistan has provided the use of its airspace to the United States over the past twenty years. Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party, denied Pakistani officials’ claims about terrorists entering Pakistan from Afghanistan. The leader of

Russian defense minister urges Tajikistan border strengthening amid threat of terrorism from Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 31, 2024 The Russian Defense Minister, Andrey Belousov, has stated that the situation in Afghanistan highlights the necessity of strengthening Tajikistan’s borders and taking other measures to ensure regional stability. According to the TASS news agency, Andrey Belousov said on Friday, May 31, at a meeting of the Council

Islamic Emirate: Relations Between Kabul and Beijing  ‘Expanding’

Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 31 May 2024 According to Mujahid, the relationship between Kabul and Beijing is expanding with each passing day. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said that the interim government has official interactions with China, and Beijing has been striving to invest in various sectors in Afghanistan. According to Mujahid, the

Abdul Qayum Karzai Passes Away at Age 77 in US

Naweed Samadi Tolo News 31 May 2024 Abdul Qayum Karzai was one of the figures who participated in the Bonn Conference in 2001. Abdul Qayum Karzai, brother of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, passed away yesterday (Thursday) at the age of 77 in the state of Maryland, USA. He was born in 1947 in the

UN Spokesperson: Human and women’s rights in Afghanistan top priority at Doha meeting

By Fidel Rahmati Tolo News May 30, 2024 The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said that special representatives of countries have been invited to attend the Doha meeting to create “greater clarity and coordination” in the global response to the situation in Afghanistan. Stephane Dujarric stated that human rights and women’s rights are important priorities

UN: 27% of people in Afghanistan facing food crisis

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press 30 May 2024   The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has announced that Afghanistan needs food assistance. Seventy-seven percent of the Afghan population faces an “emergency level of food crisis.” On Wednesday, May 29, this organization released a statement calling for a strategy tailored to the

UN Officials Concerned About Situation of Women in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 29 May 2024 Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, described the situation of women in Afghanistan as an example of lost rights. Several United Nations officials expressed concern over the situation of women in Afghanistan during a meeting titled “Women, Youth Must Have Greater Participation in Peacebuilding Efforts” in New York. Rosemary

‘We were fish in a barrel’: Australian tourist describes deadly Islamic State attack in Afghanistan

The Guardian Australian Associated Press Thu 23 May 2024 13.52 EDT An Australian adventure tourist targeted in a deadly shooting in central Afghanistan thought he would die after coming face to face with an Islamic State gunman.Joe McDowell, 38, was shot when the lone gunman opened fire on his tour group in Bamiyan, about 200km

Afghan Taliban likely to accept invitation to third Doha meeting

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press Khaama Press May 29, 2024   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban administration has announced a meeting to review the agenda for the third Doha meeting and has given a green light for participation. According to a press release shared by Hafiz Zia Ahmad, the spokesperson for the

Nearly 3 out of 10 children in Afghanistan face crisis or emergency level of hunger in 2024

BY  RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press May 29, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — About 6.5 million children in Afghanistan were forecast to experience crisis levels of hunger in 2024, a nongovernmental organization said. Nearly three out of 10 Afghan children will face crisis or emergency levels of hunger this year as the country feels the immediate impacts

‘It is worse now’: The Bookseller of Kabul author Åsne Seierstad on returning to Afghanistan 20 years on

Tim Adams The Guardian Sunday, 26 May 2024 The Norwegian writer on meeting the Taliban, her fears for girls’ education, and the legal battle that ensued after the publication of her bestselling book The author Åsne Seierstad’s cool, shaded walking distance from the centre of Oslo, seems a very long way from Afghanistan and the

America’s Monster: Who was Abdul Raziq?

By Matthieu Aikins The New York Times magazine Sunday, May 26, 2024 Uncovering the brutal career of a crucial American ally and the hidden truths of the war in Afghanistan. I first heard about Abdul Raziq in early 2009, when I was a young freelance journalist newly arrived in southern Afghanistan. By chance, I had befriended

Putin: Building ties with Taliban is necessary

By  Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 28, 2024 Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that it is necessary to build relations with the Taliban due to their control over Afghanistan. Vladimir Putin stated, “We need to proceed from reality and build relations accordingly,” he added.” On Tuesday, May, 28th, in Tashkent, the President of Russia told

Islamic Emirate Leader Appoints New Acting Minister of Public Health

TOLOnews TV Network 28 May 2024 Several political analysts view the changes within the Islamic Emirate’s institutions as a fundamental aspect of effective governance.’ The leader of the Islamic Emirate has issued a recent decree resulting in new appointments across various levels, including a ministry, deputy ministries, provincial leadership, and other institutions. Zabihullah Mujahid, the

Lavrov: ‘Taliban’ Will Be Taken Off Terrorist List, Hold ‘Real Power’

Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 28 May 2024 According to Lavrov, the UN Security Council has not declared the Taliban a terrorist group, and only 12 to 15 of their members are included in the list. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Russian media, said that the “Taliban hold real power” in Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Spokesperson: Biden’s Claim of Afghan Disunity ‘Incorrect

Naweed Samadi Tolo News 25 May 2024 Mujahid also emphasized the interim government’s fight against Daesh, stating that describing this group as a threat is also incorrect. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, described the recent comments made by the president of the United States claiming that Afghans are not united, as a mistaken

Official Calls Attention to Persistent Danger of Unexploded Ordnance

By Nazir Shinwari Tolo News 25 May 2024 Rustamkhil told TOLOnews that “over 100 incidents” have occurred during this period, with many of the victims being children. Nooruddin Rustamkhil, head of Coordination, Cooperation, and Mine Clearance, stated that since the beginning of 2024, “nearly 50 people have been killed and more than 150 injured” due

Over 750 Afghan children enter UK via English Channel in a year

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 25, 2024 Based on statistics provided by British organizations active in immigration, 758 Afghan children crossed the English Channel and entered the UK in one year. These organizations report that a total of 5,662 Afghans entered the UK via the English Channel during this one-year period. The UK’s Home

UN Groups Say Restrictions on Afghan Girls Will Increase Child Marriages

Ebadullah Ebadi Journalist Tolo News 25 May 2024 UN Women, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) published a joint two-page brief. International organizations said that bans imposed on women and girls by the Islamic Emirate will increase the number of child marriages among Afghan girls by

OCHA Official: Over 1.4M Girls Deprived of Education in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 24 May 2024 Wosornu said that during her four-day visit to Afghanistan, she requested that the interim government authorities lift the restrictions against women. Edem Wosornu, director of OCHA’s Operations and Advocacy Division, spoke about the deprivation of 1.4 million girls from education in Afghanistan. In a press conference in New York,

Kabul’s Presence at Doha Meeting Hinges on Acceptance of Demands: Kabir

TOLOnews TV Network 24 May 2024 Mawlawi Abdul Kabir referred to the third Doha meeting as a good opportunity for interaction between the Islamic Emirate and the international community. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office, in a meeting with Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State for the

How the U.S. Backed Kidnapping, Torture and Murder in Afghanistan

By Azam Ahmed and Matthieu Aikins The New York Times May 22, 2024 The reporters spent more than a year, including months in former battlefields in Afghanistan, investigating abuses by American-backed forces. The convoy rumbled into the Taliban heartland, a white desert littered with stones. Over the loudspeakers at the local mosque, the Afghan police officers ordered

A Taliban revenge killing prompts questions, removal of an acclaimed documentary

By Manuel Roig-Franzia and Hope Hodge Seck The Washington Post May 22, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. EDT National Geographic has pulled the Emmy-winning film “Retrograde” from its streaming platforms after criticism from veterans and inquiries from The Washington Post. On a winter day not long ago, an Afghan man — a 21-year-old who’d once dazzled U.S.

Pakistani Army: ’29 terrorists’ killed along Afghanistan border

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 23, 2024   The Pakistan Army has announced that “29 terrorists have been killed” during a series of operations over the past month along the border with Afghanistan. The operations come amid a surge in terrorism originating from Afghanistan soil, according to the Pakistani army newsletter. “Security forces have

Mujahid: Islamic Emirate Seeks Positive Interaction With Countries

TOLOnews TV Network 23 May 2024 Some members of the SCO countries, including Russia and Pakistan, had called for the creation of a contact group to expand cooperation with Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate called the establishment of a contact group for Afghanistan in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization beneficial for improving the situation in Afghanistan. Zabihullah

Qatar’s Al-Khulaifi Requests Islamic Emirate Attend 3rd Doha Meeting

TOLOnews TV Network 23 May 2024 Minister of State for the Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar said that the third Doha meeting would be fruitful with the presence of Islamic Emirate. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, Minister of State for the Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, in a meeting with

UN announces third Doha meeting for Afghanistan on June 30

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 22, 2024 The United Nations has announced that the third Doha meeting, which will include special representatives for Afghanistan from various countries, will take place on June 30 and will last for two days. According to the statement, the UN labelled the conference as a means to foster international

okayev: Situation in Afghanistan Requires Close Attention

Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 22 May 2024   Thomas West, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Qatari officials, emphasized security and stability in Afghanistan. Jomart Tokayev, the President of Kazakhstan, in a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries, said that the situation in Afghanistan

Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul

Associated Press 10:20 AM EDT, May 21, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghanistan’s Taliban government confirmed the resumption of Turkish Airlines flights to Kabul’s international airport, nearly three years after the carrier’s services were suspended following the collapse of the Western-backed government. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said that the first Turkish Airlines flight

UN stresses support for clearing unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 21, 2024   The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General expresses support for efforts to find a sustainable solution to clearing unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan. Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated that last year, 800 people died in explosions from mines and explosives in Afghanistan. The UN official announced his return from Afghanistan on

SIGAR Claims $10.9M Paid to Islamic Emirate Institutions

TOLOnews TV Network 21 May 2024 According to SIGAR’s report, out of the 65 organizations, 38 responded to the questionnaire. John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), said that from August 2021 to the present, $10.9 million of US funds have been paid to Islamic Emirate institutions. According to SIGAR’s report, out

General says he warned that Afghanistan would get ‘very bad, very fast’

By Dan Lamothe The Washington Post May 20, 2024  Austin Scott Miller, the last four-star U.S. commander based in Kabul, is among the latest witnesses to meet with lawmakers scrutinizing the Biden administration’s management of the withdrawal. The top U.S. general in Afghanistan during the American military’s 2021 withdrawal repeatedly warned Washington that security would

Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly tourist attack in Afghanistan

Reuters Sun 19 May 2024 Taliban says four arrested over attack at Bamiyan heritage site that killed three Spanish visitors and an Afghan Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan’s central Bamiyan province that killed three Spanish tourists on Friday. The Taliban’s interior ministry spokesperson, Abdul Mateen Qani, said on Sunday

At least 66 dead as new floods hit Afghanistan’s Faryab province

Al Jazeera Published On 19 May 2024 Flooding damaged more than 1,500 houses, swamped more than 400 hectares of agricultural land and killed livestock. Fresh floods have killed at least 66 people in Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, says a provincial official, in the latest deadly string of disasters to hit the country in recent

Guterres’ Deputy Urges Islamic Emirate to Participate in Doha Meeting

 Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 20 May 2024 Mawlawi Kabir said that the participation of the Islamic Emirate in this meeting is conditional on the world’s acceptance of the interim government’s demands. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, has called on the Islamic Emirate to participate in the third Doha meeting on

‘Blood everywhere’: Survivor recounts attack on tourists in Afghanistan

Susannah WALDEN Yahoo News Sun, May 19, 2024 at 6:01 AM EDT· A view shows the site where the Shahmama Buddha statue once stood before being destroyed by the Taliban in March 2001, in Bamiyan province (Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN) When she first heard the gunshots, French tourist Anne-France Brill thought for a split second there

Gunman Kills Three Spanish Tourists in Central Afghanistan

By Yaqoob Akbary and Christina Goldbaum Yaqoob Akbary reported from Kabul, Afghanistan, and Christina Goldbaum from London. The New York Times May 17, 2024 Three Spanish tourists and one Afghan were killed by a gunman in central Afghanistan on Friday, Taliban officials said, in the first fatal attack on tourists in the country since the Taliban seized

Taliban raise death toll to 6 in gun attack on Western tourists

By Ayaz Gul Voice of America May 18, 2024 8:36 AM, UPDATE May 18, 2024 1:13 PM ISLAMABAD — The Taliban government said Saturday that the death toll from an overnight gun attack on Western tourists in central Afghanistan had risen to at least six, including three Spaniards. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said in a

Tribal Jirga in Paktia Brokers Ceasefire Along Durand Line

TOLOnews TV Network 18 May 2024, 7:37 PM The jirga called on both sides to ensure the safety of civilians during any clashes. After four days of clashes along the Durand Line in Paktia, a ceasefire has been reached through the mediation of tribal elders from both sides, bringing the fighting to an end. Members

Flash floods due to unusually heavy seasonal rains kill at least 68 people in Afghanistan

BY RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press Updated 12:33 PM EDT, May 18, 2024   ISLAMABAD (AP) — Flash floods from heavy seasonal rains have killed at least 68 people in Afghanistan, Taliban officials said Saturday, adding the death toll was based on preliminary reports. Afghanistan has been witnessing unusually heavy seasonal rains. In the hard-hit western province

The Azadi Briefing: New Leaks Reveal The Luxury Dubai Properties Of Ex-Afghan Officials

By Abubakar Siddique Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 17, 2024. 12:26 GMT Dubai’s lax regulations make it an attractive market for investments by alleged criminals, struggling politicians, and sanctioned individuals. Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan.  I’m Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi. Here’s what

Atlantic Council Suggests Conflict Prevention Mechanism for Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 18 May 2024 The council described regional efforts to prevent conflict, including regional meetings on Afghanistan, as temporary and ineffective. The Atlantic Council presented recommendations to the UN Secretary-General for preventing conflict in Afghanistan, urging the UN to establish a conflict prevention mechanism led by the UN Special Representative. In its recommendations,

Killing of Tourists in Bamyan Sparks Intl Reactions

Naweed Samadi Tolo News 18 May 2024 The president of Spain also expressed sorrow over the death of Spanish citizens in Afghanistan. Yesterday’s armed attack on civilians and foreign tourists in Bamyan has elicited both domestic and international reactions. The former president of Afghanistan and the former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation

Six People Killed in Bamiyan Shooting

Sayed Amin Hamta Tolo News 18 May 2024 According to local officials, four of the injured foreign tourists are women. The Ministry of Interior reports that the death toll from yesterday’s (Friday) armed attack in Bamyan has risen to six. Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, also stated that seven people

Women in Afghanistan struggle with soaring mental health issues: Report

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 17, 2024 Officials from the Mental Health Department of the Herat Regional Hospital have reported a concerning increase in the number of women suffering from mental illnesses. According to the report, at least eighty per cent of those seeking help at the Herat Psychotherapy Hospital are women and girls.

UNDP: 73% of Afghan women face travel restrictions without male escort

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 17, 2024 The United Nations Development Programme has published a report on the resilience of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan, stating that 73% of Afghan women face travel restrictions without a mahram or male escort. The detailed report by the United Nations Development Programme, titled “Listening to Afghanistan’s Women Entrepreneurs;

China, Pakistan Emphasize Inclusive Political Framework in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 17 May 2024 Pakistan and China, in a joint statement, called for coordinated international efforts to help Afghanistan address its economic development challenges and encouraged Afghanistan to establish an inclusive political framework. Adopting moderate policies, pursuing good neighborly relations, and resolutely combating terrorism, as well as preventing terrorist activities from Afghan soil,

UNDP Reports on Resilience of Women Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 16 May 2024 Rodriques added that women entrepreneurs work like “vital pillars of economic stability and hope” amidst adversities. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has published its three-year report on the struggles and resilience of women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan. Stephen Rodriques, UNDP country director in Afghanistan, said that they have conducted

Afghanistan floods: ‘I found my family’s bodies in the streets’

By Yama Bariz and Caroline Davies Baghlan province, Afghanistan BBC News 16 May 2024 The day after the flood waters hit, Noor Mohammed found the bodies of his family in the street and in the fields. The 75-year-old had been just 100m away from his home in northern Afghanistan when he heard the deadly roar

UN Deputy Secretary-General to arrive in Kabul today

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 15, 2024   The spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General confirmed during a press briefing that Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the organization’s Deputy Secretary-General, will arrive in Kabul today, Wednesday, May 15. Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, stated that the purpose of Jean-Pierre Lacroix’s trip to

US contractors and former Afghan officials buy million-dollar properties in Dubai

By Khaama Press May 16, 2024 After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the United States poured billions of dollars into Afghanistan for reconstruction efforts. However, many U.S. contractors and former Afghan officials were accused of misusing these funds. Today, some contractors and former officials own luxury properties in Dubai. An investigative journalism organization

Clashes Increase Between Islamic Emirate, Pakistani Forces in Dand-e-Patan

TOLOnews TV Network 16 May 2024 According to locals, during this period dozens of missiles have been fired by Pakistan, hitting people’s residential houses. Residents of Paktia said that there have been clashes between the forces of the Islamic Emirate and Pakistan’s border guards for the past three days. According to locals, during this period

Oslo Meeting on Afghanistan Concludes

TOLOnews TV Network 16 May 2024 Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate reacted to this meeting by saying that such meetings should be held within the country to yield beneficial results. The Oslo meeting, focused on Afghanistan, which started three days ago with the participation of representatives from over 30 countries and organizations in Norway, has concluded.

Coordination Meeting Held Among Aid Organizations, Islamic Emirate

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 16 May 2024 Indrika Ratwette, spoke at the meeting about efforts to increase development assistance to Afghanistan. A coordination meeting between the agencies of the United Nations and the Islamic Emirate was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Participants in the meeting discussed the needs of the people of

Norwegian Rights Society hosts Afghan activists and Taliban representatives meeting

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 15, 2024 The Human Rights Research Society in Norway has announced a two-day meeting between members of Afghan civil society, including civil activists and the Taliban representatives. The session, held in Oslo, the capital of Norway, on Tuesday, May 4, has invited Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur

UN Deploys Teams to Mitigate Flood Crisis in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 14 May 2024 Recently, the World Health Organization has delivered seven tons of medicine and medical equipment. The United Nations has deployed 14 joint assessment teams to identify flood-affected areas and address the conditions of flood victims in Baghlan, Badakhshan, and Takhar. The deputy spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General said in a

40,000 children left homeless in Baghlan due to devastating floods: Save the Children

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press May 14, 2024 Save the Children has expressed concern over the devastating consequences of floods in Baghlan province, stating that approximately 40,000 children in this province have lost their homes. According to a statement released on Monday, May 13, the organization announced the launch of health clinics staffed by female

USIP Report: Recalibrating Counterterrorism Strategy Amid US-China and India-Pakistan Concerns

By Khaama Press May 14, 2024 In a comprehensive report released by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) on Tuesday, the Senior Study Group on Counterterrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan has highlighted the urgent need to recalibrate the US counterterrorism strategy amidst growing strategic competition with China and the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The

Navigating Complex Geopolitics: The Road to the Doha Meeting

Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 14 May 2024 At the same time, Amir Khan Muttaqi mentioned that appointing a special representative for Afghanistan is unnecessary. Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, met with Iranian officials about significant issues including the upcoming Doha meeting. Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s ambassador and special envoy for Afghanistan, highlighted during his

Families still looking for missing loved ones after devastating Afghanistan floods killed scores

BY RAHIM FAIEZ Associated Press Updated 12:52 PM EDT, May 13, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — When he heard that devastating floods hit his village in northern Afghanistan last week, farmer Abdul Ghani rushed home from neighboring Kunduz province where he was visiting relatives. When he got home, he found out that his wife and three children

Flash Flooding in Afghanistan Kills at Least 300, With More Missing

By Safiullah Padshah, Christina Goldbaum and Najim Rahim Safiullah Padshah reported from Kabul, Afghanistan, Christina Goldbaum from London, and Najim Rahim from San Francisco. The New York Times May 12, 2024 Heavy seasonal rains have set off floods in the northern province of Baghlan and in at least three other provinces. Heavy seasonal rains have set off flash

Shia Scholars Demand Non-Discriminatory Governance in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 13 May 2024 They said that the Shia people have been cooperative with the caretaker government under all circumstances and will support the Islamic system. A number of Shia scholars asked the Islamic Emirate to govern Afghanistan without discrimination. They said that the Shia people have been cooperative with the caretaker government