CURRENT NEWS ARTICLES

Afghanistan: Economy Shows Modest Growth After Two Years of Severe Contraction, But Recovery Remains Fragile

World Bank DECEMBER 4, 2024 WASHINGTON, December 4, 2024—The Afghan economy is showing signs of moderate growth, but still faces significant headwinds, including fiscal constraints, trade imbalances, and a limited capacity for public investment, according to the World Bank’s latest Afghanistan Development Update.Afghanistan’s economic recovery remains uncertain. Modest GDP growth of 2.7%, driven by private consumption,

Thanks to peace, two unexpected words are echoing across Afghanistan’s capital: Luxury housing

BY  RIAZAT BUTT Associated Press December 3, 2024 KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — In a town that has been through it all and is clawing its way back, a man named Omidullah is looking to hit paydirt. The Kabul real estate agent is selling a nine-bedroom, nine-bath, white-and-gold villa in the Afghan capital. On the roof’s

World Bank describes Afghanistan’s economic future as ‘Uncertain’ and Challenging

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press December 5, 2024 The World Bank, in its latest report titled “Renewing Development in Afghanistan,” has warned about the economic future of the country, highlighting that Afghanistan’s economic outlook is facing many challenges. The report, published on Wednesday, December 4, shows a modest 2.7% growth in Afghanistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However,

Chaudhry: Afghanistan Should Be Treated as an Independent Country

TOLOnews TV Network 5 December 2024 Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, has emphasized the importance of improving relations between Kabul and Islamabad and stated that Afghanistan should be treated as an independent country. Chaudhry added that Pakistan should not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, including the type

Ministry Comments on Suspension of Arezo Television Broadcast

By TOLOnews TV Network 5 December 2024 The Ministry of Vice and Virtue also called on the media to respect Islamic values, national interests, and social ethics in their operations. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, stated that Arezo Television was shut down to uphold Islamic values, prevent the misuse

EU condemns reported Taliban move to suspend medical education for women and girls

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS December 4, 2024 The European Union on Wednesday condemned the Taliban for violating human rights and women’s access to education after media reports that the Taliban’s leader has ordered private and public institutions to stop providing medical courses for women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban have neither confirmed the order nor responded

Unequal Aid Distribution Sparks Complaints Among Kabul Residents

TOLOnews TV Network 4 Dec 2024 The Ministry of Economy has also stated that ensuring transparency and oversight in aid distribution is one of its key programs. Some residents of Kabul city have complained about the process of aid distribution in the country, saying that the aid is being distributed unequally among those in need.

Karzai Calls for Immediate Reversal of Girls’ Medical Education Ban

Mursaleen Muwahed Web Journalist 4 December 2024 This comes amid widespread reactions, both domestically and internationally, to the closing of medical institutes to girls. Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, has said that the closing of medical institutes to girls is “deeply regrettable, especially at a time when women and mothers across the country

Haqqani Highlights Responsibility, Ethics in Ensuring Country’s Security

Haroon Nasir Tolo News 2 Dec 2024 According to Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the confidence in the security of the country is so high that Afghanistan’s security is now cited as an example abroad. Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, at a seminar in Ghazni, has referred to the positive interaction, good ethics, and

UNSC to Hold Meeting on Afghanistan This Month

TOLOnews TV Network 2 Dec 2024 This will be the fourth Security Council meeting on Afghanistan in 2024. The United Nations Security Council has stated that the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will present a quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan at a meeting of the Security Council scheduled for

Afghanistan: Surge in synthetic drugs could threaten public health

UN News Global Perspective Human Stories 27 November 2024 A man gazing into the distance at a drug treatment centre in Kabul, Afghanistan. The latest report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals significant gaps in Afghanistan’s ability to address substance use disorders, highlighting urgent issues with access, resources, and infrastructure.

Winter Crisis in Afghanistan: One-Quarter of population unable to access sufficient food, warns WFP

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press December 1, 2024 The World Food Program (WFP) has warned of a worsening food crisis in Afghanistan as the winter season approaches, stating that one-quarter of the population in the country is unable to afford enough food to sustain their lives. In a report released on Sunday, December 1st, the

Kam Air to launch weekly Kabul-Doha flights starting December 17

By  Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press December 1, 2024   Kam Air, an Afghanistan’s airline, has announced that it will begin flights between Kabul and Doha starting on December 17. On Sunday, December 1st, the airline stated in a statement that it will launch a new weekly route between Kabul and Doha, with flights scheduled every

UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to Visit Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 1 Dec 2024 The committee intends to visit Afghanistan, Mozambique, New Zealand, Peru, Serbia, Burundi, France, and Mexico. The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has announced plans to visit several countries, including Afghanistan, in 2025. The committee intends to visit Afghanistan, Mozambique, New Zealand, Peru, Serbia, Burundi, France, and Mexico. In

Women arrested by Taliban for begging report rape and killings in Afghan jails

Yalda Amini* for Zan Times The Guardian Fri 29 Nov 2024 Draconian new laws allow mass incarceration of women and children forced to beg because of work ban Destitute Afghan women arrested for begging under draconian new Taliban laws have spoken of “brutal” rapes and beatings in detention. Over the past few months, many women said they

ICC Prosecutor: Significant progress in Gender Discrimination Investigation in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 30, 2024 The International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed that it has received a case regarding human rights violations against women in Afghanistan, submitted by six countries. The six countries—Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico—referred the case to the ICC on November 29, 2024. This is in response

UN Commissioner: Justice for women and girls in Afghanistan is non-negotiable

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 30, 2024 The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has spoken out against the restrictive measures imposed by the Taliban on women and girls in Afghanistan, stating that justice and equality for Afghanistan’s women and girls are non-negotiable. In a statement made on Friday, November 29,

Women despair over Taliban rules, but many Afghan returnees don’t see it

By Rick Noack The Washington Post November 28, 2024 Afghans living abroad are flocking back to visit relatives for the first time since the Taliban takeover. Severe restrictions on women are not top of mind. KABUL — For the first time since the Taliban takeover three years ago, Afghans living outside the country have begun

6 countries refer Afghanistan’s women’s rights violations to International Criminal Court

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 29, 2024 Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico have referred the case of women’s rights violations in Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC). These six countries called on the ICC prosecutor on Thursday to investigate the ongoing and systematic violations of the rights of women and

1.2 million migrants deported from Iran annually: Iranian Official

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 29, 2024 An Iranian official stated that every year, 1.2 million undocumented migrants are deported from Iran. Nader Yarahmadi, head of the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants in Iran, stated that each year, 1.2 million undocumented migrants are deported from the country. He warned undocumented migrants to leave

China Seeks Stronger Ties With Islamic Emirate

TOLOnews TV Network 29 Nov 2024 The question now is how effective China’s efforts will be in addressing Afghanistan’s current crisis. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has outlined details of the nine-day visit of its Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, in a statement. According to the statement, Yue Xiaoyong engaged in deep discussions about

Putin: Bilateral Relations With Interim Govt Will ‘Further Expand’

TOLOnews TV Network 29 Nov 2024 He said that Russia has bilateral relations with Afghanistan’s interim government. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed building strong relations with Afghanistan. At the conclusion of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit, Putin stated that the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan cannot be ignored. He said that

Opium production in Afghanistan sees 30% increase in 2024: UN Report

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 27, 2024 The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that opium production in Afghanistan is still 93% lower than in 2022, but it has increased by about 30% in 2024.     In its latest report, published on Wednesday, November 27, the UNODC notes that the

Sharp rise in Afghan migrants crossing Panama-Colombia border to reach US

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 27, 2024 The Federation for Immigration Reform in the U.S. has reported a significant increase in the number of Afghan migrants crossing a key immigration passage at the Panama-Colombia border in their attempt to reach the U.S. According to the report, which was published on Tuesday, November 26, the

Islamic Emirate Not Invited to ECO Foreign Ministers Meeting

TOLOnews TV Network 26 Nov 2024 According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, based on a decision by the ECO Secretariat, the Islamic Emirate has not been invited to participate in the meeting. The meeting of foreign ministers from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is scheduled to take place on December 3-4 in Mashhad,

G.O.P. Senator Blocking Promotion of General Who Commanded Afghan Withdrawal

By Helene CooperThomas Gibbons-Neff and Eric Schmitt The New York Times Nov. 26, 2024 Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue was recently selected to lead the U.S. Army’s Europe Command as the war in Ukraine heads into its fourth year. A Republican senator is blocking the promotion of Lt. Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, the commander of U.S. troops

Taliban detained journalists over 250 times in Afghanistan since takeover, U.N. says

By Reuters Nov 26, 2024 The Taliban-led foreign ministry said the arrest figure was “exaggerated” and that those arrested had committed a crime. The United Nations’ mission to Afghanistan said Tuesday that the ruling Taliban had arbitrarily detained journalists 256 times since their takeover three years ago and urged authorities there to protect the media. In a

CSTO to approve plan strengthening Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border Security

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 26, 2024 The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has announced that the plan to strengthen the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan will be approved in the next two days. Azerbaijani media reported on Tuesday, November 26, that the CSTO is set to approve this plan on November 28. The

Red Cross warns of adverse effects of climate change in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 26, 2024 The Khaama Press podcast talks about climate change in Afghanistan and its effects. Najibullah Sadid, an expert in water management, discusses the problems caused by climate change in the country. In its latest report, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned about the “adverse”

Iran to expel 2.5 million undocumented Afghan migrants by year-end

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 26, 2024 Ahmad Masoumifar, the head of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative office, has warned that by the end of this year, 2.5 million undocumented Afghan migrants will be expelled from Iran. According to the state-run news agency IRNA, the reduction in the entry of illegal Afghan migrants

Yue Xiaoyong: Beijing in Dialogue Over Islamic Emirate Recognition

Mitra Majeedy Tolo News 26 Nov 2024 Yue explained that China’s efforts have contributed to a growing consensus among nations to engage with the Islamic Emirate. Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, said that China is engaging in consultations with regional countries regarding the recognition of Afghanistan’s caretaker government. In an exclusive interview with

UNAMA Reports Challenges Facing Media Freedom in Afghanistan

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 26 Nov 2024 After three years into the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate’s rule in the country, the media law and other related media regulations have yet to be ratified. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a report detailing the state of the media in the

‘Don’t forget us’: Teenage refugee reminds Gen Z of silenced Afghan girls

Flora Drury BBC News 23 Nov 2024 Nila Ibrahimi beat 165 other nominees to be named this year’s International Children’s Peace Prize winner When Nila Ibrahimi set out to build a website telling the stories of Afghan girls, it wasn’t just to give them a voice. The 17-year-old Afghan refugee was also determined to remind

CSTO raises concerns over terrorist activity in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 25, 2024 The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) stated that a significant number of terrorist groups remain active in Afghanistan. Imangali Tasmagambetov described terrorist activities in Afghanistan as a serious problem and announced that a plan to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border would be approved on November

Mujahid: No Implementation of UN’s Independent Assessment

TOLOnews TV Network 25 Nov 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid said that some countries are creating obstacles to the recognition of the Islamic Emirate. The Islamic Emirate stated that one year after the preparation of an independent assessment of Afghanistan’s situation by the UN, no progress has been made toward its implementation. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the

Efforts for Women’s Rights Being Made, But More Needed: Mujahid

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 25 Nov 2024 Meanwhile, several United Nations officials have called for immediate action to end violence against women in Afghanistan on this occasion. Coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Islamic Emirate announced its commitment to ensuring women’s rights in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson

China Calls for Islamic Emirate’s Participation in Regional Meeting

TOLOnews TV Network 25 Nov 2024 The date for the fifth foreign ministers’ meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries has not yet been announced. China has requested the Islamic Emirate to participate in the fifth meeting of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries. Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Amir Khan

Afghanistan receives First Direct Shipment from China

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 23, 2024 Afghanistan has received its first direct shipment from China via rail, facilitated by trade efforts with China, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, marking a milestone in regional economic connectivity. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Afghanistan announced that, as a result of efforts and visits by Nooruddin Azizi,

Republican blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Martin Pengelly in Washington The Guardian Friday, 22 Nov 2024 The US general who was photographed as the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan is seeing a promotion blocked by a sole Republican senator, multiple outlets reported. The move comes amid Markwayne Mullin stalls promotion of Lt Gen Christopher Donahue, photographed as last US soldier to leaveseparate reports that

Russia Signals Openness to Removing ‘Taliban’ from Terrorist List

Sabria Abdal Tolo News 24 Nov 2024 The Russian official also stressed that it is still too early for Moscow to take an official stance on recognizing the Islamic Emirate. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS news agency that Moscow does not intend to obstruct the process of removing the “Taliban” from Russia’s

Attack on Baghlan Worshippers Spark Domestic, Int’l Reactions

TOLOnews TV Network 23 Nov 2024 Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as a terrorist and inhumane act, expressing condolences to the families of the victims. The shooting of worshippers in Nahrin District of Baghlan Province has elicited both domestic and international reactions. Former President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as a terrorist and inhumane act,

IOM Reports Drop in Afghan Migration Movements

TOLOnews TV Network 23 Nov 2024 Previously, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations reported that over 100,000 Afghan migrants had returned to the country in the past month. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) stated in a recent report that the return rate of Afghans to Afghanistan decreased by 3% in the past week compared

Taliban arrests several suspects in Baghlan Shrine attack

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 22, 2024 The Taliban’s police command in Baghlan has confirmed that at least 10 people were killed in an armed attack on the “Sayed Padshah Agha” shrine in Nahrin district of Baghlan province.     The statement mentioned that several suspects have been arrested, and investigations into the incident

UN Chief: Awards to Julia Parsi and Nila Ebrahimi inspire girls in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 22, 2024 The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights described the awards given to Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and Nila Ebrahimi, an education activist, as inspiring. Richard Bennett called their efforts “strong and unwavering.” On Friday, November 22, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights

Islamic Emirate Seeks Climate Cooperation at COP 29

Hayatullah Rahim Web Editor Tolo News 22 Nov 2024 In the same meeting, Matiul Haq Khalis, NEPA head, also requested technical and financial cooperation for Afghanistan. Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of the Islamic Emirate delegation at the COP 29 summit, held meetings on the sidelines with representatives from the United Nations Climate Technology Centre

Nighttime Mosque Attack in Baghlan Leaves Eleven Dead

TOLOnews TV Network 22 Nov 2024 Local sources reported the number of deaths as eleven, but Baghlan’s security command said in a statement that the number is ten. Eleven people were killed in a nighttime shooting by unidentified individuals in the Nahrin district of Baghlan province. According to reports, these individuals were killed while performing

4,000 Afghans enter Iran daily with Visas: Iranian Official

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 21, 2024 Nader YarAhmadi, head of the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, stated that over 4,000 Afghan nationals with valid passports and visas enter Iran daily. He noted that more than 500,000 visas are issued annually to Afghans.     According to YarAhmadi,

UNICEF urges focus on Afghan children’s plight on world children’s day

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 20, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for greater attention to the plight of children in Afghanistan on the occasion of World Children’s Day, celebrated on November 20. In a message shared on the social media platform X, UNICEF highlighted that “children pay the highest price

Pakistan proposes International Conference to address Afghan refugee issues

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 20, 2024 Mohammad Abbas Khan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees, has called for an international conference to increase the acceptance of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan by Western countries. According to a report by the Dawn newspaper, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that Western countries should expedite the process of

Malala: I never imagined women’s rights would be lost so easily

Amber Sandhu & Kulsum Hafeji BBC Newsbeat 17 Nov 2024 Malala Yousafzai has campaigned for women’s rights since she was shot by a Taliban gunman in 2012 A bullet failed to silence her, now Malala Yousafzai is lending her voice to the women of Afghanistan. In just a few years since the Taliban retook control

Revealed: the truth behind the Taliban’s brutal Kabul ‘regeneration’ programme

By Mark Townsend, Jessica Purkiss and Fahim Abed The Guardian Mon 18 Nov 2024  When the Taliban began a sweeping redevelopment drive in Kabul soon after returning to power three years ago, they claimed there was a need to modernise Afghanistan’s historic capital. A new investigation, however, reveals that the Taliban’s regeneration programme has left

Pakistan provides China with fresh information on TTP activities in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 19, 2024 Pakistani media reported that Islamabad shared “compelling evidence” with China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Yu Xiaoyong, regarding the presence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups operating from Afghan territory. According to The Express Tribune, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented this evidence during Yu Xiaoyong’s visit

China, Pakistan Discuss Collaborating to Foster Peace in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 19 Nov 2024 Prior to Yue Xiaoyong’s visit, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, also visited Pakistan and held talks on Afghanistan. Yue Xiaoyong, China’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with senior Pakistani officials to discuss relations with Afghanistan and the role of neighboring countries in fostering peace and stability. The

33% of Afghans Without Healthcare, WHO Official Warns

 Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 19 Nov 2024 Salvador pointed out that decades of continuous challenges have left Afghanistan’s healthcare system fragile, requiring a structural approach to address its issues. Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Representative in Afghanistan, revealed in an exclusive interview with TOLOnews that 33% of Afghanistan’s population still lacks access

Attack From Afghanistan Kills Chinese National In Tajikistan, Sources Say

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty By RFE/RL’s Tajik Service November 18, 2024, 10:59 GMT Tajik troops in the volatile Shamsiddin Shohin district bordering Afghanistan (file photo) One Chinese national was killed and five others, four of them Chinese, were injured in a cross-border attack in Tajikistan’s Zarbuzi Gorge, two sources close to a Tajik investigation told RFE/RL’s Tajik Service

Qatar, Turkey Advocate for Inclusive Govt and Stability in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 16 Nov 2024 Previously, the presidents of Türkiye and Uzbekistan have pledged support for Afghanistan during the 11th Summit of the Turkic States in Bishkek. The President of Türkiye and the Emir of Qatar, in a joint statement, emphasized the formation of an inclusive government and the importance of respecting citizens’ rights

Pakistan warns Taliban: Don’t test our patience

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 15, 2024 The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry urged the Taliban on Thursday to take immediate and effective action against Pakistani militants based in Afghanistan, deeming any support for them unacceptable. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch warned the Afghan Taliban not to “test the patience of the Pakistani people.” In a

German Chancellor summoned to address Afghanistan evacuation operation

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 15, 2024 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was summoned to a parliamentary inquiry committee on Thursday to address questions about the military evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021. The committee is investigating the withdrawal of German forces and the country’s response to the Taliban’s takeover of  Kabul. As a witness, Chancellor

Foreign Policy Piece Calls for US, West to Engage With Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 15 Nov 2024 It also reads that the Islamic Emirate leadership prefers de facto engagement and displays of diplomatic respect to de jure legitimacy.  A Foreign Policy opinion piece by Jens Vesterlund Mathiesen, Adam Weinstein, and Galina Mikkelsen says that the new US administration led by President-elect Donald Trump and the West

Washington: Recognition of ‘Taliban’ Depends on Women’s Participation

By TOLOnews TV Network 15 Nov 2024 The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on the matter. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State, has once again stated that recognition of Afghanistan’s interim government is contingent upon women’s participation in society. In a press briefing, Patel said that as long as the

WHO links forced Afghan repatriation from Pakistan to polio resurgence

By Ayaz Gul VOA News November 14, 2024  ISLAMABAD — The World Health Organization has labeled a forced repatriation of Afghan nationals from Pakistan as a “major setback” for polio eradication efforts, contributing to the regional resurgence of the paralytic disease. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two polio-endemic nations, reporting 49 and 23 cases

How the Taliban are erasing Afghanistan’s women – photo essay

The Guardian Thu 14 Nov 2024 The journalist Mélissa Cornet and the photographer Kiana Hayeri met more than 100 Afghan girls and women in seven provinces, and found resistance and defiance but also despair Earlier this year, I spent 10 weeks travelling with the photographer Kiana Hayeri across seven provinces of Afghanistan, speaking to more than 100

Khalilzad: Doha Agreement Can Serve as a Framework for Cooperation

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 14 Nov 2024 Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai further mentioned that the Islamic Emirate favors positive relations with all countries, including the United States. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, stated at a gathering at the University of Florida that the Doha Agreement is the only official

Afghanistan’s annual Carpet Production exceeds three million square meters

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 12, 2024 The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reported that Afghanistan’s annual  carpet production has surged to an unprecedented level, reaching an estimated value of around $330 million per year. On Monday, November 11, USAID posted on its X page, emphasizing its continued support for Afghanistan’s carpet industry.

Iran to transfer 1,000 Afghan prisoners to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 13, 2024 Askar Jalalian, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice for International Affairs and Human Rights, announced that within the next two months, 1,000 Afghan prisoners will be transferred to Afghanistan. He also expressed intentions to visit Kabul to discuss the transfer of these prisoners and the repatriation of Iranian

WFP: Food Crisis Persists in Afghanistan

Sabria Abdal Tolo News 13 Nov 2024 According to this report, despite minor improvements, 11.6 million people in Afghanistan still face crisis-level food insecurity or worse. The World Food Program (WFP) has reported a slight improvement in food security in Afghanistan; however, food needs remain very high in the country. According to this report, despite

Baradar: Reducing Poverty, Job Creation ‘Priority’ for Islamic Emirate

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 13 Nov 2024 This conference was organized by the Central Bank of Afghanistan. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, stated on Wednesday at the National Conference on Microfinance Opportunities and Challenges in Kabul that reducing poverty and unemployment, as well as creating job opportunities for

OCHA Head: Efforts Being Made to Provide Winter Assistance

TOLOnews TV Network 13 Nov 2024 Isabelle Moussard Carlsen reported that only 32% of OCHA’s total requested budget has been met from the beginning of the year until November. Isabelle Moussard Carlsen, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan told TOLOnews in an exclusive interview that OCHA

US spends over $14 billion on Afghan evacuation and resettlement: SIGAR

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 12, 2024 The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) announced that the United States has spent over $14 billion in the past three years on relocating and resettling Afghans in the U.S. The Washington Times reported on Sunday, November 10, that this $14 billion was allocated to evacuation flights

Mine Clearance Organization warns of IED contamination in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 12, 2024 The Mine Clearance Organization recently announced that over 65 square kilometers of land in Afghanistan is contaminated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The organization has called on the global community to increase political and financial support for clearing these devices from Afghanistan’s lands. According to the Mine

Special Team Formed to Assess Drought in Afghanistan: OCHA

Lailuma Qadiri Tolo News 12 Nov 2024 Under this program, health, education, and cash assistance for heating homes in winter will be provided to 18,000 families. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced the formation of a task force to assess drought conditions in Afghanistan. During a meeting with

Shaheen: Trump Seems ‘More Pragmatic,’ Relations Should Be ‘Realistic’

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 12 Nov 2024 Shaheen emphasized that the interim government is ready for positive engagement with all countries, including the United States. The head of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, told a Japanese media outlet that Afghanistan’s interim government is hopeful for strengthened ties between Kabul and

Murrow Award rescinded for acclaimed ‘Retrograde’ documentary

By Manuel Roig-Franzia The Washington Post November 11, 2024  The Radio Television Digital News Association decision to pull back the award follows a Washington Post report on warnings the filmmakers of “Retrograde” received about endangering Afghans. A scene in Afghanistan from the 2022 documentary “Retrograde.” (National Geographic Documentary Films/Everett Collection) The Radio Television Digital News Association

Are women’s rights in Afghanistan negotiable?

Annegret Mathari SWI/SwissInfo.ch November 9, 2024 The Taliban regime is not recognised internationally. This makes it difficult for UN bodies to deal with this de facto government. Non-governmental organisations criticise the UN for making concessions to the Taliban at the expense of women. In an email ahead of our scheduled interview, Nazifa Jalali said she

Afghanistan attends U.N. climate talks for first time since Taliban return to power

BY  SIBI ARASU Associated Press November 11, 2024 BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — For the first time since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan on Monday sent a delegation to the United Nations climate talks in a bid to garner help in dealing with global warming. Matuil Haq Khalis, who’s head of the country’s

Stanikzai Calls for UN Seat for Islamic Emirate

Haroon Nasir Tolo News 11 Nov 2024 He also asserted that the caretaker government has no issues with any country and supports peace and stability. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, has requested that the United Nations grant Afghanistan’s seat to the caretaker government.  In a meeting in Kabul, he discussed

Islamic Emirate Delegates Travels to Azerbaijan to Attend COP29

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 10 Nov 2024 The question now is how beneficial Afghanistan’s participation in this summit could be in attracting aid to combat climate change. A delegation from the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), headed by the agency’s general director, has departed for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.  The president of the Afghan

UN concerned about growing hardships for women in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 9, 2024 The World Food Program (WFP) reports that earning opportunities for women in Afghanistan have become increasingly difficult over time. Due to the restrictions imposed by the Taliban, women have been banned from many jobs and barred from working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or receiving education beyond the

UN: This Year Over 760,000 Afghan Refugees Returned from Pakistan

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 9 Nov 2024 At the same time, some Afghan refugees in Pakistan have criticized the worsening situation for Afghan citizens. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that over 761,200 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan in the past year. Of these, more than 36,000 individuals were forcibly

SIGAR Review of Afghan Interim Government Performance

TOLOnews TV Network 9Nov 2024 The report attributes the uncertain future of Afghanistan to the interim government’s reluctance to adopt international human rights standards. The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has addressed issues such as governance, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue’s laws, international relations, and security in Afghanistan in its quarterly

India sends envoy to Kabul for humanitarian and economic talks

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 8, 2024 Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated that an Indian representative recently visited Kabul to discuss the use of Chabahar Port to strengthen economic ties and provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. During a press conference in Delhi on Thursday, Jaiswal shared details of the

CSTO warns of terrorist threats from Afghanistan persist

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 8, 2024 The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) warned that the risk of terrorism spreading in Central Asia remains persistent. Imangali Tasmagambetov emphasized that the CSTO continues to monitor the challenges and threats emanating from Afghanistan. On Thursday, November 7, Russia’s state news agency TASS reported

Over 1,000 Former Officials Return to Afghanistan, Says Commission

TOLOnews TV Network 8 Nov 2024 According to Ahmadullah Wasiq, those returning to the country face no threats and are also issued security cards. The commission for contact with former political figures and leaders has told TOLOnews that since its establishment, over a thousand people have returned to the country. Ahmadullah Wasiq, the spokesperson for

Indian Delegates Meet Islamic Emirate Officials, Karzai

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 7 Nov 2024 The Indian delegation also discussed the expansion of India’s humanitarian cooperation with Afghanistan in its meeting with the acting Minister of Defense. J.P. Singh, India’s joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division of the external affairs ministry, in separate meetings with Afghanistan’s acting foreign and defense ministers, stressed

Japan to Host Intl Conference on Preserving Afghanistan’s Cultural Heritage

TOLOnews TV Network 8 Nov 2024 Meanwhile, cultural experts have remarked that the global community must support nations lacking the resources to restore their historical sites. The Japanese Ambassador, in a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Culture and Arts at the Ministry of Information and Culture, announced that Japan will soon host an international

Afghan opium cultivation bouncing back amid Taliban clampdown

Al Jazeera Published On 6 Nov 2024 Poppy planting remains far below pre-ban levels, United Nations reports, despite rise of 19 percent year on year. Afghanistan’s opium poppy cultivation grew in 2024 despite a Taliban-imposed ban, according to a United Nations report. Cultivation increased by an estimated 19 percent this year, the report published on

Afghanistan continues to rank as most dangerous country for childbirth, UNFPA reports

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 6, 2024 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has identified Afghanistan as one of the most challenging countries for mothers, noting that every two hours, a mother dies due to preventable pregnancy and childbirth complications. On Monday, November 4, UNFPA released a report expressing deep concern over the rising

US Officials: Access to information is a universal right; Afghan journalists must be protected

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 6, 2024 Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, highlighted the importance of protecting journalists worldwide in a post on his social media platform X on Saturday. “Today, the United States reaffirms its commitment to ending impunity for crimes against journalists. We call on all governments to

UN: Opium cultivation in Afghanistan rises by 19%

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 6, 2024 Despite a formal ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a 19% increase in cultivation in 2024 compared to the previous year. The Taliban has reportedly struggled to enforce the ban effectively. The report reveals that in 2023,

Afghans make up 25% of Refugees reaching Greece by Sea: UNHCR Report

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 7, 2024 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that 25% of the refugees who have arrived in Greece by sea are Afghan citizens. In a report published on Wednesday, November 6, UNHCR stated that a total of 28,352 refugees reached Greece by sea in 2024. According

Iran Claims Increase in Methamphetamine Production in Afghanistan

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 7 Nov 2024 Momeni added that closing the border with Afghanistan is part of an effort aimed at preventing illegal entry and drug trafficking. Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, claimed that the production of methamphetamine in Afghanistan has increased significantly, which he considers a threat to Iran, the region, and

Afghanistan Received $6.7 Billion in Humanitarian Aid Over 3 Years: OCHA

Beheshta Arab Tolo News 05 NOVEMBER 2024 At the same time, some residents of Kabul say they are in greater need of humanitarian assistance as winter approaches. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan has reported that Afghanistan has received $6.7 billion in humanitarian aid over the past three

Public Health Ministry Responds to OCHA Report

Sial Yousofi Correspondent Tolo News 4 Nov 2024 The spokesperson made these remarks in response to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, Sharafat Zaman Amar Khil, says that Afghanistan’s health system has largely become self-sufficient. Speaking to TOLOnews, Mr.

Draft Procedure for High Commission on Anti-Narcotics Finalized

TOLOnews TV Network 1 Nov 2024 Mawlawi Abdul Kabir stated that activities in the field of combating narcotics and alcohol are being conducted in a coordinated and purposeful manner.  The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs has announced the completion of a draft procedure for the High Commission on the Fight Against Narcotics. Mawlawi Abdul

Russian FM: Washington and allies seek to interfere in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 1, 2024 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the United States and its allies are attempting to interfere in the fragile situation in Afghanistan. According to Russia’s TASS news agency, Lavrov made these remarks on Thursday, October 31, at the second international “Minsk” conference on Eurasian security.

UN Rapporteur to the World: You left Afghanistan hastily, but don’t turn away now

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press November 1, 2024 The United Nations Human Rights rapporteur urges countries that committed to supporting Afghanistan but then abandoned it “hastily” not to forget Afghanistan. Richard Bennett emphasized that the international community should adopt a unified strategy and action plan regarding Afghanistan. In a recent interview with UN Radio in

OIC, Pakistan Urge Afghan Progress

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 1 Nov 2024 The OIC representative discussed constructive dialogue with Afghanistan’s interim authorities. The Special Representative of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Afghanistan, in a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, emphasized continued cooperation between both sides for the stability and progress of Afghanistan. In separate meetings with other officials

Islamic Emirate Rejects UN Women’s Report on Afghan Women’s Rights

TOLOnews TV Network 1 Nov 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid said that such reports are based not on information from within Afghanistan, but rather on external propaganda sources. The Islamic Emirate has rejected the report from the United Nations Women’s division, calling it disconnected from reality. Mujahid said: “Our response to this report is that, unfortunately, this

Karzai calls for girls’ schools to reopen in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 31, 2024 Former President Hamid Karzai met with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, to stress the urgent need for reopening schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan. Karzai shared details of the meeting on Thursday, expressing gratitude to the United Nations

Education ban puts Afghan girls at risk of early marriage: UNICEF Chief

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 31, 2024 The head of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, has warned that Afghan girls deprived of education and their rights face limited prospects beyond early marriage.     In a message shared on Wednesday on the social media platform X, Russell wrote that the voices of Afghan women are being

UNAMA’s Quarterly Report on Afghanistan’s Situation Published

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 31 Oct 2024 A section of the report also highlights anti-security incidents in the country.  The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has published its quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan, covering incidents from July to September.  This report addresses various topics, including the law of the Vice

Shakib: We Seek Good Relations with Neighbors

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 30 Oct 2024 Shakib added that trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China connects regional countries and strengthens regional trade. Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the Islamic Emirate’s Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, stated in a meeting at the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad that the Islamic Emirate does not permit any

Meeting Held to Enhance Efficiency, Accountability in NGO Operations

Bibi Amina Hakimi TOLOnews’ Reporter 30 Oct 2024 Hanif stated that the necessary facilities have been provided to aid organizations to continue their activities.  The Ministry of Economy organized a consultative meeting aimed at strengthening effectiveness and transparency in the operations of NGOs, with representatives from the United Nations and the European Union in attendance.

UN, Qatari Officials Discuss 4th Doha Meeting

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 30 Oct 2024 B‌oth parties stressed the importance of utilizing the positive outcomes from the third Doha meeting and applying these results in the upcoming fourth meeting. Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, met with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo,

Paris show spotlights Afghan women who ‘lost hope’

Joris FIORITI Agence France-Presse/AFP Mon, October 28, 2024  Posing in a pink hijab in front of a window, 14-year-old Muska will soon be married “in exchange for a well and some solar panels”, explains the caption on her photograph. There are dozens of images of Afghan women and girls like Muska at the Paris exhibition

UNICEF Warns Kabul’s groundwater could run dry by 2030, urges action to prevent crisis

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 29, 2024 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Kabul’s groundwater could be depleted if no action is taken. UNICEF stated on Tuesday, October 29, on the social media platform X that Kabul’s groundwater might run out by 2030 due to rapid urbanization and climate change. UNICEF

Iran announces deportation of 850,000 undocumented Afghan migrants

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 29, 2024 Ahmad Reza Radan, the General Commander of Iran’s security forces, announced that 850,000 undocumented Afghan migrants have been deported from the country. On Tuesday, October 29, Tasnim News Agency reported, quoting the Iranian official, that foreign nationals without proper documentation are not allowed to work or reside

Retirees Protest in Kabul Over Unpaid Pensions

TOLOnews TV Network 29 Oct 2024 They called on the UNAMA office to act regarding the payment of retirees’ pensions. Several retirees once again held a protest gathering in front of the United Nations office in Kabul, protesting the non-payment of their pensions. They called on the UNAMA office to act regarding the payment of

Trump criticizes Afghanistan withdrawal, calls abandoning Bagram base a ‘Major Mistake’

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 27, 2024 Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the 2024 election, criticized what he described as the mishandling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating that the Bagram Air Base should not have been abandoned. In his latest interview, Trump called the U.S. exit from Afghanistan

SCO support peaceful and inclusive government in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 28, 2024 The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emphasized the importance of Afghanistan in ensuring security, peace, and stability in the region, stating that a terrorism-free Afghanistan would benefit all parties involved. Zhang Ming, the Secretary-General of the organization, stated in an interview on Monday, October 28 that peace

Bamyan Residents Urge Protection of Historic Sites

TOLOnews 28 Oct 2024 The head of Bamyan’s Department of Information and Culture has pledged efforts toward the restoration and preservation of the province’s historical sites. Several Bamyan residents expressed concern over the damage to some historical remnants in the province, noting that with the approach of winter and increased rainfall, these sites are at

Iran reports 4.5-fold increase in Afghan refugee deportations from Tehran this year

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 26, 2024 Ehsan Haidari, Director-General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Tehran’s provincial government, announced the commencement of the eighth campaign to regulate and deport Afghan migrants. He stated that the deportation of undocumented migrants in Tehran during the first half of this year has increased 4.5 times

Retirees protest in Kabul over three years of unpaid pensions

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama News October 26, 2024 A group of retirees blocked the street leading to the Ministry of Finance in  Kabul on Saturday, protesting the non-payment of their three-year pensions by the Taliban. The Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has dissolved the pension system in Afghanistan and halted payments to retirees. According to the report, that during

In a Region of Majestic Beauty, Sunnis and Shiites Wage Bloody War

By Zia ur-Rehman Reporting from Parachinar, Pakistan The New York Times Oct. 25, 2024 In Kurram, near the Afghan border, Pakistan has been helpless to stop the latest outbreaks of a sectarian conflict that goes back decades. The deafening roar of rocket launchers and mortar explosions shattered the tranquillity of Kurram, a Pakistani district of

China offers Taliban duty-free trade, promising zero tariffs

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 25, 2024 The Chinese ambassador in Kabul announced that China will grant the Taliban duty-free access to its markets, particularly in construction and energy sectors. Zhao Xing stated on X that China would provide zero tariffs to Afghanistan, replacing the current 100 percent tariff lines. This move marks an effort by

Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan Urge Lifting Afghanistan From Isolation

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 25 Oct 2024 The organization includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Ethiopia. The presidents of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan highlighted the importance of bringing Afghanistan out of global isolation, during the BRICS summit.  Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that Afghanistan’s current situation should

UN Reaffirms Commitment to Support Afghanistan in Crisis

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 25 Oct 2024 The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, and now has 193 member countries. Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, emphasized during an event in Kabul marking the 79th anniversary of the United Nations that the UN is committed to supporting the people

UN Dep. Sec. Gen: We Must Strengthen Our Resolve to Support Afghan Women

TOLOnews TV Network 25 Oct 2024 Earlier, BRICS leaders also issued a resolution calling for the lifting of restrictions on women’s education in Afghanistan. Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated that support for the rights of Afghan women must be expanded.  Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting, she noted

What We Learned Talking to the Taliban’s Most Fearsome Leader

By Christina Goldbaum Christina Goldbaum has reported from Afghanistan for more than three years, arriving in Kabul just before the Taliban seized power in 2021. The New York Times Oct. 24, 2024 For three years, there was one powerful, elusive figure I wanted to speak with in Afghanistan: Sirajuddin Haqqani. During the U.S.-led war there, he

World Opens to the Taliban Despite Their Shredding of Women’s Rights

By Christina Goldbaum Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan The New York Times Oct. 24, 2024 A photograph released by the United Arab Emirates Presidential Court showing President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, right, meeting with a delegation from Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, in Abu Dhabi in June.Credit…United Arab Emirates Presidential Court For most of the

Is Afghanistan’s Most-Wanted Militant Now Its Best Hope for Change?

By Christina Goldbaum The New York Times 24 Oct 2024 Sirajuddin Haqqani has tried to remake himself from blood-soaked jihadist to pragmatic Taliban statesman. Western diplomats are shocked — and enticed. Christina Goldbaum interviewed Sirajuddin Haqqani and spoke with more than 70 experts, diplomats, Afghan officials, Taliban soldiers and others, and reviewed hundreds of pages

An Afghan province bans all media from showing images of living things to comply with Taliban laws

Associated Press October 24, 2024 ISLAMABAD (AP) — An Afghan province has banned all media from showing images of living things to ensure compliance with the Taliban’s morality laws. Thursday’s decision was announced by Information Ministry officials in Helmand, the latest province to crack down on broadcasting and photography of humans and animals. In August,

Khalilah Ali, wife of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, to visit Kabul to build victory stadium

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 24, 2024 Khalilah Ali, the wife of Muhammad Ali, the legendary world boxer, will arrive in Afghanistan today to build a stadium. The General Directorate of Physical Education and Sports confirmed in a statement that Khalilah Ali, the wife of Muhammad Ali, the world boxing champion, will arrive in

China and other BRICS members call for lifting ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 24, 2024 The leaders of China, Russia, and other BRICS member countries urged the Taliban on Wednesday to lift the ban on education for girls and women in Afghanistan. In the declaration of the 16th BRICS Summit, the leaders stressed the importance of securing the fundamental rights of Afghan

We Have Opened Chapter of Engagement With World: Sirajuddin Haqqani

Najibullah Lalzoy Manager, Online Tolo News 24 Oct 2024 Speaking in a special interview with the New York Times, Sirajuddin Haqqani said that they have closed the chapter of violence and war. Acting Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani in an interview said that twenty years of fighting has led to victory, and a new chapter has

Iran reports arrest of nearly 2,000 Afghan refugees in Lorestan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama News October 23, 2024 Mohammad Pir Hayati, the Deputy Head of Security and Places in Lorestan, Iran, stated that since the beginning of the current year, 1,800 Afghan refugees have been arrested in this city. According to IRIB News Agency on Tuesday, October 22, this Iranian official noted that the number

Dealy explosion in kabul’s Cinema pamir; 11 injured, including women and children

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 23, 2024 Following an explosion in the densely populated Cinema Pamir area in central Kabul, 11 people, including children and women, were injured and transferred to the Emergency Hospital. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 PM on Wednesday, was caused by a bomb planted among street vendors and resulted

Kabir: UNAMA Should Handle Afghanistan’s Issues Responsibly

Haroon Nasir Tolo News 23 Oct 2024 Fitrat said that the deputy prime minister for political affairs stressed the significance of UNAMA’s mission in the country. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the deputy prime minister for political affairs, has urged Roza Otunbayeva that UNAMA should adopt a responsible approach regarding some of the issues in Afghanistan. According

UNESCO: We Support Access to Information and Education in Afghanistan

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 23 Oct 2024 In this meeting in Kabul, McPhillips highlighted the important role that journalists and media play in informing the public. Patricia McPhillips, UNESCO’s Director in Afghanistan, stated during a United Nations and media meeting held to mark United Nations Day in Afghanistan that UNESCO supports the right to

Pezeshkian: Iran Supports Any Steps for Peace, Stability in Afghanistan

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 23 Oct 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated that the interim government seeks good relations with all countries, including Iran. The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, in a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, stressed the need

Qatar, Italy Supports Continuation of Doha Process on Afghanistan

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 23 Oct 2024 Meanwhile, Qatar’s special representative met with members of the German parliament to discuss strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan. Qatar and Italy, in a joint statement, announced the continuation of their cooperation in the Doha process and emphasized the importance of bilateral strategic talks regarding Afghanistan. Part of

IFRC: 3.2 million children in Afghanistan suffer from severe malnutrition

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 22, 2024 The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) states that currently, 3.2 million children under the age of five and 840,000 pregnant and lactating women in Afghanistan are suffering from severe malnutrition. In a report published on Monday, October 21, the federation expressed concern

Iran Reaffirms Clear Policy Toward Afghanistan, Says Stability is Key

By TOLOnews TV Network 22 Oct 2024 Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, characterized the relationship between Afghanistan and Iran as trustworthy. Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed journalists, affirming that Iran’s policy toward Afghanistan is clear and remains consistent, regardless of any changes in leadership. He further explained that

Islamic Emirate Pledges to Uphold Women’s Rights: Hanafi

TOLOnews TV Network22 Oct 2024 Saif-ul-Islam Khyber highlighted that Hanafi reiterated during the meeting that no one is allowed to violate the rights of women in the country. The acting Minister of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, stated during a meeting in Laghman province that the Islamic Emirate is fully committed

Report Raises Alarm Over Acute Malnutrition in Afghanistan

Beheshta Arab Tolo News 22 Oct 2024 The lack of immediate intervention in this crisis will lead to a worrying increase in deaths, especially among children under the age of five. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in a joint report, announced that 3.2 million children under five years and 840,000

In Scotland, Afghan women find another chance to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors

By — Malcolm Brabant PBS Newshour October 18, 2024 Transcript: Nineteen talented Afghan women, whose university education was cut short by the Taliban, now have a chance to fulfill their dreams in Scotland. They’re all aiming to be doctors and have been given places at Scottish medical schools through a program created in memory of a

80% of Women’s Rights Secured, Says Islamic Emirate Official

Haroon Nasir Tolo News 19 Oct 2024 The spokesperson added that they [the Islamic Emirate] are working to better ensure the remaining rights of the country’s citizens. Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, told TOLOnews that since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, 80% of women’s rights in

The Taliban say they are investigating reports of Afghan casualties on the Iran border

The Washington Post By Associated Press October 17, 2024 at 7:02 a.m. EDT ISLAMABAD — The Taliban said Thursday they are investigating reports of Afghan casualties on the Iran border. It’s their first acknowledgement of the alleged killing and wounding of Afghan nationals by Iranian security forces in an attack Sunday. They previously described the

UN seeks probe into reported mass killing of Afghans migrating to Iran

By Charlotte Greenfield and Mohammad Yunus Yawar Reuters October 17, 2024 HERAT, Afghanistan, Oct 17 (Reuters) – The United Nations’ mission in Afghanistan called on Thursday for an investigation into reports that a large group of Afghan migrants had been shot and killed on the Afghanistan-Iran border. Afghan media outlets including Tolo News, citing witnesses, said more

Kabir: 2 Permanent Members of Security Council ‘Cooperating With Us’

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 17 Oct 2024 The deputy prime minister for political affairs also criticized the 20-year presence of the US in the country. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the deputy prime minister for political affairs, said in a program today (Thursday) that in the past, resolutions were passed against the Islamic Emirate in the

Pakistani PM: World Should Ask Afghan Authorities to Form Inclusive Gov’t

Nazir Shenwari Tolo News 16 Oct 2024 Sharif added that Pakistan wants a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used against other countries. Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, has called on the international community to encourage the caretaker government in Afghanistan to establish a politically inclusive government

Afghanistan Journalists Center reports suspension of National TV broadcasts in Takhar

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 16, 2024 The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) announced that the National Television broadcasting under Taliban control in Takhar has been halted. During a meeting with journalists and local media officials, officials from the Department of Promotion of Virtue in Takhar banned photography and the broadcast of images. The Afghanistan

Mujahid: Islamic Emirate Investigating Reported Killing of Afghan Migrants

nazar shinwar Tolo News 16 Oct 2024 Mujahid said on X that after the matter is clarified, the necessary decision will be made regarding it. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, reacted to the shooting of Afghan migrants, stating that the interim government is investigating the incident. Mujahid said on X that after

Attack on Afghan Migrants in Saravan Reportedly Kills Dozens

Naseer Ahmad Salehi Tolo News 16 Oct 2024 These migrants, who were attempting to enter Iran illegally, encountered an ambush, and it is said that they were attacked with both light and heavy weapons. According to reports, dozens of Afghan citizens have been killed in a shooting at Kalagan, the center of Saravan in Sistan

UNAMA Calls for int’l Support in Reducing Afghanistan’s Disaster Risks

Habib Rahman Qooyash Tolo News 15 Oct 2024 Some of this year’s flood victims also say that no organization has yet provided them with any assistance. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, has called for greater international support for Afghanistan. According to a statement by

Afghanistan to Send Delegation to Iran for Migrant Crisis Resolution

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 15 Oct 2024 Qomi referred to the mistreatment of Afghan migrants as propaganda from opposing factions and emphasized that Tehran is committed to all the rights of migrants. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has announced that during a meeting between the acting Minister and the Iranian Ambassador and Special

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir: No Secret Deal in Doha Agreement, Relations Expanding

TOLOnews TV Network 15 Oct 2024 Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, emphasized that no agreement contrary to Islamic principles was made in the Doha Agreement, dismissing claims of secret deals with the United States as baseless. Speaking at a gathering in Kapisa, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir further highlighted the growing international

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers to be allowed to relocate to UK after U-turn

Anna Lamche BBC News Jonathan Beale Defence correspondent BBC News 14 October 2024 Afghan special forces units known as the ‘Triples’ worked closely with the SAS in Afghanistan The government says it is allowing some “eligible” Afghan special forces soldiers who fought alongside the British military to resettle in the UK, after they were previously

Iran plans to deport two million ‘undocumented’ Afghan migrants

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 14, 2024 Iran’s chief of police, Ahmadreza Radan, announced that the country’s police are determined to deport two million “illegal” Afghan migrants by the end of this year. Radan made the statement on Sunday, October 13, during a ceremony in Mashhad, stating that arrests of “illegal” Afghan migrants in

‘If you want us to die, we need to know’: hundreds of thousands of Afghans are waiting for visas to Australia – and time is running out

Tory Shepherd The Guardian Sat 12 October 2024 Some managed to evacuate. Many left behind, including the family of Afghan Australians, live in fear of ‘beatings’ or of simply ‘disappearing’ Afghan Australian Sara* is sobbing as she speaks via video call from Iran, a bandage on her nose that she explains was caused by flying missile

Afghan arrested in France is brother of man who planned US election attack

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 13, 2024 French police secure the area after a man with a knife wounded several people at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris, France, January 11, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier AFP, citing a source close to the case, reported that a young Afghan man was arrested in the

Stanekzai Emphasizes the Need for National Unity in Afghanistan

TOLOnews TV Network 13 Oct 2024 Stanekzai also emphasized that Afghans do not accept foreign governance and have always given a strong response to the enemies of the country. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Deputy Political Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed that national unity is a fundamental need for the country. In a meeting in

Amnesty: Human Rights Council fails to address human rights crisis in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 11, 2024 Amnesty International has stated that the United Nations Human Rights Council’s resolution on Afghanistan has failed to provide an adequate response to the escalating human rights crisis in the country. The organization asserts that the Taliban continues to suppress the rights of the Afghan people. In a

US Charge d’Affaires: Afghanistan’s future is bleak without girls’ participation

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 11, 2024   Karin Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, stated that Afghanistan’s future is bleak without the participation of girls. She emphasized that Afghan girls deserve learning, growth, work, and advancement opportunities. On Friday, October 11, Decker wrote on the social media platform X

More airlines fly over Afghanistan in last week as Middle East tensions rise

By Joanna Plucinska and Mohammad Yunus Yawar Reuters October 9, 2024 UL, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Airlines have diverted more flights over Afghanistan over the past week to avoid Iranian airspace, data shows, adding to journey times and fuel costs in the latest disruption for routes between Asia and Europe as tensions in the Middle East escalate. Flights over

US envoy says Afghan women and girls face devastating mental health crisis

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 11, 2024 U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan’s Women, Girls, and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, said on Friday that Afghans, especially women and girls, are facing a devastating mental health crisis due to the Taliban’s extremist policies. “As we commemorate World Mental Health Day, I want to draw attention to

Karzai calls on Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 11, 2024 On International Day of the Girl, Hamid Karzai stated that girls, like boys, play a vital role in the advancement of society, and their exclusion from social life and education causes irreparable harm. He urged the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls. Karzai emphasized on

Iran Deports Over 270,000 Afghan Migrants in Six Months

TOLOnews TV Network 11 Oct 2024 Meanwhile, some migrant rights activists say that the host government must treat Afghan migrants better. Hossein Sharafati, Director General of Foreign Nationals and Migrants of Khorasan Razavi, Iran, says that over 270,000 illegal Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran in the past six months. In an interview with

Russia Emphasizes Importance of Continuing Talks with Islamic Emirate

Mohammad Bashir Soltani Tolo News 11 Oct 2024 Meanwhile, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Tajikistan sees peaceful talks aimed at forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan as beneficial for the country. Grigory Karasin, the head of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Federation Council, called the continuation of talks with Afghanistan’s interim government important.

‘The situation is very difficult for Afghan women’

Zoie O’Brien & Shivani Chaudhari BBC News, Suffolk 9 Oct 2024 Feriba Almas had to flee Afghanistan because she was receiving death threats from the Taliban An Afghan police officer who fled to the UK after she received death threats from the Taliban said that attending a community group had helped her connect with other

Turkey to Begin Restoration of Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi-Rumi’s Father’s Sanctuary in Balkh Soon

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press 10 October 2024 The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has announced that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) will soon begin the restoration of the monastery of Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi-Rumi’s father. The ministry also shared that Akın Erdoğan, the head of TIKA, has promised support in equipping the National Archives,

UNAMA Chief: Taliban pledges to open prisons for UN monitoring

By Fidel  Rahmati Khaama Press  October 10, 2024 The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) announced that the Taliban’s prison administration has committed to opening prison doors for UNAMA observers. Rosa Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, welcomed this “sustained commitment” for access to Afghanistan prisons. In a statement released on Thursday, October 10, Otunbayeva expressed

$1 billion gas exploration deal for Afghanistan’s Jawjzan signed with Uzbek company

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 10, 2024 The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a contract with a Uzbek company to explore and extract natural gas in the Totimaidan gas field in northern Afghanistan. This ten-year contract, valued at approximately $1 billion, was signed by Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic

Islamic Emirate Ambassador Presents Credentials to Uzbekistan’s FM

Hadia Ziaei Tolo News 10 Oct 2024 The two parties also discussed economic progress during the meeting. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate has announced that Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador to Uzbekistan, has presented his credentials to Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister. According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign

Religious education surges under Taliban as secular schooling languishes

By Homa Wahaj Voice of America October 08, 2024 6:49 PM WASHINGTON — The number of madrassas, or religious schools, has increased fourfold under the Taliban in Afghanistan as experts worry that the rise could fuel extremism in the country and limit opportunities for younger Afghans, particularly girls. “In the past year, at least 1 million

Pentagon: US takes Al-Qaeda threats from Afghanistan seriously

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 9, 2024 Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Press Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense or Pentagon, stated that the United States takes the threat of al-Qaeda in the region and Afghanistan seriously. In a recent press briefing, she responded to a question about the resurgence of al-Qaeda activity in

OCHA urgently seeks over $600 million for Afghanistan’s winter preparedness

By Fidel Rahmati Khaama Press October 9, 2024 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on Wednesday, October 9, the urgent need for approximately $603.5 million to support critical winter preparedness activities in Afghanistan. These funds will address essential needs such as shelter upgrades, warm clothing, and supply pre-positioning to

Islamic Emirate: ‘No Threats to Other Countries From Afghanistan’

Nazer Shinwari Tolo News 9 Oct 2024 Fitrat said that Daesh (ISIS) has been suppressed in the country, and the Islamic Emirate will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries. Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, in response to recent statements from the US Departments of Defense and State,

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