KABUL – In an extraordinary political resurgence, Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States, marking a dramatic comeback for the former leader. The Associated Press called the race for Trump early this morning, declaring his victory in Wisconsin—a pivotal battleground state—at 5:34 a.m. Eastern. Trump’s …
Read More »Opium Production in Afghanistan Surges 19% Despite Taliban Ban
KABUL – In a surprising reversal, opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan rose by 19% in 2024 despite a 2022 Taliban-imposed ban on narcotics, according to a new United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report released Wednesday. The report highlights a stark shift after the ban initially led to …
Read More »Alarming Surge in Violence Against Women in Herat
KABUL – Herat’s public hospital has seen a troubling pattern of violence and hardship endured by women in the Afghan province. Between September 22 and October 22, the hospital recorded 38 suicide attempts, two suicides, one murder of a woman, and 73 cases of women suffering physical assault, reliable sources …
Read More »China Resumes Direct Rail Freight Service to Afghanistan
KABUL – China has restarted its direct rail freight service to Afghanistan, a move that underscores strengthening economic ties as the Taliban solidifies its governance. The new route, launched on October 31 from the Chinese city of Nantong near Shanghai, marks a strategic push in China’s regional logistics efforts, tapping …
Read More »U.S. Candidates Silent on Afghanistan as Election Nears
KABUL – As the U.S. election approaches, both major presidential candidates remain noticeably silent on Afghanistan—a topic that once dominated headlines and defined American foreign policy. Despite the United States’ 20-year involvement and the chaotic withdrawal in August 2021, neither Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, nor Donald J. Trump, her …
Read More »Afghanistan Received $6.7 Billion in Aid Since Taliban’s Return
KABUL – In a newly released report, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has revealed that Afghanistan has received approximately $6.7 billion in humanitarian aid since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. The funding, peaking at $3.3 billion in 2022, has been critical in …
Read More »Afghan Women Shut Out of University Exams for Third Straight Year
KABUL – The Taliban-controlled Ministry of Education in Afghanistan announced on Monday the start of registration for the 2024 university entrance exams, known as the Kankor, but for the third consecutive year, female students remain prohibited from registering. Only male high school and religious seminary graduates are eligible to apply. …
Read More »Afghan Leaders Conclude Istanbul Talks, Amid Ongoing International Push for Stability
KABUL – In Istanbul, the two-day “National Dialogue Process” meeting of Afghan political leaders and influencers concluded on Friday. Supported by Turkey, the high-profile gathering brought together former Afghan government officials and figures associated with the Taliban to discuss Afghanistan’s tumultuous political landscape. Despite intense discussions behind closed doors, the …
Read More »Taliban Detains Afghan Political Commentator Amid Crackdown on Free Speech
KABUL — The unrecognized Taliban government in Afghanistan has detained prominent political commentator and former university lecturer Jawed Mohmand, escalating concerns over an intensified crackdown on dissent. Mohmand was reportedly taken by Taliban intelligence agents outside his Kabul residence on October 19, according to his family. A relative, speaking under …
Read More »Deadly Bombing Targets Polio Vaccination Drive in Pakistan, Killing 7
KABUL – In a tragic attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Pakistan’s western city of Mastung, a bombing near a girls’ school has killed seven people, including five children and a police officer. The blast occurred in Balochistan’s main market area on Friday, as police provided security for health …
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