Nation

AT-KABUL: Taliban gunmen once again kidnapped 47 passengers in northeastern Kunduz from the main highway, where government launched rescue operation to release the hostages. The passengers were kidnapped from Badakhshan-Kunduz highway in Khanabad district of Kunduz Wednesday morning when Taliban intercepted a bus and a small passenger car, Mahfuzullah Akbari, …

By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: The Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC) said in a report that health sector had lost people’s trust and donors due to corruption. The MEC and ministry of public health have carried out a survey, interviewing people in Kabul and 12 provinces. “Survey reveals that corruption exists extensively …

By Akhtar M. Nikzad-KABUL: Ministry of Interior accused Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence of supporting the armed insurgents in fighting against Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand province. Deputy minister Abdul Rahman told senators that the ISI directly supports Taliban, Lashkar-e Taiba and al-Qaeda terrorist groups in operations against Afghan troops. “The …

AT-KABUL: The Ministry of Energy and Water on Tuesday signed the contract of the Kajaki hydropower dam extension with a Turkish company. Minister of Energy and Water Ali Ahmad Osmani said that the dam would produce 150 megawatts of electricity after its extension. “The reservoir capacity of the dam would …

A new investigation today reveals how Afghanistan’s 6,500 year old lapis mines are driving corruption, conflict and extremism in the country. Global Witness has found that the Taliban and other armed groups are earning up to 20 million dollars per year from Afghanistan’s lapis mines, the world’s main source of …

The holy month of Ramadan will begin this week. Mostly like from Tuesday. Afghans across the country, from Nangarhar to Kunduz and from Herat to Badakhshan are preparing for the start of the holy month. As fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, it holds special importance. Unfortunately, …

AT-KABUL: Former President Hamid Karzai expressed “deep” sadness over the death of Muhammad Ali, the champion of the heavyweight boxing, social activist, humanitarian and sport icon. “With great regrets I knew that the heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali Clay passed away,” Karzai was quoted in a statement issued by his office, …

AT-KABUL: Former President Hamid Karzai thanked Indian prime minister for his country’s help in the completion of the hydropower dam in Afghanistan. India started the work of 42 megawatt generating Salma dam 10 years ago during Karzai’s government and due to his personal efforts. “In a telephonic conversation, Karzai welcomed …

Akhtar M. Nikzad-KABUL: The Rana Think-tank called on Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC) to resume the work of the Aynak copper called as Mes-e-Aynak project, asking the government to pave the ground for the company. Afghan government contracted the project with the MCC in 2008.  After some primary discoveries, the …

AT-KABUL: The newly established Afghanistan Feminism Organization (AFO) on Sunday strongly criticized nepotism in hiring and firing of figures particularly women, asking the government to bring balance in women’s presence in decision making in the country. “Still nepotism and discrimination deems as a barrier ahead of women in hiring and …