Page 31 - Afghanistan

Massachusetts' governor weighs $20 mn in aid to Afghanistan, Haiti refugees

Immigrant advocates in Massachusetts are cheering the inclusion of $20 million in aid to Afghan refugees and Haitian migrants in a broader, $4 billion spending plan from state lawmakers. The bill, which was approved last week and is currently awaiting Republican Governor Charlie Baker's signature, sets aside $12 million for Afghan refugees and another $8 million for Haitian migrants. Jeffrey Thielman, president and CEO of the International Institute of New England, one of the state's major refugee resettlement nonprofits, said Friday the bill, if approved, would make Massachusetts one of the few if only states to commit state money to support the latest wave of immigrants from both troubled countries. Massachusetts really stands out, he said, noting that Oregon lawmakers have proposed allocating $18 million to help resettle some 1,200 Afghan refugees. New York has also committed $5 million to help nearly 1,800 Afghans resettle in the state, and California's governor and legislative

World Bank donors approve release of $280 million for Afghanistan

The World Bank donors approved to release $280 million for Afghanistan to address humanitarian issues

15 EU nations to resettle Afghan refugees to prevent irregular immigration

Fifteen European Union (EU) countries on Thursday decided to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees in order to prevent irregular immigration of these people.

India brings back 104 people from Afghanistan in special flight

India has evacuated 104 people, including 10 Indian nationals, from Kabul in a special charter aircraft on Friday

Humanitarians reach 8 mn Afghans with food assistance in 3 months: UN

Humanitarian partners reached 8 million Afghans with food assistance, UN spokesperson said

India airlifts around 110 people including Afghans nationals from Kabul

A special repatriation flight from Kabul with around 110 people including Afghan citizens belonging to the Hindu and Sikh communities, is set to arrive here on Friday.The flight chartered by the Government of India is being operated from Kabul and is likely to arrive here around noon.The flight is repatriating the stranded Indian citizens there and distressed Afghan citizens belonging to the Hindu and Sikh Community along with spouses of Indian citizens, according to a statement by India World Forum.The three Sri Guru Granth Sahib from historical Gurdwaras in Afghanistan and Hindu religious scriptures including Ramanaya, Mahabharat and Bhagavad Gita from the ancient 5th Century Asamai Mandir, Kabul are also being flown to India.The India World Forum said that after their arrival, the Afghan nationals will be rehabilitated by Sobti Foundation."It is pertinent to mention that the family of Mahram Ali, a local security guard who was killed during the terror attack in Gurdwara Guru Har ...

Al-Qaeda group in Afghanistan has grown 'slightly': Top US commander

The al-Qaida extremist group has grown slightly inside Afghanistan since US forces left in late August, the top US commander in the region said

International Olympic Committee announces $560,000 aid for Afghan athletes

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced an aid package of $560,000 to help up to 2,000 Afghan beneficiaries carry on their sporting activities

UNICEF appeals for $ 2 bn, largest-ever single-country funding, for Afghan

The UNICEF has launched its largest-ever single-country appeal to urgently respond to the humanitarian needs of over 24 million people in Afghanistan, half of whom are children.

UN General Assembly defers action on Afghanistan, Myanmar representatives

The UN General Assembly has decided to defer action on the representatives of Afghanistan and Myanmar, which means that the incumbent representatives will continue to represent their countries.

India, Russia discuss Afghan, condemn terrorism; ink deal on AK-203 rifles

India and Russia discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, especially the security situation and its implications in the region, as they condemned the cross-border movement of terrorists

India, Russia to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

Modi and Putin emphasised the central role of the UN in Afghanistan

Afghan situation has wider repercussions for Central Asia, says Jaishankar

Jaishankar on Monday said that that the situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions for the Central Asian region and added that both India and Russia have a common interest in ASEAN centrality

Afghanistan: Construction projects over $5 bn at halt, surging joblessness

Construction projects in Afghanistan over $5 billion are on hold, stated the union of private constructions companies in the country

Taliban vow to probe reports of summary killings of ex-soldiers, police

The Taliban on Sunday promised to probe reports of execution and forcible disappearance of former police and intelligence officers in Afghanistan despite a proclaimed amnesty.

French President Macron meets Saudi crown prince in final Gulf stop

Earlier in the day, Macron was in Qatar, where he told reporters that France and a number of European nations were considering opening a joint diplomatic mission in Afghanistan

Afghan security forces seize weapons from Panjshir province: State media

Afghan security forces have discovered and seized a variety of weapons from eastern Panjshir province, the state-run news agency Bakhtar reported

UNHRC calls for humanitarian aid for 3.5 mn Afghans to avoid starvation

UN Human Rights Council has appealed to increase humanitarian support to 3.5 million people including 700,000 from 2021 alone who were displaced due to the conflict in Afghanistan, the UN body said.

Taliban chief bans forced marriage of women in Afghanistan

The move was announced by the reclusive Taliban chief, Hibatullah Akhunzada

Afghanistan continues to face economic hardships under the Taliban

Afghanistan is facing economic hardships after the takeover of the Taliban in August this year and its financial crisis has increased further.Afghanistan's economy continues to plummet with the Taliban takeover. Afghanistan's economy is largely made up of the agriculture and services sector, both of which have already shown a decline. Agriculture has been the biggest source of employment has taken a huge hit due to the rising insecurity in the country and widespread droughts, according to the International Forum for Rights and Security.Further, nine out of ten Afghan families are already unable to obtain sufficient food stocks and over 1 million children could face malnutrition and even death by starvation with further scares of the outbreak of diseases like measles and polio throughout the population, it added.Earlier, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of the emerging food insecurity in Afghanistan will affect almost 14 million people.Further, in the regional hospital in ...