Page 6 - Afghanistan

Afghanistan govt has in principle agreed to resume women's cricket: ICC

The ICC on Sunday said the Afghanistan government supports the world body's constitution and has "in principle" agreed to resuming women's cricket in the country. Afghanistan cricket, especially the women's game, had plunged into uncertainty last year due to the drastic changes in the political landscape following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. There were reports that Afghan women, including the country's women's cricket team, were banned from playing sport under the Taliban administration. The ICC had then set up a Working Group to review the status of cricket in the country. The Board received an update from the Afghanistan Working Group detailing a recent meeting with a representative of the Afghanistan government and the Afghanistan Cricket Board in Doha. The government official reiterated their commitment to fully respect and comply with the ICC constitution, in particular the need for diversity and inclusivity and for the ACB to operate independent from governme

Harsh winter awaits displaced families in Ukraine, Afghanistan: UNHCR

Many displaced families will have no option but to choose between food and warmth as they struggle to heat their shelters, source warm clothing, and cook hot meals, according to UNHCR.

Taliban violating human rights, plunging economy to 'dire' conditions: UN

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls, failing to establish a representative government, and plunging the country into dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions. The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State and their affiliates as well as the presence of foreign terrorist fighters. Germany's U.N. ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus. But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Sixty-seven countries did not vote. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but they do refle

Concerned at unfolding humanitarian situation in Afghanistan: India at UN

The envoy highlighted that India is closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan, and on issues related to Afghanistan, it is actively engaged with the international community

UK donates $28 mn in emergency funds to Afghanistan amid fragile economy

Economists believe that humanitarian aid is useful for the country's citizens in the short term, but it has not decreased poverty in the country, according to Tolo News.

Media under threat in Afghanistan, crimes against journalists continue: UN

'Human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters in Afghanistan recorded by UNAMA since August 2021. Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation'

Pakistan, China to extend CPEC to Afghanistan despite India's opposition

India has consistently opposed the USD 60 billion project, which links Pakistan's southern Gwadar port in Balochistan to China's western Xinjiang and passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Afghan women stage protests in Kabul over concerns on female employment

The women protesters called on the Taliban to work for women and to allow girls above grade six to learn as the organization's rule has only added to the poverty in the country

Taliban deny entry of female students in campus for not wearing Burqa

The Afghan girls were forced to remain outside the entry gate as the students were not following the norms of the Taliban's preferred attires, Khaama Press reported.

UN assists more than 4.6 million people in Afghanistan amid reeling crisis

As the economic crisis continues to grip Afghanistan, more than 4.6 million people in the war-torn country have been provided assistance, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees said

Afghans' lives have become 'unbearably hard' due to rise in poverty: WFP

Taliban rule in Afghanistan has escalated levels of poverty and unemployment in the war-ravaged country resulting in the lives of Afghans becoming "unbearably hard," said WFP in a statement.

Russia recruiting Afghan soldiers trained by US to fight in Ukraine: Report

Afghan commandos who had been trained by Allied forces to fight the Taliban are now being recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, a media report said

New HRW report details Taliban abuse faced by Afghan women protesters

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a new report detailing the mistreatment of Afghan women, who were wrongfully detained with their families for protesting against Taliban abuses.The New York-based rights group last week released a report, detailing the horror that the Afghan women are experiencing, including threats, beatings, dangerous conditions of confinement, denial of due process, abusive conditions of release and other abuses.According to the HRW, the authorities assaulted and administered electric shocks to detained male relatives. The women's description of their experiences sheds light on the Taliban's treatment of women protesters in custody and the Taliban's efforts to silence the protest movement."It's difficult to overstate the incredible bravery of these and other Afghan women who protest against Taliban abuses," said Heather Barr, associate women's rights director at Human Rights Watch. "These women's stories show how deeply threatened the Taliban feel by their .

Afghanistan's economy contracted by about 20% in 2021: World Bank

Afghanistan's economy contracted by about 20 in 2021, according to the World Bank's new Afghanistan Development Update, which states the Afghan economy is adjusting to a "new normal"

Terror attacks in Pakistan jump by 51% after Taliban took over Afghanistan

Pakistan witnessed a record 51 per cent increase in the number of terrorist attacks in a single year after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, according to new data

Taliban killed 27 captives in Afghan's Panjshir Valley last month: Report

The Taliban captured, bound and shot to death 27 men in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley last month during an offensive against resistance fighters in the area, according to a report published Tuesday, refuting the group's earlier claims that the men were killed in battle. One video of the killings verified by the report shows five men, blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs. Then, Taliban fighters spray them with gunfire for 20 seconds and cry out in celebration. The investigation by Afghan Witness, an open-source project run by the UK-based non-profit Center for Information Resilience, is a rare verification of allegations that the Taliban have used brutal methods against opposition forces and their supporters, its researchers said. Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a tighter and harsher rule, even as they press for international recognition of their government. David Osborn, the team leader of Afghan Witness, said the report gives the most ...

India can help Afghan people in difficult times, says S Jaishankar

EAM S Jaishankar reiterated India's stance of inclusive, "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled" reconciliation process to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan

World Food Day: 19 million Afghans face food insecurity, says WFP

The World Food Program estimated that nearly 19 million Afghans are facing food insecurity on the occasion of World Food Day.On World Food Day, which was observed on Sunday, residents of Kabul said that the lack of jobs and economic challenges is threatening them with severe food insecurity, reported Tolo News.The World Food Programme in Afghanistan said that a survey conducted in February and March indicated that nearly 19 million people are facing food insecurity."The results of the (survey) show that nearly 19 million or 18.9 million people are facing food insecurity and they need food assistance and humanitarian assistance," said Wahidullah Amani, a spokesman for WFP Afghanistan, reported Tolo News."We plan to attract international humanitarian aid, support the small and average industries, and to launch major economic projects to support the infrastructure in Afghanistan," said Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy."I have seven children. My husband is jobless. When I ...

Taliban ban women from many public university subjects in Afghanistan

A year after banning most teenage girls from attending school, the Taliban government in Afghanistan are now imposing sweeping restrictions on which courses women can enrol in at public universities

SCO-RATS decides to counter terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan

The Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Friday decided on joint measures by member countries to counter threats posed by international terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of RATS that was hosted by India in the national capital. The meeting was attended by senior officials of all the member nations including China and Pakistan. India's Deputy National Security Advisor Dattatray Padsalgikar said the meeting also decided to organise a military exercise called "Solidarity- 2023" next year.It is learnt that the exercise will take place in China. "Joint measures of the competent authorities of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to counter the challenges and threats posed by international terrorist organisations from the territory of Afghanistan were approved," Padsalgikar said at a media briefing. India hosted the meeting in its capacity as the chair of .