Security

Nangarhar women rally for ceasefire amid deadly attacks on security forces

2020-09-18

Nangarhar women rally for ceasefire amid deadly attacks on security forces

The gathering in Jalalabad came a day before fierce fighting between Afghan forces and the Taliban that claimed the lives of at least 11 security personnel in the province.

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research Health

2020-09-18

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research

Chinese and Russian hackers have spared no effort in an attempt to steal vaccine development data from universities and research institutes in the United States, Canada and Britain.

Children of war victims in Kunduz plead for end to violence as peace talks continue Security

2020-09-17

Children of war victims in Kunduz plead for end to violence as peace talks continue

Children of war victims in Kunduz plead for end to violence as peace talks continue

Attacks by militants on security forces in the region have intensified even as intra-Afghan negotiations are under way.

Pakistan reiterates support for Afghanistan's path to peace, development
Diplomacy

2020-09-17

Pakistan reiterates support for Afghanistan's path to peace, development

Afghan and US officials praised Pakistan's role in facilitating the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban under way in Doha.

Afghans urge Taliban, government to remain flexible in their demands for peace
Diplomacy

2020-09-16

Afghans urge Taliban, government to remain flexible in their demands for peace

The preservation of women's rights and the cessation of violence remain crucial red lines, Afghan government negotiators say.

Afghan women rally to preserve achievements as peace talks begin
Women's Rights

2020-09-15

Afghan women rally to preserve achievements as peace talks begin

More than 15,000 women in 15 provinces have signed a letter addressed to the United Nations saying they want to be part of the peace process and are determined defend their rights.

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Spotlight

Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research

Chinese and Russian hackers have spared no effort in an attempt to steal vaccine development data from universities and research institutes in the United States, Canada and Britain.
Chinese, Russian hackers intensify intelligence war over COVID-19 vaccine research
Afghan government, allies pressure Taliban for truce as peace talks start
Diplomacy

2020-09-14

Afghan government, allies pressure Taliban for truce as peace talks start

The talks should continue in the 'spirit of moving towards peace', said High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman Abdullah Abdullah.

Tehran's dumping policies force 8 Herat factories to close
Economy

2020-09-14

Tehran's dumping policies force 8 Herat factories to close

The Iranian regime is flooding Afghanistan with cheap, low -quality goods to force factories to close.

Afghan negotiators arrive in Doha for historic peace talks
Security

2020-09-11

Afghan negotiators arrive in Doha for historic peace talks

The Afghan government and the Taliban planned to launch peach talks September 12, after months of delays and setbacks.

Development projects in Takhar improve access to public services
Economy

2020-09-11

Development projects in Takhar improve access to public services

Local residents expect an increase in such programmes if the Afghan government and the Taliban reach a peace deal.

Herat, Ghor residents call for ceasefire as direct peace talks approach
Security

2020-09-10

Herat, Ghor residents call for ceasefire as direct peace talks approach

Civilians hold out hope for a durable peace, once talks start.

Weak COVID-19 responses undermining strongman regimes
Health

2020-09-10

Weak COVID-19 responses undermining strongman regimes

Disregard for citizens' well-being and incompetence have shaken whatever trust citizens had in their leaders in countries such as China, Russia and Iran, analysts say.

Ceasefire, peace talks poised to increase development projects in Kunduz
Economy

2020-09-09

Ceasefire, peace talks poised to increase development projects in Kunduz

International donors and development organisations have pledged to accelerate projects in Kunduz Province if intra-Afghan peace talks are successful, local officials say.

'Enemies of peace' target VP Saleh in Kabul bombing
Security

2020-09-09

'Enemies of peace' target VP Saleh in Kabul bombing

First Vice President Amrullah Saleh sustained minor injuries in the blast, which killed at least 10 civilians and wounded 15 people.

Intra-Afghan peace talks to begin in 'next few days'
Diplomacy

2020-09-08

Intra-Afghan peace talks to begin in 'next few days'

A date for the talks, to be hosted in Doha, Qatar, has not been set, but both sides this week have signalled that negotiations could launch soon.

Herat officials eye major benefits of new Security Compact programme
Crime Justice

2020-09-08

Herat officials eye major benefits of new Security Compact programme

The programme seeks to enhance co-operation between locals and security personnel to halt crime and insecurity.

Alternative livelihood projects aim to prevent jobless Afghans from turning to poppy fields
Economy

2020-09-07

Alternative livelihood projects aim to prevent jobless Afghans from turning to poppy fields

Crushed by the coronavirus lockdown and job losses, some Afghans are harvesting opium for quick cash -- but the Afghan government has a plan in place to provide alternative sources of income.

China brags of normality as world continues to reel from pandemic
Media

2020-09-07

China brags of normality as world continues to reel from pandemic

While the rest of the world suffers under lockdowns due to COVID-19, Beijing appears intent on making the country appear to have moved on. See what Chinese state media is doing.

Iran's deep wells illegally siphon water from three Afghan rivers
Environment

2020-09-04

Iran's deep wells illegally siphon water from three Afghan rivers

Iran has been stealing thousands of cubic metres of water daily in excess of the Afghan-Iranian Helmand River Water Treaty through the use of illegal wells, officials say.

Afghan government frees remaining Taliban prisoners as peace talks approach
Security

2020-09-03

Afghan government frees remaining Taliban prisoners as peace talks approach

The government-backed negotiating team was set to head to Doha on Wednesday.

Herat residents praise Afghan forces for preventing ISIS attacks during Ashura
Security

2020-09-03

Herat residents praise Afghan forces for preventing ISIS attacks during Ashura

Security personnel detected and neutralised four bombs hidden near locations of religious ceremonies in Herat city.

Kabul, Taliban prepare for peace talks in Doha as prisoner exchange resumes
Security

2020-09-02

Kabul, Taliban prepare for peace talks in Doha as prisoner exchange resumes

'All obstacles have been removed' for intra-Afghan negotiations, said one government official.

Facebook uncovers Kremlin-linked campaign bent on sowing US chaos
Media

2020-09-02

Facebook uncovers Kremlin-linked campaign bent on sowing US chaos

Trying out a new wrinkle, the Kremlin's Internet Research Agency duped real Americans to write for a website that bills itself as a 'global news organisation'.

China aims to double nuclear arsenal in 10 years, expand military installations
Security

2020-09-02

China aims to double nuclear arsenal in 10 years, expand military installations

A key focus for China's military is power projection, which translates to the establishment of military bases around the world.

Herat sit-in demands immediate start of intra-Afghan peace talks
Security

2020-09-01

Herat sit-in demands immediate start of intra-Afghan peace talks

The protests will spread to more provinces in coming days and will continue until their demands are met, said the leader of the movement.

Former Taliban fighters in Zabul find new jobs with Citizens' Charter project
Security

2020-08-31

Former Taliban fighters in Zabul find new jobs with Citizens' Charter project

The project, which builds infrastructure in rural areas, has enabled former fighters to earn a steady income.

Women who have lost loved ones urge Taliban to commit to peace
Security

2020-08-31

Women who have lost loved ones urge Taliban to commit to peace

Mothers and wives who have lost sons and husbands in the decades-long war are willing to look beyond the pain and make peace with the Taliban, but they demand their rights be maintained.

Herat photo exhibition showcases crimes during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan
Crime Justice

2020-08-28

Herat photo exhibition showcases crimes during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan

The modern-day Russian regime is continuing to meddle in Afghanistan's affairs by supporting the Taliban and other armed groups.

US offers up to $10 million reward for 2 Americans abducted in Afghanistan
Crime Justice

2020-08-28

US offers up to $10 million reward for 2 Americans abducted in Afghanistan

Author Paul Overby, 77, disappeared in 2014, while civil engineer Mark Frerichs, 58, was abducted earlier this year.

Fatemiyoun rally near Afghan border amplifies fears over future activity
Security

2020-08-27

Fatemiyoun rally near Afghan border amplifies fears over future activity

Leaders of the Iran-backed militia made allusions to the next steps of their revolution, including destroying American 'mercenaries' -- a term the group often uses to describe government in Kabul.