Salaam Times https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB Daily news and features from local correspondents covering terrorism, security, and co-operation on the path to greater stability in Afghanistan. en-gb images/2026/07/09/56891-afp__20250817__62z-370_237.jpg Band-e Amir National Park sees record tourism surge More than 300,000 tourists visited Bamyan's historical and natural sites in a single month, with Band-e Amir National Park drawing the largest share, provincial officials say. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/07/09/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/07/09/feature-02 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/07/08/56919-afp__20251028__829y32m__v1-370_237.jpg Afghanistan's cricket revolution: From refugee camps to World Cup glory Born in refugee camps and forged in dusty streets, Afghanistan's cricket team has become the nation's proudest symbol of resilience and unity. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/07/08/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/07/08/feature-02 Wed, 8 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/24/56706-afp__20260426__a8zv3t7-370_237.jpg JNIM setbacks mount after key commander’s elimination Mali’s drone strike against a senior JNIM commander reveals growing pressure on the group’s leadership and exposes its operational weaknesses. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/24/feature-01 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/24/feature-01 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/23/56650-afp__20250317__372p9x2__v2__high-370_237.jpg Al-Qaeda affiliates exploit women in Pakistan Militant groups in Pakistan use manipulation, propaganda, and exploitation to recruit women into violent campaigns that harm the communities they claim to represent. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/23/feature-01 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/23/feature-01 Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/17/56591-afp__20121102__par7371811__v1001__highres-370_237.jpg Mali offers $3.5 million bounty for JNIM leader The Malian government has placed a $3.5 million reward on Iyad Ag Ghaly, intensifying efforts to weaken JNIM's leadership amid the Sahel's escalating security crisis. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/17/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/17/feature-02 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/10/56486-afp__20260513__b2r93pn-370_237.jpg Terrorist groups exploit economic hardships for recruitment Analysts warn that poverty and unemployment are being exploited by terrorist groups to recruit vulnerable individuals while worsening insecurity deepens Afghanistan’s economic crisis. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/10/feature-01 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/10/feature-01 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/08/56435-afp__20260526-370_237.jpg JNIM attacks deepen suffering across Mali Deadly attacks in central Mali highlight the devastating impact of extremist violence on civilians, local economies, and community stability. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/08/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/08/feature-02 Mon, 8 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/04/56387-d_3-370_237.jpg Afghan families choose education over extremism Despite decades of pressure from extremist groups, Afghan families continue prioritizing education, viewing knowledge as the strongest path toward opportunity, stability, and a brighter future. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/04/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/04/feature-02 Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/04/56366-doctorya_rx-370_237.jpg Afghan youth turn to innovation over extremism Young Afghans are using technology and innovation to address community challenges, demonstrating how constructive engagement can strengthen social responsibility and reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/04/feature-03 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/04/feature-03 Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/06/01/56279-afp-eid-peace-370_237.jpg Religious scholars reject extremist narratives to protect Muslim youth Mainstream religious leaders condemn fringe groups for misusing faith and urge communities to recognize their hidden political agendas. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/06/01/feature-01 cnmi_st/features/2026/06/01/feature-01 Mon, 1 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/05/26/56241-afp__20240707-370_237.jpg Extremists’ authoritarian ideology clashes with Islamic traditions, experts say Analysts say al-Qaeda reflects modern authoritarian politics more than Islamic historical traditions rooted in coexistence, diversity, and social welfare. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/05/26/feature-01 cnmi_st/features/2026/05/26/feature-01 Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000 images/2026/05/26/56219-afp__20260511__b2hk2t-370_237.jpg Mali under siege as JNIM expands pressure Al-Qaeda linked JNIM intensifies blockade tactics, taxation, and infrastructure attacks, deepening Mali’s ongoing security and humanitarian crisis. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2026/05/26/feature-02 cnmi_st/features/2026/05/26/feature-02 Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000