Afghanistan
Taliban prisoner release delayed: Govt
KABUL (TOLO News): The release of Taliban prisoners that was expected to begin on Tuesday has been postponed, a government official confirmed, saying that first a Taliban team will be sent to Kabul to discuss technical matters regarding the process. Javid Faisal, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said in a tweet that the…
Read MoreAttacks in Takhar, Zabul kill 19 ANDSF
KABUL (TOLO News): Amid increasing violence in recent days across almost half of Afghanistan – 15 provinces–officials and other sources on Monday reported the latest attacks in two provinces, Takhar in the northeast and Zabul in the south, which caused casualties among Afghan forces. Sources said that at least 13 security force members were killed…
Read MoreLockdown affects businesses in Kabul
KABUL (TOLO News): The 21-day lockdown in the city of Kabul and its provincial districts has affected small businesses, especially shop owners and workers, who said they are concerned about how to afford the needs of their families. So far, 145 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Afghanistan, according to the Public Health…
Read MoreICRC calls for action against COVID-19 in War Zones
KABUL (TOLO News): It will be nearly impossible to fight COVID-19 in countries already devastated by conflict unless a concerted response by states and humanitarian organizations is launched immediately, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned. “Plans to prevent and respond to the virus must urgently move forward before it gains a…
Read MoreBalkh Central Jail releases 75 prisoners
BALKH (Ariana News): Some 75 prisoners, sentenced to less than 5 years in jail, have been released from Balkh Central Jail because of the coronavirus outbreak. Bashir Tawhidi, deputy governor of Balkh, says that the prisoners have been let go on the president’s verdict. According to him, there will be more releases. Following the warning…
Read MoreNo date set for arrival of Taliban delegation
Monitoring Desk KABUL: The date for the arrival of a Taliban delegation to monitor the release of the Taliban prisoners is still unclear, the Office of National Security Council (ONSC) said. Jawed Faisal, a spokesman for the ONSC has said that in order to accelerate the peace process, the Taliban should avoid violence and that…
Read MorePompeo urges Afghan leaders to form inclusive govt
Monitoring Desk KABUL: US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo in a tweet on Saturday said that he his “thankful to his Afghan counterparts for preparing an inclusive negotiating team for intra-Afghan negotiations,” and urged them to also form an inclusive government. “I also applaud your commitment to begin releasing prisoners and your commendable effort to…
Read MoreTaliban attack Afghanistan amid growing Coronavirus threat
Monitoring Desk KABUL: The Taliban on Saturday attacked several provinces in northern Afghanistan, overrunning large parts of one district even as American diplomats expressed optimism that a peace process stalled over the release of prisoners was getting back on track. The insurgents launched major assaults in three northern province — in Kunduz, whose capital was…
Read MoreKabul residents defy lockdown
Monitoring Desk KABUL: In some areas of Kabul city the roads were packed with cars as citizens defied the government lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Only in a few areas were roads vacant of pedestrians and cars and businesses closed. Some people in the city criticized the government for its efforts to address the spread…
Read MoreTens of historical artifacts with millions of Afghanis returned home
KABUL (Agencies): As many as 231 historical artifacts of the Bakhtar Treasury exhibited in various European, American, Australian and Asian countries were returned home on Tuesday, the Ministry of Information and Culture said. The objects found from Tapa-e-Falul, Aykhanum, Tellah Tapa, Bagram and Tapa-e-Zargan have been put in show for up to 13 years in…
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