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US State Department ‘not surprised’ IEA skipped UN meeting in Doha
The US State Department said on Tuesday that Washington was not surprised that the Islamic Emirate did not participate in the second Doha meeting that was held in Qatar this week.
State spokesman Matthew Miller said in a press conference that the Islamic Emirate is not the only one that has a role in the future of Afghanistan, but the United States will continue to support all Afghans, including women and girls.
Miller said preventing Afghanistan from becoming a center of terrorist activities, forming an inclusive government, and respecting human rights, especially women’s rights, are among the goals they want to achieve in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Karen Decker, the charge d’affaires of the US Embassy for Afghanistan, which is based in Doha, said on X that Washington’s commitment to the Afghan people and civil society has been strong and that the US wants to hear more Afghans’ opinions about the future of their country.
Decker expressed her gratitude to the United Nations and Qatar for hosting the meeting participants.
This comes after the Islamic Emirate turned down an invitation to attend the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Mawlavi Abdul Kabir says the Islamic Emirate wants a meaningful presence in future UN-sponsored meetings on Afghanistan.
A day after the two-day Doha meeting wrapped up, Kabir said the IEA’s absence at the meeting did not mean Kabul’s relations with the international community are “gloomy”.
Kabir said the IEA is trying to have a “positive and meaningful” presence in future UN meetings.
In a meeting with the Japanese ambassador, Kabir said the Islamic Emirate had been ready to attend the Doha meeting but had set conditions which were not met. He said the “designers” of the meeting missed this opportunity.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan has signed a 30-year agreement with a private company to extract marble in Daikundi province.
Under the contract, the company will invest AFN 283 million in exploring and mining marble at the “Mesh-Uliya” site, spanning 16.74 square kilometers in central Daikundi.
Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum, stated that the marble will be processed domestically before being exported abroad. He added that the Mesh-Uliya project is expected to create around 200 jobs, and the company is committed to supporting local communities through social initiatives.
Economic experts highlight that such investments, especially those focusing on domestic processing, are crucial for job creation, boosting exports, and strengthening the national economy. Analysts further note that the project will improve local infrastructure, expand social services, and enhance the economic and social well-being of Daikundi residents.
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, efforts to develop Afghanistan’s mining sector have intensified, with multiple contracts signed in areas including cement, copper, iron, and lapis lazuli, involving both domestic and international companies.
A passenger bus veered off the Salang Highway before dawn on Sunday, leaving five people dead and 44 others injured, the Ministry of Public Works said.
According to the ministry, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. in the Shawol area of North Salang when a passenger bus deviated from the main road due to the driver’s negligence.
Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works, said five passengers were killed and 44 others sustained injuries. He added that personnel from the Salang Maintenance and Protection Directorate promptly arrived at the scene and transferred the injured to the Khunjān clinic for medical treatment.
The Ministry of Public Works has urged drivers and passengers traveling on the Salang Highway to strictly follow the instructions of on-duty teams, observe traffic regulations, and carry warm clothing, food supplies, and snow chains to prevent similar incidents.
The ministry also noted that heavy snowfall and stormy weather have led to the temporary closure of the highway, while road maintenance teams are continuing snow-clearing operations.
Latest News
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
The Ministry of Interior reported that personnel from the General Directorate of Firefighting and Emergency Response successfully prevented the further spread of a fire at Mandawi market on Kabul early Sunday morning.
Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the fire destroyed 10 storage facilities and 8 shops. He added that initial losses are estimated at around $700,000, but timely action by firefighting personnel saved property worth approximately $2.2 million.
Qani explained that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. He praised the rapid and effective containment operations, which prevented more extensive damage.
Local shopkeepers said the fire broke out around 4 a.m.
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