Latest News
New NATO Senior Civilian Representative Arrives in Kabul
Sir Nicholas Kay has arrived in Kabul on Tuesday to take up his role as the NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, NATO said in a statement.
Before heading to Kabul, Nicholas key said “I am really looking forward to getting back to Kabul and to playing a really active and strong role in support of the Afghan search for peace. Afghan people are hoping that 2019 will be the year of peace and NATO will be doing all it can to support efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.”
Working closely with NATO-led Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions, Sir Nicholas will advise the North Atlantic Council on the alliance’s efforts in Afghanistan and relations with Afghan partners, the statement said.
According to the statement, he will liaise with senior members of the Afghan government, as well as with Afghan officials and members of parliament. He will also coordinate with representatives of the international community and engage with representatives of Afghan civil society and international non-governmental organizations.
Previously, Sir Nicholas served for more than a year as the United Kingdom’s Ambassador in Kabul.
He brings extensive experience on Afghanistan and the South Asia region, having also worked as UK Regional Coordinator for Southern Afghanistan in Helmand province in 2006–2007 and as Head of the Pakistan and Afghanistan Section in the South Asian Department of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 1995–1997.
He also has extensive experience in helping to build peace in fragile and conflict-affected states, having served as the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Somalia.
Sir Nicholas replaces Ambassador Cornelius Zimmermann of Germany, who had been in the post since March 2017.
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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