Latest News
Russia backs plans for interim setup in Afghanistan
Russia is in favor of the formation of an interim government in Afghanistan that includes the Taliban members.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters: “The formation of an interim inclusive administration would be a logical solution to the problem of integrating the Taliban into the peaceful political life of Afghanistan.”
Zakharova stated that the decision should be made “by the Afghans themselves and should be resolved during negotiations on national reconciliation.”
This comes as Russia has planned to hold a conference on the Afghan peace process in Moscow on March 18.
Russian Special for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said last week that Russia had invited the United States, China, Pakistan, representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban group (outlawed in Russia), as well as Afghan political figures, to Moscow for consultations on a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan.
Addressing a joint press conference with Russia’s and Turkey’s Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani that Doha had received an invitation from Russia to take part in a meeting on Afghanistan in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov regarding the conference stated: “We are genuinely interested in bringing an end to the Afghan tragedy as soon as possible.”
“We are not competing with Qatar or any other country in this regard. We have not adopted a stance that could become a bone of contention. As you are aware, before the Doha process, there was the Istanbul process and the Moscow format, and no one ever thought of reproaching our Qatari friends for stealing the show,” Lavrov said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also stated that Turkey is ready to host an Afghan peace conference in Istanbul in April.
“We will do this (meeting) in coordination with brotherly Qatar,” said Cavusoglu quoted by the Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu.
Cavusoglu stated: “We were one of the few countries invited to this signing ceremony, and we are one of the most important actors in Afghanistan.”
The Turkish Foreign Minister also stated that Turkey would also appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan to contribute to the process.
The US last week proposed the new peace plan for Afghanistan suggesting the establishment of a transitional government and a high-level summit in Turkey.
The new proposal was delivered by US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the High Council for National Reconciliation Chairman Abdullah Abdullah, and other politicians and former government leaders. Later in the week Khalilzad met with Taliban representatives and put the plan to them.
No decisions have yet been made by either side on the proposal nor have there been any new developments in the past 10 days on the peace talks process in Doha.
International Sports
Mumbai Indians outclass KKR in high-scoring IPL thriller
Mumbai chased down a daunting target with six wickets to spare, thanks to outstanding batting performances from Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma, who dominated the chase and thrilled the home crowd.
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) produced a thrilling contest on Sunday, March 29, as Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-scoring encounter at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Mumbai chased down a daunting target with six wickets to spare, thanks to outstanding batting performances from Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma, who dominated the chase and thrilled the home crowd.
Despite KKR posting a massive total, Mumbai’s batting lineup showed composure and attacking intent to seal one of the most entertaining matches of the early IPL season.
The tournament continues today, March 30, with another exciting fixture as Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The match is expected to draw huge attention, with both teams featuring star-studded lineups and looking to build early momentum in the competition.
Fans in Afghanistan can watch every match of the tournament live as Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive broadcast rights for the IPL in the country.
Cricket lovers can follow Ariana Television and Ariana News social media pages for live coverage, highlights, and the latest updates throughout the tournament.
Latest News
Pakistan shelling in Afghanistan’s Kunar leaves civilian casualties, says IEA
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
The Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, says Pakistani forces carried out heavy shelling on civilian areas in eastern Afghanistan, leaving several residents injured and one person dead.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fitrat said that members of the Pakistani military regime fired mortars and other heavy weapons at around 5 pm on rural areas and residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Asadabad, the provincial capital of Kunar Province.
According to him, the attacks targeted villages and civilian homes, resulting in casualties among local residents. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 16 people were injured—most of them women and children—while one person was killed in the incident.
“Once again, the militias of the Pakistani military regime conducted shelling on rural areas and civilian residences located on the outskirts of Asadabad using mortars and other heavy weaponry,” Fitrat stated.
Local sources say the shelling created panic among residents in surrounding communities, forcing some families to leave their homes due to fears of further attacks. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and casualties.
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
Latest News
Afghan FM meets Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, discusses regional issues
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Ali-Reza Beikdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi criticized what he called the “aggression” of the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that the expansion of conflict to other countries affects the entire region.
He also highlighted the growing trade relations between Afghanistan and Iran, describing them as a positive sign of cooperation. In addition, Muttaqi praised the “constructive stance” of Iranian officials regarding recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that the resolution of legitimate concerns from both sides is only possible through genuine dialogue.
Beikdeli reaffirmed Iran’s position on U.S. and Israeli actions and described bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan—particularly in trade—as positive. He added that Iran’s leadership is closely monitoring the situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and supports a peaceful resolution.
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