Latest News
Taliban ‘invites’ translators to remain in their own country
As concerns deepen for the safety of Afghan translators who worked alongside US and NATO forces for 20 years, once foreign troops have left the country, the Taliban on Monday issued a statement urging them not to leave Afghanistan.
In a statement issued by the group, the Taliban said it “invites them to return to their normal lives and serve their country if they specialize in their field. We do not pose a threat to them.”
The group stated that the translators are urged to “express their regret for their past and not take such a path in the future, which is considered treason against Islam and the country.”
“We used to consider them our enemy when they stood directly in the line of our enemy, but whenever they leave the line of the enemy and want to live as a normal Afghan in their country, they will not have any problems and they should not be afraid.
“And continue to live peacefully in their country, and if someone takes a threat to his life and makes a fake case to go abroad, this is his problem, not the problem of the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate,” their statement read.
This comes after the UK government last week announced that local staff who worked for the UK government in Afghanistan, including translators, will be eligible for expedited relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
The US has also stated it will accelerate the SIV process for those who worked with them.
On Thursday, the US State Department said that America has “a special commitment and a special responsibility” to the interpreters.
According to a US official, the State Department is adding staff in Washington and Kabul to deal with the backlog and has requested Congress authorize funding for more visas.
The 18,000 SIV applicants also have about 50,000 spouses and children under 21 that can move with them.
The Washington Post reported Sunday that at least 300 interpreters or their family members have been killed since 2014.
Latest News
Tornadoes strike US South, killing 33 people amid rising risk
In Arkansas, three deaths occurred, the state’s Department of Emergency Management said, adding that there were 32 injuries.
Tornadoes killed at least 33 people across several states in the U.S. Midwest and Southeast on Saturday night, with at least 12 fatalities reported in Missouri, CNN reported.
More than 500 homes, a church and grocery store in Butler County were destroyed and a mobile home park had been “totally destroyed,” Robbie Myers, the director of emergency management for Missouri’s Butler County said.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves posted on X that six deaths had been reported in the state.
According to preliminary assessments, 29 people were injured statewide and 21 counties sustained storm damage, Reeves said.
In Arkansas, three deaths occurred, the state’s Department of Emergency Management said, adding that there were 32 injuries.
Twenty-six tornadoes were reported but not confirmed to have touched down late on Friday night and early on Saturday as a low-pressure system drove powerful thunderstorms across parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri, said David Roth, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Latest News
UN Security Council to vote on extension of UNAMA mission in Afghanistan
The council said in a report that if approved, the mandate would extend the UNAMA mission for another year without changing its mandate and priorities.
The UN Security Council announced it is scheduled to vote on Monday 17 March on a draft resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, for another year.
The council said in a report that if approved, the mandate would extend the UNAMA mission for another year without changing its mandate and priorities.
According to the report, the draft mandate specified for UNAMA, for another year, include human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, women, peace and security, the economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, terrorism, drug trafficking, small arms, internally displaced persons and refugees, and the effects of natural disasters.
The UN Security Council said that all 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the council are expected to support it.
This comes after the Islamic Emirate recently called the UNAMA mission in Afghanistan a “failure.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, accused UNAMA of providing “negative and inaccurate” reports on the situation in Afghanistan.
Mujahid said that UNAMA’s reports had created a “negative mindset” towards Afghanistan within the UN.
Tahawol: Efforts for peace in Ukraine discussed
Saar: US air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis discussed
Afghanistan records trade volume of $292 million via air corridors in 1403 solar year
Muttaqi: IEA won’t fight against one country to satisfy another
Separatist suicide attack in southwestern Pakistan kills at least five
Afghanistan transports 3.2 million metric tons via railways this year: Ministry
Ex-Pakistan captain says Rashid is greater than legendary cricketer Wasim Akram
Next German chancellor: We need to learn from experience in Afghanistan
Trump says aid in exchange for return of US military hardware in Afghanistan
Bavuma wary of Afghanistan challenge in Champions Trophy
Tahawol: Efforts for peace in Ukraine discussed
Saar: US air strikes on Yemen’s Houthis discussed
Tahawol: Reactions to expulsion of South African ambassador from US
Saar: Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border agreement discussed
Saar: Ukraine’s proposal for ceasefire with Russia
-
Latest News5 days agoKabul Airport bombing suspect not a top-level planner of deadly attack: FBI
-
Latest News3 days agoMoRRD signs deal for Wakhan road construction
-
World5 days agoIran’s President to Trump: I will not negotiate, ‘do whatever the hell you want’
-
Latest News5 days agoIndia says ‘special’ ties have been foundation of engagement with Afghanistan
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan military ends train standoff, says 21 hostages and four troops killed
-
International Sports4 days agoBayern’s Harry Kane sets his sights on lifting FIFA Club World Cup trophy
-
Sport5 days agoCricket Ireland cancels Afghanistan series for ‘financial reasons’
-
Latest News4 days agoPakistan Army claims Balochistan train attack orchestrated from Afghanistan