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Tears, defiance after Taliban attack on Kaboora production workers

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Last Updated on: October 25, 2022

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Mourners in the Afghan capital held emotionally charged funeral ceremonies Thursday for seven employees Tolo TV channel who were killed in a Taliban suicide bombing, which rights groups denounced as a “war crime”.

Tearful tributes poured in for the workers, including three young women, who were killed Wednesday in Kabul for what the Taliban said was revenge for “spreading propaganda” against the insurgent group.

The assault on Tolo, a privately run news and entertainment station often critical of the militants, marks the first major attack on an Afghan media organization since the Taliban were ousted from power in 2001.

Shrouded in black, senior officials paid mournful tributes in a Tolo studio with flower-bedecked portraits of the seven victims, mostly behind-the-scenes staff from the channel’s graphics and dubbing departments.

“This was not just an attack on Tolo, but an attack on journalism,” Abdul Bari Jahani, minister of information and culture, said during the memorial service which was broadcast live.

The attack came just months after the Taliban declared Tolo and 1TV, another private news channel, as legitimate “military targets”.

The edict was in response to their reports claiming that the group’s fighters had raped women at a female hostel in Kunduz, after the group briefly captured the northern city in late September last year.

The Taliban rejected the reports as fabrications, saying they were examples of propaganda by the “satanic networks”.

At a tearful funeral service for one of the victims, 28-year-old Tolo video editor Jawad Hussaini, his family lashed out at the Taliban.

“Jawad’s sister is an army officer and you (Taliban) must know that she will take revenge for his brother,” said his brother, Waseq Hussaini.

Media mogul Saad Mohseni, the chairman of Moby Group which owns Tolo, also struck a defiant note, saying “the voice of Afghanistan will not be silenced by this incident”.

The deadly assault spotlights the dangers faced by media workers in Afghanistan, as the security situation worsens amid a growing wave of militant attacks.

“The targeting of journalists reflects a depraved strategy to make media freedom a casualty of the ongoing conflict,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

“Designating journalists and other civilians as ‘military targets’ does not make them so, and deliberately attacking them constitutes a war crime.”

Independent media outlets, banned by the Taliban during their 1996-2001 rule, have mushroomed in the war-torn nation in recent years and hailed as one of the bright spots in efforts to foster democracy in the country.

But despite their rapid growth, Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, ranking 122 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

 

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Afghan community in California condemns Pakistani strikes amid growing global protests

The gathering in California follows a series of protests held last week by Afghan communities in Europe, highlighting growing concern among the diaspora over the deteriorating security situation.

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Members of the Afghan diaspora in the United States have joined a widening wave of international condemnation over recent Pakistani military strikes on Afghan territory, as tensions along the disputed Durand Line continue to escalate.

A group of Afghan citizens in Sacramento gathered this week to denounce the attacks, describing them as a violation of sovereignty and a threat to civilian lives. Participants issued a formal resolution calling on the international community to investigate the strikes and hold those responsible accountable.

Speakers at the event warned that continued military action risks deepening instability in the region, urging global leaders to take the situation seriously and push for measures to prevent further escalation.

The gathering in California follows a series of protests held last week by Afghan communities in Europe, highlighting growing concern among the diaspora over the deteriorating security situation.

In London, hundreds of demonstrators marched through central streets, chanting slogans against the strikes and calling for urgent international intervention.

Protesters pointed to rising civilian casualties in eastern Afghanistan and warned that repeated shelling along the Durand Line could further destabilize already fragile local communities.

Meanwhile, in Oslo, members of the Afghan community gathered outside the Norwegian Parliament to voice similar concerns. Organizers said a formal resolution was submitted to national authorities, as well as to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, urging immediate steps to halt the violence and ensure civilian protection.

The demonstrations come amid renewed tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where cross-Durand Line clashes and artillery exchanges have periodically flared. Analysts warn that without sustained diplomatic engagement, the situation risks escalating into a broader security crisis with far-reaching regional implications.

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IPL 2026: Lucknow hold nerve in final over to defeat Sunrisers

The match went down to the wire, with Sunriser’s bowlers applying pressure in the death overs through tight lines and clever variations.

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Lucknow Super Giants edged out Sunrisers Hyderabad in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter on Sunday, completing a tense run chase in the final over to register a crucial early-season win.

Batting first, Sunrisers posted a competitive total built around a fluent innings from Heinrich Klaasen, who once again demonstrated his ability to accelerate in the middle overs. He found support from the top order, helping the hosts set what looked like a defendable target on a surface offering some assistance to bowlers.

In response, Lucknow’s chase was steady rather than explosive. Early wickets threatened to derail their innings, but captain Rishabh Pant played a composed and calculated knock, anchoring the innings while rotating strike effectively.

Nicholas Pooran provided a late surge with some aggressive hitting, shifting momentum back in Lucknow’s favour.

The match went down to the wire, with Sunriser’s bowlers applying pressure in the death overs through tight lines and clever variations. However, Lucknow kept their composure, finding the boundaries when needed to cross the line with just one delivery remaining.

The win gives Lucknow Super Giants valuable momentum in the opening phase of the tournament, while Sunrisers Hyderabad will take positives from their batting performance but look to tighten their execution at the death.

Focus now moves to Monday’s fixture which sees Kolkata Knight Riders face Punjab Kings in what is expected to be a high-tempo contest.

Kolkata’s strength lies in their all-round depth, with power hitters and a varied bowling attack capable of adapting to different conditions. Punjab Kings, on the other hand, will be banking on their explosive top order and improved bowling unit to deliver a more complete performance.

Both teams are still shaping their combinations, making this an important match for building rhythm and consistency as the league stage progresses.

Fans across Afghanistan can follow every moment of the IPL live on Ariana Television Network, which holds exclusive broadcast rights for the tournament.

Viewers are also encouraged to stay connected via the social media platforms of Ariana Television and Ariana News for updated match schedules, live coverage details, highlights, and breaking IPL news throughout the season.

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IEA supreme leader orders replacement of foreign terminology in official documents

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The leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has issued a new decree mandating the review and replacement of foreign terms in official government documents.

The directive calls for the formation of a special committee to assess and revise non-native terminology used across state institutions. The body will be chaired by the Ministry of Justice and include representatives from the Ministries of Higher Education, Education, Information and Culture, as well as the Academy of Sciences and the Administrative Affairs Office.

Under Article Two of the decree, all government entities are required to identify foreign terms used in their administrative and legal documents and submit them to the committee in a structured format, along with proposed alternatives and supporting justifications.

According to Article Three, the committee will evaluate the submissions and select appropriate replacements, taking into account Islamic and Afghan linguistic and cultural considerations. It will also have the authority to summon representatives from relevant institutions for further clarification if necessary.

The decree, as outlined in Article Four, takes effect immediately and will be published in the official gazette.

 
 
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