Latest News
U.S. Seeks Peace Deal with Taliban before July Elections
The U.S. Special Envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday said that he hopes a peace agreement could be reached with the Taliban before Afghanistan’s presidential election which is scheduled to be held in July.
Addressing at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Khalilzad said that this is an effort to also bring the Taliban in the election process as ‘peace agreement’ ensures a ‘peaceful election.’
Khalilzad said Afghanistan’s next election makes reaching peace agreements ‘complicated’ but he said it would be better for the country if a ‘peace agreement’ could be reached before the election.
“My overall goal is, at the direction of the president and the secretary of state, not to seek a withdrawal agreement but a peace agreement,” Khalilzad said.
The envoy stressed that they are in the early stage of a “protracted process” and that they still have a long way to go.
“After many conversations, we have reached an agreement in principle with the Taliban on a framework that would provide guarantees and an enforcement mechanism that no terrorist group…international terrorist group or individual– would be able to use Afghanistan” as a platform for international terrorism,” Khalilzad noted.
The diplomat also said that more talks are planned to “flesh out” the Taliban’s commitments. “Nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to,” he stressed.
On Tuesday, last week, Russia hosted a two-day meeting between the Taliban and Afghan oppositions in its capital, Moscow in which the delegates attending the talks issued a joint declaration as a move to promote intra-Afghan dialogue to end the nearly two decades of war in Afghanistan.
In reaction to the meeting, Khalilzad said that the U.S. welcomes any effort that could facilitate the Afghan peace process and that put an end to the ongoing conflict in the war-weary country.
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.
Afghanistan signs 30-year deal for marble mining in Daikundi
Passenger bus veers off Salang Highway, leaving 5 dead, dozens injured
Afghan health officials visit Indian medical institute to expand ties
Major fire in Mandawi Kabul market contained, extensive losses prevented
Bush Institute criticizes Trump administration’s Afghan immigration freeze
Afghanistan economy under pressure as Pakistan shocks reshape trade flows
Gaza death toll tops 70,000, health ministry says
India set to establish pharmaceutical factories in Afghanistan: MoIC
Afghanistan offers tax breaks, free land to attract Indian investors
Iran rerouting more oil to China through Indonesia to dodge US sanctions
Tahawol: Iran’s pledges to facilitate trade with Afghanistan discussed
Saar: Discussion on severe tensions between Kabul and Islamabad
Tawsia: India’s enthusiasm for investing in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Global concerns over migration escalation discussed
Saar: Calls for Afghanistan’s balanced, economy-oriented foreign policy discussed
-
International Sports4 days agoIPL 2026: Teams take shape after auction as franchises balance star power and depth
-
Sport5 days agoAbu Muslim Farah crowned champions of fifth season of Afghanistan Champions League
-
International Sports4 days agoILT20: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders end Desert Vipers’ unbeaten run in dramatic one-run win
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghan border forces prevent illegal entry of hundreds into Iran
-
Latest News5 days agoHigh-level Kyrgyz delegation arrives in Kabul
-
Regional4 days agoPakistan’s military chief Asim Munir in spotlight over Trump’s Gaza plan
-
Business4 days agoMahirood Customs leads Iran’s exports to Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoAfghanistan, Kyrgyzstan discuss expanding trade and economic cooperation