Latest News
U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks Enter Second Day in UAE
The peace talks between the U.S. and the Taliban representatives aimed at arranging negotiations in Afghanistan were set for second day in the United Arab Emirates.
The three-day meeting in Abu Dhabi began on Monday, where the Taliban delegation met officials from, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the UAE as part of the diplomatic moves to end 17 years of war in Afghanistan.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the Taliban officials told Reuters that the U.S. delegation was pressing for a six-month ceasefire as well as an agreement to name Taliban representatives to a future caretaker government as the peace talks between the sides entered its second day on Tuesday.
The officials said the Taliban, fighting to drive foreign forces from Afghanistan and bring in their version of strict Islamic law, were resisting a ceasefire as they felt it would damage their cause and help U.S. and Afghan forces.
“If these three countries – Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Pakistan – become guarantors and the U.S. appoints the head of a caretaker government in Afghanistan that we nominate, then we can think about a ceasefire,” one senior Taliban official told Reuters.
A team of Afghan government has reached Abu Dhabi to begin talks with the Taliban delegation, however, the Taliban has refused to directly negotiate with the team as the armed group considers Kabul government as “illegitimate”.
“The Afghan government is ready to begin negotiations with the Taliban with no preconditions, that is why the delegation is in Abu Dhabi now,” said Mujib Rahman Rahimi, Spokesman of the Chief Executive Office.
Previous the U.S. and Taliban delegations’ meetings were held in Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office, but a push to include Saudi Arabia, which is hostile to the gas-rich Gulf state, prompted a change of venue to Abu Dhabi.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is gravely deteriorating, and a new approach is urgently needed, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Friday.
In a statement, IFRC said that without a radical rethink of approaches to humanitarian aid, the root causes of the crisis cannot be tackled sustainably, as time and funding are running out.
“We have been responding with emergency aid in Afghanistan for years now, and it is time for a rethink,” said Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific. “We need to focus on Afghan institutions like the Afghan Red Crescent, which have a permanent role in the country. Their capacity is durable and will serve people before and after aid operations. We need to adapt our programming to focus on resilience and economic independence while still showing solidarity and providing assistance after sudden shocks like the Herat earthquake and the current floods.”
He went on to reiterate the IFRC’s call for investment in people.
“With limited access to education and jobs, we need a focus on youth, on professional and vocational training, and other learning opportunities—interventions designed to boost confidence and give hope. Otherwise, the future really does look grim.”
This call comes ahead of a partnership meeting hosted in Doha by the Afghan Red Crescent Society in cooperation with the Qatar Red Crescent Society and attended by participating national societies from Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, and Türkiye, as well as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
“Communities are lurching from crisis to crisis at a time when their resilience is sub-zero and their coping mechanisms are exhausted. We ask our valued partners to take a long-term view and commit to tackling the root causes of the humanitarian crisis sustainably by investing in Afghan capacity, people, and systems,” said Mutiul Haq Khales, the Acting President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society.
“The needs of over 24 million people are vast and interconnected. Many have been caused by a combination of lingering impacts from decades-long conflict, climate shocks, and a deep economic crisis. The country’s resources are stretched, but capacities exist, and it is important that solutions are implemented to address the root causes of all these overlapping needs,” he added.
Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) has rolled out its telecommunication services in Noor Gul district of Kunar province, becoming first company to launch telecom services in the district.
Noor Gul had been deprived telecommunication services in addition to other basic life facilities.
“Telecommunication services have been launched here for the first time. The population here is very large. Many people will benefit from the services. We are trying to connect this site, which is currently connected to satellite, to Microlink in the near future,” said Attaullah Sahil, head of AWCC in the eastern zone.
The officials of Kunar Directorate of Communications welcomed the AWCC’s move.
“Around 500 families live here. Its population is about 10,000 people. Telecommunication services and facilities are provided for them. We appreciate these AWCC services,” said Abdul Wali Marshall, Kunar’s director of communications.
Jalal al-Din Shams, the spokesperson of Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA), stated: “Unfortunately, since the day that telecommunication services have started in Afghanistan, there has not been enough attention to quality. The previous governments did not pay attention to it. Fortunately, a process has started now with which ATRA and the Ministry of Communications can bring about many changes in quality.”
Residents of Noor Gul district, who previously faced many problems due to lack of access to telecommunication services, expressed their satisfaction with the latest move by AWCC.
“There was no telecommunication service here,” said Rozi Khan, a resident of Noor Gul district. “This is the first time that AWCC services have been launched here and we are very happy. We also want 3G and 4G services for more convenience. During 20 years, the government paid no attention to this valley.”
Security officials assure of providing full security.
“There were many problems here due to the lack of telecommunication services. For an ordinary call, people used to pay 300 or 400 afghanis. We assure all telecommunication companies that there is no problem in the area of security,” said Fazlur Rahman Zarqawi, the police commander of Noor Gul district.
With the improvement of security situation in the country after the Islamic Emirate’s takeover, AWCC has launched telecom and internet services in many remote areas.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said Friday in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day that Afghan journalists “must be celebrated, supported and protected.”
“As we mark World Press Freedom Day, we pay tribute to journalists across Afghanistan who are doing their best to keep the nation informed, often at great risk. Their work is essential for an informed and prosperous nation and for action on education, the environment, health, the economy, and good governance for all Afghans. They must be celebrated supported, and protected,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Qatar, which operates in Qatar, also said that Afghan journalists are facing many problems in carrying out their media activities, and the activities of female journalists are still limited in this country.
Some journalists also ask the government to support the media and journalists.
“We ask the Islamic Emirate officials to approve the law on mass media and the law of access to information as soon as possible so that journalists can carry out their work following these laws,” said Haidar Nazari, a journalist.
Reporters Without Borders in its latest ranking of media freedom, recognized Afghanistan as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists and added that the country has fallen from 152nd to 178th place.
“The state of the Afghan media in the economic sector and the country’s journalists are in a bad economic situation, this matter should be taken seriously. Otherwise, publishing statements and declaring support for the media community will not be effective,” said Hojatullah Mujadadi, the head of Afghanistan Free Journalists’ Association (AFJU).
The IEA officials have repeatedly emphasized that they are committed to supporting freedom of speech and media activity in the country in accordance with Islamic values and national interests, and they are trying to provide reliable and timely information to journalists.
IFRC calls for rethink of approaches to humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
Houthis offer education to students suspended in US protest crackdown
Special report on Kabul’s Murad Khani area
Aino Mina and Khorasan secure 2-1 wins in Friday’s ACL matches
AWCC launches telecom services in Kunar’s Noor Gul district
Afghanistan’s national futsal team ‘ready for’ group stage of Asian Cup
Indian foreign ministry advises against travel to Iran, Israel
Commerce ministry inks 10 MoUs to boost development of small and medium-sized businesses
ATN seals agreement to broadcast 3rd season of Afghanistan Champions League
Five security forces killed in ‘terrorist attacks’ in Iran, state media says
Special report on Kabul’s Murad Khani area
Tahawol: New dimensions of US troops’ exit from Afghanistan discussed
Saar: World’s failure to establish ceasefire in Palestine discussed
Tahawol: Acting govt political commission’s meeting discussed
Saar: Interaction with IEA to protect US’s interests discussed
-
Sport3 days agoAfghanistan announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad
-
Sport5 days agoKohli slams strike-rate talk and pundits ‘from the box’
-
World5 days agoBlinken arrives in Saudi Arabia to discuss Israel normalization, post-war Gaza
-
Health5 days agoNationwide polio vaccination campaign kicks off across Afghanistan
-
Sport3 days agoNew Zealand to go ahead with Afghanistan cricket Test
-
Science & Technology5 days agoMercedes Benz unveils electric G-class at Beijing Auto Show
-
Sport4 days agoKolkata Knight Riders hammer Delhi Capitals in heatwave-hit IPL
-
Regional4 days agoReported Indian role in assassination plots a ‘serious matter’, White House says