Taliban snub UN special envoy ahead of major summit

AT News KABUL – The Taliban have brazenly rejected possible collaboration with any potential United Nations special envoy for Afghanistan, injecting a surge of tension into the diplomatic arena just before the crucial Doha meeting. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared an outright refusal to cooperate with any potential United Nations …

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Afghanistan erupts in anger over Pakistani general’s derogatory remarks

By Rafiullah Anwari Pakistan’s chief of army staff, Asim Munir, has sparked outrage among the Afghan nation after he said that the life of a Pakistani holds more value than the entire nation of Afghanistan. Munir not only made this derogatory remark but also went further and warned of potential …

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Pakistan faces growing threats on two western fronts

AT News KABUL – Pakistan has found itself confronted by increasing tensions on its western borders with Iran and Taliban-led Afghanistan. The historically stable relationship with Iran took a hit as both nations engaged in hostilities, marked by mutual strikes and territorial clashes. While a temporary patch-up has been achieved, …

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Afghanistan’s neighbors mute on women’s rights in Taliban dialogues

AT News KABUL – Amid escalating violations by the Taliban against women and minorities, including arbitrary arrests, Afghanistan’s neighboring countries appear to turn a blind eye to the pressing issue of women’s rights in their engagements with the group. The absence of a fully-formed government in Afghanistan has prompted regional …

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Pilots of crashed Russian plane operated with forged certificates

AT News KABUL – In the aftermath of the Falcon 10 plane crash in Afghanistan, a report from Russia’s Izvestia newspaper reveals that the pilots, Dmitry Belyakov and Arkady Grachev, had their certificates revoked. Allegedly, they forged training documents for the aircraft in the United States, providing false information. The …

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Iran explores closer ties with Taliban amid escalating IS threat

AT News KABUL – Iran is signaling a significant shift in its regional security approach in the aftermath of an attack by the Islamic State in Kerman. President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration is reportedly considering closer collaboration with the Taliban, driven by the increasing threats posed by IS and internal calls …

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Iran sees opportunity in decline of Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan

AT News KABUL – Iranian officials view the decrease in Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan as an economic opportunity. Ahmad Ariafar, the general director of industry, mines, and commerce in Iran’s South Khorasan province, emphasized the potential for Iran to enhance its trade relations with Afghanistan. He highlighted the opportunity for …

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Taliban host first official regional conference in Kabul

AT News KABUL – The Taliban government is convening an international meeting in Kabul on Monday, marking their first official diplomatic conference since assuming power in Afghanistan. This conference, named “Afghanistan Regional Cooperation Initiatives,” is organized by the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcoming special representatives and ambassadors from neighboring …

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Afghanistan exports surge to over $1.6 billion

AT News KABUL – Afghanistan’s exports have surpassed $1.6 billion in the past 10 months, according to the Ministry of Finance under Taliban administration. The ministry highlighted the diverse nature of these exports, with a substantial portion consisting of 43 billion Afghanis ($612 million) in fruits, 16 billion Afghanis ($217 …

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Taliban ban Kim Jong Un’s hairstyle in new crackdown

AT News KABUL – In a bid to control the appearances of Afghan men, the Taliban’s ministry of virtue and vice has introduced stringent rules for barbers, forbidding hairstyles reminiscent of “infidels in the West or North Korea”. The directives, confirmed by a regional ministry official in Herat, specifically target …

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