House suspends MoIC budget, disqualifies minister

AT News KABUL: Afghan lawmakers on their Monday session have suspended the annual budget of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC). The decision taken after MoIC Acting Minister, Ajmal Ahmadi did not appear before the parliament—a move according to the MPs, has disgraced the house of the people and …

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Afghanistan can’t defeat Daesh alone

AT News KABUL: The government of Afghanistan has previously said that IS-K or Daesh militants have been defeated in the eastern Nangarhar province, but Javid Faisal, Spokesman for the National Security Council (NSA) said that Afghanistan is not able to defeat the extremist group alone. He draws the need of …

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Khalid steps up warnings amid more civilian deaths

AT News KABUL: Talking in the graduation ceremony of the Commando Forces in Kabul on Monday, the acting minister of defense, Asadullah Khalid called on the security forces to respect the values of human rights and avoid civilians’ casualties during the operations. Citing election process as an example, Khalid said …

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Taliban may ignore intra-Afghan talks after US deal, warns analysts

AT News KABUL: Political analysts say that Taliban militants would probably avoid talking with the government once they make a deal with the United States. Taliban have so far sat with the US envoy for Afghanistan peace Zalmay Khalilzad for 10 times in Qatar to negotiate about end of American’s …

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Ghani administration accused of ethnic bias

Incumbent president Ashraf Ghani’s administration has come under criticism for systematic favoritism in high-ranking appointments to Ghani’s own ethnic group. Appointments in diplomatic missions appear to favor those close to the president under the aegis of reforms and given the appearance of ethnic diversity. The accusation has been leveled by …

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Editorial: Quiet progress towards peace

A recent report has revealed that the US and the Taliban have engaged in serious parley about a possible release of more than 5,000 militant inmates. The 10th round of peace talks was paused in early December last year as the two sides went to consult their relevant leaderships about …

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Pentagon identifies 2 soldiers killed in Kandahar

AT Monitoring Desk KABUL: The Pentagon has identified two soldiers who were killed over the weekend when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province. The Department of Defense identified the soldiers as Staff Sgt. Ian P. McLaughlin, 29, of Newport News, Va., and Pfc. Miguel A. …

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1.6 Kg ‘High Grade’ heroin seized from nine Afghans in Indian

AT Monitoring Desk KABUL: Nine Afghan nationals have been arrested and over 1.6 kg of “high grade” heroin has been seized from them during an international drug syndicate bust, the Narcotics Control Bureau said on Sunday. The NCB said some of the accused had ingested heroin capsules and seven of …

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China stands ready to work for Afghan peace: Envoy

AT News KABUL: Chinese envoy in Kabul, Wang Yu said that his country has no self interest in Afghanistan, rather willing to provide a platform for dialogue and communication on the basis of respecting the wishes of all parties. “We are happy to promote the country’s reconciliation process with Norway …

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Trump may reduce troops in Afghanistan without Taliban deal

AT Monitoring Desk KABUL: The White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien told Axios in an exclusive interview that “it is possible” US President Donald Trump will cut a deal with the Taliban this year but that even if a deal can’t be struck, the president is still poised to …

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