Afghanistan has become a staging hub for the Islamic State’s global operations
According to leaked Pentagon assessment report, seen by The Washington Post, Afghanistan has become a “significant coordination site” for the Islamic State, as the group plans to carry out attacks in Asia and Europe, with aspiration to reach the US.
Afghanistan among countries with the highest number of child brides
According to a recent UNICEF report, the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, have resulted in a 25 per cent increase in the number of child marriages in the country.
UN Deputy Chief accused of betraying women in Afghanistan over Taliban recognition
The UN Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, faced a fierce backlash from women, human rights activists and politicians for suggesting a discussion on recognising the Taliban government.
Wife of journalist Mortaza Behboudi ‘very concerned’ about his health in Taliban captivity
Aleksandara Mostovaja, the wife of French-Afghan journalist, Mortaza Behboudi, who has been in Taliban captivity since January 7, has said she “very concerned” about her husband’s wellbeing ahead of his 29th birthday on 22 April.
SIGAR is tracing money stolen from Afghanistan by former government officials
The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), John F. Sopko, told the US Congress that SIGAR is investigating transfers of money out of Afghanistan by former government officials.
163 Afghan citizens with ‘inauthentic’ Canadian entry letters stranded in an Albanian hotel
163 people who fled the Taliban and in Afghanistan facilitator letters from the Canadian Senator Marilou McPhedran’s office are stranded in an Albanian hotel, after being refused entry by the Canadian government.
ICC has left Afghanistan’s women cricket team in limbo in Australia
Afghanistan’s women’s cricket team has been left in limbo as they wait for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to recognise them as an official team in Australia.
UN ready to abandon Afghanistan in May unless the Taliban lifts restrictions on women
The United Nations is threatening to pull out of Afghanistan in May if the Taliban does not reverse its ban on women working for the organisation.
Blinken: International engagement with the Taliban contingent on the group’s actions
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has said that the Taliban’s demand for a normal engagement with the international community is dependent on the group’s action.
UNDP: Afghanistan’s economic outlook ‘very difficult’ amid Taliban’s restrictions on women
Afghanistan’s economy is in crisis, and women and girls are being hit the hardest, according a newly published report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
Taliban shuts all educational centres in Helmand and Kandahar
The Taliban in the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar has banned all educational institutions “until further notice.” Officials from the group’s education department in the two southern provinces via a letter ordered the closure of the centres.
