Latest Afghanistan News

US military takes pride in religious diversity. Would things change if Pete Hegseth takes charge?

Dec. 04, 2024 16:24 PM EST

It was a history-making event: In a chapel at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, 2nd Lt. Khady Ndiaye stood proudly -- wearing a hijab – as she became the first Muslim woman commissioned by the U.S. Army as a chaplain candidate. Presiding over the ceremony in June was Maj. Gen. Bill...

EU condemns reported Taliban move to suspend medical education for women and girls

Dec. 04, 2024 09:04 AM EST

The European Union on Wednesday condemned the Taliban for violating human rights and women's access to education after media reports that the Taliban's leader has ordered private and public institutions to stop providing medical courses for women and girls in Afghanistan. The...

Trump's defense pick Pete Hegseth faces deepening scrutiny in Senate

Dec. 04, 2024 07:38 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, spent a second day on Capitol Hill, meeting privately with Republican senators amid rising questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon. Hegseth told reporters Tuesday that he...

Thanks to peace, two unexpected words are echoing across Afghanistan's capital: Luxury housing

Dec. 03, 2024 00:18 AM EST

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — In a town that has been through it all and is clawing its way back, a man named Omidullah is looking to hit paydirt. The Kabul real estate agent is selling a nine-bedroom, nine-bath, white-and-gold villa in the Afghan capital. On the roof's gable,...

The International Criminal Court's chief lashes out at threats from Russia and a US senator

Dec. 02, 2024 14:52 PM EST

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The president of the International Criminal Court lashed out on Monday at Russia for targeting its prosecutors and judges over the panel’s investigation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and slammed comments by a U.S. senator threatening the court. ...

A 2nd ceasefire is reached between warring Shiites and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan's restive northwest

Dec. 02, 2024 02:12 AM EST

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani authorities with help from community leaders brokered a second ceasefire between warring minority Shiites and Sunni Muslims in a troubled northwestern region bordering Afghanistan following a deadly sectarian violence that left dozens of people dead, officials...

Sectarian violence has killed at least 130 people in Pakistan’s northwest in the last 10 days

Dec. 01, 2024 08:28 AM EST

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Sectarian violence has killed at least 130 people and wounded 200 others in Pakistan’s northwest in the last 10 days, officials said Sunday. Violence flared in Kurram district on Nov. 21 when gunmen ambushed a vehicle convoy and killed 52 people, mostly...

Today in History: November 25, John F. Kennedy laid to rest at Arlington

Nov. 25, 2024 00:10 AM EST

Today is Monday, Nov. 25, the 330th day of 2024. There are 36 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 25, 1963, the body of President John F. Kennedy was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery after a funeral procession through Washington; an estimated...

Pakistan reports new polio case in northwest, raising nationwide tally to 50 cases this year

Nov. 20, 2024 04:05 AM EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan detected one more polio case in the restive northwest bordering Afghanistan, raising the country's tally of the infectious disease to 50 cases this year, officials said Wednesday. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where the...

Editorial Roundup: United States

Nov. 19, 2024 20:58 PM EST

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ Nov. 17 The Washington Post on a way forward for student loan relief Many Democrats thought President Joe Biden’s efforts to forgive vast swaths of student debt would...