Latest Afghanistan News

An explosion in the Afghan capital kills the Taliban refugee minister, officials say

Dec. 11, 2024 06:54 AM EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A suicide bombing in the Afghan capital on Wednesday killed the Taliban refugee minister, Interior Ministry officials said. The explosion struck inside the ministry and killed Khalil Haqqani, the refugee minister, officials said. He is the most...

Russian lawmakers advance a bill removing the terrorist designation for the Taliban

Dec. 10, 2024 10:05 AM EST

MOSCOW (AP) — The lower house of the Russian parliament gave initial approval Tuesday to a long-discussed bill that would set the stage for Moscow to remove the designation of the Taliban in Afghanistan as a terrorist group. Under the bill passed by the State Duma in the first of...

UN urges Taliban to embrace human rights obligations for Afghanistan’s protection and prosperity

Dec. 10, 2024 09:55 AM EST

The U.N. mission in Afghanistan urged the country’s Taliban rulers on Tuesday to embrace global human rights obligations for the protection and prosperity of future generations. The mission’s call follows increasing alarm over a reported suspension of medical education and...

Today in History: December 7, Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

Dec. 07, 2024 00:07 AM EST

Today is Saturday, Dec. 7, the 342nd day of 2024. There are 24 days left in the year. Today in history: On Dec. 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched an air raid on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing more than 2,300 Americans. The United States...

Afghan TV station shuttered for vulgar content and working with exiled media

Dec. 05, 2024 10:44 AM EST

An Afghan TV station has been shuttered over allegedly vulgar content and working with exiled media, a government spokesman said Thursday. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice alleged that Arezo TV in Kabul was working with media outside Afghanistan and...

Afghan economy shows modest signs of growth but recovery remains fragile, says World Bank

Dec. 04, 2024 23:45 PM EST

Afghanistan’s economy is showing modest signs of growth after two years of severe contraction, the World Bank said. In its latest development update issued late Wednesday, the financial institution said modest GDP growth of 2.7% was driven by private consumption. The partial...

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,...