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Mw 6.1 HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN

Magnitude  Mw 6.1
Region  HINDU KUSH REGION, AFGHANISTAN
Date time  2019-12-20 11:39:52.9 UTC
Location  36.57 N ; 70.60 E
Depth  214 km




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Afghanistan investigates reports Iran guards forced migrants into river

Afghanistan is investigating the alleged torture and drowning of migrants at the Iranian border.




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Coronavirus: Six killed in clashes at Afghanistan food aid protest

Clashes erupt after people complain about a perceived failure to help the poor during the pandemic.




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Pentagon Opens Probe Into Sexual Abuse by U.S. Allies in Afghanistan

The Defense Department's Inspector General has opened an investigation into whether U.S. troops were discouraged from reporting the rape and sexual abuse of children by their Afghan allies.




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ISIS in Afghanistan: School of Jihad

The emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan has introduced a new level of brutality to the conflict, beyond what has been practiced by the Taliban.




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“The Most Risky … Job Ever.” Reporting on “ISIS in Afghanistan”

Najibullah Quraishi has covered the war in Afghanistan for more than a decade, but embedding with ISIS fighters who've recently emerged there "was the most risky and dangerous job ever I've done in my life," he says.




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ISIS is in Afghanistan, But Who Are They Really?

It appears ISIS-allied fighters are gaining a foothold in Afghanistan, but just how similar are they to the group's branches in Iraq and Syria?




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The United States in Afghanistan and Pakistan




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Frosty Neighbours? Unpacking Narratives of Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations




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Afghanistan in 2018: A Survey of the Afghan People




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Unending Cycles of Abuse: The Practice of Bacha Bazi in Afghanistan

Research Event

6 February 2020 - 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE

Event participants

Charu Lata Hogg, Associate Fellow, Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House
Hameed Hakimi, Research Associate, Asia-Pacific Programme and Europe Programme, Chatham House
Chair: Champa Patel, Head of Asia-Pacific Programme, Chatham House

Afghanistan has suffered decades of armed conflict resulting in a heavily armed and militarized society involving multiple armed actors and with children being disproportionately affected by the conflict. In March 2019, the Afghanistan government criminalized the harmful practice of bacha bazi, or ‘boy play’, which triggers a range of human rights violations against boys and young men. However, recent research conducted by the All Survivors Project and Youth Health and Development Organisation demonstrates that the practice is widely prevalent due to poverty, prevailing gender norms and widespread impunity. This event will look at research that was conducted in the four provinces of Balkh, Herat, Kandahar and Kabul following interviews with over 100 key informants, 24 survivors and with 13 focus group discussions. 

The event will be preceded by the screening of a documentary on the practice of bacha bazi in Afghanistan which includes interviews with survivors, key government officials and NGOs. The speakers will discuss how an increase in the intensity of conflict in recent years has removed protection mechanisms and increased the vulnerability of all children to conflict-related sexual violence.

Event attributes

Chatham House Rule

Lucy Ridout

Programme Administrator, Asia-Pacific Programme
+44 (0) 207 314 2761




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Afghan treasures to be exhibited

Rare artefacts from Afghanistan will be on display at the Museum of History from November 6 until February 10, 2020.

 

Ancient Artefacts of Afghanistan - Glistening Treasures in the Dust will display 231 artefacts, including gold and glass wares, bronze sculptures and ivory carvings unearthed from four famous archaeological sites in Afghanistan.

 

Highlight exhibits include a golden bowl with a bearded-bull motif unearthed in Tepe Fullol and pendants with styles that were common in the Mesopotamian and Persian Plateau regions.

 

The precious relics are on loan from the National Museum of Afghanistan.

 

The museum’s director Mohammad Rahimi said that because Afghanistan borders many countries including China, the artefacts attest to the role ancient Afghanistan played as the cultural crossroads of the Silk Road.

 

“Afghanistan has been given the title of the crossroads of the ancient civilisation by different scholars of the world. So we had very good relations with different civilisations in the past so that’s why we can see a lot of influences of different cultures in our objects.”

 

Mr Rahimi added that Afghanistan is sharing its exhibit with Hong Kong as a gesture of goodwill and friendship and with the hope of strengthening relations with China.

 

“We have also seen different examples of our ancient relations with China. Because of that, we want to build on our relations with China through this exhibition and we have shown that we have had very good connections in the past.”

 

Many of the exhibits will be equipped with interactive designs so that visitors can compare and contrast the displayed treasures with similar artefacts.

 

Click here for details.




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Leaving Afghanistan

I am the gate keeper. Two flags gone Marking bodies where they fell, Manure, Useful, Two flags fleeing loose rounds, Auras, Fleeting, Bring your palm, I can read it now, Unhinged as I am, The last are, Making their way home. -evocative short poetry-




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Afghanistan: Displacement Challenges in a Country on the Move

Nearly 6 million Afghans fled after violence erupted in the late 1970s, primarily to Iran and Pakistan. While millions returned after the collapse of the Taliban in 2001, the security situation has since deteriorated and the government struggles to meet the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly the internally displaced. This country profile explores Afghanistan’s complex migration and displacement history as well as ongoing challenges.




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From Afghanistan to Australia

A former Afghan fighter discovers Jesus Christ in the Qur’an.




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Broadcasting the gospel to Afghans

Pamir Productions, formed in 1991, passionately uses all forms of media to spread the gospel to Afghans worldwide.




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Federal Court Block Deportation of Afghanistan National on SIV

On Wednesday, a federal high court prevented the President Trump’s led administration from sending back a man of Afghan descent who was attempting to come into the United States with a special permit kept specially for those who have come to the aid…




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‘India is an important force’: US Afghanistan envoy Khalilzad calls for direct talks between New Delhi and Taliban

Washington’s special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has called on New Delhi to directly engage with the Taliban, asking India to play a “more active” part in the Afghan peace process and the fight against terrorism.
Read Full Article at RT.com




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Kailash Gahlot, Najafgarh MLA, To Take Oath As Delhi Minister On Sunday

Kailash Gehlot, the Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Delhi's Najafgarh, took care of two of the most important focus areas of Arvind Kejriwal's previous government- transport and environment.






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Afghanistan seeks pioneers to reap rewards of its risks

Despite recurrent challenges, Afghanistan’s business environment is improving. Now the authorities are working to persuade investors the rewards are worth the risk through a series of economic and legal reforms. 




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Industry minister seeks to put Afghanistan back in business

Ajmal Ahmady, Afghanistan's minister of industries and commerce, outlines government efforts to make the country more conducive to business.




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Afghan police open fire on protesters demanding coronavirus aid packages

The protesters accused the government of unfairly distributing aid packages provided by a charity.

The post Afghan police open fire on protesters demanding coronavirus aid packages appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.




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Seven dead in protests over food distribution in Afghanistan, local MP says

Seven people were killed when protesters angry over what they see as unfair food aid distribution during the coronavirus pandemic clashed with police in Afghanistan's western Ghor province.




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Taliban Militants Kill Afghan Regional Police Chief In Latest Attack

Taliban militants have killed a provincial police chief and two others in a roadside bomb attack in Khost Province in Afghanistan’s southeast, officials said on May 8.




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Afghan Farmers Supply Opium Trade As Money Dries Up

Farmers in Afghanistan are growing poppies in government-controlled areas, insisting that there are no real economic alternatives to cultivating the flowers for the opium trade. It's estimated that Afghanistan's poppy fields are the source for much of the world's illegal heroin supply.




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Afghan President Calls For 'Thorough' Investigation Into Drowning Of Migrants After Crossing Into Iran

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has ordered a probe into the drowning of several Afghan migrants last week after reports that Iranian border guards allegedly forced them into a river.




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At Least Two Dead After Afghan Police Fire On Protesters

At least two people were killed and more were injured in western Afghanistan on May 9 when police clashed with hundreds of protesters angry over what they insisted was unfair distribution of food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, a local lawmaker said.




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Afghan Protesters Killed in Clashes With Police

Crowd in impoverished Ghor province protests COVID-19-related food shortages during Ramadan




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Afghanistan: The Ministry of Energy and Water (“Procuring Authority”) has launched a request for qualification (“RFQ”) for a 40 MW solar photovoltaic energy project in the Herat region ("Project")

Background The Procuring Authority has engaged the International Finance Corporation, acting through its Public Private Partnerships Transaction Advisory Services division, to act as lead transaction advisor in relation to the Project. The RFQ will ...




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Seven killed in protests over food distribution in Afghanistan, local MP says

Seven people were killed when protesters angry over what they see as unfair food aid distribution during the coronavirus pandemic clashed with police in Afghanistan's western Ghor province on Saturday, according to a local member of parliament. Fourteen more were wounded during the protest - sparked by growing unhappiness at the distribution...




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Afghan Government Releases 1,000 Taliban Members - Security Council

KABUL (Sputnik) - The Afghan government...




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World Bank approves $400m funding injection for Afghanistan

The World Bank approved a $400 million grant on Friday to help Afghanistan deal with the coronavirus while maintaining economic and public finance reforms. The grant will support efforts to improve business regulation and encourage private investment, improve taxation capacity and expand social inclusion, among others. It is made up of $160 million from the International Development...




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US gives India key role in Afghan peace process

New Delhi: The United States is understood to have reiterated its desire for India to play a key role in the Afghan peace process, given New Delhi’s strong relationship with the Afghan Government. Strengthening its ties with Kabul amid the Coronavirus pandemic, New Delhi meanwhile has dispatched a consignment of 10,000 tonnes of wheat on Thursday to Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chabahar and this brings...





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In the news: US restricts Afghanistan airstrike data

Redacted figures, including drone strikes, are the latest military data to be restricted in a conflict that killed or injured 10,000 civilians in 2019.




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Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN)




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Seven killed in protests over food distribution in Afghanistan - local MP


Fourteen more were wounded during the protest - sparked by growing unhappiness at the distribution allegedly favouring people with political connections, said Gulzaman Nayeb, a local lawmaker.




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18 bodies of drowned Afghans recovered at Iran border

HERAT: Afghanistan has recovered 18 bodies of migrants who were allegedly beaten and tortured before being forced into a river by Iranian border guards last week, a senior Afghan official said...

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18 bodies of drowned Afghans recovered at Iran border

HERAT, Afghanistan: Afghanistan has recovered 18 bodies of migrants who were allegedly beaten and tortured before being forced into a river by Iranian border guards last week, a senior Afghan official said Friday.Afghan authorities are investigating claims the migrants drowned while illegally...




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18 bodies of drowned Afghans recovered at Iran border

HERAT, Afghanistan: Afghanistan has recovered 18 bodies of migrants who were allegedly beaten and tortured before being forced into a river by Iranian border guards last week, a senior Afghan official said on Friday.Afghan authorities are investigating claims the migrants drowned while illegally...




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Six killed in clashes at Afghanistan food aid event

Two policemen and four other people were killed in Afghanistan Saturday after a deadly clash at a public food donation in central Ghor province, officials said.




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Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: Gen Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday. During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came...




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Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: Gen Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday.During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came under...




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Pakistan sincerely supports Afghan peace process: General Qamar Javed Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad Friday called on Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa here on Friday.During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and overall regional security situation, including Afghan reconciliation process, came under...




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Bajwa reiterates Pak support for Afghan peace in Khalilzad meeting

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said Pakistan’s support towards Afghan peace is a manifestation of “our goodwill to the cause” in a meeting with US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad.According to a press release issued by the...




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Pakistan backs Afghan talks, Bajwa tells US special envoy

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said Pakistan’s support for the Afghan reconciliation process is a proof of its sincerity for peace in Afghanistan.

Talking to US Special Envoy for Afghan Reconciliation Dr Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday, the army chief said: “Our support towards peace process is a manifestation of our goodwill towards the cause.”

Dr Khalilzad was visiting Pakis­tan after a meeting with Taliban leaders in Doha and a stopover in Delhi, where he met Indian Exter­nal Affairs Minister Subrahman­yam Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The Indian leaders, according to reports in Indian media, blamed a recent spike in violence in Afghanistan to alleged “sanctuaries” on Pakistani soil and emphasised their elimination. The Indian allegations have come in the backdrop of renewed terror accusations against Pakistan in India-held Kashmir.

Pakistan has strongly rejected all Indian allegations and has asked the United Nations to seek proofs from India about the alleged “launch pads” and “infiltration bids” at the Line of Control.

Khalilzad scheduled to return to Doha for resumption of negotiations with Taliban

Dr Khalilzad, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), praised continuing Pakistani efforts for peace and stability in the region.

India, despite the special envoy’s recent visits to Delhi, is uneasy because its viewpoint on Afghanistan is getting little weightage in Washington.

Pakistan had facilitated long-drawn US-Taliban talks, which culminated with the signing of a landmark peace deal in Doha in February between the two adversaries that have been at war for 19 years. Under the deal, the Afghan Taliban gave counterterrorism assurances and agreed to engage in dialogue with the Afghan government for ending war. The peace agreement was expected to pave the way for the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

However, the progress towards start of intra-Afghan peace talks have been sluggish because of trust deficit between the Afghan factions and slow release of prisoners by both sides. Intra-Afghan talks were, according to the original plan, to commence on March 10 after release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners by Kabul, while the militant group was to set free 1,000 government personnel. So far the Afghan government has released 933 of the 5,000 Taliban prisoners, while the Taliban have freed 155 captives.

In recent weeks, the Taliban finally intensified attacks against government forces. On Thursday, Khost police chief Ahmad Babazai was killed in a landmine attack.

Dr Khalilzad said he had in his “lengthy” overnight meeting with the head of Taliban political office in Doha emphasised “reduction in violence, humanitarian ceasefire as demanded by the international community to allow for better cooperation on managing Covid-19 pandemic in Afghanistan, acceleration of prisoner releases by both sides, actions necessary to secure the freedom of US citizen Mark Frerichs, regional and international support for the peace process, and movement to intra-Afghan negotiations ASAP”.

The special envoy will travel back to Doha from Islamabad for continuing his discussions with Taliban leaders.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2020




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18 bodies of drowned Afghans recovered at Iran border

Afghanistan has recovered 18 bodies of migrants who were allegedly beaten and tortured before being forced into a river by Iranian border guards last week, a senior Afghan official said Friday.