Taliban
Afghanistan call for 'politics-free cricket' after Australia scrap T20s
Afghanistan cricket bosses Wednesday expressed disappointment that Australia had scrapped a men's T20 series because of deteriorating women's rights in the Taliban-ruled country and called for "politics-free cricket".
'Crazy for cricket': Young Afghans inspired by national team's success
From pickup games in dusty parks or narrow alleys to high-intensity training at well-kitted academies, young Afghans have cricket fever -- a trend spiked by the surprise performance of the Afghan national team at the recent ODI World Cup.
Afghans return to Taliban rule as Pakistan moves to expel 1.7 million
The Taliban government in Afghanistan said some 60,000 Afghans returned between Sept 23 to Oct 22 from Pakistan, which announced on Oct 4 it will expel undocumented migrants that do not leave.
"We were forced": Afghan women TV presenters cover faces on air
Women presenters on Afghanistan’s leading news channels went on air yesterday with their faces covered, a day after defying a Taliban order to conceal their appearance on television.
Women TV presenters in Afghanistan defy Taliban order to cover faces on air
Women presenters on Afghanistan's leading TV channels yesterday went on air without covering their faces, defying a Taliban order that they conceal their appearance to comply with the group's austere brand of Islam.
Female Afghan TV presenters ‘must cover face on air’
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have asked television broadcasters to ensure that female presenters on local stations cover their faces when on air, an official said yesterday.
Taliban kill 16 Afghan soldiers, kidnap engineers after ceasefire ends
Taliban militants kill at least 16 Afghan police and two civilians in western Badghis province after their three-day ceasefire for the Eid al-Fitr holiday ended at the weekend, officials say.
Taliban suicide bomber attacks NATO convoy in south Afghanistan
A Taliban suicide bomber rams a vehicle filled with explosives into a convoy of foreign forces in Afghanistan's restive southern province of Kandahar, causing casualties, officials say.
Afghan leader issues ultimatum to Taliban as bombing toll tops 150
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issues an ultimatum to the Taliban, warning them to embrace peace or "face consequences" after announcing that the death toll from last week's devastating truck bombing have passed 150.
Taliban car bomber targets NATO convoy near Kabul airport
A Taliban bomber detonates an explosives-packed vehicle near Kabul airport in an attack on a NATO convoy, killing one civilian.
Afghan Taliban: Helmand town police HQ ‘under siege’
The police HQ in the strategic Afghan town of Sangin remains under siege after a Taliban attack, officials say.
US warns of 'imminent' attack in Afghan capital
The US Embassy says it has received "credible reports of an imminent attack" in the Afghan capital.
Afghan Taliban seize 13 soldiers after helicopter crash
At least 13 soldiers are captured by the Taliban after a helicopter crash landed in Afghanistan, killing three of those on board.
Taliban splinter group names leader
A breakaway Afghan Taliban faction has appointed its own leader, underlining deep divisions in the group following the death of founder Mullah Omar.
Afghan girl seeking 'better future' for Kabul children
Fourteen-year-old Aziza Rahimzada is trying to help her impoverished community by offering classes to children.
Afghanistan-Pakistan quake: Taliban seize Darqad district
The Taliban seize Afghanistan's Darqad district, one of those hit by Monday's earthquake that killed at least 360 in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Relief agencies battle to reach Afghan-Pakistan quake victims
Relief agencies are battling to reach cold and hungry survivors of a devastating earthquake that has killed more than 360 people in Pakistan and Afghanistan, with entire communities still cut off in the mountainous region.
Obama urges Pakistan to avoid raising nuclear tensions with new weapons
U.S. President Barack Obama urges Pakistan to avoid developments in its nuclear weapons programme that could increase risks and instability.
US troops to stay in Afghanistan in policy shift
President Barack Obama confirms plans to extend the US military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2016, in a shift in policy.
