PajhwokFour Killed, One Wounded in Nangarhar Traffic Accident
Four people were killed and one was injured when a high-speed Swift-type vehicle lost control and collided with a roadside tree in Batikot district of Nangarhar province, according to provincial police.
ReliableSecurity Forces Arrest 40 Suspects on Drug Trafficking, Criminal Charges in Four Provinces
Afghan security forces arrested 40 suspects on drug trafficking and other criminal charges in Herat, Ghazni, Khost and Farah provinces, according to the Ministry of Interior. Operations in Herat yielded significant drug seizures, including hashish, opium, methamphetamine and intoxicating tablets.
ReliableFloods in Afghanistan's Badghis Province Kill Five, Cause Damage to Lands and Property
Floods in Badghis province killed five people, including a child, destroyed agricultural lands and caused financial damage, while heavy rains temporarily closed the Herat-Kandahar highway. The Farah River swelled but has returned to normal.
ReliableInformation Minister Haqqani Pledges Support for Media, Cultural Activities in Logar
Minister of Information and Culture Sheikh Sher Ahmad Haqqani pledged support for media and cultural activities during a visit to Logar province. Local officials reported progress in these areas and efforts to address challenges.
ReliablePetrol, Sugar Prices Rise in Kabul as Gold, Diesel Decline
Petrol prices in Kabul rose to 64 afghanis per litre from 61 afghanis, and Indian sugar increased to 3,070 afghanis per 49-kg sack from 2,800 afghanis wholesale. Gold, diesel, Kazakh flour and liquefied gas prices declined, while other essentials remained stable and the US dollar saw a slight uptick.
ReliableUkraine Signs Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia on Drone Technology, Zelensky Says
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has signed a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia focused on sharing drone defense expertise and technology ahead of a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The deal aims to foster future contracts, investment and mutual benefits.
ReliableHerat Traders Donate 15 Million Afghanis in Humanitarian Aid to Iran
Traders in Herat province donated 15 million afghanis in cash humanitarian aid to Iran, handing it over to the Iranian consulate. Officials confirmed ongoing trade relations and expressed interest in joint rebuilding efforts for schools and healthcare centers.
Over 1,900 Dead in Iran Since Start of US-Israel Strikes: IFRC
IFRC official Maria Martinez reported more than 1,900 killed and over 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of US-Israel strikes, citing Iranian Red Crescent data. The Iranian Red Crescent is the only nationwide humanitarian organization operating amid the escalating conflict.
ReliableFour Children Killed in Ghazni Landmine Explosion
Four children died after triggering an old landmine in Ali Khankhel village, southern Ghazni province, with officials updating the toll from two killed and two injured to four deaths.
ReliableChina Welcomes Pakistan's Mediation in US-Iran Talks
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and Iran during talks with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar. Both nations agreed to coordinate on halting the conflict, reviving negotiations and protecting civilians.
ReliableIranian Missile Attack on Saudi Base Wounds 12 U.S. Troops, Two Critically
An Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia injured 12 U.S. troops, two critically, amid ongoing strikes on Gulf countries. Several U.S. fighter jets were damaged, adding to prior casualties of around 300 wounded.
ReliableMan Dies from Injuries in Family Clash in Nangarhar
A man died from injuries in a clash between two families in Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, according to local police. Authorities arrested two suspects.
ReliableTaliban Deputy Army Chief Visits Paktika Border Areas, Rejects Pakistani Advance Claims
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense rejected claims of Pakistani advances in Paktika as baseless after Deputy Chief of Staff Mali Khan Sediq visited border areas to confirm full Afghan control. Some Afghan officials reported incursions and related incidents in Paktika and Nuristan.
ReliableHuman Rights Watch Deems Pakistan Airstrike on Kabul Drug Treatment Center Illegal and Likely War Crime
Human Rights Watch has labeled Pakistan's March 16 airstrike on a Kabul drug treatment center illegal and potentially a war crime, reporting at least 143 killed with no evidence of military targets. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan claims higher casualties exceeding 400.
ReliablePakistan PPP Provincial Head Urges Dialogue to Resolve Afghanistan-Pakistan Disputes
Mia Iftikhar Hussain, provincial head of Pakistan's Peoples Party, called for regional and international mediation to secure a lasting ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan and urged dialogue to resolve disputes. He warned of uncontrollable conflict if tensions persist and highlighted ceasefire violations during Eid.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Industry Minister Meets Turkish Chargé d'Affaires to Discuss Trade Ties
Nooruddin Azizi, the Islamic Emirate's Minister of Industry and Commerce, met with Turkish Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Sadin Aydildiz in Kabul to discuss expanding trade ties, including via the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and received an invitation to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
ReliablePrime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Holds Telephone Conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mohammad Hassan Akhund, discussed regional tensions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with both expressing concern over attacks on Iran and calling for dialogue to resolve Afghanistan-Pakistan issues. Pakistan resumed military operations against targets in Afghanistan after the Eid ceasefire ended.
ReliableAround 40,000 New Students Expected to Enroll in Ghazni Schools This Academic Year
Around 40,000 new students are expected to enroll in Ghazni province schools this academic year, according to officials, despite shortages of teachers and textbooks. Students, teachers and parents have raised concerns about education quality, including unqualified instructors, outdated materials and inadequate facilities.
ReliableOver 169,000 Tonnes of Goods Transported via Afghanistan’s Railways Last Week
More than 169,000 metric tonnes of goods were transported via Afghanistan’s railways from March 12 to 18, mostly imports through key ports and routes, the Ministry of Public Works reported. The ministry said rising rail trade is creating jobs, boosting revenue and advancing economic stability.
ReliableTaliban Begins New Academic Year Without Girls for Fifth Consecutive Year
The 1405 academic year began across Afghanistan with a ceremony in Kabul, but girls above sixth grade remain excluded from secondary schools for a fifth consecutive year as the Taliban ministry announced education programs without addressing the ban.
ReliableIslamic Emirate Deputy Minister Calls for Fair Water Sharing at Tashkent Forum
Mujib-ur-Rahman Omar Akhundzada, deputy minister of water and energy for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, called for fair water distribution, stronger diplomacy and joint climate action at the "Water Week" forum in Tashkent. He reaffirmed commitment to neighbors' water rights and met Uzbekistan's water minister to discuss bilateral ties.
ReliableEuropean Union Allocates 250,000 Euros in Humanitarian Aid for Vulnerable Afghans
The European Union has allocated 250,000 euros in humanitarian aid to assist around 70,000 vulnerable people in eastern Afghanistan displaced by conflicts and earthquakes. The funding supports the Afghan Red Crescent in providing food, cash, shelter, health care and sanitation.
ReliableUNESCO Reports 273 Million Children and Adolescents Out of School Worldwide for Seventh Consecutive Year
UNESCO announced that 273 million children and adolescents are out of school worldwide for the seventh straight year due to population growth, crises and budget cuts, affecting one in six school-age children. Despite school closures from Middle East tensions, global enrollment has risen 30 percent since 2000.
ReliableMalaysia Announces Stricter Regulations for Foreign Workers
The Malaysian government has introduced stricter regulations for foreign workers effective June, raising minimum salary thresholds for visas and limiting stays to 5-10 years to cut foreign labor share to 5% by 2035. The policy has raised concerns among workers and businesses over costs and skilled labor shortages.
ReliableAt Least 23 Killed as Passenger Bus Plunges into Padma River in Bangladesh
At least 23 people were killed when a passenger bus fell into the Padma River in Bangladesh's Rajbari district near Daulatdia. Rescue operations continued into the night amid fears that more passengers remain missing.
ReliableAustralia Imposes Six-Month Ban on Iranian Visitors Amid Middle East Conflict Risks
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has imposed a six-month ban on visitor visas for Iranian nationals outside the country due to risks from the Middle East conflict preventing their return home. Exemptions apply to those already in Australia, en route, certain family members and permanent visa holders, amid criticism from refugee advocates.
Reliable426 Afghan Refugees Released from Pakistani Prisons
Afghanistan's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations announced the release of 426 Afghan refugees from Pakistani prisons this week, with the individuals returning home after registration and humanitarian aid.
ReliableAfghan MMA Fighter Abdul Karim Badakhshi to Face Spanish Champion Fabia Sintes on March 28
Afghan MMA fighter Abdul Karim Badakhshi will face Spanish lightweight champion Fabia Sintes on March 28 in Barcelona under WOW FC, competing for the championship belt. Badakhshi has a 9-3 record, while Sintes stands at 10-3, per an announcement from the Afghan fighter's brother.
ReliableOver 200 Injured in Israel in Past 24 Hours Amid Iran-Hezbollah Attacks
Israel's Health Ministry reported 204 people injured over the past 24 hours amid attacks by Iran and Hezbollah. Iranian missile strikes killed 16 in Israel while two Israeli soldiers died in southern Lebanon.
Reliable21 Killed, Over 600 Injured in Balkh and Herat Traffic Accidents During Eid-ul-Fitr
At least 21 people were killed and over 600 injured in traffic accidents in Balkh and Herat provinces during Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, according to health officials. Most incidents involved motorcycles and were attributed to overspeeding, carelessness and reckless driving.