Page 21 - Afghanistan

Afghans still hope to find survivors from earthquake that killed over 2,000

Clinging to hope that finding survivors was still possible, Afghan rescuers and villagers kept digging through rubble on Tuesday in western Herat province, three days after one of the deadliest earthquakes in the region left more than 2,000 dead. Elsewhere in Herat, people were digging graves for their loved ones killed in Saturday's 6.3 magnitude quake. On a barren field in the district of Zinda Jan, a bulldozer removed mounds of earth to clear space for a long row of graves. The epicenter was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the city of Herat, the provincial capital, the US Geological Survey said. Several of the aftershocks have been strong, including one on Monday that again caused residents of the city to rush out of their homes. It is very difficult to find a family member from a destroyed house and a few minutes to later bury him or her in a nearby grave, again under the ground, said Mir Agha, from the city of Herat who had joined hundreds of volunteers to help the

Death toll from strong earthquakes that shook Afghanistan rises to 2,000

A powerful magnitude-6.3 earthquake followed by strong aftershocks killed dozens of people in western Afghanistan on Saturday, the country's national disaster authority said. The United Nations gave a preliminary figure of 320 dead, but later said the figure was still being verified. Local authorities gave an estimate of 100 people killed and 500 injured, according to the same update from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The update also said 465 houses had been reported destroyed and a further 135 were damaged. Partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties to increase as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that some people may be trapped under collapsed buildings, the U.N. said. Disaster authority spokesperson Mohammad Abdullah Jan said four villages in the Zenda Jan district in Herat province bore the brunt of the quake and aftershocks. The United States Geological Survey said the quake's epicentre was about 40 kilomet

Two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes kill nearly 100, injure 500 in Afghanistan

Two 6.3 magnitude earthquakes killed at least 15 and injured nearly 40 others in western Afghanistan on Saturday, said a spokesperson for the country's national disaster authority. Mohammad Abdullah Jan said four villages in the Zenda Jan district in Herat bore the brunt of the quakes and aftershocks. Dozens of houses have been damaged. The United States Geological Survey reported the 6.3 magnitude tremblors. It said the epicentre was 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) northwest of Herat city. There was an aftershock with a 5.5 magnitude. A map on the USGS website indicates seven earthquakes in the area. At least five powerful earthquakes struck the city around noon, Herat city resident Abdul Shakor Samadi said. All people are out of their homes, Samadi said. Houses, offices and shops are all empty and there are fears of more earthquakes. My family and I were inside our home, I felt the quake. His family began shouting and ran outside, afraid to return indoors. Telephone connections went

90% polio cases in Pakistan 'imported' from Afghanistan: Health minister

Nadeem's remarks came after two more samples tested positive for the poliovirus in Pakistan, just a day after this year's third case surfaced

EU Parliament condemns 'gender apartheid policy' of Taliban in Afghanistan

They also condemned the increase in human rights violations in Afghanistan, particularly arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and torture by former security forces

Pak holds right to expel individuals, including Afghans: Balochistan govt

"It is important to recognize that Pakistan holds the sovereign right to expel any individuals, including those from Afghanistan if deemed necessary," Balochistan's Jan Achakzai said

Unjust, unfair: Taliban on Pakistan's decision to expel Afghan refugees

The Taliban's acting minister urged the Pakistani people and clerics to stop such "violent" actions against Afghan refugees in the country

Pakistan bans export of 212 items to Afghanistan after imposing import fees

The country has put a ban on the export of 17 types of clothes, all types of vehicle tires, tea leaves, cosmetics and dozens of toiletries

Two-thirds of Afghan families face livelihood challenges: World Bank

In the coming years, South Asian nations are expected to experience significant economic development, according to the new World Bank report

World Food Programme to give assistance to 1.3 mn people across Afghanistan

The ADB added that a $100 million grant will go to the WFP

Taliban needs to meet its commitments to get legitimacy: White House

The Taliban needs to meet its commitments to get legitimacy, the White House has said. We've not recognised them as a governing power in Afghanistan. They want that. They want legitimacy. Then they need to meet their commitments, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday. I mean, how can you effectively govern, how can you effectively have a useful economy when basically half your workforce, all women, are prohibited from being a part of that process? So, we're going to keep holding them accountable for their commitments, he said in response to a question. Asked if this means that the US will not have any conversation with the Taliban, he replied, Of course not. We're still working to try to get our allies and partners in Afghanistan out. That takes conversation. It takes dialogue. But it's important to the United States to keep meeting our word to the people who hel

10 terrorists gunned down by soldiers in Pakistan's Khyber: Official

At least 10 terrorists were killed during an operation by the Pakistani soldiers in the country's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an official statement said on Tuesday. The intelligence-based operations were conducted by the Pakistani soldiers after receiving information on the movement of the militants in the province's Tank district. "The security forces on Monday shot dead ten terrorists during an intelligence-based operation on the reported presence of terrorists in the restive district bordering Afghanistan," ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistani Army, said. During the operations, intense fire exchange took place between the troops and terrorists which resulted in the death of ten terrorists. The slain terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion & killing of innocent civilians. A large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered during the operation, the statement said.

Earthquake of magnitude 4.7 jolts Afghanistan's Fayzabad, informs NCS

An earthquake of magnitude 4.7 on the Richter Scale jolted Afghanistan's Fayzabad on Tuesday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said.The earthquake occurred at 16:29:08 (IST) on Tuesday. According to NCS, the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres."Earthquake of Magnitude:4.7, Occurred on 03-10-2023, 16:29:08 IST, Lat: 36.54 & Long: 71.20, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: 85km SE of Fayzabad, Afghanistan," posted NCS on X.Earlier, on September 16, an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter Scale jolted Afghanistan's Fayzabad, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said.The earthquake occurred at 10:58:08 (IST) on Saturday. According to NCS, the earthquake struck at a depth of 90 kilometres."Earthquake of Magnitude: 4.3, Occurred on 16-09-2023, 10:58:08 IST, Lat: 36.63 & Long: 71.67, Depth: 90 km , Location: 112 km ESE of Fayzabad, Afghanistan," NCS had posted on X.The National Center for Seismology (NCS) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for ...

Afghanistan has shut its embassy in India from October 1; here's why

The Afghan embassy has cited 'lack of support from the host government' to effectively carry out its duties as a reason for the suspension of all operations, barring emergency consular services

C5+ Germany meeting highlights need for inclusive govt in Afghanistan

"The cabinet of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is comprised of all tribes and representatives and the rights of all citizens including women have been ensured in the country," Mujahid said

Australia provides $5 million aid to Afghanistan amid rising poverty

The agency stated in a press release on Sunday that Australia has contributed more than $5.1 million to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund

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Decision to shut down Afghan embassy not because of India: Former envoy

Underlining the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Bhaswati Mukherjee noted that the decision was triggered by internal Afghan politics

Global acceptance of Taliban depends on respecting women's rights: US Envoy

According to Amiri, officials delivered a clear message: The Taliban must respect Afghan and women's rights to be part of the international community, according to Khaama Press

Afghan embassy in India announces shut down of operations from Oct 1

The Afghanistan Embassy here announced Saturday night that it is ceasing its operations from October 1, citing a "lack of support from the host government", failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests, and reduction in personnel and resources. In a statement, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi said it regrets announcing the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023. "It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations," the statement said. The embassy said that this decision, while deeply regrettable, was made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India. The embassy statement also listed key factors affecting its ability to continue the mission effectively and said that they were the primary reasons for the "unfortunate closure". The embassy cited a "lack of suppor